Smoking and Impotence: A Deadly Combination

January 2, 2008

IGo to fullsize imaget is very difficult to stop an addiction.  Smoking is one problem that we almost always encounter among our male patients who come in with Diabetes.  Seldom do many realize that smoking in itself doubles or triples the harm that high blood sugar entails among our diabetic patients.

But one complication that many dont realize is that smoking contributes to the increasing risk of impotence. 

A survey published in the American Journal of Epidimeology showed that the risk to develop impotence among smokers is 42% higher compared to non smokers!!!!   If this vice is coupled with alcohol consumption and obesity then the risk of erectile dysfunction substantially increases further!

So to all smokers out there… you may just ward off the effects of smoking on the heart, and the lungs but to be impotent is a DISASTER!!!!!

This New Year’s: Resolve To Stop Smoking For Health and Wellness!

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Personal Thoughts | Leave a Comment »

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year To ALL!!!!

December 27, 2007

As much as I want to read more and share some new things in my website…time for the holidays is mainly for the family and the kids.  We just came back from a family gathering with my father and my 8 bros and sisters in the province and it was not only relaxing but worth the effort and time of the travel to see my folks again and make sure they keep themselves in good health!  It is actually a time also for them to ” consult” with me and make sure they are doing right with their health!

Tomorrow will be my time for my own family where for the first time I’ll bring my three kids to Hongkong Disneyland… I have already brought my 2 older kids to Hongkong last summer, to Korea last year and Singapore and China 2 years ago but this trip will be the first for the youngest one.  The disneyland affair in December is also worth the fun! I am sure I will need a massage and spa after this trip but my kids deserve this trip!

So to all my friends in the web… Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year To ALL!!!!

CHEERS to a Better Health in the Coming Year!!!

Posted in Personal Thoughts | 1 Comment »

Yogurt And Its Health Benefits….

December 22, 2007

My family loves Yogurt so I thought of sharing with you how this great tasting beverage can be healthy as well.

1. Yogurt contains active, living cultures and the most abundant are lactobacillus bulgaricus and streptococcus thermophilus. These cultures help keep the colon healthy with studies showing it to lower the risk of colon cancer.

2. Yogurt contains lots of protein, vitamins, and minerals — and now you have choices of which to choose depending on the amount of calories each preparation has.  But overall for the weight conscious…it contains less calories than you think.

3. Yogurt uses nonfat milk in its preparation, and therefore a rich source of calcium and water as well. Meaning good for the bones!!!!

4. For those who have lactose intolerance and therefore unable to tolerate milk can easily enjoy yogurt.  The culturing process of yogurt makes it easily digestible.  The cultures present in yogurt help create the substance lacking in patients with lactose intolerance which is lactase.

5. Yogurt helps increase the absorption of certain nutrients and vitamins including Vitamin B and calcium.

6. Lastly, some studies have shown it to boost ones immunity and is considered a grow food… good for our children because it is rich in protein but also it helps in the absorption of other food protein needed for growth!!!

Need I say more my friends.  I let my kids bring yogurt to school daily as snack instead of the usual fruit juices which are rich in sugar and therefore calories.  I also prefer yogurt mixed with my fruits and they just blend very well….Use it in place of ice cream and one can even use yogurt in place of milk for baking goodies….

So next time you go grocery shopping in time for the Christmas celebration dinner… grab a yogurt on your way out or two!

Yogurt Does Your Body GOOD!

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Nutrition Health Tips, Personal Thoughts | Leave a Comment »

Intensive Blood Sugar Control Can Reduce Risk of DEATH

December 20, 2007

Go to fullsize imageFor my diabetic patients, it is very important that they understand that the reason for controlling their blood sugar is… to reduce the risk for complications like heart disease and stroke.

Now comes a new study that proves…tight control of blood sugar can indeed lower the risk of a patient to die from the disease…. published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 2007

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The study concluded:

Normal mortality was attained in the elderly under intensive mutifactorial diabetes control ( Including control for BP and cholesterol)

Renal dysfunction, prior stroke, high LDL-cholesterol, and prior obesity were prominent risks for mortality, macroangiopathy and/or ESRD.

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For me the bottom line in addressing any disease is based on two key  things:

  1. Discipline to live a healthy lifestyle! Remember…to live longer does not mean controlling blood sugar alone because if you continue to gain weight with high blood pressure and high BAD cholesterol due to poor choices of food then the end result is still early mortality due to complications!
  2. Follow Your doctor’s advise!.… But choose the right doctor for your specific disease to get the best solution to your problem because just like any job we want done… you find for the best person to do the job RIGHT! and not just to finish the job!…

In the end of the day… everything boils down to one conlcusion….

