Archive for August 2008

Olive oil can combat coronary artery disease by lowering cholesterol so why not EFLA 943, an extract from olive leaves? Swiss and German researchers have found that taking 1000mg of this extract can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels in patients with mild hypertension. Although this is a small pilot study, the possibility of a naturally occuring substance that can reduce two of the most common diseases of our time is certainly welcomed.  Full story.

By age 60 one third of the US population develops diverticulosis, the condition of having diverticulae – small outpouchings in the colon due to weaknesses in the muscle layers of the intestines. Health practitioners have historically advocated an avoidance of corn, nuts and seeds in people with diverticulosis because of a theoretical risk that they can irritate and damage diverticulae and cause bleeding and inflammation (diverticulitis). However, there is little evidence to actually support this recommendation. In the latest Journal of the American Medical Association, a new study that followed nearly 50 thousand men showed that consumption of nuts, corn, and popcorn were not found to be associated with an increased risk of new diverticulitis or diverticular complications. In fact, there was an inverse relationship between nut and popcorn consumption and the risk of diverticulitis. Full story.

North Korean scientists announced the development of a new kind of noodle that delays the onset of hunger. Compared with traditional noodles made from wheat, corn or rice, the new ’super’ noodles are made from corn and soybeans and contain twice as much protein and fives times as much fat as ordinary noodles. It will be interesting to see if other countries adopt similar solutions in response to the challenge of food shortages. Just last month the UN warned that North Korea was experiencing their worst food shortages in a decade. Full story.

A new study published in the journal Cancer has found a correlation between long term inhalation of incense smoke and significantly elevated risk of upper respiratory tract cancers (except for nasopharyngeal cancer). However, there doesn’t appear to be an affect on the risk of lung cancer. Incense is made from plant materials mixed with oils which, upon burning, can produce a mixture of possible carcinogens, including polyaromatic hydrocarbons, carbonyls and benzene. The researchers are concerned about the public health implications of their study given that incense use is popular around the world. “Besides initiatives to reduce incense smoke exposure, future studies should be undertaken to identify the least harmful types of incense,” they said. Full story.

Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria known to cause most ulcers of the stomach. In some cases these ulcers can eventually lead to stomach cancer. Until now, it was unclear as to why this change occurs, but scientists have a new hypothesis. Researchers now report that certain strains of H. pylori can induce surrounding stomach cells to lower their immune defenses, essentially allowing inflammation to occur. This environment of persistent inflammation can then reduce the threshold required for more serious diseases, like cancer, to develop. However, is H. pylori necessarily a “bad” bacterium? Some scientists believe that H. pylori actually helps to regulate acidity in our stomach. Furthermore, some studies show that eradicating H. pylori with antibiotics actually raises the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, heartburn, and even asthma. Full story.

The US Department for Health and Human Services (HHS) is now making death rates for pneumonia, heart attack, and heart failure at US hospitals available online at their Hospital Compare website. The website was launched in 2005 in hopes that hospitals will improve quality of care if they are able to compare themselves with other hospitals. According to HHS, the mortality rates have been adjusted to take into account how sick each patient is. Is this information helpful to patients? Some believe that death rates don’t necessarily measure the quality of care hospitals provide. However, most agree that giving the public more information on hospital performance is, in general, a good thing. Full story.

The American Academy of Dermatology is warning consumers about the dangers of “black” henna. As henna body art has become mainstream many artists are mixing PPD (para-phenylenediamine), a chemical used in black hair dyes, to intensify the natural color of henna and to prolong the longevity of the temporary tattoos from days to weeks. Traditional henna dyes are made from plants, which are safe. But PPD-impregnated henna can cause allergic skin reactions that result in blistering, skin discoloration, and even scarring that can be permanent. If you are considering getting a henna tattoo but cannot verify that the henna dye is made completely from natural plant material, don’t get one. If you think you are having an allergic reaction to a tattoo, see your physician for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Full story.

The US Food and Drug Administration is putting out the warning again on Byetta, a drug prescribed for type 2 diabetes. Despite prior warnings in October, 2007 there are 6 new cases of a type of severe pancreatitis that can occur in patients taking Byetta. Although the FDA is not advising doctors to stop prescribing Byetta, those who develop severe and unexplained abdominal pain while taking this drug should seek medical attention immediately. More than 700,000 patients with type 2 diabetes have used Byetta since it was launched in 2005. It is jointly developed and manufactured by San Diego-based Amylin and Eli Lilly. Full story.

A new study published in the journal Archives of Surgery suggests that chewing gum can aid recovery after gastrointestinal surgery. Some believe that the increased amounts of saliva produced from gum chewing helps to “jump start” the gut by stimulating gut function. The researchers believe more studies are needed, especially since this intervention has the potential for substantial cost savings. Full story.

Trans fats are once again in the news after governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a ban on the use of trans fats by California restaurants. Trans fat is produced by the food industry to increase the shelf life of food products by making oil solid at room temperature. The problem with trans fats is that they have severe adverse effects on cholesterol levels which increases coronary heart disease risk. But, is selecting foods labeled as containing zero grams of trans fats enough to avoid it? As it turns out, trans fat does not have to be listed if the total fat in a food is less than 0.5 gram per serving (source: FDA). For now, the only reliable way of reducing your trans fat intake is to eat unprocessed foods or follow some of these practical tips from the FDA.