Overweight People Less Likely to Have Sex
Sunday, January 3rd, 2010Im exploring the effects of being overweight or obese on sexual relationships, both the frequency of, and intensity of sexual activity,
There are several biological and physical factors that can lead to a decrease in sexual functionality.
Sexual dysfunction is very personal and even within a relationship lots of couples find it very difficult to talk about changes. One partner may say, I think something has changed and I dont know what it is while the other is thinking theyve gone off me she said.
Excessive weight gain may lead one partner to find the other less physically attractive; a change in hormone production and lower energy levels and all these things can have a negative impact on your sex life.
Quirk said people are likely to be attracted to certain body shapes in the opposite sex.
When men see women with a small waistline and broad hips they are just primed to respond to those shapes, while women are attracted to the triangular shape of a man, she said.
These body types are indicative of hormonal and physiological characteristics that are naturally attractive, the website Science Alert reported.
With a round body shape all of those cues are hidden so what youre relying on in terms of your own sexual response to someone are subjective feelings, she said.
Facial Structure Can Predict Propensity to Aggression
Sunday, January 3rd, 2010TORONTO – Angry words and gestures are not the only way to get a sense of how temperamental a person is. A quick glance at someone’s facial structure may be enough for us to predict their tendency towards aggression, according to the latest research.
Facial width-to-height ratio (WHR) is determined by measuring the distance between the right and left cheeks and the distance from the upper lip to the mid-brow. During childhood, boys and girls have similar facial structures, but during puberty, males develop a greater WHR than females, the website Science Daily reported.
Previous research has suggested that males with a larger WHR act more aggressively than those with a smaller WHR. For example, studies have shown that hockey players with greater WHR earn more penalty minutes per game than players with lower WHR.
Psychologists Justin M.
The photographs were very revealing: Volunteers’ estimates of aggression correlated highly with the actual aggressive behaviour of the faces viewed, even if they saw the picture for only 39 milliseconds. Even more interestingly, the volunteers’ estimates were also highly correlated with WHR of the faces — the greater the WHR, the higher the aggressive rating, suggesting that we may use this aspect of facial structure to judge potential aggression in others.
These findings indicate that subtle differences in face shape may affect personality judgments, which may, in turn, guide how we respond to certain individuals.
The study was published in the journal Psychological Science.
Space-Industry Technology May Help Treat Breast Cancer
Sunday, January 3rd, 2010Researchers at Rush University Medical Center and Argonne National Laboratory are examining the utility of three-dimensional thermal tomography in radiation oncology.
Approximately 80 percent of breast cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment develop acute skin reactions that range in severity. The more severe reactions cause discomfort and distress to the patient, and sometimes result in treatment interruptions. The severity is quite variable among patients and difficult to predict.
“Because reactions usually occur from 10 to 14 days after the beginning of therapy, if we could predict skin reactions sooner we may be able to offer preventative treatment to maximize effectiveness and minimize interruption of radiation treatment,” said Dr. Katherine Griem, professor of radiation oncology at Rush.
The researchers are studying if three-dimensional thermal tomography (3DTT) can detect the earliest changes that may trigger a skin reaction.
3DTT is a relatively new thermal imaging process that is currently being used as a non-invasive away to detect defects in composite materials.
The basic idea of thermal imaging is to apply heat or cold to a material and observing the resulting temperature change with an infrared camera to learn about its composition.
Unlike most thermal imaging studies, which have quantitative limitations, 3DTT measures the thermal effusivity of skin tissue. Thermal effusivity is a measure of a material’s ability to exchange heat with its surroundings.
In this study, a flash of light is used to heat up the skin. An infrared camera captures a series of images over time that display the temperature of the skin, represented by colors. An algorithm developed by Argonne is used to calculate the temperature change and determine the thermal effusivity of different areas of the skin.
Preliminary data from the study show that marked decreases in thermal effusivity of irradiated skin occur well in advance of the development of high-grade skin reactions.
Dr.
“In addition to finding decreases in effusivity of the treated areas many days before the development of skin reactions, we have also seen that the magnitude of these decreases varies with the grade of the reactions. This exciting result bodes well for the clinical utility of this technique in predicting the severity of a skin reaction before it occurs,” Coon added.
The preliminary results from the study are being displayed during the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)
A Primer on Mineral Supplements and Dosages
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010Minerals are natural compounds formed through geological processes. The term “mineral” encompasses not only the material’s chemical composition but also the mineral structures. Minerals range in composition from pure elements and simple salts to very complex silicates with thousands of known forms (organic compounds are usually excluded).
BORON 3 mg 1 a day
Enhances calcium absorption, increases synthesis of vitamin D, helps prevent osteoporosis, and is required for brain functioning. In post-menopausal women 3 mg per day reduced urinary magnesium and phosphorus excretions, and calcium excretion by 44 percent. Increases serum concentration of ionized calcium and estradiol. While this form of estrogen is a carcinogen24 it does not pose as great a risk as oral estrogen which is mostly converted to estrone rather than the more desirable estradiol.14 Estrogen aids the absorption of calcium by the bones, lowers cholesterol, and may also be a factor in relief from arthritis. Increase intake to 9 mg/day for treatment of osteoporosis patients. Toxic at doses greater than 500 mg per day.27
Prostate cancer risk for men eating the most boron, 1.8 mg/day was less than a third that of those eating less than 0.9 mg/day. Animal studies show immunity benefits from dietary boron. See Science News 4-14-01 for the complete story.