To Live LOnger Requires Discipline!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Personal Thoughts, The Diabetes Facts, What's New in Diabetes | Leave a Comment »

Red Meat and Your Risk for Cancer…

December 18, 2007

I eat meat…. who doesn’t?  I know of few friends that are purely vegetarians but I can only count them with my one hand.  I try to introduce veggies to my kids as often as I can but food is finished faster if there is meat especially red meat from fried chicken!!!!

Now comes a new study linking red meat consumption to increased cancer risk.  This study was recently published online in PLOS Medicine, December of 2007 with a conclusion from the editorial below:

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…Red and processed meat intake appears to be positively associated with risk of cancer of the colon and rectum, esophagus, liver, lung, and pancreas in a new, large US cohort study of 500,000 men and women.

….However, this study provided little support for an association with other cancer sites. Current dietary guidelines recommend selecting meats that are lean, low-fat, or fat-free, thus promoting limited consumption of red and processed meats.

…..Overall, the strongest risk factors for cancer in the US are smoking and obesity. However, understanding the complex interaction of diet with smoking and obesity, and how specific foods and nutrients are metabolized, may provide further clues into the etiology and, most importantly, the prevention of cancer.

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It is also important to note that while red meat is indeed a risk factor for cancer…majority of patients on red meat are also taking processed foods which are high in fat and therefore associated with obesity which in itself increases ones risk to develop cancer.  And therefore the interaction of the different risk factors is in itself a matter of importance.

For this holiday season…let us therefore examine the way we lead our lives … the way we eat and the way we take care of our health. It is really up to us to interpret and practice the things we know that are healthy and avoid or shy away from the things we know that are harmful. 

….Which way to go and adopt the practice in our lifestyle is up to us!….

Be Informed! and Live Well!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, Personal Thoughts | 4 Comments »

Experience in Taipei, Taiwan….

December 15, 2007

Go to fullsize imageJust on my way home from a trip to Taipei …was here in the 90’s and so much has changed since then. The progress is evident but it seems that the progress has not changed the culture at all.  The cleanliness is evident as well as the character…of the place and the people.

This is touted as one of the safest places to go around in Asia. It may not boast of a lot of touristic destinations but the history in itself is worth the visit.  You dont see a lot of tourists from the US or Europe and majority or 90% of the people visiting places like the museums and nearby cities are from the domestic travelers.  It is unfortunate though that one place which is worth the visit which is the Chiang Kai Skek Memorial Museum will be closed down in the near future and will be renamed the Democracy Museum…for whatever reason for now mainly political.

From the way people live to the way they manufacture things are totally not the same as in mainland China.  For one… the motorcycle scooters are parked without locks including the helmets…just incredible trust with their fellow Taiwanese that nothing is going to be stolen.  The taxi drivers are honest and the services are great that you dont fear going around by yourself.  The plus factor is that many Taiwanese including the waiters and waitresses speak good english…a plus for foreigners who dont speak Mandarin.  The market also is not flooded by imitations but true Taiwanese made that are cheap and looks sturdy especially the elctronics icluding clothes.  There is no intimidation of haggling which I like and they dont get angry of you dont buy the things you are asking for unlike in other Asian countries.

I seldom see people smoke and I dont see a lot of obese Taiwanese. This translates to a healthy standard of living.

Overall…this trip has been rewarding in terms of learning more about the history and the culture of Taiwan and how this renegade province of China has become one the safest and disciplined countries in the world… and probably healthier that the mainland China.

I will be posting some picture soon in my flicker website and travel website for the sites in Taipei including the now tallest buildng in the world: the Taipei 101 with 101 floors and having the fastest elevator that can bring you to the top in less than 40 seconds. 

And lastly…of course…the experience of Excellent Chinese food…nothing beats Taiwan!

Posted in Memories and Trips, Personal Thoughts | Leave a Comment »

Diabetes and Obesity: The Cancer Link…

December 11, 2007

New studies recently surfaced regarding the increased risk of diabetics or obese individuals to different kinds of cancer.  The hyperinsulinemic state associated with these two metabolic conditions may be responsible to predisposing these individuals to a higher cancer risk.

The American Cancer Research Society website published recent researches linking the two conditions to cancer:

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1.Women with diabetes are 1.5 times more likely to develop colorectal cancer than those who do not have the metabolic disorder, according to researchers at the University of Minnesota.

