As I was reviewing some of the biggest health scares this year in
The Week, I felt compelled to remind everyone that plastics have been found to potentially lead to hormonal problems. The ubiquitous plastics chemical known as Bisphenol A, or BPA, had a very bad year in 2009. First, a report in January found that repeated heating and washing of plastics containing BPA could release the chemical into our food and drink. Then, in April, the federal government found that BPA appears to mimic the hormone estrogen, causing the “over-expression” of female sex characteristics in men, women, and children. A later study found that the presence of BPA in the body could double the risks for diabetes and other diseases.
Unfortunately, BPA is virtually everywhere. “The vast majority of exposure is through food and drink—from cans and bottles,” said researcher Mike Shelby. “But there could be trace amounts in water and dust. Your cell phone is probably made out of it.” To learn more about these research studies, read the AHJ article "
Could a Plastic Bottle Be Making You Sick?" May you always be blessed with good health.
Health Scare of the Week: Getting Sick in Sick Houses
The seizure of methamphetamine labs in the U.S. is on the rise, according to The Week. That's good news for law enforcement, but as thousands of these labs become ordinary homes again, the unknowing people who move in are exposed to a potentially sickening toxic stew of drug-making chemicals left behind. One family was plagued by migraines, kidney trouble, and severe breathing problems after they unwittingly moved into a home infused with meth chemistry. The cost of cleanup--thousands of dollars--is an added blow to the innocent homeowner. There are tens of thousands of contaminated homes in the U.S., many of them falling into foreclosure, where their histories grow opaque. "The meth-lab home problem is only going to grow," activist Dawn Turner tells The New York Times. She runs an informational website, Methlabhomes.com. "As foreclosures rise, so with the number of new meth-lab homeowners." This is a clear indication folks to be sure and do your due dilligence when buying a foreclosed home! The money you save in real estate may end up costing you more in health care costs.
Military Involvement in the Swine Flu Impending Outbreak
If the Military is going to get involved in the potential Swine Flu outbreak that’s supposedly coming this fall or winter, one can only hope it’s not the type of “involvement” that plays out in movies such as “Outbreak.”
If you recall, this scientific thriller featuring an all-star cast (including Morgan Freeman, Donald Sutherland, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Spacey, Rene Russo, Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Patrick Dempsey – before he became “McDreamy”) revolved around the deadly Motaba Virus, which has mutated to become airborne and infected small-town Cedar Creek, CA. While military officials frantically search for possibilities for creating a serum to fight the virus, one General has a different idea: to firebomb the entire town, wiping out the possibility of transmission. Luckily, Dustin Hoffman’s character is able to bring that firebomb to a halt . . . and saves the day by creating the antibody serum. Of course, all at the last minute.
While the Swine Flu – or H1N1 virus – is not quite as deadly or threatening as the Motaba virus featured in this award-winning film, one might wonder what kind of advice or other involvement the U.S. Military might have on its potential outbreak.
And it also begs the question – who is making the decisions surrounding the Swine Flu, including precautions, measures, and strategies? Is it the CDC? Or is the U.S. Armed Forces deeper into this issue than one might think?
If you hit your finger with a hammer, go ahead and let loose with that string of expletives. it actually will make you feel better, according to a new research study as seen in The Week. "I would advise people, if they hurt themselves, to swear," Richard Stephens, a psychology professor at Keele University in the U.K. tells Scientific American. Stephens became interested in the function of profanity after hearing an earful of it from his wife while she was in labor, and wondered if it served some practical purpose. In one experiment he conducted, participants who were encouraged to curse freely were able to keep their hands in ice-cold water for 40 percent longer than those asked to utter words of the type they'd use to describe a table. Afterward, they also reported feeling less pain than their more polite counterparts. Cursing seems to elevate the heart rate and may, by raising aggression levels, trigger the flight-or-fight response. Previous research shows that this response temporarily mutes the sensation of pain so that we can respond quickly to a threat. The most popular swear words for people in pain, Stephens found, are f---, s---, and the two B words.
If We Eat Less, Will We Live Longer?