CALCIUM CITRATE 1000 to 1500 mg a day
Deficiency results in kidney stones, osteoporosis, leg cramps, bleeding gums, peeling nails, and hypertension. Reduces incidence of colorectal cancer,20 platelet clumping, aids hypoglycemics, improves memory, lowers
cholesterol, and is a chelator. Sugar, high protein, and high phosphate foods and vitamin K deficiency cause increased excretion of calcium in the urine. One source for phosphate is the phosphoric acid found in carbonated beverages. This acid also picks up aluminum from pin holes in the coating in aluminum cans. Nearly one-third of all women and one sixth of all men will fracture their hips in their lifetimes. Tests have shown that elderly patients could absorb about 4 percent of the calcium in calcium carbonate, down from a normal of 22 percent, but would absorb about 45 percent of the calcium from calcium citrate. Calcium citrate is the best form of calcium because of better absorption and decreased risk of kidney stone formation. Boron and vitamin D enhances calcium absorption. Copper is involved in bone strengthening. A shortage of calcium and magnesium will enhance the deposition of aluminum in nerve cells. Calcium may reduce the absorption of zinc. In tests all dolomite and bone meal products and 23 out of 25 unrefined carbonates had lead levels that exceeded the maximum allowed by law of 1 mcg per 800 mg of calcium.27
CHROMIUM PICOLINATE 200 mcg (minimum) a day
Required for sugar metabolism, lowers LDL cholesterol14, triglycerides, body fats and reduces incidence of atherosclerotic plaques. Used by the body to make glucose tolerance factor which is secreted with insulin to control blood sugar levels. 400 to 600 micrograms (mcg) per day used to treat impaired glucose tolerance and for weight loss. Claimed to be a muscle builder (400 mcg per day) for those who exercise. Shortage of chromium is a factor in arteriosclerosis, acne and diabetes.20,27 It appears that chromium stimulates the production of insulin by the body. All diabetics have a shortage of chromium and zinc.20 A study has shown that chromium will increased the life span of lab animals by 33 percent. Another study showed that high doses may cause chromosomal damage in animal cells.
COPPER 2 or 3 mg a day
Anti-inflammatory agent. Required for many body functions, prevents radiation damage, inhibits bone resorption (osteoporosis), involved in strengthening bones and connective tissue by cross-linking collagen strands, increases life span and is part of the SOD antioxidant enzyme.14 This enzyme is the main antioxidant in the eye lens and protects the lens from oxidative damage such as cataracts. Essential for operation of enzymes that lower cholesterol and for glucose tolerance. Deficiency raises blood pressure, causes abnormal electrocardiograms and some types of anemia. Protects against cancer and provides relief from pain and joint stiffness similar to arthritis. Vitamin C may hinder absorption. Excess copper lowers zinc level. The optimum ratio of copper to zinc is 1:10. Maximum copper supplement should not exceed 3 milligrams per day.27 Toxic at 15 mg per day. See note 8.
GERMANIUM
Reported as a “miracle cure”, to reduce arthritis and to have antiviral and antitumor effects in Japan. Dosage was 300 mg three times a day. Garlic is a source. Further data not available.
IODINE 150 mcg 2 or ? a day
Required for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, conversion of beta carotene to vitamin A, and memory. Thyroid function test can be made by taking armpit temperature the first thing in the morning upon awakening and before arising. If the temperature is consistently at or below 97.6 degrees it suggests that the thyroid is not supplying a sufficient amount of the hormone. This could indicate an under active thyroid caused by a lack of iodine or other nutrients. A thyroid deficiency has been reported to cause an increase in cholesterol and atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Iodine deficiency can cause thyroid cancer and allows estrogen to excite the development of cystic mastitis and breast cancer. Breast tissue requires the elemental form of iodine. Cystic mastitis responds only to the elemental forms of iodine supplements such as kelp and iodine caseinate27, and to the natural form of vitamin E. Non toxic up to 1000 mcg per day.
Reported to increase gray matter in brain and to protect nerve cells from fatal over-stimulation by a brain chemical messenger known as glutamate. (Science News:11-11-2000)
IRON 10 to 18 mg a day
There are two forms of dietary iron, heme and nonheme. Heme iron is bound to hemoglobin and myoglobin. It is found in animal products such as red meats and is the most easily absorbed form. Nonheme iron is in plant foods and is poorly absorbed in the elderly due to a lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Unbound nonheme iron gives off pro-oxidants which leads to the formation of free radicals27. Required for metabolization of B vitamins, blood cells, memory and other. Deficiency results in fatigue, impaired immune function, learning disabilities, and anemia. Eggs, coffee, tea and bran cereal inhibit absorption. Copper, cobalt, manganese and vitamins A & C are necessary for assimilation. Excess manganese hinders absorption. Ferrous sulfate form of iron destroys vitamin E. Sources are liver, farina, clams, dried peaches, red meat, egg yolks, oysters, nuts, beans, asparagus, molasses, and oatmeal. A relationship between high levels of iron and cancer has been reported.14 However, iron deficiencies in lab animals reported to increase susceptibility to certain carcinogens (C&EN,Jan. 17,1977). Serum ferritin is the best laboratory test for determining body iron stores27.
MAGNESIUM 1:3 ratio with calcium or 500 to 700 mg a day
Chelator. Raises HDL/LDL ratio. Required for bones. With taurine regulates amount of calcium in heart and artery muscles. Reduces arrhythmia, angina, and blood pressure, improves blood flow to the heart, prevents calcium deposits, kidney stones, and gallstones. Animal studies have shown that high doses of magnesium can reverse atherosclerotic plaques. Has anti-cancer action and helps memory. Improves glucose handling in people with insulin resistance. Required for B-2 metabolism. Diuretics, anticholinergics, alcohol, and phosphates in soft drinks depletes magnesium. Vitamin B-6 required for metabolization. Toxic above 10 grams a day. “In recent lab tests a deficiency of magnesium reduced work efficiency of the body, causing a 15 percent increase in oxygen, consumption and an increased pulse rate.”
Do not take a magnesium supplement if you have kidney disease.
