Health Newsletter:October 2007
Related Links:From WebHealth
Contents |
[edit] Apple Cider Vinegar Shows Some Benefits
Often older home remedies that have been around for a long time are touted as “cure-alls”. They come recommended as being helpful from fighting the common cold, helpers for body cleansing or as dietary aids in weight loss. Cider vinegar is one of them that have graduated from the spice and condiment aisle of the supermarkets to the shelves of health food stores, but vinegars have been used already by the Babylonians, who believed that it had healing powers. Hippocrates used it as an antibiotic, and during the Civil War soldiers used it to treat pneumonia and resorted to it to prevent scurvy and upset stomachs. A Dr. D.C. Jarvis, who became known as the “country doctor from Vermont” extolled the benefits of cider vinegar in his book “Folk Medicine” and recommended the fragrant substance in pregnancy, for gastrointestinal problems and also for arthritis and weight loss. Modern day supporters have claimed that just a teaspoon of cider vinegar taken in a glass of water could provide the body with trace minerals, beta-carotene, pectin, enzymes, fiber and more. Chemical analyses have not found anything but minimal traces of iron, magnesium, sodium manganese, copper, phosphorus and calcium. There was no measurable amount of pectin. The U.S. Department of Agriculture went on looking for vitamin A, VitaminB6, C, E, beta-carotene, folate, niacin and lycopene.Nothing was found. We could be tempted to dismiss the entire saga surrounding the benefits of vinegar, but a small study from Sweden in 2005 found that vinegar reduced the insulin response after eating a carbohydrate meal. It also increased the feeling of satiety after a meal. This study was published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2005. The journal Diabetes Care reported in 2004 that vinegar increased insulin sensitivity in diabetic patients and in those with insulin resistance. It also reduced insulin levels in a healthy control group. Even though vinegar does not contain large amounts of nutrients it helps to increase absorption of minerals from foods, such as calcium from vegetables. There are no magic powers when it comes to dieting and weight loss, but from a practical point of view a simple squirt of balsamic vinegar on a salad is guaranteed low calorie, whereas a dressing of mayonnaise and blue cheese packs lots of calories. It does not seem to make sense to start a program of vinegar supplementation, but some cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar on vegetables and salads can be a small and tasty benefit.
The Medical Post, August 21, 2007, page 27
[edit] Medication Not The Only Help In Influenza Epidemics
As the the flu season approaches, there is concern about influenza epidemics and virulent influenza strains like the bird flu that can be a threat to the general population. It is sensible for the population of any country to take advantage of annual flu vaccinations that are available. This is true for all age groups, as aggressive vaccination programs can prevent a widespread flu epidemic. Lately antiviral medications have also received a lot of attention in an effort to mitigate influenza, but they also have come under fire for their potential side effects. For this reason they are only considered as an emergency break in extreme cases but not a standard medication. Research by a team from Michigan on the course of flu epidemics in the past has shed a new light on interventions that are non-pharmaceutical. The influenza epidemic that was studied was the one in 1918/19.Dr. Howard Markel who authored the study reported that the pandemic then killed 2.5% of all people who got the flu, but cities that intervened early with non-pharmaceutical means and maintained the interventions for the longest time did better and had the lowest weekly death rates. The interventions consisted of school closings, public gathering bans, isolation or quarantine. Other measures were varying work schedules and transportation restrictions. The researchers were not able to quantitate which of the interventive measures was more successful than the other, but the most common combination consisted of school closures and public gathering bans. Dr. Markel states that this information is good to have in the case of a pandemic today, such as the avian flu. On the other hand employing similar methods today can represent a problem, especially school closures, as more parents work outside the home these days.
The Medical Post, August 21, 2007, page 1, 53
[edit] Selenium Supplementation Under Scrutiny
There is widespread concern in the population that our soils are leached out and as a result our crops are devoid of minerals. As a result vitamins and supplements are sold not only in health food stores and pharmacies but also in supermarkets. A well balanced multivitamin can be good” basic insurance” to make up for dietary deficiencies. It applies especially to people whose dietary habits tend to be one-sided or who have erratic eating habits. Beside the multivitamin supplements there are vials of minerals that line the shelves and they can create confusion among consumers, who wonder whether they should take certain supplements or not. Selenium is one of the supplements that has a colorful history. In the past it was considered toxic to animals and humans. Research pointed out that tiny traces of selenium in our nutrition are essential to thyroid function and a well functioning immune system. Selenium was also found important in protecting our cells against oxidative stress. Newer findings have concluded that people in the United States receive enough of the benefits of selenium through their food sources. In the past animal experiments pointed to the possibility that selenium might be protective against type 2 diabetes, but new randomize trials rather caution that it may increase the risk. Also higher plasma concentrations of selenium at the baseline were associated with a risk of the patient to develop diabetes. Persons with the highest plasma concentration had a 2.7 fold increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes as compared to those who were in the lowest third of the group. In the view of these findings it becomes obvious that a sensible source of selenium is in our food, whereas supplementation is not only doubtful but hazardous.