According to The New York Times this week, eating less and living longer works for monkeys. After studying a group of rhesus monkeys for 20 years, scientists found that those that were fed one-third less food aged more slowly than their peers, which were allowed to eat as much as they wanted. The calorie-restricted monkeys also showed less deterioration of muscle and brain matter, conditions that typically come with aging, and appeared to be on course to live up to 20 percent longer than the norm. For humans, that might mean extending life spans by seven to 15 years.
According to lead researcher Richard Weindruch of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, "We were frankly blown away by these findings." The results dovetail with other research indicating that caloric restriction can extend the lives of mice, dogs, yeast, fruit flies, and worms. A leaner diet is thought to trigger certain genes that evolved to protect the body in environments in which food is scarce. Translating the diet into human terms won't be easy, as few people can maintain a healthful diet of 30 percent fewer calories, Weindruch says. As seen in one of my favorite magazines The Week, he states "There is a fine line between a low enough level of calories but still enough to provide adequate nutrition." That's where nutritional supplements come in my friend! Lighten up and may you always be blessed with good health.
Without Good Digestion, Good Health is Impossible
Digestion is the complex process by which our food is converted into energy. It actually begins when we see and smell food and continues as we chew, mixing the food with saliva to begin the breakdown of carbohydrates. Acid is secreted in the stomach and contents are churned into a semi-liquid that passes into the small intestine. Secretions from the liver, pancreas, and gall bladder reduce some compounds to molecules that pass through the wall of the small intestine into the bloodstream. The remaining compounds pass to the large intestine, which removes water and compacts the waste into stools that are excreted about 24 to 36 hours after eating. The kidneys also remove water and wastes from the blood stream and excrete them as urine. In the liver, nutrients are extracted and stored for future use; any excess is converted to fat.
Now that I've given you the basic digestion 101 lesson, it should be apparent that we need many nutrients to keep the digestive system in good working order, and a basic balanced diet is the place to start. If you're not eating the right foods and getting the right combination of nutrients, which most of us aren't, then you need to supplement your diet with vitamins and minerals so the body can accomplish its digestive tasks. If you are experiencing any sustained abdominal pain, you must get medical attention immediately. Did you realize that nationwide, ten percent of heart-disease patients first come to the doctor complaining of abdominal pain, unaware they have heart trouble? Don't take a chance with abdominal pain! Even though it can't kill you, it can be an indicator of trouble elsewhere in your body that could be fatal.
The most common question I'm asked is "What can relieve chronic sour stomach, other than antacids?" For many years we believed that gastrointestinal problems, stomach problems, or sour stomach were caused by too much acid. so we treated these complaints by blocking acid with both prescription and over-the-counter antacids. Now we have new medications that completely shut off acid production. The problem is that acid is important. We can't digest our food without it. So this strategy may create more problems than it solves. Treatment that builds the stomach's mucosal lining provides relief without compounding the patient's difficulties. Good probiotics does this.
Years ago everybody believed that stress caused ulcers, but that idea has now been questioned. Ninety percent of duodenal ulcers are caused by a bacteria, not stress. That bacteria is called Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, and a blood test can identify this infection. If you have it, antibiotics will eliminate it. Such medications destroy the bad bacteria like H. pylori, but they also destroy the good bacteria. To restore balance to the intestinal tract, take probiotics available from your local health store.
Stressed Parents + Traffic Pollution = Asthmatic Children
Sometimes stress seems more like pop culture than a science. But a new study indicates stress in parents might be a root cause for asthma in their children. That’s not pop culture. That is a changed life.
Research published this month in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests asthma is highest among children who live in urban area. Pollution is a legitimate factor classified by scientists, yet this new study conducted at the University of Southern California’s Keck Institute of Medicine makes a clear scientific association between parental stress and increased risk for a child’s asthma.
The USC researchers followed about 2,500 children ages 5 to 9 with no history of asthma or wheezing. The kids who lived with stressed-out parents (there are scientific methods to determine this state) around high levels of traffic-related pollution were most affected. If you are curious, a parent’s life is classified as stressful if it is unpredictable, uncontrollable and/or overwhelming.
The USC researchers explained that air pollutant cause an inflammatory response in the airways of the lungs. Stress can increase susceptibility to the inflammatory response—apparently even if you are the child and not the stressed parent. You might say stress is emotionally contagious.
Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Put More Colors on Your Plate--and Boost Your Brain
Most people know about the federal government's recommendation to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. And some of us know that, a few years back, the government upped that number to nine servings per day.
Five, nine -- it all takes some planning to fit produce into your days. However, there are some convenient steps you can take to increase your intake without much trouble:
# Add diced baby carrots to your spaghetti sauce -- it won't affect taste.
# If you tend to skip breakfast, try blending milk, frozen fruit and ice. Adding protein and flax meal makes it a power meal.
# Another idea is make a habit of slicing strawberries, kiwi or grapes into your salad; you also can use dried fruits such as raisins or cranberries.
# And the best shortcut for maximizing the nutritional power of your fruits and veggies: think deep pigment, as in blueberries, pomegranate, dark leafy greens, red grapes, beets, blackberries, kiwi and more.
The more pigment, the better to protect against disease and aging. Color and pigment in your fruits and veggies represent a greater concentration of substances that fight cancer and prevent artery-clogging cholesterol, among other healthful duties.
Deeper pigment indicates more flavonoids (purple, red and blue potatoes have a surprising amount), carotenoids (think yellow, orange, red and green) and anthocyanins (reds, most blues and purples).
Researchers are perhaps most excited about the potential to stay younger with pigment on your plate for meals and snacks.
"What strikes me about the substances associated with pigment in fruits and vegetables is (their) ability to change motor behavior for the better," said James Joseph, chief of the neuroscience lab at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center at Tufts University in Boston. "There is virtually nothing else out there that can change motor behavior in aging."
Gaining Pounds During Menopause Leads to Loss of Brain Power
This is not exactly the type of news a vibrant woman wants to read. But here goes: A new University of Pittsburgh study reveals that a healthy woman who gains weight in the transition from premenopausal to postmenopausal years does risk losing one thing: Nerve cells or what researchers call “gray matter” in the brain.
Ouch. The study, published in the June issue of the journal, Psychosomatic Medicine, considered brain images from 48 healthy women tracked over 20 years. The data is part of the Pittsburgh Healthy Women Study.
The Pittsburgh scientists deemed the findings particularly notable because none of the females in the study had a history of cardiovascular disease or obesity during mid-life. Their weight gain seemed to be as natural as their progression to menopause.
Lead researcher Dr. Isabella Soreca said there is one positive here (easier said than done maybe): Gaining pounds is a “highly modifiable” risk factor, she said, making the case for prevention by the proper diet and exercise habits.
"Women may be particularly motivated to maintain a healthy weight in the postmenopausal years, should it be confirmed that weight gain causes alteration in brain function that is important to quality of life," Soreca and her peers wrote.
No particular diet or exercise protocol is recommended. Nonetheless, the Alternative Health Blog suggested a Mediterranean diet plan (include those healthy fats and skip processed foods when possible) and find an exercise activity (power walking, running, swimming, the cardio bike) that affords added intensity into your weekly regimen. Exercise researchers are finding that short bursts of 90-percent several times during one to two workouts per week can help kickstart fat-burning in the body for up to 24 hours after exercise.
Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The Truth About Dietary Supplements? Up to You
We are all consumers of nutrition research. Some of us skim the headlines, maybe wave off the latest plus/minus review of, say, the caffeine in our coffee or whether apples really do keep the doctor away (the answer is yes, and there is even a good argument that eating one to three apples daily an hour before a meal keeps the weight down too).
Others among us are sure to read the newspaper or magazine story, maybe clip it out for a loved one or post it on the fridge. Some slice of individuals dig even deeper, looking up the newest study on the net or, ahem, bookmarking favorite health sites and blogs.
What’s less clear is just how we consumers of nutrition research use the information reported. A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine reports an important distinction in how Americans act on scientific findings about herbs, vitamins and other dietary supplements. It turns out we are quicker to respond to nutrition research that suggests body harm and don’t waver much if a nutrition shows a supplement is ineffective, yes, but not harmful.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health’s “bioethics” division analyzed the U.S. sales of five major supplements from 2001 through 2006, then cross-referenced those money figures with positive and negative media reports about the supplements.