2.Women with invasive breast cancer and high blood levels of C-peptide (a marker of insulin secretion) face a risk of death nearly three times higher than women with lower blood levels of C-peptide, according to findings from the Health, Eating, Activity and Lifestyle (HEAL) Study, a long-term observational study of breast cancer patients. The effect was most notable, researchers say, among women in their 40s.

3.Gaining weight following a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer could increase a woman’s risk of death from the disease by more than half, according to researchers leading the Collaborative Women’s Longevity Study. In fact, the researchers associated weight gain with a measurable increase in risk of death due to all causes, not just breast cancer.

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But this risk is not uniform to all types of cancer. Diabetics for example have been shown to have lower risk to develop prostate cancer.  As to why remains unclear but maybe related to diabetics having a lower testosterone level.

New reasons for us to really be aware of the dangers of gaining weight to the level of being overweight and to avoid being obese.

So….. 

This Holidays…Think Healthy and Be Wise!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Personal Thoughts, The Diabetes Facts, The Truths on Obesity | 1 Comment »

Another Milestone…. With 100,000 MARK!

December 10, 2007

The website just reached it’s 100,000 visits after 1 year and 2 months in existence.  I thank all of those who have helped made this possible especially my patients who endorsed this website to their relatives and to my friends who have been loyal followers of the site. 

However this would have not been possible without the support of my bro-in- laws help by way of my websites exposure through his company’s website and portal: The NgKhai Portal and his multiawarded top blog site: The Bizdriven Life….

Will continue to not only update you with what is the real truth with regard to health but also upgrade the contents of this site based on what the readers really want to know.

I likewise have been invited and hopefully be starting to write articles for the Monthly magazine FOOD by their editor who likes the articles in the website starting March of next year if plans will push through.

Another Milestone I Call A Success !

Posted in Personal Thoughts | 1 Comment »

“Don’T Sit Close To TV Or Else You Go Blind” and Other Myths About The EYE!

December 8, 2007

Hearsays are what the physicians hate the most.  Patients always have some hesitancy to follow some of our advices due to what they hear from their friends or relatives.  Good if the problem is not life threatening but if so, almost always the skill of the physician is put to the test versus that of the popular beliefs based on hearsay within the community.

Since childhood, I was told not to sit too close to a TV or else Ill go blind.  Or not to go straight to bed if my hair is wet otherwise Ill also get blind.  Am sure a lot of parents continue to counsel their kids based on hearsays that have been passed from generation to generation.

I cam across a nice compilation of myths regarding the eye and its care from the Harvard Health Publications: The Harvard Health Beat which I want to share:

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5 common eye myths dispelled

  1. Myth: Doing eye exercises will delay the need for glasses.Fact: Eye exercises will not improve or preserve vision or reduce the need for glasses. Your vision depends on many factors, including the shape of your eye and the health of the eye tissues, none of which can be significantly altered with eye exercises.

  2. Myth: Reading in dim light will worsen your vision.Fact: Although dim lighting will not adversely affect your eyesight, it will tire your eyes out more quickly. The best way to position a reading light is to have it shine directly onto the page, not over your shoulder. A desk lamp with an opaque shade pointing directly at the reading material is the best possible arrangement. A light that shines over your shoulder will cause a glare, making it more difficult to see the reading material.

  3. Myth: Eating carrots is good for the eyes.Fact: There is some truth in this one. Carrots, which contain vitamin A, are one of several vegetables that are good for the eyes. But fresh fruits and dark green leafy vegetables, which contain more antioxidant vitamins such as C and E, are even better. Antioxidant vitamins may help protect the eyes against cataract and age-related macular degeneration. But eating any vegetables or supplements containing these vitamins or substances will not prevent or correct basic vision problems such as nearsightedness or farsightedness.

  4. Myth: It’s best not to wear glasses all the time. Taking a break from glasses or contact lenses allows your eyes to rest.Fact: If you need glasses for distance or reading, use them. Attempting to read without reading glasses will simply strain your eyes and tire them out. Using your glasses won’t worsen your vision or lead to any eye disease.

  5. Myth: Staring at a computer screen all day is bad for the eyes.Fact: Although using a computer will not harm your eyes, staring at a computer screen all day will contribute to eyestrain or tired eyes. Adjust lighting so that it does not create a glare or harsh reflection on the screen. Also, when you’re working on a computer or doing other close work such as reading or needlepoint, it’s a good idea to rest your eyes briefly every hour or so to lessen eye fatigue. Finally, people who stare at a computer screen for long periods tend not to blink as often as usual, which can cause the eyes to feel dry and uncomfortable. Make a conscious effort to blink regularly so that the eyes stay well lubricated and do not dry out.

