Archive for March, 2010

Researchers say discovery could offer insight into various illnesses

(HealthDay News) — A protein that plays a key role in protecting the intestinal tract from bacterial infection and inflammation has been identified by U.S. researchers.

Reduced levels of the protein — granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) — could be an underlying factor in severe illness caused by pathogens such as E. coli and intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease, the researchers said.

“The gut normally is in a chronic state of low-grade inflammation that is beneficial,” study author Dr. Martin Kagnoff, professor emeritus of medicine and pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, said in a university news release.

“This study shows that GM-CSF has a profound influence in the regulation of cells that determine whether the gut lives in peace with this inflammation or becomes severely inflamed during infection,” he said. “Any time that delicate balance is disrupted, all heck can break loose.”

Kagnoff said the findings might help explain why some people with Crohn’s disease benefit from receiving GM-CSF. A greater understanding of the role of GM-CSF in the gut could lead to new treatments based on the protein, he added.

The study is published in Cell Host & Microbe.

More information

The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about inflammatory bowel disease.
– Robert Preidt

SOURCE: University of California, San Diego Health Sciences, news release, Feb. 17, 2010

Remember, Online Fitness Coaching is THE affordable, convenient alternative to better health…

Employees who used them lost weight, lowered heart disease risk, study finds

(HealthDay News) — Workplace wellness programs help employees lose weight and reduce their risk of heart disease, a new study shows.

U.S. researchers followed 757 hospital workers who took part in a voluntary 12-week, team-based wellness program that focused on diet and exercise. Data on the participants’ weight, lifestyle behavior and heart disease risk factors were collected at the start of the study, at the end of the wellness program and a year after the program ended.

At the start of the study, 33 percent of participants were overweight (body mass index, or BMI, of 25 to 29.9) and 30 percent were obese (BMI of 30 or more).

The researchers found that obese participants lost the most weight — 3 percent at 12 weeks and 0.9 percent at one year — and were most likely to reduce their intake of dietary sugar. Overweight participants did almost as well, with an average weight loss of 2.7 percent at 12 weeks and 0.4 percent at one year.

All participants had similar improvements in levels of physical activity, along with lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and reduced waist circumferences at program end and at one year, the findings showed.

“Voluntary wellness programs can successfully address weight loss and lifestyle behaviors for employees in all weight categories, but more work is needed to improve long-term changes,” the Massachusetts General Hospital researchers concluded.

The study was to be presented Tuesday at the American Heart Association’s Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism Conference in San Francisco.

Other research to be released Tuesday at the meeting found that aerobic exercise reduces levels of inflammatory markers in men with heart disease.

The Polish study included 100 men, average age 55, who’d had coronary artery bypass surgery about two months previously to treat angina pectoris — chest pain experienced during physical activity.

The men were randomly selected to be in a control group or a group that did six weeks of exercise training, three times a week, at 60 percent to 80 percent of maximum heart rate. At the start of the study, at the end of the training period and after one year, all of the men underwent an exercise stress test and their blood was tested for levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein.

At the end of their program, the men in the training group showed significant improvement in exercise capacity and a significant decrease in inflammatory markers. This did not occur in the control group. One year later, levels of inflammatory markers among men in the training group were still significantly lower than they had been at the start of the study.

More information

The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute offers tips on how to prevent and control heart disease.
– Robert Preidt

SOURCE: American Heart Association, news release, March 2, 2010

Remember, Online Fitness Coaching is THE affordable, convenient alternative to better health…

Physicians and other medical professionals should screen children age 6 and older for obesity and refer obese kids to comprehensive weight-management programs, an expert panel says in today’s Pediatrics online.

The statement comes from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which makes medical-care recommendations based on the latest research.

After reviewing more than a dozen studies, the panel concluded that obese children who participated in moderate to high-intensity weight-management programs (frequently with their parents) for 25 or more hours over a six-month period often had improvements in their weight. Many programs included help from dietitians, psychologists, exercise trainers and physicians.

Currently there aren’t enough weight-managment programs for parents to take their children, and it’s not a covered benefit by most insurance, family physician Ned Calonge, chairman of task force and chief medical officer of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “But now that there is evidence of effectiveness and this new recommendation — that may change.”