Here’s what the federal scientists discovered: For four of the five supplements–St. John’s wort, Echinacea, saw palmetto and glucosamine–there was little or no changes in sales no matter if the news was good (the herb works, helps this disease, products contain what they claim) or bad (the supplement showed no benefit, there is no evidence it works for blank, lab tests show some herb products have less of the active ingredient than promised).
Only in the case of vitamin E were sales adversely affected. In that case, there were widespread media reports and commentaries about a major study linking regular 400 IU doses of vitamin E with increased risk of death from heart attacks and coronary artery disease. There were other studies connecting higher doses of E with potential problems. It was evidently enough to persuade U.S. adults to take less of the vitamin.
Researchers continue to argue the potential merits or dangers of taking a vitamin E supplement beyond what you might be taking in a standard multivitamin. Some scientists, for instance, are keen on taking E and selenium for Alzheimer’s prevention while others, just as adamantly, have stopped.
The bottom line: All nutrition research is a work in progress. The vitamin E-will-do-you-harm reports seemingly stepped too far (and a number of Alzheimer’s reseaerchers questioned methodology) but the “Fear Factor” works in the supplements aisles as much as, yuck, on reality TV shows. We’re all left as consumers of nutrition research to make our own decisions with proper input from sources we trust. Those sources can certainly draw from the media, savvy friends and informed health practitioners but is ultimately served by your own intuition and decision-making.
Harvard Study: Carrots, Kale, Leafy Greens Reduce Breast Cancer Risk
Carrots, long assevaluociated as food for good vision, appear to play an important role in preventing breast cancer. A new Harvard School of Public Health study shows the more servings of carrots and other veggies high in carotenoids, the lower a woman’s risk for breast cancer.
The critical step is consuming carrots (also kale and other leafy greens) before menopause, said Harvard lead researcher Dr. Laura I. Mignone. At least two servings per day of these veggies reduced risk by 17 percent.
Many breast cancer risk factors are “things women aren’t able to change,” said Mignone. Diet, in contrast, can be modified. That’s why Mignone and colleagues examined female diets for vegetables and fruits high in carotenoids associated as anti-cancer agents. More than 11,000 women’s diets were evaluated, about half of whom were diagnosed with breast cancer.
Carotenoids are believed to disrupt estrogen signaling, perhaps explaining why this study indicated an effect only in premenopausal women.
Mignone said the orange pigment in carrots and deep green pigment in kale are likely factors, containing substances that fight cancer. Score another point for getting more colors on your dinner (and lunch and breakfast and snack time) plates. The study was published in a June issue of the International Journal of Cancer.
Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Watermelon Prevents and Even Reverses Erectile Dysfunction
Watermelon, of all things, is good for the blood vessels. It contains substances that relax and open up those blood vessels, which is a major benefit for the body’s heart and circulatory system. In that watermelon slice, no small thing to men who deal with the condition, is potential to reverse erectile dysfunction or ED.
Earlier studies have showed that lycopene concentrations in red-flesh watermelon rival or even outdistance those of tomatoes. Lycopene has been documented as a protector and fighter against prostate cancer.
What researchers at Texas A&M found in a recent study is that watermelon, despite being 92 percent water, packs a wallop in the other 8 percent. Along with lycopene, watermelon contains other phytonutrients that boost the body. One recent discovered phytonutrient in watermelon is citrulline.
When citrulline is consumed, it converts to the amino acid arginine in the body through the work of selected enzymes. Arginine has long been linked to improved heart and immune function, plus it shows promise as a way to offset Type 2 diabetes.
As for ED, arginine increases the blood supply’s level of nitric oxide that in turn relaxes the blood vessels. Bhimu Patil, director of the fruits and vegetables “improvement” lab at Texas A&M, says the effect is similar to Viagra (used for ED treatments) but not as “organ-specific.” He says regular watermelon consumption might even prevent ED. Another benefit of this nitric oxide reaction is a natural lowering of blood pressure.
Some advice on eating watermelon with ED or any health benefit in mind: Don’t refrigerate your watermelon until it is cut. The refrigeration diminishes lycopene content. Plus, the highest concentration of citrulline is in the watermelon rind. You might consider using a professional-quality juicer to use the entire fruit. Patil and his lab colleagues are working to develop watermelons with more citrulline in the red flesh portion of the fruit.
