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Migraine And Depression May Share Genetic Component

New research shows that migraine and depression may share a strong genetic component. The research is published in the January 13, 2010, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. "Understanding the genetic factors that contribute to these disabling disorders could one day lead to better strategies to manage the course of these diseases when they occur together," said Andrew Ahn, MD, PhD, of the University of Florida in Gainesville, who wrote an editorial accompanying the study and is a member of the American Academy of Neurology. "In the meantime, people with migraine or depression should tell their doctors about any family history of either disease to help us better understand the link between the two." The study involved 2,652 people who took part in the larger Erasmus Rucphen Family study. All of the participants are descendants of 22 couples who lived in Rucphen in the 1850s to 1900s. "Genealogical information has shown them all to be part of a large extended family, which makes this type of genetic study possible," said study author Gisela M. Terwindt, MD, PhD, of Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands. Of the participants, 360 had migraine. Of those, 151 had migraine with aura, which is when headaches are preceded by sensations that affect vision, such as seeing flashing lights, and 209 had migraine with no aura. A total of 977 people had depression, with 25 percent of those with migraine also having depression, compared to 13 percent of those without migraine. The researchers then estimated the relative contribution of genetic factors for both of the disorders. They found that for both types of migraine, the heritability was estimated at 56 percent, i.e., 56 percent of the trait is explained by genetic effects. For migraine with aura, the estimate was 96 percent. "This finding shows that migraine with aura may be a promising avenue to search for migraine genes," Terwindt said. Comparing the heritability scores for depression between those with migraine and those without showed a shared genetic component in the two disorders, particularly with migraine with aura. "This suggests that common genetic pathways may, at least partly, underlie both of these disorders, rather than that one is the consequence of the other," Terwindt said. The study was supported by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, the European Community, and the Centre for Medical Systems Biology in the framework of the Netherlands Genomics Initiative. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Source: American Academy of Neurology (AAN)

Fit VS. Fat: New Research Sheds Light On Debate

Although proper nutrition alone can lead to weight loss, it doesn't necessarily equal true health or fitness, says a new study in the January issue of the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine. Enette Larson-Meyer, Ph.D., R.D., FACSM, directed 36 overweight (not obese) adults to participate in one of three programs during a six-month intervention: diet alone, diet plus exercise, or a weight-maintenance program (control group). The diet-only and weight maintenance groups were instructed not to change their physical activity regimens during the six-month period. Although both the diet and diet-plus-exercise groups lost weight during the course of the study - around 10 percent of total body weight - only the exercising individuals improved their internal fitness in addition to their waistlines. "We saw marked improvements in cardiovascular fitness, blood pressure, insulin sensitivity and cholesterol levels in the individuals who regularly exercised," Larson-Meyer said. The study's findings closely align with ACSM's Exercise is Medicine TM program, which calls on health care providers to include physical activity as a standard part of health care. Doing so, Larson-Meyer says, will yield a far greater return than simply dropping a jean size. "Weight loss was a nice 'side effect' for these patients - but it's the internal health improvements that will be most important to exercisers in the long run." Participants in the exercise group performed structured aerobic exercise - such as walking, running or stationary cycling - five days per week for around 50 minutes each session. These exercise prescriptions match ACSM's Position Stand "Appropriate Physical Activity Intervention Strategies for Weight Loss and Prevention of Weight Regain for Adults," which recommends at least 250 minutes per week of physical activity for weight loss. Men in the study burned around 500 calories each exercise session and women burned around 400 - approximately 12.5 percent of their daily caloric needs. Participants were allowed to choose their own exercise type and intensity according to what activities they enjoyed, as long as the intensity level fell between 65 and 90 percent of their maximal heart rate, as recommended by ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. Larson-Meyer says this self-selection was important, as "some (study participants) preferred a higher heart rate and enjoyed shorter exercise sessions, while others liked a more leisurely pace - even knowing they would have to exercise longer." Source American College of Sports Medicine

In The New Year, Get Fit, Don't Get Hurt

Life is full of hassles, deadlines, frustrations and demands. Stress can take its toll on a woman's health and spill into the home during the holiday season. In these economic times, tightening budgets during the 'season to be jolly' brings additional stress. There is hope on the horizon, as the New Year provides a fresh opportunity for women to resolve to get a handle on stress. "If time or finances prohibit you from going to the gym, find other ways to stay active such as taking a walk, running and even yard work or gardening." "It is very important to set fitness goals and incorporate physical activity into your daily routine to manage stress levels," says NYC physical therapist Megan Barclay. "If time or finances prohibit you from going to the gym, find other ways to stay active such as taking a walk, running and even yard work or gardening." Chronic stress can lead to serious health problems including elevated blood pressure, a suppressed immune system, increased risk of heart attack, contribute to infertility and accelerate the aging process, to name a few. So it is important to recognize when your stress levels are out of control and make a resolution to regain control of your health. Barclay says, "The most dangerous aspect of stress is how easily it can creep up on you, it can start to feel familiar and even normal. You don't notice how much of an effect it has on you, even as it takes a heavy burden on your body." While well-intentioned, most New Year's resolutions to get in shape involve beginning a fitness regimen characterized by over-exertion and strenuous exercise, and many women wind up suffering from injuries - most commonly to their knees and ankles. Those trouble areas should be supported, but most women find the braces and supports on the market do not fit well or are uncomfortable. There is a reason for this. "Men's and women's bodies are built differently, so one ankle or knee support product, anatomically, cannot provide adequate protection for both genders simultaneously," says Barclay. Wellgate for Women was developed on the premise that women need gender-specific ankle and knee supports that address the unique contours of the female anatomy and better address the issues women can experience during a workout or during daily activities. Such products can provide everyday support, and assist in relieving discomfort after an injury. This is particularly important for women, who are more prone than men to suffer knee injuries like anterior cruciate ligament tears and patella tracking pain. Wellgate products will not cost an "arm and a leg" and they can prevent the need to spend excess money on a doctor's visit. Women seeking a safe and healthy exercise regimen can purchase the Wellgate support they need while shopping in stores like Wal-Mart. Also, with the growing trend of online shopping, women are spending more time at their computers this season than ever. Wellgate wrist supports help to relieve pain from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, sprains and strains that can come with extensive typing and clicking of your mouse. Source Wellgate for Women

In The Obesity Epidemic The Role Of Addiction Cannot Be Ignored

The causes of obesity are complex and individual, but it is clear that chronic overeating plays a fundamental role. But when this behaviour becomes compulsive and out of control, it is often classified as "food addiction" - a label that has generated considerable controversy, according to a McMaster University psychiatrist and obesity researcher. In a commentary appearing in the Dec. 21, 2009, issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), Dr. Valerie Taylor, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioural neurosciences at McMaster and director of the Bariatric Surgery Psychiatry Program at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, and her co-authors argue that food addiction in some individuals may be a reality and needs to be considered in the management of weight problems. "The concept of addiction is complex, and the delineation of its defining characteristics has fostered considerable debate," Taylor and her co-authors write. "Despite a lack of consensus, researchers nevertheless agree that the process involves a compulsive pattern of use, even in the face of negative health and social consequences." Food addiction can be compared to other addictive behaviours, as both food and drugs can cause tolerance, or an increase in the amount required to achieve intoxication or satiety. Withdrawal symptoms such as mood changes can occur after discontinuing drugs or during dieting. As well, after gastric surgery for obesity, a subset of patients exhibit other addictive behaviours. "The concept of addiction does not negate the role of free will and personal choice," Taylor and co-authors write. "It may, however, provide insight into why a some individuals with obesity continue to struggle." The authors conclude that therapies traditionally applied to the area of addiction may be helpful in managing weight problems, which are often viewed through the same lens. "The current 'blame' mentality that is often applied to individuals with obesity needs to be re-examined," the authors write. "Although medicine may not yet accept compulsive overeating as an addiction, we cannot ignore evidence highlighting the role played by biologic vulnerability and environmental triggers." Source: Veronica McGuire McMaster University

C-Reactive Protein Levels Correlate With Future Risk Of Heart Attack, Stroke And Cancers

There has been intense interest among researchers during the past decade about whether blood concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) - a sensitive indicator of tissue injury inflammation produced by the liver - is a causal factor in heart disease. Earlier studies had suggested that this protein might be as important in the causation of heart attack as are blood cholesterol levels. In the most powerful and comprehensive study so far of associations of blood levels of CRP with major diseases (in an Article published Online First thelancet.com Professor John Danesh at the University of Cambridge, UK, and 269 other scientists in the Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration (ERFC) combined information from 54 long-term medical surveys comprising over 160,000 people in 18 countries. The researchers show that CRP concentration is associated with future risk of a wide range of common diseases, including: heart attack, stroke, deaths from various cancers, chronic lung disease, injuries, and other conditions. Most of the associations between CRP levels and heart disease were explained, however, by risk factors already known to cause heart disease (eg, smoking, blood pressure, obesity, cholesterol levels). This finding reduces the likelihood that CRP is a cause of heart disease. The authors say: "Although our results support the idea that some process related to persistent inflammation is associated with vascular disease and other chronic disorders, most of the association with ischaemic vascular disease depends on conventional risk factors and fibrinogen concentration." The authors conclude that further large studies are needed to assess other markers of inflammation, as well as their genetic and lifestyle determinants. They say: "Further work is also needed to assess whether evidence of low-grade inflammation mainly indicates external triggers (eg, socioeconomic position or infection), insulin resistance, hereditary predisposition, or some combination of such factors." In an accompanying Comment, Dr S Matthijs Boekholdt and Professor John J P Kastelein, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands, say: "One of the prominent topics in this debate is CRP's role in guiding decision-making for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Current guidelines advise the use of established risk factors to quantify an individual's cardiovascular risk. These guidelines recommend that people at high risk should be treated, whereas for people at intermediate risk additional information should be obtained to guide decision-making. CRP measurement might be valuable in the fine-tuning of the choice of treatment in this specific subgroup... The wealth of data collected by ERFC will be an excellent source for future analyses to more accurately define the role of CRP in clinical decision-making." Source The Lancet