Almost 32% of children and adolescents are obese or overweight, according to the latest government statistics . Almost 20% of kids ages 6 to 11 and 18% of those ages 12 to 19 are obese. Obese kids are at a greater risk of weight-related health problems such as high cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes, plus they have an increased chance of becoming obese adults.

Kids are considered overweight if they fall between the 85th and 94th percentile on body-mass index growth charts, which are weight-adjusted for height. They are obese if they are in the 95th percentile or above.

Professionals who work with overweight children say that the recommendation is long overdue and that more options are needed for such children and their families.

“There are millions of obese kids but probably only several hundred centers nationwide offering quality programs that meet the standards outlined in these recommendations,” says Melinda Sothern, director of pediatric obesity research at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. “Most of these are affiliated with universities or big hospitals. The programs are expensive if delivered by professionals, but they are less expensive than bariatric surgery later during adolescence.”

Parents seeking treatment for their obese child or teen need to carefully review program to make sure the professionals are trained to work with children, she says. “What works for adults doesn’t necessarily work for kids. They have developmental nutritional needs, and exercise has to be fun for them. It can’t be a boot-camp mentality.”

Keith Ayoob, associate professor of pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, says parents have to be involved with their children in any weight-management program. “Part of the problem is that where there are obese children, there are often obese parents.”

To make changes that really last, “parents often have to take a hard look at their own eating styles and how they may have morphed into less-than-healthy role models.”

If the entire family makes improvements, the payoff is huge, Ayoob says. “A whole family can get healthier when one child does.”

Pediatrician Sandra Hassink, who has run a childhood obesity clinic for 20 years at A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del., and is chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Obesity Leadership Work Group, says parents shouldn’t feel helpless. They can eliminate sugary beverages, reduce TV time and get the kids outside more.

“If a child is obese, parents need to get the child to the doctor to identify weight-related medical conditions such as sleep apnea, diabetes, liver disease, hip and knee problems and depression,” she says.

By Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY

Lets talk about sleep….

Some studies show that almost 30% of Americans get less than six hours of sleep at night. The research indicates that the body’s daily circadian rhythm hides the effects of chronic sleep loss and gives such people a second wind between about 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., when the circadian rhythm is pushing them to be awake. But then they fall off a cliff in terms of attention.

Staying up for 24 hours straight is bad enough, but the study shows that if you do that on top of having gotten less than six hours of sleep a night for two to three weeks, your reaction times and abilities are 10 times worse than they would have been just pulling an all-nighter, says Daniel Cohen, a neurologist at Harvard Medical School and lead author of the study in Wednesday’s Science Translational Medicine journal.

That’s dangerous for public health because many critical positions are held by people who have to stay up long hours, including doctors, paramedics, police officers and truckers.

Eve Van Cauter, a sleep researcher at the University of Chicago, calls the study “almost scary, because it really reveals that a large segment of the modern population may be at high risk of committing catastrophic errors, particularly in the middle of the night and the early morning hours.”

To put this in context, prior research has shown that staying awake for 24 hours in a row impairs performance on par with legal intoxication with alcohol (for driving), and six hours of sleep per night for two weeks causes a similar level of impairment as staying awake for 24 hours, Cohen says.

The study followed participants who each took up residence for 38 days at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. They had five days to catch up on sleep, then spent 21 days on a sleep cycle of about 33 hours awake and 10 hours asleep.

The study looked at three things: the number of consecutive hours awake, the number of days or weeks of chronic sleep reduction, and what time it was in the person’s day. “How those three factors combine determine how well we perform at any moment,” says Cohen.

“It’s very hard to cheat the sleep system. You will pay a price sooner or later,” says David Dinges, a professor of sleep studies at the University of Pennsylvania school of medicine. This research suggests “it takes longer to recover from sleep debts than has been believed in the past.”

This study shows for the first time in humans that sleep regulation is actually composed of at least two separate processes acting on different time scales. The short-term process causes performance to decline with each hour awake, and this process can be rapidly overcome with one extended sleep episode.

The long-term process builds over weeks of too-little sleep. It causes a faster decline in performance for each hour a person is awake, particularly during the biological late night, the equivalent of 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. It is unknown how many nights of good sleep it takes to recover from this longer-term component.

This work in humans parallels work in animals showing more than one mechanism that promotes sleepiness in the context of reduced sleep hours. The sleep-inducing chemical adenosine appears to increase with hours spent awake. Recently a second mechanism, which is affected by long-term sleep deprivation, has been found. In this, the number of receptors in the brain for adenosine increase as long-term sleep deficit becomes bigger.