For now, the summertime treat couldn’t taste better.
Sunscreen Report: Still Not Strong Enough to Protect Against Aging, Cancer
Following up on a recent post, the Environmental Working Group reports that 70 percent of sunscreens offered for the 2009 summer season contain strong UVA filters, compared to just 29 percent in 2008.
That’s SPF with a smile.
Here are some brands reformulated and getting lots of love and props from EWG, one of the all-time great consumer advocacy groups: Solbar, Zia Natural Skincare, Nivea, L'Oreal and Hawaiian Tropic. Even so, all of these brands still have room for more protection of our skin
And it’s more than tans or sunburns. The skin is the body’s largest organ and affects health much more than most of us realize.
More good news in 2009: 19 percent fewer sunscreens contains oxybenzone, an active ingredient that disrupts the hormone system.
But EWG still says three of every five sunscreen products still fail to fully protect the skin or contain hazardous chemicals or, double whammy, both. Many products now have UVB protection to stave off sunburn. There are more UVA filters in products, too, helping to curb premature aging and cancer. But the Environmental Working Group report says UVA content remains too low to provide complete protection.
Bottom line: The sun can still scorch your wellness. Your best guide is your watch, keeping track of how long you and loved ones are in the sun. Next best: Perfecting your instincts to find shade everywhere you go.
Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Eating Fish or Fish Oil Supplements Prevents Heart Attacks
By Bob Condor
Eating fish high in omega-3 fats might be the greatest protector against heart disease. Here’s why. Men in Japan consume, on average, 3.75 ounces of such cold-water fish as salmon, mackerel and tuna each day. American males, whether white or Japanese-American, eat less than two servings of fish each week—and typically not fish high in omega-3 fatty acids at that.
A 2008 study by University of Pittsburgh researchers published in the Aug. 5 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reports that Japanese men born after World War II who otherwise adopted a Western lifestyle since childhood still experience less than half the rate of coronary disease and related deaths as U.S. men. Factor that Japanese men smoke in higher numbers and have similar percentages of high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
It’s got to be the fish. You may turn up your nose at the thought of mackerel, which is oily and, well, smells fishy. But it is a staple in Japan and a nutritional powerhouse.
Or maybe you turn up your nose at fish altogether, even a (I think) delicious piece of poached salmon with a lemon-orange-sea salt-and-olive oil sauce. No problem, look for a fish oil supplement that by most accounts will provide the same protection as the seafood itself, particularly if you buy brands that live up to their promises of omega-3 content. Nutritionists tell me regularly they most admire the Nordic Naturals products, for one.
A note about products: The two most potent omega-3 fats are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DHA and EPA are abundant in salmon, tuna and mackerel—and you will want them in your fish oil capsules.
The lead researcher, Dr. Akira Sekikawa, assistant professor of epidemiology at Pittsburgh, says his study “tells us that lower levels of heart disease among Japanese men are much more likely lifestyle related than a result of genetic differences.” The point is underscored by the high heart disease risks endured by third- and fourth-generation men who emigrated to the U.S.
That’s one scientific finding that didn’t get away.
Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Exercise Can Significantly Reduce Feeling Hopeless
When you are feeling down, getting up and moving might be part of feeling better. A new study from Finland researchers indicates that men who spent less than one hour per week performing moderate to vigorous exercise are 37 percent more likely to report feelings of hopelessness compared to men who are physically active at least 2.5 hours per week.
The findings align with previous studies showing regular exercise can help lessen depression symptoms. Doctors are more routinely suggesting that patients add workouts to any medications or nutrition prescriptions they might recommend.
Hopelessness itself has been strongly linked to increased risk for heart problems and mortality independent of clinical depression. This is an important point to researchers, that hopelessness and depression are not reliant on each other as human conditions. You can be depressed but not automatically hopeless; or you can feel hopeless but not necessarily be classifed as clinically depressed.
Another issue: Feelings of hopelessness increases the likelihood of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms that can lead to diabetes.