Latest Analysis Confirms Suboptimal Vitamin D Levels In Millions Of US Children

Millions of children in the United States between the ages of 1 and 11 may suffer from suboptimal levels of vitamin D, according to a large nationally representative study published in the November issue of Pediatrics, accompanied by an editorial. The study, led by Jonathan Mansbach, MD, at Children's Hospital Boston, is the most up-to-date analysis of vitamin D levels in U.S. children. It builds on the growing evidence that levels have fallen below what's considered healthy, and that black and Hispanic children are at particularly high risk. Both the optimal amount of vitamin D supplementation and the healthy blood level of vitamin D are under heated debate in the medical community. Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children should have vitamin D levels of at least 50 nmol/L (20 ng/ml). However, other studies in adults suggest that vitamin D levels should be at least 75 nmol/L (30 ng/ml), and possibly 100 nmol/L (40 ng/ml), to lower the risk of heart disease and specific cancers. Mansbach and collaborators from the University of Colorado Denver and Massachusetts General Hospital used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to look at vitamin D levels in a nationally representative sample of roughly 5,000 children from 2001-2006. Extrapolating to the entire U.S. population, their analysis suggests that roughly 20 percent of all children fell below the recommended 50 nmol/L. Moreover, more than two-thirds of all children had levels below 75 nmol/L, including 80 percent of Hispanic children and 92 percent of non-Hispanic black children. "If 75 nmol/L or higher is eventually demonstrated to be the healthy normal level of vitamin D, then there is much more vitamin D deficiency in the U.S. than people realize," Mansbach says. Mansbach and his co-authors suggest that all children take vitamin D supplements, because of the generally low levels that they found and the potential health benefits of boosting vitamin D to normal levels. Vitamin D improves bone health and prevents rickets in children, and recent studies suggest that it also may prevent a host of common childhood illnesses, including respiratory infections, childhood wheezing, and winter-related eczema. Although sun exposure generates healthy doses of vitamin D, it can also cause skin cancer. Dermatologists and the AAP recommend wearing sunblock, but this actually blocks our skin's ability to make vitamin D. Furthermore, children with more highly pigmented skin require much more sun exposure than fair-skinned children to obtain healthy levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D can also be obtained from certain foods, like liver and fatty fish, but almost all children in the U.S. don't consume these foods in high enough quantities to match the vitamin D that could be provided by summer sunshine or vitamin D supplements. In the study, children taking multi-vitamins that included vitamin D had higher levels overall, but this accounted for less than half of all children. Mansbach recommends that all children take vitamin D supplements, especially those living in high latitudes, where the sun is scarce in the wintertime. "We need to perform randomized controlled trials to understand if vitamin D actually improves these wide-ranging health outcomes," Mansbach says. "At present, however, there are a lot of studies demonstrating associations between low levels of vitamin D and poor health. Therefore, we believe many U.S. children would likely benefit from more vitamin D." This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health. Source: James Newton Children's Hospital Boston

The Correct Combination Of Proteins Is Decisive For Healthy Aging, Not Reducing The Calories In Our Diet

A new study of the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing could help to understand the positive effect of dietary restriction on healthy ageing. Previous evidence from different organisms (fruit flies and mice) have shown that dietary restriction increases longevity, but with a potential negative side effect of diminished fertility. So the female fruit fly reproduces less frequently with a reduced litter size on a low calorie diet, but its reproductive span lasts longer. This is the result of an evolutionary trait, as scientists believe: essential nutrients are diverted towards survival instead of reproduction. (Nature, December 3, 2009) Researchers from the newly founded Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing in Cologne have studied whether health benefit stem from a reduction in specific nutrients or calorie intake in general by manipulating the diet of female fruit flies. The fruit flies were fed a diet of yeast, sugar and water, but with differing amounts of key nutrients, such as vitamins, lipids and amino acids. The scientists were able to show that longevity and fertility are affected by a combination of the type and amount of amino acids; whilst varying the amount of the other nutrients had little or no effect. Furthermore, the researchers found out in previous studies that levels of a particular amino acid - methionine - were crucial to increasing lifespan without decreasing fertility. By carefully manipulating the balance of amino acids, both lifespan and fertility were maximised. For the first time, this indicates that it is possible to extend lifespan without wholesale dietary restriction and without lowering reproductive capacity. As the effects of dietary restriction on lifespan is evolutionary conserved - observed in different organisms - researchers believe that the essential mechanisms apply to it as well. Even though the human genome has about four times the number of genes as the fruit fly genome, there are many similarities on a genetic level, allowing these results to be of significance for humans as well. Source: Katharina Möller

Women At Increased Risk Of Dementia If Prone To Collecting Fat Around The Middle

Women who store fat on their waist in middle age are more than twice as likely to develop dementia when they get older, reveals a new study from the Sahlgrenska Academy. The study has just been published in the scientific journal Neurology. "Anyone carrying a lot of fat around the middle is at greater risk of dying prematurely due to a heart attack or stroke," says Deborah Gustafson, senior lecturer at the Sahlgrenska Academy. "If they nevertheless manage to live beyond 70, they run a greater risk of dementia." The research is based on the Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg, which was started at the end of the 1960s when almost 1,500 women between the ages of 38 and 60 underwent comprehensive examinations and answered questions about their health and lifestyle. A follow-up 32 years later showed that 161 women had developed dementia, with the average age of diagnosis being 75. This study shows that women who were broader around the waist than the hips in middle age ran slightly more than twice the risk of developing dementia when they got old. However, the researchers could find no link to a high body mass index (BMI). "Other studies have shown that a high BMI is also linked to dementia, but this was not the case in ours," says Gustafson. "This may be because obesity and overweight were relatively unusual among the women who took part in the Prospective Population Study." The study was carried out at the Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Research Unit as part of the Sahlgrenska Academy's major research project EpiLife. Dementia The most common symptoms of dementia are forgetfulness, impaired speech and problems with recognition and orientation. It is a condition that can affect all our mental faculties and which is more common as we get older. Around seven per cent of the Swedish population over the age of 65 and just over 20 per cent of the over-80s have severe dementia. Title of article: Adiposity indicators and dementia over 32 years in Sweden Authors: D.R. Gustafson, K. Bäckman, M. Waern, S. Ostling, X. Guo, P. Zandi, M.M. Mielke, C. Bengtsson and I. Skoog BY: Elin Lindström Claessen Source: Deborah Gustafson University of Gothenburg