MANGANESE 2.5 to 5 mg a day
Part of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase, SOD (q.v.). Helps prevent allergies, cataracts, osteoporosis, memory loss, multiple sclerosis, dizziness, aids thyroid gland, regulates insulin level. Essential for the utilization of vitamin B1. High intakes of manganese inhibits the absorption of iron, copper, and zinc, while high intakes of zinc, iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, bran fiber, spinach, and tannin in tea hinders absorption of manganese. The picolinate or gluconate forms of manganese are preferred. 50 to 200 mg in divided doses for 2 weeks used for tendonitis.27 “Provided cancer protection for lab animals exposed to nickel subsulfide, one of the most deadly carcinogens known.”
MOLYBDENUM 200 to 500 mcg a day
Deficiencies related to anemia, premature aging, esophageal and stomach cancer, and sulfite sensitivity. Creates enzymes to detoxify sulfites and produce antioxidants. Required for tooth enamel. Excess molybdenum, 10 to 15 mg/day can increase production of uric acid, causing gout.27 Uric acid neutralizes peroxynitrite generated by the immune system to fight bacteria and viruses. Uric acid deficiency has been linked to multiple sclerosis in animals. A study of 20 million Medicare and Medicaid records, found no overlap between MS and gout. Lower amounts of uric acid were found in patients with MS than in other types of neurological diseases: (Science News, 1-31-98.) It might behoove those with MS or other autoimmune diseases to give molybdenum a try along with the gamma tocopherol form of vitamin E.
NICKEL Required trace element. Source is unprocessed grains.
PHOSPHORUS
Required for most physiological chemical reactions, bones, teeth, heart regularity, kidney functioning, and helps prevent arthritis. Milk, fish, poultry, meat, eggs, nuts and seeds are sources. High-protein food, sugar and high-phosphorus diets are associated with urinary excretion of calcium. Avoid phosphoric acid beverages. A can and a half of cola daily, doubles the risk of bone fracture in women over 40.20 Supplements not normally required.
POTASSIUM 100 to 600 mg a day
Take with food. Increases oxygen in brain, reduces blood pressure, strokes, allergies and helps memory. Hypoglycemia, alcohol, coffee, sugar and mental and physical stress depletes potassium. Displaced by excess sodium. Recommended forms are the gluconate, citrate, and fumarate. Sources are bananas, milk, fish, apricots, avocados, potatoes, lima beans, citrus fruits, cantaloupe, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, sunflower seeds, and poultry. A banana and a baked potato contain approximately 1200 mg of potassium. The minimum daily requirement for an adult is approximately 2000 mg. If you eat well and hold off on the coffee, sugar and salt, potassium supplements should not be required. People with kidney disease should not take a potassium supplement.
SELENIUM 200 to 400 mcg + a day
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory. Reported to kill tumor cells27 and to cause cancer regression.20 Reduces incidence of cardiovascular diseases, lung, colon and breast cancers, cataracts, arthritis, (macular degeneration?), inflammatory conditions, and is part of the body’s natural antioxidant glutathione peroxidase. Enhances immune system, synergistic with vitamin E and may have a similar synergism with vitamin A (retinol). (synergism: effect of combination greater than each working alone.) Selenium and vitamin E may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. Vitamin C and high intakes of zinc and other trace elements may reduce selenium absorption.27 With vitamin E, selenium will detoxify mercury, cadmium, lead, tin, and arsenic.24 Two studies have shown that people with low blood concentrations of selenium are more likely to develop skin cancer. A third study found that counties where diets are naturally rich in selenium report lower death rates from cancer then those where dietary selenium is scarce.25 Later tests have shown that by adding 200 micrograms of selenium daily to the diets there were 63 percent fewer prostate cancers, 58 percent fewer colorectal cancers and 46 percent fewer lung cancers than in the placebo group. (Journal of The American Medical Association, 12-25-96). After a review of studies on selenium and cancer the Food and Nutrition Board’s Committee on Diet and Health stated, “Low selenium intakes or decreased selenium concentrations in the blood are associated with increased risks of cancer in humans.”27 Selenium is deficient in the farm soils of all states east of the Mississippi River and in most of the Pacific N.W. Sulfur-based fertilizers prevent plant uptake of selenium that is available.
We have the distinction of ranking near the top in breast cancer mortality rate. Our total apparent selenium intake is about 170 micrograms per day. In countries where intake per person is about 275 mcg per day the breast cancer mortality rate is less than one-third of ours.20 In Japan the selenium intake is about 500 mcg/day. Japan’s cancer rate is less than one fifth that of countries where the intake is 250 mcg/day.
In one study of a large group of people, the 10 percent with the highest serum selenium, 0.225 micrograms per milliliter, had the lowest level of cancer while the 10 percent with the lowest selenium level had the highest incidence of cancer. (Nutrition And Cancer, 1984 Vol 6, No 1)
Another study of selenium levels in 48 patients with cataracts and compared to matched controls, the serum selenium level was found to be less in the patients with cataracts, 0.28 versus 0.321 mcg/ml. The aqueous humour selenium level was 0.19 versus 0.31 mcg/ml. Hydrogen peroxide levels in the aqueous humour was 25 times the normal level for patients with cataracts. (Karakucuk S. et al.,Selenium concentrations in serum, lens, and aqueous humour of patients with senile cataract.
Arch
Since selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase is responsible for eliminating hydrogen peroxide, low selenium levels appear to be a factor in the development of cataracts.27
Other tests have shown that areas with high selenium levels in food or forage crops have lower cancer incidence. (THE LANCET, July 16, 1983)
SILICON 5 to 20 mg a day
The silicon content of the aorta, thymus, and skin tends to decline with age.27 Required, along with vitamin C, for connective tissue (collagen) formation, nails, skin, hair, and for prevention of osteoporosis, hardening of the arteries, and (Alzheimer’s?). One use for collagen is in the formation of blood vessels. Copper is also required for cross-linking the collagen strands. Scurvy is caused by a lack of these nutrients. Found in the skins of fruit and vegetables and the outer coats of cereals. See sulfur, copper, folic acid and vitamins B-6 and C.