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Hope this post will remind everyone that myths will continue to be with us but the access of new information technology should now help us decide to follow them or not! Gone are the days that we rely on what our grandparents say about something and believe in everything they say about the ins and outs of daily living.

In Health… Rely Only on FACTS!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Personal Thoughts | 4 Comments »

Dark Chocolate and Your Heart

December 6, 2007

More and more studies have found new reasons for us to enjoy dark chocoalate this holiday season… or we are just looking for excuses to indulge in one. 

But a new study published in the Journal Circulation in November of 2007 showed the potential mechanism why Dark Chocolate especially the 70% cocoa can be healthy:

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Conclusions— Dark chocolate induces coronary vasodilation, improves coronary vascular function, and decreases platelet adhesion 2 hours after consumption. These immediate beneficial effects were paralleled by a significant reduction of serum oxidative stress and were positively correlated with changes in serum epicatechin concentration.

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The above conclusion points out that indeed dark chocolate can increase blood flow to the heart and more so in patients who are already on medications like ACE inhibitors and Beta blockers. Therefore beneficial to prevent blockage of blood vessel that can lead to heart attack!

But caution to those who will start indulging in Dark chocolate.  Remember the color of the chocolate does not necessarily mean its dark.  It’s the content of the cocoa and more so the content of the flavanol.  This study was done using 70% cocoa.

But before grabbing a chocolate…make sure you are careful not to over do it.  Remember …chocolate is rich in calories and fat! But at least we now have reasons to take a bite before and after a meal without feeling too much guilt!

A Bite of Dark Chocolate for the Holidays!

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

How Not To Gain Weight This Christmas In 3 Simple Steps!

December 4, 2007

It’s already December… the weather is getting cooler… and the Christmas music is everywhere…. and next comes PARTIES!!!!

As much as we want to say no… we always resort to the saying: ” This only comes once a year”.  How many” once a year” events have you been to this year?

Here are some tips I would like to share to help curb the urge to eat but not necessarily avoid the enjoyment of the season and the food!

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1. Take a Break in between helpings.  After an appetizer, rest for 10 minutes to allow yourself to socialize and enjoy a nice conversation with friends.  Then reassess if you’re still hungry and then just select certain foods you really like before taking another break.  Breaks help tell your brain that you have eaten already!

2. Dont go to a party HUNGRY!!!!!  I always hear friends telling me…” I missed my lunch so I can really enjoy the buffet”.  I just dont like to spoil the fun they have in their minds at that particular point but I do tell them afterwards that what they’re doing is terribly wrong! They are doomed to suffer the binging!

3. Avoid Alcohol with an empty stomach.  Alcohol has been shown to increase your appetite! Enjoy other drinks that are low calorie and still satisfying!

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Lastly… while enjoying the food and conversation in between… drink more liquids especially water to keep your mouth BUSY… they can trick your brains and your mouth at the same time!

And of course … end the night with a cup of coffee.  Remember the health benefits of coffee  plus it’s low in calories!!!!

Let’s Enjoy Christmas Without The GUILT!

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Notes From Our Marketing Friends 

One goes through many incentives for healthy weight loss over the internet. These incentives involve weight loss with the help of supplements, diets, pills and drugs. They allow you to buy these drugs online as well. You can buy adipex, xenadrine and many other diet supplements online very easily.
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Posted in Lifestyle Measures, Nutrition Health Tips, Personal Thoughts | 4 Comments »

Meal Planning Is Key To Diabetes Control

December 3, 2007

I always tell my patients that there are three things that affect ones blood sugar: the food, the activity and the drug!  Almost always patients blame the drug as a failure for not controlling their blood sugar when in fact the main culprit is the poor planning of the meal!

The food is the source of sugar.  If one overeats then it amounts to overloading the pancreas with work.  The pancreas then has to pump out more insulin to drive the sugar inside the muscle.  However in a diabetic…the pancreas is already sick meaning…it’s capacity to produce insulin is already limited or insufficient therefore the blood sugar goes up.  Planning a meal therefore is very important for a diabetic.

A meal plan should consist of three main meals ( never skip breakfast) and three snacks.  The purpose of snacking is to reduce patient’s craving for food in between meals.  There should be consistency in timing ( same time of the day) and portion sizes of food ( balance the carbohydrate , protein and fat content).  The main issue is the total amount of food being taken in and not only the rice in the meal that one has to be careful about! Patients always tell me that…”doc I only eat 1/4 cup of rice…BUT unlimited in other stuff!”  Remember…one has to be extra careful not to overload the system with these “other stuff”… like fruits because they can be a source of sugar too!  It’s the total calories in…that counts!