Effects Of Vitamin D Deficiency Amplified By Estrogen Shortage

Researchers at Johns Hopkins are reporting what is believed to be the first conclusive evidence in men that the long-term ill effects of vitamin D deficiency are amplified by lower levels of the key sex hormone estrogen, but not testosterone. In a national study in 1010 men, to be presented Nov. 15 at the American Heart Association's (AHA) annual Scientific Sessions in Orlando, researchers say the new findings build on previous studies showing that deficiencies in vitamin D and low levels of estrogen, found naturally in differing amounts in men and women, were independent risk factors for hardened and narrowed arteries and weakened bones. Vitamin D is an essential part to keeping the body healthy, and can be obtained from fortified foods, such as milk and cereals, and by exposure to sunlight. "Our results confirm a long-suspected link and suggest that vitamin D supplements, which are already prescribed to treat osteoporosis, may also be useful in preventing heart disease," says lead study investigator and cardiologist Erin Michos, M.D., M.H.S. "All three steroid hormones - vitamin D, estrogen and testosterone - are produced from cholesterol, whose blood levels are known to influence arterial and bone health," says Michos, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and its Heart and Vascular Institute. "Our study gives us a much better understanding of how the three work in concert to affect cardiovascular and bone health." Michos says the overall biological relationship continues to puzzle scientists because studies of the long-term effects of adding estrogen in the form of hormone replacement therapy in women failed to show fewer deaths from heart disease. Indeed, results showed that in some women, an actual increase in heart disease and stroke rates occurred, although, bone fractures declined. The Hopkins team's latest data were provided by analyzing blood samples from a subset of men participating in a study on cancer. That study was part of a larger, ongoing national health survey involving both men and women and was designed to compare the risk of diseases between those with the lowest blood levels of vitamin D to those with higher amounts. An unhealthy deficiency, experts say, is considered blood levels of 20 nanograms per milliliter or lower. The men in the study had their hormone levels measured for both chemical forms of testosterone and estrogen found in blood, when each is either unattached or circulating freely, and when each is attached to a separate protein, known as sex hormone binding globulin, or SHBG for short. Initial results showed no link between vitamin D deficiency and depressed blood levels of either hormone. And despite finding a harmful relationship between depressed testosterone levels and rates of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, as well as osteopenia in men, researchers found that it was independent of deficiencies in vitamin D. However, when researchers compared ratios of estrogen to SHBG levels, they found that rates of both diseases, especially osteopenia, the early stage of osteoporosis, were higher when both estrogen and vitamin D levels were depressed. For every single unit decrease in ratios of estrogen to SHBG (both in nanomoles per liter), men low in vitamin D showed an 89 percent increase in osteopenia, but men with sufficient vitamin D levels had a less worrisome 64 percent jump. Using the same measure of estrogen levels, men low in vitamin D were also at heightened risk of cardiovascular diseases, at 12 percent, compared to men with adequate levels of the vitamin, at 1 percent, numbers that researchers say are still statistically significant. "These results reinforce the message of how important proper quantities of vitamin D are to good bone health, and that a man's risk of developing osteoporosis and heart disease is heavily weighted on the complex and combined interaction of how any such vitamin deficits interact with both their sex hormones, in particular, estrogen," Michos says. Michos and her team next plan to analyze blood samples from women to see if the same results from men hold true. Michos recommends that men and women boost their vitamin D levels by eating diets rich in fatty fish, such as cod, sardines and mackerel, consuming fortified dairy products, taking vitamin supplements, and in warmer weather briefly exposing skin to the sun's vitamin-D producing ultraviolet light. She points out that clinical trials are under way to determine whether or not vitamin D supplements can prevent incidents of or deaths from heart attack, stroke and other signs of cardiovascular disease. The U.S. Institute of Medicine suggests that an adequate daily intake of vitamin D is between 200 and 400 international units, but Michos feels this is inadequate to achieve optimal nutrient blood levels (above 30 nanograms per milliliter). Previous results from the same nationwide survey showed that 41 percent of men and 53 percent of women are technically deficient in the nutrient, with vitamin D levels below 28 nanograms per milliliter. Source: David March Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions

Heart And Bone Damage From Low Vitamin D Tied To Declines In Sex Hormones

Researchers at Johns Hopkins are reporting what is believed to be the first conclusive evidence in men that the long-term ill effects of vitamin D deficiency are amplified by lower levels of the key sex hormone estrogen, but not testosterone. In a national study in 1010 men, to be presented Nov. 15 at the American Heart Association's (AHA) annual Scientific Sessions in Orlando, researchers say the new findings build on previous studies showing that deficiencies in vitamin D and low levels of estrogen, found naturally in differing amounts in men and women, were independent risk factors for hardened and narrowed arteries and weakened bones. Vitamin D is an essential part to keeping the body healthy, and can be obtained from fortified foods, such as milk and cereals, and by exposure to sunlight. "Our results confirm a long-suspected link and suggest that vitamin D supplements, which are already prescribed to treat osteoporosis, may also be useful in preventing heart disease," says lead study investigator and cardiologist Erin Michos, M.D., M.H.S. "All three steroid hormones - vitamin D, estrogen and testosterone - are produced from cholesterol, whose blood levels are known to influence arterial and bone health," says Michos, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and its Heart and Vascular Institute. "Our study gives us a much better understanding of how the three work in concert to affect cardiovascular and bone health." Michos says the overall biological relationship continues to puzzle scientists because studies of the long-term effects of adding estrogen in the form of hormone replacement therapy in women failed to show fewer deaths from heart disease. Indeed, results showed that in some women, an actual increase in heart disease and stroke rates occurred, although, bone fractures declined. The Hopkins team's latest data were provided by analyzing blood samples from a subset of men participating in a study on cancer. That study was part of a larger, ongoing national health survey involving both men and women and was designed to compare the risk of diseases between those with the lowest blood levels of vitamin D to those with higher amounts. An unhealthy deficiency, experts say, is considered blood levels of 20 nanograms per milliliter or lower. The men in the study had their hormone levels measured for both chemical forms of testosterone and estrogen found in blood, when each is either unattached or circulating freely, and when each is attached to a separate protein, known as sex hormone binding globulin, or SHBG for short. Initial results showed no link between vitamin D deficiency and depressed blood levels of either hormone. And despite finding a harmful relationship between depressed testosterone levels and rates of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, as well as osteopenia in men, researchers found that it was independent of deficiencies in vitamin D. However, when researchers compared ratios of estrogen to SHBG levels, they found that rates of both diseases, especially osteopenia, the early stage of osteoporosis, were higher when both estrogen and vitamin D levels were depressed. For every single unit decrease in ratios of estrogen to SHBG (both in nanomoles per liter), men low in vitamin D showed an 89 percent increase in osteopenia, but men with sufficient vitamin D levels had a less worrisome 64 percent jump. Using the same measure of estrogen levels, men low in vitamin D were also at heightened risk of cardiovascular diseases, at 12 percent, compared to men with adequate levels of the vitamin, at 1 percent, numbers that researchers say are still statistically significant. "These results reinforce the message of how important proper quantities of vitamin D are to good bone health, and that a man's risk of developing osteoporosis and heart disease is heavily weighted on the complex and combined interaction of how any such vitamin deficits interact with both their sex hormones, in particular, estrogen," Michos says. Michos and her team next plan to analyze blood samples from women to see if the same results from men hold true. Michos recommends that men and women boost their vitamin D levels by eating diets rich in fatty fish, such as cod, sardines and mackerel, consuming fortified dairy products, taking vitamin supplements, and in warmer weather briefly exposing skin to the sun's vitamin-D producing ultraviolet light. She points out that clinical trials are under way to determine whether or not vitamin D supplements can prevent incidents of or deaths from heart attack, stroke and other signs of cardiovascular disease. The U.S. Institute of Medicine suggests that an adequate daily intake of vitamin D is between 200 and 400 international units, but Michos feels this is inadequate to achieve optimal nutrient blood levels (above 30 nanograms per milliliter). Previous results from the same nationwide survey showed that 41 percent of men and 53 percent of women are technically deficient in the nutrient, with vitamin D levels below 28 nanograms per milliliter. Source Johns Hopkins Medicine

Chelation Therapy Drug Found Safe And Beneficial For Children With Autism

Two studies published by the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in the October issue of BMC Clinical Pharmacology investigated the use of oral dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), a prescription medicine approved by the FDA for treating lead poisoning, and used off-label in these studies for treating heavy metal toxicity in children with autism. In the investigations, DMSA was given to 65 children with autism (ages 3 -8 years) to determine its effects. The researchers found that DMSA dramatically increased excretion of several toxic metals, including a 10-fold increase in excretion of lead. In terms of safety, the study found that there was no adverse effect on standard safety tests, including no effect on kidney or liver function. Of greatest interest was a surprising finding that DMSA therapy had a dramatic effect on glutathione levels. Glutathione is the body's primary defense against toxic metals, and it was very abnormal in children with autism. Treatment with DMSA for only 3 days normalized glutathione levels for at least 1-2 months in almost all children. DMSA therapy also had promising effects on possibly reducing some of the symptoms of autism, including improvements in language, cognition, and sociability. However, a formal randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study is needed to confirm those results. The study was led by Matthew Baral, N.D., Chair of the Department of Pediatric Medicine and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) and James B. Adams, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor in the Division of Clinical Sciences at SCNM and Science Director for the Autism Research Institute. "Toxic metals are a common problem in autism, and I have personally observed that many of my patients with autism have greatly benefited from DMSA therapy. I hope this data answers the question that many physicians have: whether chelation is safe and effective, and clearly it's both," says Dr. Matthew Baral. "This study shows that DMSA therapy is safe and effective, and should be considered as a possible treatment for children with autism who have significant body burden of toxic metals," says Prof. James Adams. Source: Autism Research Institute

Exercise Keeps Dangerous Visceral Fat Away A Year After Weight Loss

A study conducted by exercise physiologists in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Human Studies finds that as little as 80 minutes a week of aerobic or resistance training helps not only to prevent weight gain, but also to inhibit a regain of harmful visceral fat one year after weight loss. The study was published online Oct. 8 and will appear in a future print edition of the journal Obesity. Unlike subcutaneous fat that lies just under the skin and is noticeable, visceral fat lies in the abdominal cavity under the abdominal muscle. Visceral fat is more dangerous than subcutaneous fat because it often surrounds vital organs. The more visceral fat one has, the greater is the chance of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In the study, UAB exercise physiologist Gary Hunter, Ph.D., and his team randomly assigned 45 European-American and 52 African-American women to three groups: aerobic training, resistance training or no exercise. All of the participants were placed on an 800 calorie-a-day diet and lost an average 24 pounds. Researchers then measured total fat, abdominal subcutaneous fat and visceral fat for each participant. Afterward, participants in the two exercise groups were asked to continue exercising 40 minutes twice a week for one year. After a year, the study's participants were divided into five groups: those who maintained aerobic exercise training, those who stopped aerobic training, those who maintained their resistance training, those who stopped resistance training and those who were never placed on an exercise regimen. "What we found was that those who continued exercising, despite modest weight regains, regained zero percent visceral fat a year after they lost the weight," Hunter said. "But those who stopped exercising, and those who weren't put on any exercise regimen at all, averaged about a 33 percent increase in visceral fat." "Because other studies have reported that much longer training durations of 60 minutes a day are necessary to prevent weight regain, it's not too surprising that weight regain was not totally prevented in this study," writes Hunter. "It's encouraging, however, that this relatively small [amount] of exercise was sufficient to prevent visceral fat gain." The study also found that exercise was equally effective for both races. About the UAB Department of Human Studies The UAB Department of Human Studies, housed in the School of Education, offers programs in counselor education, health education, community health, physical education, exercise science and fitness leadership. Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Don't Let Blood Pressure Creep Up During The Holidays