SODIUM (table salt)
Excess depletes potassium and may raise the risk of cancer by reducing cell membrane fluidity, slowing nutrient inflow and toxin outflow. Hypertension is rare in populations with low sodium intake. Intake of sodium should not be greater than 10 percent of potassium intake.
SULFUR
Aids production of collagen. Helps hair, skin, and arthritis. Sources are lean beef, dried beans, fish, eggs, and cabbage. A spoonful will repel ticks but stay up wind of yourself.
VANADIUM 50 to 100 mcg a day
A required trace element, beneficial in treating some forms of high blood pressure and for reducing the body’s production of cholesterol. Reported to reduce insulin requirements in type I diabetes. In type II diabetes insulin sensitivity increased due to a greater inhibition of glucose production in the liver and from greater stimulation of glucose utilization in tissues by insulin. Storage of glucose as glycogen in muscles was also increased.
ZINC PICOLINATE 15 to 30 mg a day *
Antioxidant. A component of insulin. Deficiencies related to osteoporosis, low male testosterone levels, loss of sense of taste, mental disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, blood cell production, cataracts, and cancer. Required for thymic activity, aids immune system, pregnancy, acne, decreases cholesterol deposits and is part of the superoxide dismutase (copper-zinc SOD) antioxidant enzyme.27 Reduces body’s level of prolactin, a hormone that stimulates synthesis of dihydrotesterone, DHT, believed to promote malignant growth of prostate cells. Men with prostate disorders and all cancer patients have a shortage of zinc. They may also have an omega-3 fatty acid deficiency. The picolinate form of zinc is most easily absorbed. Next are the citrate, gluconate, and acetate forms while the sulfate form is the most poorly absorbed. Diabetics have a shortage of zinc and chromium in their blood. Autopsies have shown below normal amounts of zinc in several distinct areas of the brains of deceased Alzheimer’s patients.
“Some 90 percent of the population consume diets deficient in zinc,” Dr. Denham Harman, M.D., Ph.D, professor emeritus at the Univ. of Nebraska School of Medicine and founder of the free radical theory of aging.
Vitamin B-6 required for absorption. Caffeine, dairy products, and bran may decrease the absorption of zinc. Excess zinc reported to offset the protective effect of selenium against cancer in lab animals.
“Zinc Shakes, reported in mine workers is caused by inhalation of zinc oxide fumes and results in neurological damage.
* Increase intake to 150 mg per day for prostate problems. 120 mg per day used to treat macular degeneration.
Sleep Loss May Affect Health by Curbing Exercise
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010LUEBECK – A number of studies have linked chronic sleep deprivation to a heightened risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Now, a small study suggests that low levels of physical activity during the day may partly account for the connection.
In a study of 15 healthy men, researchers found that a couple nights of grabbing only four hours of sleep caused the men to curtail their physical activity compared with days where they had gotten the standard eight hours the night before.
In contrast, there was no evidence that sleep loss altered blood levels of appetite-regulating hormones or caused the men to eat more the next day — effects that have been seen in a number of previous studies.
The implication is that there may be a broader range of reasons for the link between sleep loss and weight and health, the researchers report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Practically speaking, the findings offer adults another reason to get enough sleep.
For healthy adults, that means regularly getting seven to eight hours per night, lead researcher
A number of large epidemiological studies have found associations between poor sleep and higher risks of obesity and other health problems. Since then, a few small studies done in the sleep lab have attempted to find the possible reasons for the connection.
In some, researchers have found evidence that sleep loss alters the regulation of the hunger hormones leptin and ghrelin, and may boost daytime appetite. Leptin, which helps regulate body weight, is secreted by fat cells; low blood levels of the hormone promote hunger, while increases tell the brain that the body is full and encourage calorie burning. Ghrelin is secreted by the stomach to boost appetite.
But another possibility is that sleep-deprived people are just too tired to be physically active during the day.
While that seems logical, apparently no human studies had examined the question before.
For the new study, Schmid and his colleagues had 15 healthy, normal-weight men go through two consecutive nights with four hours of sleep and two nights with eight hours of sleep.
After the first night, the men spent the day doing their normal activities, while wearing a wrist device that recorded their movements. After the second night, they came to the sleep lab, where they again wore the wrist devices and also had their levels of leptin and ghrelin measured and their calorie intake monitored.
The researchers found that, unexpectedly, the men showed no differences in their hormone levels, hunger or food intake after the four-hour night compared with the eight-hour night.
They were, however, less active after sleep-deprived nights — devoting both fewer minutes to physical activity and a smaller proportion of that time to more-intense exercise.
Last Updated: 2010-01-01 13:00:52 -0400 (
When the men got eight hours of sleep, they spent an average of 25 percent of their active time performing higher-intensity exercise; that declined to about 22 percent with four hours of sleep.
Over time, such differences could affect a person’s weight and general health, according to Schmid’s team.
The findings do not mean that sleep loss has no effects on hunger hormones and appetite, as earlier studies have suggested that it does. However, Schmid said, the results do suggest that even modest sleep restriction — so common in today’s society — reduces physical activity, while hormones and appetite are “less affected.”
SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, December 2009.
Got a Pet Tarantula? Better Protect Your Eyes
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010LONDON – Here’s some advice stemming from the unusual case of a man who had spider hairs stuck in his cornea: Be sure to cover your eyes when hanging around with your pet tarantula.
Ophthalmologists at
They discovered hair-like projections stuck in the man’s cornea.