A balanced meal plan for a diabetic should include a complex carbohydrate source from high fiber grains that is low in glycemic index( its the capacity of the food to increase ones blood sugar) ; good source of protein from lean meats, as well as fruit and vegetables.  Since diabetics are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease than people without the disease, a good meal plan should be one that not only controls blood sugar but should likewise help reduce the risk for heart disease.  It  should therefore be low in saturated fat and cholesterol as well as low in salt. 

As to what foods and how much to take for each food group will be determined by a registered dietician who will calculate the total daily caloric requirement and the portions of each food according to what doctors recommend.

What You Eat Is What You Become In Health and Illness! 

Please check my other post: Foods To Eat If You’re A Diabetic

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Notes From Our Marketing Friends: 

People are getting crazy to loose weight and become slim and trim. They are in taking food supplements, weight loss diets and much other stuff in this respect. Many herbal diets are now available in market. One of them is zantrex 3 by “Zoller Laboratories”. Another weight loss aid is weight loss pills like xenadrine and many others. One should consult his physician before taking any kind of diet supplement.
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Posted in Nutrition Health Tips, The Diabetes Facts | Leave a Comment »

The Motivation To Lose Weight….

November 30, 2007

Go to fullsize imageI just found this new finding very intriguing and really true.  We doctors need to know what motivates people to lose weight so we can focus our attention to achieve the goal with more success.

In one study done in University of Bath in UK revealed some interesting facts:

“Fear of looking unattractive can be a stronger motivation for keeping people going to the gym than the hope of looking good”

This is really something… I guess this is where marketing strategies of beauty products are engaged in. You see beautfiul actresses marketing beauty products luring women to use the same products so as to look like them!  And I guess they’re pretty successful.

But what happens is when fear can motivate people to lose weight and look good…  once that fear subsides, either because they feel they have lost weight and now look good.. the motivation from fear goes away.  And I believe this is one reason why the yo-yo phenomenon in losing weight comes in.  You lose now then you gain….

Motivating people using the positive outlook should be the way to go.  How losing weight results now in better health  for a more lasting effect!

Motivating Poeple The Right Way Is Key To Better Health and Better Life!


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Notes From Our Marketing Friends: 

People are becoming fitness freaks and are very conscious to lose weight. Many health centers and weight loss centers provide people with healthy weight loss program. This includes many supplementary diets like the south beach diet and many others. However such diets must not be taken without consulting the physicians.
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Posted in Exercise and Activity Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Personal Thoughts, The Truths on Obesity, Weight Loss Tips | 5 Comments »

Vitamin E and Heart Disease Among Diabetics…

November 27, 2007

Vitamin E has received a lot of good news and bad news. Now you read it being the antioxidant of choice in one study…then the next…it shows the opposite result.  Majority of these studies however are epidimeological and observational in nature and not well controlled prospective studies.  The HOPE and NIH studies were prospective studies that did not show positive effect of Vitamin E on heart disease.

Recently a new data on the possible important role of Vitamin E came about in a new prospective study which is worth looking published in the Journal Atherocsclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology….

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Methods- 1434 DM individuals  55 years of age with the Hp 2-2 genotype were randomized to vitamin E (400 U/d) or placebo. The primary composite outcome was myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death. At the first evaluation of events, 18 months after initiating the study, the primary outcome was significantly reduced in individuals receiving vitamin E (2.2%) compared with placebo (4.7%; P=0.01) and led to early termination of the study.

Conclusions—Vitamin E supplementation appears to reduce cardiovascular events in individuals with DM and the Hp 2-2 genotype.

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Since 40% of our diabetic population has the Hp 2-2 gene…It’s probably about time for us to rethink whether all diabetics should take Vitamin E or not…

However the bottom line is:  more studies need to be done and outcome studies to support this new finding!

Vitamin E Is Worth a Second Look!

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Personal Thoughts, The Diabetes Facts, What's New in Diabetes | 1 Comment »

Resting To Burn Fat Faster….

November 24, 2007

exerc.jpgHere’s one good news to those who hate long hours of exercise to get a benefit! 

A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology this June of 2007  showed that:

“repeated bouts of exercise cause enhanced fat metabolism compared with a single bout of prolonged exercise of equivalent total exercise duration.”

The exercise regimen that they tested?