Willpower tends to take a back seat during the holidays, but for people with hypertension, the damage of unhealthy eating can have particularly negative consequences. About one in four Americans has hypertension, a disease that elevates blood pressure and can lead to a host of serious problems including heart attacks and strokes. "I tell patients to allow themselves one special meal for a holiday, but not to continue unhealthy eating habits for several days or weeks," said Dr. Shawna Nesbitt, hypertension specialist at UT Southwestern Medical Center. "Leftovers are what sabotage people." People with hypertension also need to take prescribed medication throughout the holidays, and not skip doses. "Holidays are a time of tradeoffs. If you know you're going to have an ample dinner with a lot of salt, you need to have a very low-sodium breakfast and lunch," Dr. Nesbitt said. "And be sure you don't go over your daily salt limit." Those with hypertension should eat no more than about 1,500 milligrams of salt each day. Source: UT Southwestern Medical Center

Forget Dieting Over The Holidays

Changing your focus from dieting to living healthy during the holidays boosts the chances of maintaining your perfect weight. "Many of us will gain at least five pounds from the middle of October through New Year's Day," said Stefanie Barthmare, a psychotherapist with the Methodist Weight Management Center in Houston. "Because weight gain is gradual, we don't realize the damage of our indulgences right away. But the scale tells all when the holidays are over. That's why "lose weight" is at the top of our New Year's resolution every year." Barthmare says stop counting every calorie and restricting yourself from your holiday favorites and instead try focusing on the core elements of living a healthy lifestyle, i.e. staying active in your everyday life. "If you can't get to the gym, do whatever it takes to move your body. Walk the dog more, plan a walking coffee break at work, play in the yard with the kids after dinner, or throw the football around with your brothers," Barthmare said. "Plan an active, rather than a passive vacation this holiday season. If you normally go somewhere to sit, read and eat, plan a trip where you hike, bike or ski. Learn a new sport just for fun, and notice the impact on your waistline." Have a plan for days when there will be high calorie meals and possibly stressful family gatherings that cause you to eat comfort foods. Not planning is what leads to trouble. "The once-a-year mentality contributes to overindulgence, which eventually leads to weight gain," Barthmare said. "You can still have a serving of grandma's stuffing or mom's apple pie, the stuff you only get once a year, but it's important to develop a strategy. Filling up on more high fiber, high volume foods earlier in the day will give yourself a better chance of maintaining your weight. Also, then there's not as much room for the seconds at dessert." Another way to avoid overindulgence is to turn the focus of holiday gatherings away from food and to connecting with family and friends. Put more emphasis on finding out what others have been doing, what you have in common and how you can support one another at holiday functions. "If you've been dieting all year long, you're going to want to cut loose during the holidays and indulge in all your favorite treats," Barthmare said. "But, this year, try switching the focus. Eat well all year, keep your body moving and make time for connections. Then you can have some guilt free holiday indulgences without sacrificing the goal of maintaining your perfect weight." Source: Methodist Hospital, Houston

Strong Link Between Obesity And Depression

Doctors should pay more attention to the link between common mental illness and obesity in patients because the two health problems are closely linked, according to researchers at the University of Adelaide. In an editorial published today in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the Adelaide researchers add support to claims of a two-way risk between obesity and common mental disorders. The editorial makes comments on a new research paper on this topic published in the same issue of the BMJ by Professor Mika Kivimäki from University College London. "A better understanding of the mechanisms for the apparent bi-directional risk between obesity and common mental disorders is needed for effective treatment and prevention," says the lead author of the editorial, Dr Evan Atlantis from the University of Adelaide's School of Medicine. "Although the topic is largely unexplored, several psychosocial, lifestyle and physiological factors may be involved in the complex inter-relationship between obesity and mental illness," he says. "Obese people - especially those who perceive themselves as being overweight - often experience weight-related stigma and discrimination, and consequently present with symptoms of low self esteem, low self worth, and guilt. Obesity is associated with socioeconomic disadvantage and low levels of physical activity, both of which are strong predictors of depression. "Obesity may constitute a chronic stressful state, which in turn can cause significant physiological dysfunction. Such dysfunction would then predispose individuals to depressed mood and associated symptoms," he says. Dr Atlantis says reduced physical activity and overeating - "particularly comfort foods rich in fats and sugars to improve mood" - are common among depressed and anxious patients. "Activation of the endocannabinoid system, which increases appetite and may simultaneously alleviate depression, is likely to reinforce this eating behavior. Socioeconomic disadvantage may further exacerbate the over-consumption of comfort foods because of their low cost," he says. Dr Atlantis says patients presenting to their doctor with symptoms of common mental disorder should be assessed for obesity and related chronic diseases, and vice versa. "A multidisciplinary approach that focuses on promoting a healthy lifestyle is important. Further research on how best to deliver lifestyle interventions is needed, along with government action on taxes, tariffs, and trade laws to encourage the supply and consumption of healthy food and physical activity choices," he says. Source University of Adelaide

Abacoa Patient Service Center Now Open!

Marking yet another success for the company, Access medical Laboratories has recently opened their fourth office, located at 600 University Drive Suite 102 Jupiter, Fl in the beautiful University Commons. We are happy to expand and bring our exceptional service to the Abacoa community. We hope that you will visit us soon. Remember there is no wait time at any of our wonderful, wallk-in patient service centers! For any questions or directions, contact us at our main number listed below.

Over 65s Should Take High Dose Vitamin D To Prevent Falls, Say Researchers

A daily supplement of vitamin D at a dose of 700-1000 IU reduces the risk of falling among older people by 19% according to a study published on bmj.com today. But a dose of less than 700 IU per day has no effect. IU is an international unit of measurement for vitamins and other biologically active substances. Each year, one in three people aged 65 and older experience at least one fall, with around 6% resulting in a fracture. Fall prevention has therefore become a public health goal especially as the older segment of the population grows. Several trials have shown that vitamin D improves strength and balance among older people, while others have found no significant effect on the risk of falling. So an international team of researchers analysed the results of eight fall prevention trials to assess the effectiveness of vitamin D in preventing falls among older individuals (aged 65 or more). Differences in study design and quality were taken into account to minimise bias. The pooled results showed that benefit from supplemental vitamin D on fall prevention depended on treatment dose. Supplemental vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 were investigated. 700-1000 IU supplemental vitamin D per day (vitamin D2 or vitamin D3) reduced falls by 19% and up to 26% with vitamin D3. This effect was independent of age, type of dwelling or additional calcium supplementation. The effect was significant within two to five months of starting treatment and extended beyond 12 months. Supplemental vitamin D did not reduce falls at a dose of less than 700 IU per day. The use of active forms of vitamin D did not appear to be more effective than 700-1000 IU supplemental vitamin D. Active forms of vitamin D also cost more and are associated with a higher risk for hypercalcaemia (elevated calcium levels in the blood) than standard supplemental vitamin D. To reduce the risk of falling, a daily intake of at least 700-1000 IU supplemental vitamin D is warranted in all individuals aged 65 and older, say the authors. Higher doses may be even more effective and should be explored in future research to optimise the fall prevention benefit with vitamin D, they conclude. Source British Medical Journal

Vitamin D Deficiency

Symptoms and Health Risks of Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms of bone pain and muscle weakness can mean you have a vitamin D deficiency. However, for many people, the symptoms are subtle. Yet even without symptoms, too little vitamin D can pose health risks. Low blood levels of the vitamin have been associated with the following: Increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease Cognitive impairment in older adults Severe asthma in children Cancer Research suggests that vitamin D could play a role in the prevention and treatment of a number of different conditions, including type1 and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, glucose intolerance, and multiple sclerosis. Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency Vitamin D deficiency can occur for a number of reasons: You don't consume the recommended levels of the vitamin over time. This is likely if you follow a strict vegetarian diet, because most of the natural sources are animal-based, including fish and fish oils, egg yolks, cheese, and beef liver. Your exposure to sunlight is limited. Because the body makes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight, you may be at risk of deficiency if you are homebound, live in northern latitudes, wear long robes or head coverings for religious reasons, or have an occupation that prevents sun exposure. You have dark skin. The pigment melanin reduces the skin's ability to make vitamin D in response to sunlight exposure. Some studies show that older adults with darker skin are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency. Your kidneys cannot convert vitamin D to its active form. As people age their kidneys are less able to convert vitamin D to its active form, thus increasing their risk of vitamin D deficiency. Your digestive tract cannot adequately absorb vitamin D. Certain medical problems, including Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, and celiac disease, can affect your intestine's ability to absorb vitamin D from the food you eat. You are obese. Vitamin D is extracted from the blood by fat cells, altering its release into the circulation. People with a body mass index of 30 or greater often have low blood levels of vitamin D Tests for Vitamin D Deficiency The most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body is the 25-hydroxy vitamin D test. In the kidney, 25-hydroxy vitamin D changes into an active form of the vitamin. The active form of the vitamin can be measured through the blood. The active form of vitamin D helps control calcium and phosphate levels in the body. The normal range is 30.0 to 74.0 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). A lower level indicates vitamin D deficiency, which you should discuss with your doctor.