The study, led by Dr. Maarit Valtonen of Kuopio University Hospital, evaluated the moods and physical activity levels of nearly 2,500 men between 42 and 60 years old. The connection between hopelessness and lack of physical activity was constant, even when other lifestyle factors such as age, socioeconomic status and smoking were considered.
Significantly, vigorous exercise proved particularly effective in reducing feelings of hopelessness. Moreover, bursts of physical activity contributed to less hopelessness and brighter moods no matter if physical conditioning improved or not.
Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Tofu: Good or Bad for Your Memory?
Not surprisingly, the media was quick to report a study last summer that linked tofu with increased memory loss. As a journalist, I can see the headline was hard to resist. British and Indonesian researchers discovered that older Indonesians (above age 68) who ate high amounts of tofu experienced memory loss at a greater rate than fellow Indonesians who ate tofu moderately.
The study was published in a respected geriatric journal and was funded by an Alzheimer’s research foundation. The researchers pointed out the phytoestrogens or plant nutrients in soy provide “neuroprotection” to the brains of middle-aged individuals (65 and younger) but seem to be potentially too active for the aging brain. More research is needed, said the researchers and the Alzheimer’s officials who commented.
One interesting note that was reported in more complete media reports: Eating large amounts of tempeh, another form of fermented soy that is produced from the whole bean, seemed to actually boost memory in those same older Indonesians. The reason? Probably the higher amount of folate found in tempeh when compared with tofu. Folate or folic acid is B vitamin most widely associated with preventing birth defects when consumed in adequate amounts by expectant mothers. It has been increasingly associated with promoting healthy cell formation (and sustaining the life of cells) in the brain. A daily vitamin B supplement is a feasible protective measure, plus the “B’s” are renowned for fighting off stress.
Here’s the sensible take on tofu: If you are adding some protein to your vegetarian stir-fry, tempeh seems a “safe” choice. But before you skip the tofu option, remember that nutrition research can be more like a marathon than a sprint. You will find lots of warnings about the dangers of soy on the Internet, yet there are plenty of studies that connect soy with healthy immune systems and longevity.
For instance, here is some research you might want to consider before bypassing the tofu aisle: Japanese adults eat soy foods, including tofu, at most meals. Japanese women have a lower rate of breast cancer than U.S. women. Japanese men are less prone to prostate cancer than American males and are particularly at lower risk of death from the cancer. Importantly, Japanese adults and children eat moderate to little highly processed soy foods, such as fake hot dogs and veggie burgers made from soy products.
Other studies have shown tofu improves memory (Okinawa adults eating more compared to Americans) and disrupts memory and cognitive function (a Hawaii study that some scientists say might be more about the higher aluminum content in how Hawaiian tofu is produced than the tofu itself).
While researchers work out the contradictory evidence about soy in future studies, we can feel safe adding some tofu and tempeh to our meals to replace meat, especially if vegetarian eating seems to support your health goals. Look for less processed soy foods, which is a familiar message we can glean from pretty much all nutrition research performed in North America, Asia and Europe during the last two decades.
One idea: Buy some frozen edamame (young or baby whole soy beans), choosing the whole pod rather than a shelled version. For a snack or side dish, steam the edamame for about three to five minutes. Drain, place in a bowl and toss with sea salt. Pop the beans into your mouth, catching a bit of salt in the bite, then discard the pod shells.
Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Canker Sores Possible Sign of Celiac Disease, Gluten Allergy
Here’s an intriguing follow-up to Tuesday’s post about the increased awareness about celiac disease, the body’s adverse reaction to gluten in which the small intestine is damaged. A new study reveals that individuals with persistent mouth sores may be suffering from the disease, prompted by the gluten protein in wheat, rye and barley.
Moreover, mouth sores might be the only way for a doctor to tell if a patient needs to be tested for celiac problems.
"It has been reported that in five percent of celiac disease patients, aphthous stomatitis [persistent canker sores or open ulcers] may be the sole manifestation of the disease," writes Dr. Farhad Shahram, lead researcher of a group from Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran, in the professional journal BMC Gastroenterology.
Canker sores are common during periods of stress and have also been associated with viral infections and other food. The nearly 250 people in the study suffered through major canker sore bouts at least three times in one year. Measuring these individuals for celiac disease markers afforded the researchers an opportunity to make the link.