… Exercise for 30 minutes…take a break for 20 minutes… then exercise again for 30 min…. 

The rest period resulted in more fats being burned than no rest period at all…

So just like any activity… the body needs to rest and rejuvenate!

Remember…

Overdoing Even A Good Thing May Do More Harm!!!

 

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Notes From Our Marketing Friends: 

One should apply healthy cleaning strategies at ones home. Use dust cleaners to avoid dust allergy. Many sort of allergies lead to serious diseases like eczema etc. Go for proper eczema treatment is you are suffering form eczema. Dirty carpets are the source of much kind of allergies. Use handy vacuum cleaner to ensure the complete cleanliness of the carpets.
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Posted in Exercise and Activity Tips, General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Weight Loss Tips | Leave a Comment »

What is An A1c?…. A New Guideline For The Diabetics….

November 23, 2007

http://martonhouse.wordpress.com/category/work-life-balance/I have to write about this new guideline in interpreting A1c for my Diabetic Patients who have been loyal followers of this website.  Or to those who are not used to doing home glucose monitoring and rely solely on A1c results in their blood test to check if their control is good or not.  Although I am not advocating to do away with monitoring…in fact I strongly advise all diabetics to do so!

Recently a new calculation was made to correlate A1c to average blood glucose levels.  Now there is a computation one can do and based on data from continuous home glucose monitoring, the correlation is now better than what it used to be.

This is a new information I gathered from the American Association of Diabetes Glucose Control Trials from the ADA News as reported in Diabetes in Control:

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Prior to this new information, the A1c was tied to the results of the DCCT, where a 6% was equal to 135mg/dL.  This came about when they checked the A1c and then looked at a couple of thousand finger sticks and averaged them out.  Now with the use of hundreds of thousands of readings, not just with the finger sticks but also with the use of continuous blood glucose monitors, we have more accurate results.  The equation yields a linear correlation over a wide range of A1c. This means that a 6% is no longer an average of 135mg/dL:  The new numbers:

o 6% = 126 mg/dl
o 7% = 155 mg/dl
o 8% = 182 mg/dl
o 9% = 211 mg/dl
o 10% = 239 mg/dl

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So for all patients who wonder what this A1c means…now this new information will help you decide what to do to your lifestyle especially if you go beyond the A1c of 6.5% that we recommend to help prevent the onset of complications. 

Remember a single blood sugar alone does not give you the whole picture…so if your physician keeps on checking just a Fasting blood sugar and tells you you’re doing fine…demand for an A1c level!

Posted in Medical News Bits, The Diabetes Facts, What's New in Diabetes | Leave a Comment »

More Sleep Time To Prevent Childhood Obesity

November 22, 2007

Go to fullsize imageChildhood Obesity is getting to be a huge problem not only in developed countries but worldwide!  The AACE Philippine Chapter in fact recently launched our Power of Prevention Program aimed at preventing Obesity among children where different school prinicpals and administrators were invited to the launching initially to involve Metro Manila school children. 

Now comes a remedy to wegiht gain among children that we can do at home!  A new interesting study was recenlty published in Pediatrics November 2007 issue , linking the lack of sleep or inadequate sleep among children and the risk of being overweight.

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Of 785 children, 50% were male, 81% were white, and 18% were overweight in 6th grade.

  • Shorter sleep duration in 6th grade was independently associated with a greater likelihood of overweight in 6th grade.
  • Shorter sleep duration in 3rd grade was also independently associated with overweight in 6th grade, independent of the child’s weight status in 3rd grade.
  • Sleep problems were not associated with overweight.

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So how many hours of sleep should our children have?  This study provided us some insights:

  • Sixth-graders with less than 8.5 hours of sleep a night had a 23 percent rate of obesity,
  • Well-rested peers with more than 9.25 hours of sleep had at 12 percent rate of obesity.

For me this study tells us one thing:

  • By putting your kids to sleep earlier… means less TV time…means less chances to munch on junk food…resulting in a lesser risk to gain weight!
  • Sleep is as important as healthy food and physical activity when it comes to Weight control.

Put Premium on Sleep Than Being Awake Especially For Our Children!

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Notes From Our Marketing Friends: 

There are many sensitive issues that a lactating mother must be keeping in mind. During lactation mother should follow healthy food recipes to avoid any kind of deficiency in her. As a lactating mother feeds her baby on her milk, so she should take complete care her breasts. There are many lactation equipments now available in the market that helps a mother to nourish her baby with her milk. These include medela breast pump, maternity bras and large cup nursing bras etc.
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Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Weight Loss Tips | 2 Comments »

Tips On How To Be Healthy MINUS The Vitamins!