New Research Shows Direct Link Between Soda And Obesity

While health officials have long suspected the link between obesity and soda consumption, research released provides the first scientific evidence of the potent role soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages play in fueling California's expanding girth. In their landmark study: Bubbling Over: Soda Consumption and Its Link to Obesity in California, researchers from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research (CHPR) and the California Center for Public Health Advocacy (CCPHA) discovered a strong correlation between soda consumption and weight. Based upon data from more than 40,000 interviews conducted by the California Health Interview Surveys (CHIS), researchers found that adults who drink a soda or more per day are 27 percent more likely to be overweight than those who do not drink sodas, regardless of income or ethnicity. "The science is clear and conclusive: soda is fueling California's $41 billion a year obesity epidemic," says CCPHA Executive Director Dr. Harold Goldstein, an author of the research brief. "We drink soda like water. But unlike water, soda serves up a whopping 17 teaspoons of sugar in every 20-ounce serving." Research shows that over the last 30 years Americans consumed 278 more calories per day even as physical activity levels remained relatively unchanged. One of the biggest changes in diet during that period was the enormous increase in soda consumption, accounting for as much as 43 percent of all new calories. According to Goldstein, that research, combined with this new data on soda consumption, offers conclusive proof of the link between soda and obesity. And while adult soda consumption is troubling, consumption trends among children paint an even more alarming picture for the future health of California. The study found that 41 percent of young children (2-11 years of age) are drinking at least one soda or sugar-sweetened beverage every day. Adolescents (12-17) represent the biggest consumers, with 62 percent (over 2 million youths) drinking one or more sodas every day - the equivalent of consuming 39 pounds of sugar each year in soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages. "Soda is cheap, sweet and irresistibly marketed to teens," says the study's lead author, Dr. Susan H. Babey, a research scientist with the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. "Not enough teens know about the health and dietary risks of drinking huge quantities of what is essentially liquid sugar while television and advertising tell them it is 'cool' to do so." There were major differences in adult consumption rates by county, the study discovered. Residents of the lowest soda consuming counties of Marin, San Francisco, Yolo and San Mateo drink far less soda than their counterparts in the heaviest drinking counties of Kings, Madera, Kern and Imperial. Nevertheless, the soda/obesity linkage still holds true - those who consume large amounts of soda, regardless of where they live, suffer disproportionally from obesity and overweight. "If we are serious about tackling the obesity crisis, cutting back soda consumption has to be the top priority," Goldstein asserts. "Parents, communities, businesses and government all have a role to play in helping to reduce consumption. We cannot afford to raise another 'Pepsi Generation.'" Funding for the study was provided by The California Endowment, a private statewide health foundation that is a national leader in the childhood obesity prevention movement. "This research clearly shows the very serious health risks of drinking soda and other sweetened beverages. I hope policymakers will read this report closely and think about what they can do to combat the obesity epidemic that is clearly tied to consuming too many sodas," says Dr. Robert K. Ross, president and CEO of The California Endowment. Source UCLA

Obesity, Drinking, Smoking Contribute To Risk Of Second Breast Cancers

Obesity, smoking and alcohol use increase the risk that survivors of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer will develop the disease in the other breast, according to a study published this week in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Reuters reports. The study examined data on 365 women with a first estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer and a second cancer in the other breast, and 726 similar subjects without the second cancer. According to the study, a cancer survivor with a body mass index greater than 30 is 40% more likely to develop cancer in the other breast than a woman with a BMI lower than 25. The study also found that drinking seven or more alcoholic beverages weekly was linked with a 90% increased chance of developing a second cancer, compared with drinking no alcohol. Current smoking was associated with a 120% increased chance of developing a second cancer, compared with never smoking, the study found. Lead author Christopher Li of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle said the study shows that women who maintain healthy weights, avoid smoking and drink in moderation can reduce their risk of developing second cancers. In an accompanying editorial, Jennifer Ligibel of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute wrote that "randomized trials of weight loss and other behavioral interventions after breast cancer diagnosis (are) needed to determine whether changes in potentially modifiable risk factors in the years after breast cancer diagnosis could help lower the risk of second primary breast cancer and other adverse events in breast cancer survivors"

Insomnia Is Bad For The Heart

Can't sleep at night? A new study published in the journal Sleep has found that people who suffer from insomnia have heightened night-time blood pressure, which can lead to cardiac problems. The investigation, which measured the 24-hour blood pressure of insomniacs compared to sound sleepers, was conducted by researchers from the Université de Montréal, its affiliated Hôpital du Sacré-Cour de Montréal Sleep Disorders Centre and the Université Laval. "Over many years, chronic insomnia can have negative effects on the hearts of otherwise healthy individuals," says lead author Paola A. Lanfranchi, a professor in the Université de Montréal Faculty of Medicine and researcher at the Hôpital du Sacré-Cour de Montréal Sleep Disorders Centre. "Whereas blood pressure decreases in regular sleepers and gives their heart a rest, insomnia provokes higher night-time blood pressure that can cause long-term cardiovascular risks and damage the heart." The findings are important given that insomnia, which is a chronic difficulty falling or staying asleep, affects up to 48 percent of the population at some point in their lives. As part of the study, the scientific team recruited 13 otherwise healthy chronic insomniacs and 13 good sleepers. Subjects spent 40 hours in the sleep laboratory: two nights for adaptation and one for monitoring followed by the intervening day. "Blood pressure cycles are mainly linked to the sleep-wake cycle," says co author Jacques Montplaisir, a professor in the Université de Montréal Department of Psychiatry and director of Hôpital du Sacré-Cour de Montréal Disorders Center. "Since blood pressure is heightened among insomniacs, those with overt cardiac disease are particularly at risk for progression of the disease." About the Study The article "Night-time Blood Pressure in Normotensive Subjects With Chronic Insomnia: Implications for Cardiovascular Risk," published in Sleep was authored by Paola A. Lanfranchi, Marie-Hélène Pennestri, Lorraine Fradette, Marie Dumont and Jacques Montplaisir of the Université de Montréal and its affiliated Hôpital du Sacré-Cour de Montréal, as well as Charles M. Morin of the Université Laval. Source Université de Montréal

Anti-Aging Gene Linked To High Blood Pressure

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center have shown the first link between a newly discovered anti-aging gene and high blood pressure. The results, which appear this month in the journal Hypertension, offer new clues on how we age and how we might live longer. Persistent hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a risk factor for stroke, heart attack, heart failure, arterial aneurysm and is the leading cause of chronic kidney failure. Even a modest elevation of arterial blood pressure leads to shortened life expectancy. Researchers, led by principal investigator Zhongjie Sun, tested the effect of an anti-aging gene called klotho on reducing hypertension. They found that by increasing the expression of the gene in laboratory models, they not only stopped blood pressure from continuing to rise, but succeeded in lowering it. Perhaps most impressive was the complete reversal of kidney damage, which is associated with prolonged high blood pressure and often leads to kidney failure. "One single injection of the klotho gene can reduce hypertension for at least 12 weeks and possibly longer. Klotho is also available as a protein and, conceivably, we could ingest it as a powder much like we do with protein drinks," said Sun, M.D., Ph.D., a cardiovascular expert at the OU College of Medicine. Scientists have been working with the klotho gene and its link to aging since 1997 when it was discovered by Japanese scientists. This is the first study showing that a decline in klotho protein level may be involved in the progression of hypertension and kidney damage, Sun said. With age, the klotho level decreases while the prevalence of hypertension increases. Researchers used one injection of the klotho gene in hypertensive research models and were able to markedly reduce blood pressure by the second week. It continued to decline steadily for the length of the project - 12 weeks. The klotho gene was delivered with a safe viral vector that is currently used for gene therapy. The virus is already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in humans. Researchers are studying the gene's effect for longer periods to test its ability to return blood pressure levels to normal. They also are looking at whether klotho can prevent hypertension. Source: Diane Clay University of Oklahoma