It was a light bulb moment for the patient, who remembered that three weeks earlier he had been cleaning a stubborn stain on the glass tank of his pet, a Chilean Rose tarantula.
“He sensed movement in the terrarium. He turned his head and found that the tarantula, which was in close proximity, had released ‘a mist of hairs’ which hit his eyes and face,” the doctors wrote.
They said the man’s condition was rare.
The authors noted that the Chilean Rose tarantula releases the barbed hair on the back of its body to defend against predators.
“We suggest that tarantula keepers be advised to routinely wear eye protection when handling these animals,” the doctors said.
Restless Legs Syndrome, Erectile Dysfunction may be Linked
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010BOSTON – Two disorders that seem completely unrelated except that each is the focus of massive drug company ad campaigns may actually have something in common: Older men who suffer from restless legs syndrome at night are almost twice as likely to have erectile dysfunction as those without restless legs, researchers report.
In 2000 and 2004, the men were asked to rate their erections on a five point scale from very poor to very good. In 2002, the men answered questions related to restless legs syndrome symptoms. None of these men had diabetes or arthritis, which can both increase the risk of restless legs.
About four percent — 944 — of the men reported symptoms of restless legs syndrome. These men had an average age of 70, while those without restless legs were on average about two years younger, tended to exercise more, and were less likely to smoke.
Of those who reported restless legs, more than half — 53 percent – also reported trouble with their erections, compared to 40 percent of those who did not complain about restless legs.
The likelihood of erectile dysfunction also varied with the severity of restless legs symptoms, researchers found. Men who had restless legs 5 to 14 nights per month were 16 percent more likely to have erectile dysfunction compared to men without restless legs, while men with more than 15 nights of restless legs symptoms had a 78 percent higher chance of erectile dysfunction.
Neither age, ethnicity, obesity, nor tobacco use had any significant effect on the likelihood of the link between the two conditions.
The survey did not ask volunteers if a doctor had diagnosed either of the disorders, only about related symptoms, which is a weakness, said
“The problem with the study is the very rough assessment for restless legs syndrome,” Pollmächer told Reuters Health, meaning that other conditions could be confused with restless legs. Pollmächer has studied the syndrome in pregnant women.
“It would have been nice to have had the exact four criteria used,” Kushida said. Those criteria are an urge to move the legs, getting temporary relief with movement, worse symptoms at rest, and worse symptoms in the evening.
Gao agreed that the diagnosis of restless legs syndrome is not as straightforward as other diagnoses, and that some of the men who reported restless legs syndrome probably did not really have it.
That lack of clarity has led some to suggest that restless legs syndrome is an example of “disease mongering,” in which drug companies expand the definitions of a disease to make it seem that more people need to be treated. Boosted by a widespread ad campaign, sales of Requip, one of the two FDA-approved treatments for restless legs syndrome, reached more than $500 million before the agency approved a generic form of the drug in 2008.
It wasn’t the ads that prompted Gao to undertake this work, and no drug companies were involved in the federally-funded study. Gao told Reuters Health that his team had noticed that both conditions seem to involve dopamine, an important message-carrying chemical, or neurotransmitter.
He’d like to do a study with men who have confirmed restless legs syndrome to better test the potential link.
Still, Kushida said, “based on these findings, it would be a good idea for doctors to ask their male restless legs patients if they have erectile dysfunction.”
Kushida suggested that there may be a role for restless legs drugs in erectile dysfunction treatment, and said the question warrants further research.
SOURCE: Sleep, January 2010.
Introducing – Glucosamine
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010Other names: glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine sulphate, glucosamine hydrochloride, N-acetyl glucosamine, chitosamine
Glucosamine is a compound found naturally in the body, made from glucose and the amino acid glutamine. Glucosamine is needed to produce glycosaminoglycan, a molecule used in the formation and repair of cartilage and other body tissues. Production of glucosamine slows with age.
Glucosamine is available as a nutritional supplement in health food stores and many drug stores. Glucosamine supplements are manufactured in a laboratory from chitin, a substance found in the shells of shrimp, crab, lobster, and other sea creatures. In additional to nutritional supplements, glucosamine is also used in sports drinks and in cosmetics.
Glucosamine is often combined with chondroitin sulfate, a molecule naturally present in cartilage. Chondroitin gives cartilage elasticity and is believed to prevent the destruction of cartilage by enzymes. Glucosamine is sometimes combined with methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, in nutritional supplements.
Why Do People Use Glucosamine?
Osteoarthritis
Glucosamine supplements are widely used for osteoarthritis, particularly knee osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, cartilage — the rubbery material that cushions joints — becomes stiff and loses its elasticity. This makes the joint prone to damage and may lead to pain, swelling, loss of movement, and further deterioration.
Since the body’s natural glucosamine is used to make and repair joint cartilage, taking glucosamine as a nutritional supplement is thought to help repair damaged cartilage by augmenting the body’s supply of glucosamine.
There is promising evidence that glucosamine may reduce pain symptoms of knee osteoarthritis and possibly slow the progression of osteoarthritis. For example, a study published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine examined people with osteoarthritis over three years. Researchers assessed pain and structural improvements seen on x-ray. They gave 202 people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis 1,500 mg of glucosamine sulfate a day or a placebo.
At the end of the study, researchers found that glucosamine slowed the progression of knee osteoarthritis compared to the placebo. People in the glucosamine group had a significant reduction in pain and stiffness. On x-ray, there was no average change or narrowing of joint spaces in the knees (a sign of deterioration) of the glucosamine group. In contrast, joint spaces of participants taking the placebo narrowed over the three years.
One of the largest studies on glucosamine for osteoarthritis was a 6-month study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. Called GAIT, the study compared the effectiveness of glucosamine hydrochloride (HCL), chondroitin sulfate, a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, the drug celecoxib (Celebrex), or a placebo in people with knee osteoarthritis.