November 20, 2007

Supplements insluding Multivitamins continue to make market leaders in terms of income.  Many people inlcuding myself take multivitamins as part of the daily requirement to hopefully supply the vitamins not taken by our daily meals.  But do we have proofs that we really need them? Or are we better off without them?

I came across a new article from the Harvard News Letter which answered this specific questions published in November of 2007:

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Most experts agree that supplements add little, if anything, to a well-balanced diet. Exercise, however, is proven to achieve the benefits claimed for vitamins, even for people who eat properly, reports the November 2007 issue of Harvard Men’s Health Watch.

One leading reason people take vitamin supplements is to protect against cancer. But sadly, this strategy has been a flop. While studies continue on whether vitamin E and selenium can help reduce prostate cancer risk, data already show that beta carotene actually boosts the risk of lung cancer in smokers. And zinc, as well as high doses of folic acid, may also do more harm than good for men seeking to ward off prostate cancer.

The bottom line: Supplements do not reduce cancer risk.

In addition, vitamins are not recommended for heart disease prevention.

  • Trials of B vitamins have failed to demonstrate protection against heart disease. 
  • But people who eat fish twice a week enjoy a reduced risk of heart attack and sudden cardiac death.
  • Leafy, green vegetables and whole grains also help protect against heart disease.

If supplements can’t protect you against cancer or heart disease, what can? Current evidence suggests that exercise may be a crucial weapon in reducing the risk of some cancers.

  • Studies show that active people are less likely to develop colon cancer than sedentary individuals, and that
  • women who exercise can reduce their breast cancer risk. 
  •  Exercise’s effect on prostate cancer, however, is less clear; studies have produced varying results.
  • Evidence is also incomplete for lung and pancreatic cancers.

But when it comes to reducing the risk of heart disease, regular exercise is associated with a sharp reduction in heart attacks and cardiac deaths.

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We always look for shortcuts! I guess this is true to everybody in every walk of life.  Why make it more difficult if there’s a shorter way to achieve the same goal.  BUT…life is not that simple especially when it comes to better health!

There has been no single study to date to prove otherwise…that exercise can do harm than good… from prevention studies to community data. But we all know it’s good to do it…we just refuse to indulge ourselves to it and instead look for a pill that can do the same job…which up to now remains a fantasy than a reality! 

Dont be fooled in believing that Supplements can do the Health Job for you!  Remember….

In Health…There Are No ShortCuts!
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Notes From Our Marketing Friends: 

With the advancement in the technology everything is now in the access of the people while sitting at home. Many drug store are operating online. You can buy drugs and medicines from them. For example you can buy fioricet online as well as other medicines like aspirin etc. There are many online pharmacies which offer private medicines like generic cialis online as well.
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Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips | Leave a Comment »

Does Avandia Cause Heart Attack? : The Ongoing Controversy

November 16, 2007

Recently, The US FDA made a new ruling regarding the controversy on whether the popular antidiabetic agent Avandia can really cause heart attack.  Below are important excerpts of the FDA ruling released as of November 14, 2007:

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People with type 2 diabetes who have underlying heart disease or who are at high risk of heart attack should talk with their health care provider about the revised warning as they evaluate treatment options. FDA advises health care providers to closely monitor patients who take Avandia for cardiovascular risks.

Avandia is approved to be used as a single therapy or used in combination with metformin and sulfonylureas, other oral anti-diabetes treatments.

During the past year, FDA has carefully weighed several complex sources of data, some which show conflicting results, related to the risk of chest pain, heart attacks and heart-related deaths, and deaths from any cause in patients treated with Avandia.

At this time, FDA has concluded that there isn’t enough evidence to indicate that the risks of heart attacks or death are different between Avandia and some other oral type 2 diabetes treatments. Therefore, FDA has requested that GSK conduct a new long-term study to evaluate the potential cardiovascular risk of Avandia, compared to an active control agent. GSK has agreed to conduct the study and FDA will ensure it is initiated promptly.

The revision of Avandia’s existing boxed warning – FDA’s strongest form of warning – includes the following statement:

A meta-analysis of 42 clinical studies (mean duration 6 months; 14,237 total patients), most of which compared Avandia to placebo, showed Avandia to be associated with an increased risk of myocardial ischemic events such as angina or myocardial infarction. Three other studies (mean duration 41 months; 14,067 patients), comparing Avandia to some other approved oral antidiabetic agents or placebo, have not confirmed or excluded this risk. In their entirety, the available data on the risk of myocardial ischemia are INCONCLUSIVE!