What Is Vitamin D? What Are The Benefits Of Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a steroid vitamin, a group of fat-soluble prohormones, which encourages the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorous. People who are exposed to normal quantities of sunlight do not need vitamin D supplements because sunlight promotes sufficient vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Five forms of vitamin D have been discovered, vitamin D1, D2, D3, D4, D5. The two forms that seem to matter to humans the most are vitamins D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that Vitamin D levels in the body at the start of a low-calorie diet predict weight loss success, suggesting a possible role for vitamin D in weight loss. Data collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), USA found that 9% (7.6 million) of children across the USA, was vitamin D deficient (defined as less than 15 ng/mL of blood), while another 61 percent, or 50.8 million, was vitamin D insufficient (15 to 29 ng/mL) "We expected the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency would be high, but the magnitude of the problem nationwide was shocking," says lead author Juhi Kumar, M.D., M.P.H., a fellow in pediatrics at Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center, The University Hospital and Academic Medical Center for Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Vitamin D for humans is obtained from sun exposure, food and supplements. It is biologically inert and has to undergo two hydroxylation reactions to become active in the body. The active form of vitamin D in the body is called Calcitriol (1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol). Calcitriol promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from food in the gut and reabsorption of calcium in the kidneys - this increases the flow of calcium in the bloodstream. This is essential for the normal mineralization of bone and preventing hypocalcemic tetany. Hypocalcemic tetany is a low calcium condition in which the patient has overactive neurological reflexes, spasms of the hands and feet, cramps and spasms of the voice box (larynx). Calcitriol also plays a key role in the maintenance of many organ systems. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to the following conditions and illnesses: Rickets - a disease of children and infants that interferes with normal bone formation - a failure to mineralize bone. Bones become distorted and bend wrongly because they are soft. During the first three decades of the 20th century rickets was mainly caused by lack of direct exposure to sunlight. The ultraviolet rays necessary for vitamin D synthesis do not pass through ordinary window glass. Osteomalacia - softening of the bone caused by demineralization (loss of mineral), mainly loss of calcium from bone. This disorder only affects adults and can cause severe musculoskeletal pain. Osteoporosis - reduced bone mineral density and increased bone fragility. Vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to the following diseases: Hypertension (high blood pressure) Heart failure, according to US researchers. Ischemic heart disease TB (tuberculosis) Cancer Periodontal disease MS (multiple sclerosis) Chronic pain SAD (seasonal affective disorder) Peripheral artery disease Cognitive impairment Cardiovascular disease among patients with diabetes Parkinson's disease (possibly: we are not sure whether Parkinson's causes low vitamin D levels, or whether low vitamin D causes Parkinson's) Alzheimer's disease, suspected by researchers from the Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center. Immune system problems - a University of Missouri nutritional sciences researcher found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with inflammation, a negative response of the immune system, in healthy women. Bacterial vaginosis - a common vaginal infection that increases a pregnant woman's risk of preterm delivery, according to scientists at the University of Pittsburgh.

Risk For Weight Gain In Children May Be Increased By Certain Behavioral Traits And Feeding Practices

Many clinicians and public health officials view parental involvement as an essential part of solving the current childhood obesity epidemic. However, it's important for parents to use the right approach when trying to combat childhood obesity. Restrictive feeding practices, or forbidding certain foods, may not always be the best solution. A child's inhibitory control, a behavior similar to self-control, may be more important than parental restrictions. An article and related editorial soon to be published in The Journal of Pediatrics, explore the relationship between a child's low inhibitory control, parental restrictive feeding practices, and childhood weight gain. Stephanie Anzman, MS, and Leann Birch, PhD, of the Center for Childhood Obesity Research at Pennsylvania State University studied 197 non-Hispanic white girls. They collected information from the girls and their parents over a 10-year period, beginning when the girls were 5 years old. In addition to recording their body mass index (BMI), the researchers asked the girls whether their parents restricted or forbade certain foods. The researchers also recorded the parents' BMI, income, and education level. Additionally, mothers were asked to describe their child's level of self-control. Anzman and Birch found that girls with lower self-control had higher BMIs and gained more weight than those girls who demonstrated better self-regulation. Girls with lower self-control were almost twice as likely to be overweight by the age of 15. The authors also noticed a relationship between a child's perception of parental restrictive feeding practices and weight gain. In other words, the combination of high parental restriction and low self-control put girls at the highest risk for weight gain among the group studied. According to Ms. Anzman, "Parental attempts to help children with lower self-control by restricting their access to favorite snack foods can make the forbidden foods more attractive, thereby exacerbating the problem." She suggests that parents can help their children learn to control their eating habits by allowing them to choose between healthy options. She adds that it is often better to not keep restricted foods in the house. "That way," she explains, "it is not necessary to constantly tell children they cannot have the foods they want." In a related editorial, Nancy F. Krebs, MD, MS, and Susan L. Johnson, PhD, of the University of Colorado point out that it is unclear how these findings might apply to boys because the researchers only studied girls. Drs. Krebs and Johnson view this as an opportunity for future studies to explore the relationship between low self-control, parental restrictions, and weight gain among a more diverse group of children and families. According to Dr. Krebs, "The implications of this study can be considered in both the clinical and public health arenas." The study, reported in "Low Inhibitory Control and Restrictive Feeding Practices Predict Weight Outcomes" by Stephanie L. Anzman, MS, and Leann L. Birch, PhD, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.04.052 and related editorial, "Internal vs External Influences on Energy Intake: Are Disinhibited Eaters Born or Created?" by Susan L. Johnson, PhD, and Nancy F. Krebs, MD, MS, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.06.041 appear in The Journal of Pediatrics, published by Elsevier. Source: Brigid Huey Elsevier Health Sciences

Balancing Hormones May Help Prevent Preterm Births

The relationship between two different types of estrogen and a hormone produced in the placenta may serve as the mechanism for signaling labor, according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). This finding may help doctors intervene and prevent preterm birth much more effectively. "The trigger for the onset of labor in women has been a puzzle for a long time," says Dr. Roger Smith, MD, PhD, of John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, Australia and lead author of the study. "Our findings show we may have an answer, and furthermore may be able to delay or advance labor." Humans have two types of estrogen called estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3). When E2 and E3 are in roughly equal amounts there is no drive to labor, but the opposite holds true once one becomes in greater excess than the other. This study evaluated the ratio of E3 to E2 in 500 pregnant women and found that it went up rapidly as labor approached indicating that E3 could stimulate the onset of labor. Dr. Smith and his colleagues then sought to understand what was causing the increase in E3 and they believe they found an answer. In a previous study they showed that a hormone in the placenta, called corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), rises rapidly through pregnancy, peaking at the time of labor. CRH levels rise earlier in women who deliver prematurely and later in women who deliver late, forming a biological clock that regulates the length of pregnancy. Researchers also showed that CRH can act on the adrenal glands of the fetus to stimulate the production of a steroid hormone which the placenta uses to make E3. This study showed a strong relationship between CRH levels in the mother's blood in the weeks before birth and the levels of E3 supporting the view that CRH increases E3. "CRH may be the catalyst for the onset of labor, by driving steroid hormone production in the fetus, which then leads to an increase in E3 so that it exceeds E2," said Dr. Smith. "If this progression is correct, it may explain why women with a baby who dies in utero can still go into labor. In this scenario, levels of E3 would drop making E2 more dominant and triggering the onset of labor." "It may be possible to delay or advance labor by varying the ratio of E3 to E2 by giving either E2 or E3 to the pregnant woman," said Dr. Smith. "It may also be possible to predict the timing of birth by monitoring this ratio between the two estrogens." Dr. Smith notes that this is the first study to show these results and confirmation through further research is needed. Other researchers working on the study include Julia Smith, Patricia Engel, Maria Bowman, Andrew Bisits and Shaun McGrath of the Mothers and Babies Research Centre at the University of Newcastle in Australia; and Patrick McElduff of the Hunter Medical Research Institute in Newcastle, Australia; David Smith of the University of Western Australia; and Warwick Giles of the University of Sydney in Australia. The article "Patterns of Plasma Corticotrophin-Releasing Hormone, Progesterone, Estradiol and Estriol Change and the Onset of Human Labor," will appear in the June 2009 issue of JCEM. Endocrine Society