BMJ 2007; 335:473 (8 September, 2007)
[edit] Dance Videos Help Inactive Kids
Videos play stations and video games do not have a reputation to create healthy lifestyles and physical fitness. The adult couch potato flipping channels and the young offspring have failed to reap benefits from these time fillers that feed into inactivity, habits of high calorie and excessive snacking. Childhood obesity has been on a sharp rise, and health problems such as type 2 diabetes can be seen in a much younger population than it was the case in the past. Dr. Susan Natsheh from the Saint John Regional Pediatric Obesity Clinic in New Brunswick has embarked on a project that uses the popular dance video game named for short DDR for Dance, Dance Revolution. It is geared to help kids at the clinic that have been resistant to other interventions to become healthier, less sessile and able to shed excessive pounds. The game has been around in several versions since its release in Japan in the late 90’s. It is very popular in video arcades. The players dance on a large footpad, as they follow the steps directed by arrows on the screen. It resembles the Twister game, but this game happens in time to popular music by stars like Justin Timberlake or Beyonce. Since a few years a home version of the game is also available. The clinic will have the play stations and copies of the game on loan for enrolled children. All what is needed at home is a TV set. This approach will be of help to children who are self conscious about their appearance during physical activity. Because of the independent nature of the game the clinic project will target older kids. They can dance around in the privacy of their home and do not receive negative reinforcement. No parental help or car rides are needed. Dr. Natsheh points out that parent involvement is still very important. If parents set an example by being physically active themselves and by buying healthier groceries, it will be easier for a child to embark on healthier lifestyle choices. Past reviews of DDR have shown mixed results. On the one hand DDR more than doubled children’s energy expenditure when compared to conventional video games. A study on very obese young persons found that the compliance was a problem. After a few weeks the youngsters got bored and did not lose any weight. As a result of these findings keeping track of regular compliance will be a key to success of the project. In the US West Virginia schools integrated the promising game in all of its 157 middle schools and the hope to help adolescents to become healthier and more active.
National Review of Medicine, September 15, 2007, page 14
[edit] Pain free Influenza Vaccine For Kids
With the flu season approaching it becomes necessary for many people to consider the routine of the annual flu shot. It remains the most effective way to prevent epidemic spread of influenza. Shots have long been recommended to the older population and those with a chronic health problem. Increasing numbers of parents also seek flu shots for their children to prevent them from catching the more severe form of influenza for which the vaccination offers protection. It is extremely common to find large absentee rates during flu and cold season in schools, and parents can attest to the fact that children "bring home a bug" from school or daycare. Children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 are twice more likely to get influenza than adults, which includes the elderly. More than 30% of them can get infected. With these statistics in mind it becomes even more apparent that flu vaccinations should not be reserved for alder adults or those with health problems. Flu shots are not popular due to the "ouch" effect, but the recent approval of the FDA of a intranasal influenza virus vaccine will change all of this. The product which can be used for children aged 2 to 5 years of age has been approved as of September 19, which is very timely for the next flu season. It is known as FluMist made by MedImmune Vaccine Inc.It has been used previously for individuals between the ages of 5 and 49 years and offers protection against influenza disease which is caused by the viral A and B influenza subtypes. The spray is not recommended for children younger than 2 years, as it can increase the risk of wheezing. It is also not suitable for individuals with asthma. The approval of the intranasal vaccine is not only important because of the prevalence of influenza in young children who catch the bug in schools and day cares. Studies have also shown that children who are younger than 5 years of age have similar flu-associated hospitalizations like adults in the age bracket of 50 to 64 .Prevention and protection for the younger population is just as important. Administering the vaccination through a nasal spray as opposed to the shot that youngsters generally dislike is certainly a bonus that will make the vaccination process a lot easier.
Scientific American, Science News : Sept. 19, 2007