The previous upgraded warning, added to certain diabetes drugs (in class of drugs related to Avandia) on Aug. 14, 2007, emphasized that these types of drugs may worsen heart failure, a condition in which the heart does not adequately pump blood, in some patients. GSK is also developing a Medication Guide for patients to provide additional information about the benefits and risks and safe use of Avandia.

To date, no oral anti-diabetes drug has been conclusively shown to reduce cardiovascular risk. Consequently, the agency also will be requesting that labeling of all approved oral anti-diabetes drugs contain language describing the lack of data showing this benefit.

Today’s action follows recommendations made at the July 2007 joint meeting of FDA’s Endocrine and Metabolic Drugs and Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committees. At the meeting, members voted 22-1 to recommend that Avandia stay on the market, pending a review of additional data. The committee also advised that information warning of the potential for increased risk of heart attacks should be added to the drug labeling. _______________________________________________

Ever since the data on avandia came into light after the Niessen article, further analysis of that article showed flaws in the statistical analysis.  It is therefore not surprising to me why this drug will not be pulled out in the market solely because of that article.  The medical community looks at actual facts rather than what is reported in newspapers or the media.

Based on my experience, the benefits of this drug continue to outweigh the potential risks…and just like any other drugs… all one needs to do is use the right drug for the right patient profile!

Meaning..never use this drug if the patient has heart failure or heart disease.  And this is true to all antidiabetic agents as reported by the US FDA as the risk of heart attack has not been shown to be different among the different oral agents. 

Plus…all patient with Diabetes…by the time of diagnosis… more than 5o% or probably ALL already have ongoing heart disease because by the time ones fasting blood sugar is abnormal…the disease process has been ongoing for 7 to 10 years already!

Therefore and Again… I always emphasize to all patients at risk: Lifestyle Change.  If one has the risk to develop Diabetes … do something NOW!  

Remember… All medications have risks!  But the benefits should always outweigh the risks before any drug is started on any patient!

Posted in Medical News Bits, Personal Thoughts, The Diabetes Facts, What's New in Diabetes | 3 Comments »

Tips on How To Get A Flat Tummy Without Tummy Tuck!

November 15, 2007

Go to fullsize imageI am ” no no” when it comes to cosmetic surgery.  It is definitely temporary measure of something that can be done with healthy lifestyle and discipline. Beauty as we said is deep within… and for me… only if you are using your face or body for business like being a movie star and marketing for extra mileage that one may elect to have them done.

Recently I came accross a short article on how we can flatten our tummy without necessarily resorting to surgery.  This comes from a reliable Health Source of the Mayo Clinic….

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Just can’t seem to maintain a flat tummy, even though you are not overweight? According to the August issue of the Mayo Clinic Women’s HealhSource, you could just have a genetic tendency to accumulate fat in that area. Or if you have lost some height over the years, bulges can become more prominent. Whatever the cause, you can help flatten your stomach.

  • Get regular, general exercise. Burning calories reduces overall body fat. (Just doing sit-ups won’t flatten the bulge.)
  • Target lower and deeper abdominal muscles. Exercises that target these muscle groups can help. An example is a pelvic tilt. Lie on your back on the floor with knees bent. Flatten your back against the floor by tightening your abdomen and bending your pelvis up. Hold for five to 10 seconds. Work up to 10 to 20 repetitions.
  • Stand tall. A slouched position makes your tummy more prominent.
  • Beware of bloating. Some foods — beans, cabbage and bran, for example — can cause bloating and accentuate your bulge.

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There you go my friends.  Simple and concise.  Do them daily…change your lifestyle that incorporates exercise or physical activity to your daily life.

Everyday before I take a bath…I lie on my bathroom floor and do the situps and tummy exercise.  Then I hop on to my waist twisting disc then I do the strength exercise using a rubberized belt ( I am not sure what you call it actually).  Once an activity is incorporated into your system…then its difficult to start the day without it!

Give Your Body The Look You Want It To Have….

Thru Exercise!

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Notes From Our Marketing Friends:

As people are becoming aware with the health and fitness issues they are spending most of their time in health and fitness centers. There are many 24 hour fitness centers which provide services round the clock. However you can make your own gym at your home as well. All the gym equipments are available online you can purchase weight scale, tread mills, racing cycles or anything you want. Accessories like yoga mats, water bottles are also available over the internet.

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Posted in Exercise and Activity Tips, General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Personal Thoughts | 3 Comments »

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