In effect, the brain becomes sensitized to the effects of adenosine, and the same number of hours awake has a bigger impact on performance.

“Sleep appears to be a crucial process, and evolutionary mechanisms have evolved so that more than one mechanism kicks in to promote sleepiness,” says Cohen.  

Some people just aren’t in good enough shape to do it themselves, expert warns

(HealthDay News) — Take heed when digging out from the historic snowstorms of 2010: You can suffer serious injuries while shoveling if you don’t take the proper precautions.

“If you’re not a regular exerciser or you’re in poor physical shape, your body won’t be prepared for the stress of shoveling snow and you increase your chances of sustaining muscle pulls, back injuries and strains. Snow shoveling can also strain the heart and cause potentially life-threatening injuries, such as a heart attack,” Dr. Susan Wainwright, vice chair of the physical therapy department at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, said in a university news release.

Wainwright offered the following safety tips for those who plan to tackle the white stuff:

• Before you grab your shovel, prepare your body by doing a full warm-up, such as jogging in place, and stretching.
• Buy an ergonomically correct snow shovel. These types of shovels tend to be lightweight and have a contoured handle that’s designed to reduce bending and decrease lifting.
• Remember to practice the proper shoveling technique. Push the snow instead of lifting it. Don’t overload the shovel. If you do have to lift snow, never lift with your back. Instead, bend your knees and lift with your legs. Avoid twisting or throwing snow over your shoulder.
• Take a break every 15 minutes to stand up straight and walk around. Drink water to prevent dehydration and overheating.

Some people shouldn’t do any snow shoveling, Wainwright noted. Men and women over age 45, especially those who aren’t physically active or have a history of a heart condition, should find someone else to clear the snow.

“The heart is a muscle just like any other muscle in your body and when it gets strained, it shuts down because it can’t handle the increased load. Older adults who aren’t active tax their cardiovascular system when they start to shovel and this often results in heart attacks,” Wainwright explained.

“Snow shoveling doesn’t have to be back-breaking work, but we have to remember that it is hard work and we need to take precautions to avoid injury,” she concluded.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers winter health and safety tips.
– Robert Preidt

SOURCE: University of the Sciences, news release, Feb. 5, 2010

Good for the mind and body, series of studies finds

(HealthDay News) — Just in case the world needed more evidence on the matter, along come four new studies verifying that exercise is indeed good for you, even critical if you plan to survive to a vigorous, hardy and tough-boned old age.

All four studies appear in the Jan. 25 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

“I like to see this laid out, but every bit of information [already] suggests that being active is the healthier way and being inactive is the abnormal, unhealthy way,” said James O. Hill, professor of pediatrics and director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado at Denver. “Exercise is better than any drug or anything else we have for aging. There’s no downside. If this were a drug, it would be the safest, most effective drug in the universe.”

The first study, based on data from the Nurses’ Health Study in the United States, found that women who were more physically active during middle age were more likely to be “successful survivors” by the time they reach 70.

Even walking and other moderate-intensity exercises lowered the risk for chronic diseases, heart trouble and cognitive impairment, the study found. That’s good news for women intimidated by activities such as tennis or running.

“In terms of magnitude, walking and other moderate activities were almost equivalent to the benefit gained from more vigorous physical activity,” said study lead author Dr. Qi Sun, a research fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, adding that this finding was somewhat surprising.

The second study, also focusing on women, found that those who participated in a higher intensity exercise program four days a week had stronger bones and less chance of falling than women who were in a “well-being” program that included relaxation, along with flexibility, endurance and balance.

The ramped-up exercise program did not, however, reduce the risk of heart disease, said the German researchers.

Another study out of Germany found more evidence that exercise — either moderate or high-intensity — reduced the risk of cognitive impairment in men and women over the age of 55 over a two-year follow-up period.

And, finally, researchers in British Columbia, Canada, reported that women who practiced resistance training either once or twice a week had improved cognitive skills, but only in the areas of attention and conflict resolution, compared to women who focused on balance and toning activities.

The resistance training, which included leg presses on a resistance machine, had the added benefit of strengthening the quadriceps.