Those patients identified as gluten-reactive all enjoyed a “significant improvement” in frequency and severity of canker sores within two to six months of starting a gluten-free diet.
Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Mayo Clinic: Celiac Disease Four Times More Common than 50 Years Ago
Long an unknown illness in this country, celiac disease has gained much greater awareness in the past decade. Alternative health practitioners have been at the forefront of creating a consumer knowledge base about celiac disease, which is basically a condition of an adverse immune system reaction to gluten in the diet.
Now comes news of an even more heightened awareness of celiac disease. A Mayo Clinic study published in this month’s issue of the mainstream medical journal Gastroenterology report that celiac disease is four times more common today than 50 years ago. Another key finding: Individuals who don’t realize they suffer from celiac disease (and never treat it) were four times more likely to have died during 45 years of monitoring in this study as compared to individuals not affected by celiac disease.
It’s a much more serious matter than whether or not your cakes and breads are gluten-free.
“Celiac disease has become much more common in the last 50 years, and we don’t know why,” says Dr. Joseph Murray, the Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist who led the study. “It now affects about one in a hundred people. We also have shown that undiagnosed or ‘silent’ celiac disease may have a significant impact on survival. The increasing prevalence, combined with the mortality impact, suggests celiac disease could be a significant public health issue.”
You there are holistic doctors, nurse-practitioners and nutritionists out there nodding their heads in satisfied agreement—and maybe asking, “what took so long?”
Of course, anyone struggling with celiac disease recognizes that a protein called gluten highly available in wheat, barley or rye, causes the immune system to attack the body and itself. The villi, finger-like protrusions in the small intestine that increase absorption capability for nutrients, are damaged during those attacks. Compromised villi can lead to diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, weight loss, anemia, loss of teeth, premature bone loss and even unexplained infertility.
“Celiac disease is unusual, but it’s no longer rare,” says Murray. “Something has changed in our environment to make it much more common. Until recently, the standard approach to finding celiac disease has been to wait for people to complain of symptoms and to come to the doctor for investigation. This study suggests that we may need to consider looking for celiac disease in the general population, more like we do in testing for cholesterol or blood pressure.”
This is seminal stuff. Mayo Clinic is confirming a long-held belief in the alternative health community that celiac disease and other food reaction illnesses need to be more commonly and widely screened in seemingly healthy people. But routine and general-public screening is easier said than accomplished.
“Part of the problem is that celiac disease symptoms are variable and can be mistaken for other diseases that are more common, such as irritable bowel syndrome,” he says. “Some studies have suggested that for every person who has been diagnosed with celiac disease, there are likely 30 who have it but are not diagnosed. And given the nearly quadrupled mortality risk for silent celiac disease we have shown in our study, getting more patients and health professionals to consider the possibility of celiac disease is important.”
Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Less than Eight Hours of Sleep Puts Women at Greater Heart Risk
Getting enough sleep is an underrated part of staying healthy. You might even say it is under the radar—or electrocardiogram readout—for women. That’s because a new study from British researchers shows that women who sleep less than the suggested eight hours per night are at higher risk for heart disease than a man not getting the full number of hours.
The females in a study published in the journal Sleep by scientists at University College London and the University of Warwick experienced significantly wider variations in inflammatory markers in the blood if sleep hours are inconsistent and insufficient. The inflammatory markers are molecules called interleukin-6.
While previous studies found adults who regularly “cheat” themselves of sleep by two to three hours are much more likely to die from cardiovascular problems, this new study indicates just one less hour of sleep than the optimal eight results in a sharp increase in interleukin-6.
Lead researcher Dr Michelle Miller said the findings “are consistent with the idea that sleeping seven or eight hours per night appears to be optimal for health."
She said follow-up studies are needed to determine the reason(s) why sleep has a more negative impact on women’s hearts than those of men. She did allow that her best educated guess is that female hormone levels may be a decisive factor.
The guess here is more research will suggest that men might be at more risk than this study show. Call it a hunch, but guys who respect the need for sleep will someday realize the wisdom of their ways. Not a hunch: Most women hearing about this British study will respect both the advice and getting enough sleep.
Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