Stress Linked To Harmful Fat And Heart Disease

A new US study on monkeys found that social stress is linked to increase in deposits of harmful fat in the abdomen which can speed up the build up of plaque in blood vessels, a major risk factor for heart disease which is the number one cause of death in humans worldwide. The study was the work of principal investigator Dr Carol A. Shively, a professor of pathology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and colleagues Drs Thomas C Register and Thomas B Clarkson, also at Wake Forest. Their paper appears as the cover story in the current issue of Obesity, the peer-reviewed journal of the Obesity Society. Shively said in a media statement that overweight people tend to carry most of their excess fat in the abdomen and fat located here behaves differently to fat in the rest of the body. "If there's too much, it can have far more harmful effects on health than fat located in other areas," she added. In Western societies, obesity appears to go up as socioeconomic status goes down, and this trend is the same for heart disease. Shively said this could be because the people who have the least access to resources that buffer us from the stresses of life are the ones most likely to suffer the health consequences. In their paper, Shively and colleagues explained that in previous work with monkeys they showed there were significant links between (1) social stress and the amount of fat that gets deposited in the viscera or abdominal cavity, and (2) the amount of fat deposited around the middle of the body and the build up of plaque in blood vesses (coronary artery atherosclerosis, or CAA). They said however that direct relationships between plaque build up and abdominal fat have so far not been demonstrated either in people or animals, and that this was the first study to look at links between stress, visceral obesity and CAA at the same time. For this study, they fed 41 female monkey a Western-style diet containing fat and cholesterol for 32 months. The monkeys were kept in social groups where a natural dominant-subordinate hierarchy could develop. In social groups, subordinate monkeys at the bottom of the hierarchy tend to be targets of aggression from other more dominant monkeys higher up the hierarchy. They are also given much fewer opportunities to take part in grooming sessions, and this can increase their social stress. The researchers monitored the monkeys' social behaviour and ovarian function, and a number of other biological variables, including BMI, stress biomarkers, and the amount of fat in the abdomen and elsewhere in the body (ie the subcutaneous fat). Shively and colleagues found compared to monkeys whose ratio of adbominal fat to subcutaneous fat was low, the monkeys whose ratio was high were also the subordinate ones, who were socially isolated, received more aggresssion and less grooming, had impaired ovarian function, and had more biomarkers of stress (desensitized to circulating glucocorticoids). They also had higher heart rates late in the day and more plaque in their blood vessels (CAA). Poor ovarian function meant that the ovaries produced fewer protective hormones. They concluded that poor ovarian function in female monkeys with a high ratio of abdominal fat to subcutaneous fat is a new discovery and suggests there is a need to study fat distribution and ovarian function in women. They suggested that the stress of being at the bottom of the pecking order resulted in the monkeys' release of stress hormones that encouraged their bodies to deposit fat in their abdomens or viscera. We already know that visceral fat encourages the build up of plaque in blood vessels, and this leads to heart disease, so this study suggests a link from social stress through plaque build up to heart disease. However, Shively said that what is interesting about this relationship is that the bodies of human and monkey females have a natural protection against heart disease: on average women develop heart disease about 10 years after men. She said perhaps stress and build up of visceral fat erodes this natural protection from the ovaries: "Suppressed ovarian function is a very serious condition in a woman," said Shively. "Women who are hormone-deficient will develop more atherosclerosis and be at greater risk of developing coronary heart disease and other diseases such as osteoporosis and cognitive impairment," she added. Women whose ovaries don't make enough hormones may not be aware of it as there are often no symptoms: the condition doesn't always mean fewer menstrual cycles for instance. Shively said: "We need to take a closer look at the ovarian function of obese women. "They might not be producing enough hormones to maintain adequate health," she warned. She also said that the study appeared to reinforce the usual message about health: be careful about what you eat, take regular exercise and manage your stress. "Social Stress, Visceral Obesity, and Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis in Female Primates." Carol A. Shively, Thomas C. Register and Thomas B. Clarkson. Obesity (2009) 17 8, 1513-1520. Source: Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Written by: Catharine Paddock, PhD

Cardiovascular / Cardiology News Useful Links Video Library

Two large US studies published in a leading journal this month support the already substantial body of evidence that shows choosing to follow a healthy lifestyle helps prevent cardiovascular disease: one found it linked to lower risk of heart failure in men and the other found it linked to lower risk of high blood pressure in women. Both studies are published in the July 22-29 issue of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association. For the first study, first author Dr Luc Djoussé, of the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, and colleagues used data covering 20,900 men taking part in the Physicians' Health Study in the US and who were followed for an average of 22.4 years. They found that following any one of six modifiable healthy lifestyle factors was linked to a lower lifetime risk of heart failure compared to not following any. The six lifestyle factors were: maintaining a normal body weight, never smoking, taking regular exercise, drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, eating plenty of cereals, and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. The researchers also found that the more healthy lifestyle choices the men followed, the lower their lifetime risk of heart failure. For example, the lifetime risk for heart failure was about 1 in 5 (21.2 per cent) for those men who didn't follow any of the healthy lifestyle choices (ie they smoked, they were overweight, they did not have a diet rich in cereals, fruit and vegetables, and they did not take regular exercise). But for those who followed four or more healthy lifestyle choices, the lifetime risk was 1 in 10 (10.1 per cent). The findings have major implications for public health, especially since heart failure is now known to be a leading cause of acute hospital admission and the most prevalent chronic cardiovascular condition, according a press statement made by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). In the second study, first author Dr John P. Forman, also from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, and colleagues, used data covering more than 80,000 women taking part in the Nurses' Health Study, described by the ESC as one of the "world's landmark studies in women's health epidemiology". All of the women's blood pressure was normal (120/80 or less) and they were free of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer at the start of the study which followed them for 14 years. The researchers found that following any one of six modifiable healthy lifestyle factors was linked to lower blood pressure. The six modifiable lifestyle factors were: keeping to a normal BMI (under 25), exercising vigorously every day, following a heart-healthy diet, consuming a modest amount of alcohol, using non-narcotic pain relievers no more than once a week, and taking a folic acid supplement. A heart-healthy diet was described as eating lots of fruits, nuts, legumes and other vegetables, whole grains, low fat dairy products, low sodium intake, and not consuming much red or processed meat or sugary drinks. In this study too the researchers found a cluster effect: following all six lifestyle choices was linked to an 80 per cent lower risk of developing high blood pressure. Only 0.3 per cent of the women in the study followed all 6 lifestyle choices. The ESC said this study also had important implications for public health. ESC spokesman Professor Joep Perk from Oskarshamn District Hospital in Sweden, told the press that there wasn't enough research on preventing poor health in women and called this study "an important piece of evidence". "The Nurses' Health Study is an observational study, but because of the numbers involved I'm sure the results will be valid in broader female populations," he added. Talking about the 80 per cent reduction in risk of high blood pressure found in the women who followed all 6 lifestyle choices, Perk said this was like the findings of the Interheart study, the 2004 global study led by McMaster University in Canada. That study found that 90 per cent of first heart attacks were linked to 9 lifestyle factors. "So there's a consistent pattern here," said Perk, it suggests, he said, that: "Four out of five cases of hypertension or heart attack are amenable to lifestyle intervention. So, most of us can do something about prevention." "It's a public health issue, and we need to put our heads together," he urged. Perk said the two studies affirmed the ESC message on cardiovascular disease prevention: Don't smoke. Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Use calorie control and exercise to keep your BMI in the normal range. BMI stands for Body Mass Index: it is the ratio of your weight in kilos to the square of your height in metres. A normal BMI is between 20 and 25. Thus a person who weighs 80 kilos (176 pounds) and stands 183 cm tall (6 feet) has a BMI of 23.9 which is in the normal range. "These two studies yet again confirm the wisdom of this advice, and provide even more evidence to translate our knowledge into action" said Perk. "Relation between modifiable lifestyle factors and lifetime risk of heart failure." Luc Djousse; Jane A. Driver; J. Michael Gaziano. JAMA. 2009;302(4):394-400. "Diet and Lifestyle Risk Factors Associated With Incident Hypertension in Women." John P. Forman; Meir J. Stampfer; Gary C. Curhan JAMA . 2009;302(4):401-411. Additional source: European Society of Cardiology. Written by: Catharine Paddock, PhD Copyright: Medical News Today

Scientists Step Closer To Helping Diabetics Regenerate Insulin Making Cells

US scientists have come a step closer to finding a way to help treat people with diabetes by reactivating their own insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, although they acknowledge that this goal is still a long way off. They discovered a hitherto unknown role for a well known protein: it helps immature endocrine systems generate new pancreatic islet cells, which include the insulin-producing beta cells. The study, which was done on mice, was the work of senior author Dr Doris Stoffers, Associate Professor of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, and colleagues, and is published in the July issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are caused by a lack of insulin-producing beta cells. While in theory it should be possible to transplant beta cells grown from embryonic or other types of stem cells, in practice no one has managed to do it effectively. Stoffers and colleagues mapped each stage of development up to mature beta cells, including the genetic pathways. They hope that one day these steps can be replicated so that beta-cells can be grown in the lab, and then in the patients themselves. Stoffers, who is also a member of the Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism at Penn, said that: "The protein, Pdx1, is a pivotal molecule in the regulation of beta-cell development and we hope this type of information could help in efforts to generate beta-cell replacements for the treatment of diabetes." Scientists already knew that Pdx1 helped control the development of the pancreas and the maturation of adult beta cells. For instance, previous studies have shown that when mice lose a single copy of the gene that codes for the protein they develop diabetes, and when they lose two copies their pancreas doesn't form at all. In this new study, Stoffers and her colleagues showed that Pdx1 also has a role in precursor beta-cell formation in the developing embryo. This process is controlled by a DNA-binding trascription factor called neurogenin-3 or Ngn3, which in turn is controlled by four other proteins, Sox9, Foxa2, Hnf6, and Hnf1b. Their key discovery was finding out that Pdx1 binds directly to the Ngn3 gene to coordinate the gene expression of these proteins. Stoffers said that if they could understand how Pdx1 works normally, then they might be able to: "Apply that information to faithfully and efficiently push the cells down the pathway to ultimately generate beta cells that may be used clinically." Stoffers and colleagues were particularly interested in the C terminus end of Pdx1, whose role in beta cell development was still unclear, and yet in certain diseases this part is mutated. So they bred mice lacking the C terminus (in effect their Pdx1 proteins were shorter). They found that when both copies of the Pdx1 gene were short of their C terminus, the mice grew a pancreas but quickly developed diabetes. When they looked more closely they found that the mice had no endocrine cells, including beta cells. Stoffers said this led them to conclude that: "The defect was at an early cell, or precursor, stage." "Specifically, in the formation of Ngn3-expressing endocrine progenitor cells," she added. Further study of the molecular properties of the protein in the mutant mice led them to conclude that Pdx1 controls the development of precursors to endocrine cells by binding directly to the Ngn3 gene, controlling how it is expressed. It also binds directly and controls other endocrine cell genes. "Pdx1 not only directly regulates Ngn3, it also indirectly regulates it by controlling the regulatory network of Sox9, Foxa2, Hnf6, and Hnf1b," said Stoffers. Stoffers and colleagues now want to find out if the same molecular pathways take place in humans, and so discover if Pdx1 plays the same role. "It is likely that the mechanisms are the same, but we would like to directly test that," she said. The study was sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. "The diabetes gene Pdx1 regulates the transcriptional network of pancreatic endocrine progenitor cells in mice." Authors: Jennifer M. Oliver-Krasinski Source: Penn Medicine News. Written by: Catharine Paddock, PhD Copyright: Medical News Today