Glucosamine or chondroitin alone or in combination didn’t reduce pain in the overall group, although people in the study with moderate-to-severe knee pain were more likely to respond to glucosamine.
One major drawback of the GAIT Trial was that glucosamine hydrochloride was used rather than the more widely used and researched glucosamine sulfate. A recent analysis of previous studies, including the GAIT Trial, concluded that glucosamine hydrochloride was not effective. The analysis also found that studies on glucosamine sulfate were too different from one another and were not as well-designed as they should be, so they could not properly draw a conclusion. More research is needed.
Still, health care providers often suggest a three month trial of glucosamine and discontinuing it if there is no improvement after three months. A typical dose for osteoarthritis is 1,500 mg of glucosamine sulfate each day.
Other Conditions
Other conditions for which glucosamine is used include rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), chronic venous insufficiency, and skin conditions, although further evidence is needed.
Side Effects and Safety of Glucosamine
Most studies involving humans have found that short-term use of glucosamine is well-tolerated. Side effects may include drowsiness, headache, insomnia, and mild and temporary digestive complaints such as abdominal pain, poor appetite, nausea, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, and vomiting. In rare human cases, the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin has been linked with temporarily elevated blood pressure and heart rate and palpitations.
Since glucosamine supplements may be made from shellfish, people with allergies to shellfish should avoid glucosamine unless it has been confirmed that it is from a non-shellfish source. The source of glucosamine is not required to be printed on the label, so it may require a phone call to the manufacturer.
There is some evidence suggesting that glucosamine, in doses used to treat osteoarthritis, may worsen blood sugar, insulin, and/or hemoglobin A1c (a test that measures how well blood sugar has been controlled during the previous three months) levels in people with diabetes or insulin resistance.
Theoretically, glucosamine may increase the risk of bleeding. People with bleeding disorders, those taking anti-clotting or anti-platelet medication, such as warfarin, clopidogrel, and Ticlid, or people taking supplements that may increase the risk of bleeding, such as garlic, ginkgo, vitamin E, or red clover, should not take glucosamine unless under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
The safety of glucosamine in pregnant or nursing women isn’t known.
Home Remedies Series – Angina
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010- Difference between blood demand and supply. Though demand is normal, supply of blood to the heart decreases due to narrowing of arteries or obstructive coronary vascular disease
- Fatty deposits on the blood vessels of the heart causing restriction of regular or required blood flow to the heart causing reduced blood supply to the heart
- Formation of blood clots that may partially or fully block the artery
- Other causes include: uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, anemia, polycythemia, heavy smoking or use of cocaine, heavy meals, physical exertion, emotional stress, diseases related to thyroid glands and other types of heart diseases
- Initiating lifestyle modifications such as: eating healthy and well balanced meals, quitting smoking, exercising regularly and being physically active. It is also advisable to lose weight incase of obesity
- Treating existing disorders that may lead to angina such as: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and other heart related conditions
- Medicines and other options in surgery are also available to treat angina in serious cases
- Avoid eating cholesterol rich food and consuming light and preferably vegetarian foods
- Boost intake of Vitamin A, C and E rich foods to prevent and control the onset of angina
- Intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains ensure your body receives the required nutrients
- A regular exercise program as supervised or indicated by the doctor
- Follow a weight-loss program for over-weight or obese persons
- Regular check to maintain levels of blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes
- Avoid stress and ensure a relaxed sleep
- Eat a well balanced, cholesterol free meal
Brain Circuit That Controls Binge Eating Uncovered
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010ST.LOUIS – Conducting an animal study, researchers at the University of Missouri have gained significant insights into the brain circuit that controls binge eating.
The researchers found that deactivating the basolateral amygdala, a brain region involved in regulating emotion, specifically blocked consumption of a fatty diet in a rat.
However, they were surprised to see that deactivating the same brain region did not stop the rat from wanting to look for the food repeatedly.
“It appears that two different brain circuits control the motivation to seek and consume,” said
“Understanding how this circuit in the brain works may provide insight into the exact networks and chemicals in our brain that determine the factors influencing our feeding habits,” he added.
Will and his colleagues point out that the release of opioids, pleasure chemicals that can lead to euphoria, into the brain produces binge eating in non-hungry rats.
Their study has shown that deactivating the basolateral amygdala blocks this type of binge eating.
“A key to curbing the obesity epidemic in America is controlling the desire to binge eat. Humans have more programming to start and continue eating than to stop eating, especially when they have a bowl of ice cream in front of them. Most of us would finish it even if we weren’t hungry,” Will said.
He said that the fact that deactivating basolateral amygdala had no effect on feeding in rats that were simply deprived of food for 24 hours suggested that this brain region is specifically involved in the overconsumption of food based on its palatability or pleasure driven by opioids, rather than the level of hunger.
“The finding that the basolateral amygdala only appears involved in the opioid produced consumption was the most surprising part of the study. Normally, if a rat stops eating, they will go lay down and take it easy. In this case, they showed all signs of still wanting to eat, but didn’t,” Will said.
A research article describing the study was published in Behavioral Neuroscience.
Why Use Bioidentical Hormones
Sunday, December 27th, 2009Bioidentical hormones are hormones that are identical to what the human body makes. Why do drug companies seldom make and sell bioidentical hormones?
The reason is – since the late 1800’s, U.S. laws allowed medicines to be patented ONLY if they were NOT naturally occurring substances. If a drug company discovered a natural substance that could be used medically, anyone else could also use/make/sell that substance.
So what the drug companies do is to create synthetic hormones that are intentionally different. Examples are Premarin, Prempro and Provera – these synthetic drugs are different in their molecular structure from the estrogens and progesterone found in the human body.