Surprisingly, women performing resistance training also experienced reductions in brain volume, a phenomenon normally linked with poorer cognitive function. This paradox needs more study, the study authors said.

An accompanying commentary in the journal pointed out that pretty much all physical ailments in later life result at least partly from lack of physical activity.

Meanwhile, exercise has been shown to improve arthritis, osteoporosis, heart disease, lung disease, cancer and many more woes.

“The bottom line,” said Sun, “is that, no matter what, if you can you should do some physical activity.”

By Amanda Gardner
HealthDay Reporter

More information

The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more on exercise and physical activity.
SOURCES: Qi Sun, M.D., Sc.D., research associate, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston; James O. Hill, Ph.D., professor, pediatrics, and director, Center for Human Nutrition, University of Colorado at Denver; Jan. 25, 2010, Archives of Internal Medicine

Activity plan based on enjoyment and fitness level works best, expert says

(HealthDay News) — For those feeling inspired by the performance of

athletes at the Winter Olympics, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association has some tips about how to get started on your own race to better fitness and endurance.

First, consider your level of physical fitness. A medical exam can help you figure out if you’re in appropriate shape to begin a new regimen or beef up the one you already have. If you’re not quite ready, consider a gradual introduction to an activity with the help of a doctor, athletic trainer or other professional.

Take time to think about your mind, not just your body. A 2008 study published in the Journal of Athletic Training found that mental and emotional toughness can help the performance of college athletes.

Setting goals is a good idea, but keep them realistic. And when you choose a sport, try one that you’ve enjoyed in the past or really want to try, and team up with a pal to keep you motivated.

Some other ideas: Daily and weekly plans can help keep you on track, but have a professional take a look at them to make sure they’re doable. And don’t let setbacks stop your progress.

“Identifying an activity you really enjoy and working towards a realistic goal is the true key to success,” Ralph Reiff, athletic trainer and director at St. Vincent Sports Performance in Indianapolis, said in a news release from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.

“Following the wins and losses of professional and Olympic athletes shows us that we can all have the ability to try and try again,” Reiff added. “Not only will you feel better when you find the activity that is right for you, but you will look better and improve your physical self and mental state of mind. Then, you can go for your own personal gold.”

More information

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has physical activity guidelines for adults.
– Randy Dotinga

SOURCE: National Athletic Trainers’ Association, news release, Feb. 11, 2010

Here’s where to find it

(HealthDay News) — Vitamin B12 helps maintain healthy blood and aids in making important proteins. People who don’t get enough can have memory problems or confusion, and are at greater risk of developing anemia, Children’s Hospital Boston says. The hospital mentions these dietary sources of vitamin B12:

• Poultry.
• Seafood and fish.
• Meat.
• Eggs.
• Cheese, yogurt and milk.
• Foods that are fortified with vitamin B12, such as certain breakfast cereals.

- Diana Kohnle

In addition to the above list, don’t forget, using Spark daily will not only provide your B Vitamins, but other much needed, very helpful vitamins, minerals and amino acids to provide mental clarity and increased natural energy!

If you’re not using Spark now, you need to begin immediately!

But the vitamin alone doesn’t offer significant protection, researchers say

(HealthDay News) — Daily supplements of calcium and vitamin D reduce the risk of fractures in women and men of all ages, even if they’ve suffered previous fractures, but vitamin D supplements alone don’t offer significant protection, a new study has found.

Researchers analyzed data from 68,517 people, average age 70, who took part in seven studies that looked at the effect vitamin D or vitamin D plus calcium had on reducing fractures.

The analysis revealed that vitamin D given alone in doses of 10 micrograms to 20 micrograms per day doesn’t prevent fractures. However, calcium and vitamin D given together reduce the risk of hip fractures, total fractures and possibly vertebral fractures.

The study, published online Jan. 12 in BMJ, called for additional studies of vitamin D, especially vitamin D given at higher doses without calcium.

There’s a growing consensus that a combination of calcium and vitamin D is more effective than vitamin D alone in preventing nonvertebral fractures, Opinder Sahota, of Queen’s Medical Center in Nottingham, England, wrote in an accompanying editorial.

Further research is need to determine the most effective dose, treatment duration and method of taking the calcium/vitamin D combination, Sahota said.

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases has more about calcium and vitamin D.

– Robert Preidt

SOURCE: BMJ, news release, Jan. 12, 2010