Simple, Inexpensive Blood Test Could Speed Diagnosis Of Muscular Dystrophy In Boys

Boys show signs of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) for 2 ½ years before they obtain a diagnosis and disease-specific treatment, about the same length of delay children have endured for the past 20 years despite advances in genetic testing and treatment. A simple and inexpensive blood test for any boy with symptoms and signs of motor delays and abnormalities could speed up the process while pilot studies on newborn screening are conducted. Recent University of Rochester Medical Center research published in the Journal of Pediatrics shows that boys who are eventually diagnosed with DMD show signs of the disease for more than a year before families bring it to the attention of a health care provider. It takes another year before these children are screened with a serum CK test - a simple and inexpensive blood test for creatine kinase, an enzyme that leaks out of damaged muscle. "The CK test is an easily available and cheap test," said Emma Ciafaloni, M.D., associate professor of Neurology at the University of Rochester Medical Center and author of the paper. "If they get the test and the diagnosis earlier, they can start treatment earlier and access the best care in the appropriate clinics and the best available services in their school. Early diagnosis will avoid unnecessary and costly tests and numerous unnecessary referrals to the wrong specialists. Parents and maternal relatives can also seek genetic counseling before they plan to have more children." DMD, the most common muscular dystrophy in children is a particularly devastating form of the disease that affects 1 in 3,500 boys. It is an X-linked recessive genetic disease with onset of symptoms in boys between 2 and 6 years old. It progresses rapidly, rendering patients wheelchair bound by 10 or 11 years old. Most patients die in their mid-late 20s. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded study analyzed medical records of 453 boys born since 1982 with DMD or Becker Muscular Dystrophy in the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking and Research Network (MD STARnet). Of those, 156 boys had no known family history of muscular dystrophy. The first signs of the disease in those boys were seen at an average of 2 ½ years old, but the average age when families brought the signs to the attention of a health care provider was 3 ½ years old. The average age for children to receive the CK test or to see a neurologist was more than 4 ½ years old. "We need to educate families to bring delays or abnormalities in motor skill - such as frequent falls, difficulty jumping, running or claiming stairs - to the attention of their health care providers as soon as they see them. And we need to educate pediatricians, family practitioners and all providers involved in the care of young children to recognize the early signs of DMD and to order a CK test if they see any motor delays or abnormalities," Ciafaloni said. "The sooner we start treatment, the more potential we have for delaying the disease's progression. Source: Heather Hare University of Rochester Medical Center

Link Between Successful Weight Loss And Vitamin D Levels

Vitamin D levels in the body at the start of a low-calorie diet predict weight loss success, a new study found. The results, which suggest a possible role for vitamin D in weight loss, were presented at The Endocrine Society's 91st Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. "Vitamin D deficiency is associated with obesity, but it is not clear if inadequate vitamin D causes obesity or the other way around," said the study's lead author, Shalamar Sibley, MD, MPH, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota. In this study, the authors attempted to determine whether baseline vitamin D levels before calorie restriction affect subsequent weight loss. They measured circulating blood levels of vitamin D in 38 overweight men and women before and after the subjects followed a diet plan for 11 weeks consisting of 750 calories a day fewer than their estimated total needs. Subjects also had their fat distribution measured with DXA (bone densitometry) scans. On average, subjects had vitamin D levels that many experts would consider to be in the insufficient range, according to Sibley. However, the authors found that baseline, or pre-diet, vitamin D levels predicted weight loss in a linear relationship. For every increase of 1 ng/mL in level of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol - the precursor form of vitamin D and a commonly used indicator of vitamin D status - subjects ended up losing almost a half pound (0.196 kg) more on their calorie-restricted diet. For each 1-ng/mL increase in the active or "hormonal" form of vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol), subjects lost nearly one-quarter pound (0.107 kg) more. Additionally, higher baseline vitamin D levels (both the precursor and active forms) predicted greater loss of abdominal fat. "Our results suggest the possibility that the addition of vitamin D to a reduced-calorie diet will lead to better weight loss," Sibley said. She cautioned, however, that more research is needed. "Our findings," she said, "need to be followed up by the right kind of controlled clinical trial to determine if there is a role for vitamin D supplementation in helping people lose weight when they attempt to cut back on what they eat." The National Institutes of Health, the University of Minnesota, and the Pennock Family Endowment at the University of Minnesota funded this study. Source: Aaron Lohr The Endocrine Society

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Study launched to learn about factors that contribute to longevity

The National Institute on Aging, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, is conducting the first study of its kind to uncover what factors, including genetic and environmental, contribute to keeping the "oldest old" families relatively healthy and to discover if families with many long-lived individuals share common characteristics or habits that help them stay healthy. The Long Life Family Study (LLFS) is collecting data from families with at least two members reaching a very old age. The data may, at some time in the future, help guide lifestyle advice and medical treatments. While previous research on centenarians and other elderly people suggest that longevity has a familial link, LLFS researchers are also examining non-genetic factors, including physical activity and social networks. "This is a groundbreaking study because it is the first and largest to examine both siblings and children of the very old," says Winifred K. Rossi, Deputy Director of the NIA's Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology. "We hope this will be a longitudinal study where we can study their families for many years." Researchers began recruiting participants in 2006 and are hoping to obtain data for 4,800 people, including the primary subject and their siblings and children. LLFS investigators are seeking families with a history of longevity, including at least two very old living siblings. Participants are screened to ensure that they meet specific study criteria, including being relatively healthy, not cognitively impaired and not confined to a wheelchair. This is no easy task since frailty and illness is common among individuals at an advanced age. "The biggest recruiting challenge is finding participants and getting them to respond and getting them engaged," says Ms. Rossi. And adds Dr. Michael A. Province, a professor of biostatistics at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, which is responsible for gathering the data: "These are exceptional families, who make up only one to two percent of the population over age 85." LLFS is gathering data from four study sites, three in the United States and one in Denmark. As of July 2008, the study had recruited 2,400 people. For more information on the study or on participation, contact LLFS at toll-free (877) 362-2074 or visit http://www.longlifefamilystudy.wustl.edu/.

Menopausal women commonly turn to alternative therapies for relief

Dr. Elizabeth M. Kupferer and colleagues at the University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing, found that the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in menopausal women is fairly common. Dr. Kupferer's team studied 563 from all U.S. states except Hawaii. The women were 58 years old on average, and reported having entered menopause in their mid 40s. Of those women, a total of 45 percent said that they used alternative therapies to alleviate such symptoms as night sweats and hot flashes. The most common therapies - at 27 percent - were vitamins and calcium supplements. The herbal supplement black cohosh was used by nearly one quarter of the women, and 19 percent reported using soy supplements and foods to relieve symptoms. Some of the women also reported using meditation and relaxation, evening primrose oil, blood pressure lowering medications, homeopathic treatments, red clover, and anti-seizure medications. And 14 percent reported taking antidepressants. Overall, the study found that CAM users were more likely between 40 and 50 years old, and less than 5 years post-menopause. "It is important for women to tell their healthcare providers they are using CAM, and to gather accurate information about CAM safety and efficacy from reliable sources such as their health care providers," Dr Kupferer emphasizes. Moreover, she recommends that health care providers "be alert to CAM use and be up to date on the safety and efficacy data available for each type." With the relatively common use of CAM therapies reported in this and prior studies, Kupferer and colleagues suggested the need for additional research to "delineate recommendations for a variety of CAM strategies." Participants were recruited via a questionnaire they received in the mail from the University. The questionnaire asked specifically for women who had previously used prescription hormone therapy, but had discontinued its use. News Release: Menopausal women often use alternative therapies www.reuters.com March 6, 2009

High calcium levels linked to fatal prostate cancer

Men with high blood levels of calcium have a significantly increased risk of developing fatal prostate cancer, new research suggests. The study of nearly three thousand men revealed that those with the highest levels of calcium in their blood were 2.68 times more likely to develop fatal prostate cancer than men with the lowest levels of calcium. The association remained even after the researchers took into consideration major risk factors for prostate cancer – age, weight, race, and family history. Blood calcium levels did not have a predictive effect upon non-fatal prostate cancers. The data on blood calcium levels was determined an average of 9.9 years before the diagnosis of prostate cancer was made, thus suggesting that a simple blood test may identify men that are at high risk of developing the disease. At present it is unclear whether it is calcium itself or parathyroid hormone, which regulates blood calcium levels, that plays a role in the pathology of the disease.

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