And the problem with synthetic drugs is – since they are different from what occurs naturally in the human body, the body treats them differently and the result is often harmful side effects.
Even though bioidentical hormones have been around for a long time, the majority of doctors are not familiar with them. Today’s doctors are ordinarily schooled and trained in synthetic drug therapy, not natural medicine.
Finding bioidentical doctors and bioidentical hormone doctors can be done. For example, holistic doctors and naturopathic doctors are regular medical doctors with additional training and experience in using bioidentical hormones.
A holistic medical doctor uses a combination of conventional Western medicine and alternative medicine. A holistic doctor incorporates one or more types of complementary medicine into their medical practice.
This complementary medicine could be acupuncture, herbal therapy or homeopathy. For instance, while undergoing treatment for cancer using radiation, the patient might receive herbal therapy to strengthen the immune system.
Naturopathic physicians are medical doctors that work to restore and support the body’s systems by using medicines and techniques that are in harmony with natural processes.
A naturopathic physician will prefer treatments which keep the risks of harmful side effects at a minimum. Naturopathic doctors will use bioidentical hormones when appropriate, which are safer and with few or no side effects when used correctly.
They are trained to know which persons they can treat – they also know which patients should be referred to other health care practitioners. Since every illness has an underlying cause, a naturopathic physician is trained to find and remove the underlying causes of a disease.
That may include adjusting the diet or lifestyle of the patient, for example. A naturopathic physician will treat the whole person, taking all the factors into account.
Natural progesterone is necessary for the appropriate and balanced supply of all steroids hormones and the increase of energy production.
Bioidentical hormones like natural progesterone supplementation, high quality vitamins/supplements and good Omega-3 fish oil supplements will provide you great health benefits and are a regular part of their recommendations.
Vitamins are essential to improve men and women’s health. This will give you a increased sense of wellbeing, more energy, increase your sex drive, will give you a healthier heart and can help you with some hormone imbalance symptoms.
The Origins of Tidiness
Sunday, December 27th, 2009“A tidy house, a tidy mind.” Some of the more slovenly among us might bristle at this scolding old proverb, but to human evolution researchers it makes perfect sense. One of the hallmarks of modern behavior is the sophisticated way Homo sapiens organizes the spaces it lives in, with everything in its place. But new work at a nearly 800,000-year-old hominin site in Israel suggests that the roots of tidiness may lie deep in our evolutionary past.
Prehistoric humans did not start building permanent dwellings until about 15,000 years ago, but earlier hominins–the term now commonly used by scientists for humans and their ancestors but not other apes–frequented caves and open-air sites as they hunted and gathered food. Whereas sites occupied by modern humans often show signs of separate “activity areas” such as hearths, stone-tool knapping areas, food preparation areas, sleeping areas, and so forth, not so long ago there was little evidence that other hominins engaged in such organized behavior.
More recently, however, work at Neandertal sites has demonstrated that our evolutionary cousins also divided up their living spaces into activity areas. New research at rock shelters like Abric Romaní in Spain and Tor Faraj in Jordan, where Neandertals lived between 50,000 and 70,000 years ago–before modern humans migrated into Europe and Asia–has demonstrated spatial organization at times indistinguishable from that typical of H. sapiens. Now, a team working at Gesher Benot Ya’aqov (GBY), a 790,000-year-old site in northern Israel’s Hula Valley, claims that a much older species also showed tendencies toward tidiness. GBY is thought to have been occupied by H. heidelbergensis, a species that may have given rise to H. sapiens in Africa and the Neandertals in Europe. It is also the site of the earliest widely accepted mastery of fire by prehistoric humans.
The researchers, led by archaeologists
The team found that hominin activities were concentrated in two main areas at opposite ends of the strip. Knapping of stone tools made from flint was concentrated in the northwest area, while production of tools made from basalt and limestone was concentrated around a hearth in the southeast. There was also a clear pattern of animal and plant remains. For example, remains of crabs consumed by the hominins were clustered around the hearth, as were the remains of nuts and stone tools, such as anvils and choppers, suitable for cracking them open. On the other hand, fish bones were found in two clusters, one at each end of the excavated area.
The team concludes, in its report on the findings in the 18 December issue of Science, that the GBY hominins’ division of their living space into designated activity areas is a sign of “sophisticated cognition” once thought to be the special preserve of modern humans.
But
Teens Who Smoke Marijuana But Not Tobacco Are Different From Other Teen Groups
Sunday, December 27th, 2009LAUSANNE — A Swiss study suggests that teens who use only cannabis appear to function better than those who also use tobacco, and are more socially driven and have no more psychosocial problems than those who abstain from both substances, according to a new report.
Cannabis or marijuana is the illegal drug most commonly used by youth, according to background information in the article. Cannabis use is associated with the use of other substances, including tobacco and illegal drugs. “The gateway theory hypothesizes that the use of legal drugs (tobacco and alcohol) is the previous step to cannabis consumption,” the authors write. “However, recent research also indicates that cannabis use may precede or be simultaneous to tobacco use and that, in fact, its use may reinforce cigarette smoking or lead to nicotine addiction independently of smoking status.”
J.
“Our findings in this nationally representative sample of adolescents show that 6 percent of them use cannabis without having used tobacco and that one-fifth of current cannabis users (21.1 percent) declare never having used tobacco,” the authors write.
The survey also found that, compared with students who used both substances, students who smoked marijuana only were more likely to be male (71.6 percent vs. 59.7 percent), play sports (85.5 percent vs. 66.7 percent), live with both parents (78.2 vs. 68.3) and have good grades (77.5 vs. 66.6). However, they were less likely to have been drunk in the past 30 days (40.5 percent vs. 55 percent), have started using cannabis before the age of 15 years (25.9 percent vs. 37.5 percent), to have smoked marijuana more than once or twice during the previous 30 days (44 percent vs. 66 percent) or to use other illegal drugs (8.4 percent vs. 17.9 percent).
Compared with students who abstained from both substances, marijuana users were more likely to be male (71.6 percent vs. 47.7 percent), to have a good relationship with their friends (87.0 percent vs. 83.2 percent), to be sensation-seeking (37.8 percent vs. 21.8 percent) and to play sports (85.5 percent vs. 76.6 percent), and less likely to have a good relationship with their parents (74.1 percent vs. 82.4 percent).
Although teens who smoke both marijuana and tobacco seem to have more psychosocial problems and thus may be worthy targets for preventive intervention, those who smoke marijuana only also should be monitored closely and counseled. “In any case, and even though they do not seem to have great personal, family, or academic problems, the situation of those adolescents who use cannabis but who declare not using tobacco should not be trivialized,” the authors conclude.
This study was supported by a contract from the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and the participating cantons.
Introducing – CoQ10
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009Other Names: Coenzyme Q10, Co Q10, Ubiquinone, Vitamin Q
CoQ10 is a naturally-occuring compound found in every cell in the body. CoQ10’s alternate name, ubiquinone, comes from the word ubiquitous, which means “found everywhere.”
CoQ10 plays a key role in producing energy in the mitochondria, the part of a cell responsible for the production of energy in the form of ATP.
Why People Use CoQ10
- Heart failure
- Cardiomyopathy
- Heart Attack Prevention and Recovery
- High Blood Pressure
- Diabetes
- Gum Disease
- Kidney Failure
- Migraine
- Counteract Prescription Drug Effects
- Parkinson’s disease
- Weight loss
What is the Evidence For CoQ10?
- Heart failure
People with heart failure have been found to have lower levels of CoQ10 in heart muscle cells. Double-blind research suggests that CoQ10 may reduce symptoms related to heart failure, such as shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping, and swelling. CoQ10 is thought to increase energy production in the heart muscle, increasing the strength of the pumping action. Recent human studies, however, haven’t supported this.
In one study, 641 people with congestive heart failure were randomized to receive either CoQ10 (2 mg per kg body weight) or a placebo plus standard treatment. People who took the CoQ10 had a significant reduction in symptom severity and fewer hospitalizations.
In another study, 32 patients with end-stage heart failure awaiting heart transplantation received either 60 mg of CoQ10 or a placebo for 3 months. Patients who took the CoQ10 experienced a significant improvement in functional status, clinical symptoms, and quality of life, however there were no changes in echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) or in objective markers.
A study randomized 55 patients with congestive heart failure to receive either 200 mg per day of CoQ10 or a placebo in addition to standard treatment. Although serum levels of CoQ10 increased in patients receiving CoQ10, CoQ10 didn’t affect ejection fraction, peak oxygen consumption, or exercise duration.
A longer-term study investigated the use of 100 mg of CoQ10 or a placebo in addition to standard treatment in 79 patients with stable chronic congestive heart failure. The results indicated that CoQ10 only slightly improved maximal exercise capacity and quality of life compared with the placebo.
- Cardiomyopathy
Several small trials have found CoQ10 may be helpful for certain types of cardiomyopathy.
- Parkinson’s disease
Lower levels of CoQ10 have also been observed in people with Parkinson’s disease. Preliminary research has found that increasing CoQ10 may increase levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is thought to be lowered in people with Parkinson’s disease. It has also been suggested that CoQ10 might protect brain cells from damage by free radicals.
A small, randomized controlled trial examined the use of 360 mg CoQ10 or a placebo in 28 treated and stable Parkinson’s disease patients. After 4 weeks, CoQ10 provided a mild but significant significant mild improvement in early
A larger 16 month trial funded by the National Institutes of Health explored the use of CoQ10 (300, 600 or 1200 mg/day) or a placebo in 80 patients with early stage Parkinson’s disease. The results suggested that CoQ10, especially at the 1200 mg per day dose, had a significant reduction in disability compared to those who took a placebo.
- CoQ10 and Statin Drugs
Some research suggests that statin drugs, or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol, may interfere with the body’s production of CoQ10. However, research on the use of CoQ10 supplements in people taking statins is still inconclusive, and it is not routinely recommended in combination with statin therapy.
- Diabetes
In a 12-week randomized controlled trial, 74 people with type 2 diabetes were randomized to receive either 100 mg CoQ10 twice daily, 200 mg per day of fenofibrate (a lipid regulating drug), both or neither for 12 weeks. CoQ10 supplementation significantly improved blood pressure and glycemic control. However, two studies found that CoQ10 supplementation failed to find any effect on glycemic control. - Gum disease
A small study looked at the topical application of CoQ10 to the periodontal pocket. Ten male periodontitis patients with 30 periodontal pockets were selected. During the first 3 weeks, the patients applied topical CoQ10. There was significant improvement in symptoms.
Dosage
A typical CoQ10 dosage is 30 to 90 mg per day, taken in divided doses, but the recommended amount can be as high as 200 mg per day.
CoQ10 is fat-soluble, so it is better absorbed when taken with a meal that contains oil or fat.
The clinical effect is not immediate and may take up to eight weeks.
Safety
Consult your doctor before trying CoQ10, especially if you have heart disease, kidney failure, or cancer.
Side effects of CoQ10 may include diarrhea and rash.
CoQ10 is used in combination with standard treatment, not to replace it.
CoQ10 may lower blood sugar levels, so people with diabetes should not use CoQ10 unless under a doctor’s supervision. CoQ10 may also lower blood pressure.
The safety of Co q10 in pregnant or nursing women or children has not been established.
PLEASE SEE THE POST ON “POLICOSANOL” FOR LOWERING CHOLESTEROL