.... eating commercial chicken meat. Yes, that is right. The athlete won the case hands down! To prove the case, eight men ate commercial chicken meat treated with the growth-promoting steroid (methenolone heptanoate) in amounts - and this is the worrying part - approved for use by the USDA.
Fifty percent of the samples collected 24 hours after consumption of the intramuscularly dosed chickens were confirmed positive. To think of all those chicken meals and nuggets prepared with commercial chicken..... Avoid!
To your abundant health,
Dr Ike
Functional Health Expert and Health Coach.
Reference:
Kicman AT, Cowan DA, Myhre L, Nilsson S, Tomten S, Oftebro H.Effect on sports drug tests of ingesting meat from steroid (methenolone)-treated livestock. Clin Chem. 1994 Nov;40(11 Pt 1):2084-7.
Saturday 26 February 2011
Saturday 12 February 2011
This can slow down mental decline.......
.... and that's even where there is a family history of Alzheimer's or dementia, or even after the onset of cognitive decline. So what is this improved lifestyle strategy? One word - exercise, and this is backed by credible research. Interesting, isn't it? The jocks actually end up smarter than the nerds who refuse to exercise! Don't believe it? Well, a team of researchers conducted a study involving:
1) an MRI brain scan, and
2) a treadmill test.
Results showed a significant link between physical fitness and greater volume of the hippocampus (the area of your brain that stores memory and that deteriorates with onset of Alzheimer's). Subjects with poor fitness levels showed more pronounced signs of hippocampal atrophy.
A new Alzheimer's study that also used MRI scans was recently conducted at the University of Pittsburgh.
Researchers recruited more than 400 older adult subjects — some with Alzheimer's, some with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and some with no signs of dementia. Physical activity was monitored, and each patient underwent two MRI brain scans approximately 10 years apart.
Of the results, the study's lead researcher, Dr. Cyrus Raji, said: "We found that walking five miles per week protects the brain structure over 10 years in people with Alzheimer's and [mild cognitive impairment] MCI, especially in areas of the brain's key memory and learning centres."
Mental examination scores dropped an average of five points over five years among patients with cognitive impairment who were physically inactive. But scores for physically active patients dropped only one point on average.
Dr. Raji also noted that patients who walked five miles per week showed slower decline in memory loss over five years.
There was also good news for the healthy, dementia-free subjects. Those who walked at least six miles per week maintained normal brain volume and significantly reduced their risk of cognitive decline.
Dr. Raji: "Volume is a vital sign for the brain. When it decreases, that means brain cells are dying. But when it remains higher, brain health is being maintained."
Dr. Raji and his colleagues will continue to test the subjects in this study for another 10 years. Their goal is to find other ways that might alleviate Alzheimer's progression and MCI symptoms. So, get walking and exercising - it is never too late to start!
To your abundant health,
Dr Ike
Functional Health Expert and Health Coach
References:
"New Research Shows that People with Better Physical Fitness Have Less Brain Atrophy" Alzheimer's Association, 7/27/08, alz.org
"Walking slows progression of Alzheimer's" Radiological Society of North America, Press release, 11/29/10, eurekalert.org
1) an MRI brain scan, and
2) a treadmill test.
Results showed a significant link between physical fitness and greater volume of the hippocampus (the area of your brain that stores memory and that deteriorates with onset of Alzheimer's). Subjects with poor fitness levels showed more pronounced signs of hippocampal atrophy.
A new Alzheimer's study that also used MRI scans was recently conducted at the University of Pittsburgh.
Researchers recruited more than 400 older adult subjects — some with Alzheimer's, some with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and some with no signs of dementia. Physical activity was monitored, and each patient underwent two MRI brain scans approximately 10 years apart.
Of the results, the study's lead researcher, Dr. Cyrus Raji, said: "We found that walking five miles per week protects the brain structure over 10 years in people with Alzheimer's and [mild cognitive impairment] MCI, especially in areas of the brain's key memory and learning centres."
Mental examination scores dropped an average of five points over five years among patients with cognitive impairment who were physically inactive. But scores for physically active patients dropped only one point on average.
Dr. Raji also noted that patients who walked five miles per week showed slower decline in memory loss over five years.
There was also good news for the healthy, dementia-free subjects. Those who walked at least six miles per week maintained normal brain volume and significantly reduced their risk of cognitive decline.
Dr. Raji: "Volume is a vital sign for the brain. When it decreases, that means brain cells are dying. But when it remains higher, brain health is being maintained."
Dr. Raji and his colleagues will continue to test the subjects in this study for another 10 years. Their goal is to find other ways that might alleviate Alzheimer's progression and MCI symptoms. So, get walking and exercising - it is never too late to start!
To your abundant health,
Dr Ike
Functional Health Expert and Health Coach
References:
"New Research Shows that People with Better Physical Fitness Have Less Brain Atrophy" Alzheimer's Association, 7/27/08, alz.org
"Walking slows progression of Alzheimer's" Radiological Society of North America, Press release, 11/29/10, eurekalert.org
Tuesday 8 February 2011
The Osteoporosis Drugs That Can Double Your Risk of Oesophageal Cancer - Part three
Hi there, this is the final part of my discussion of osteoporosis and it's prevention....
Vitamin D
Vitamin D can be found in eggs, milk and oily fish. However, most vitamin D is made in the skin in response to sunlight. A short exposure to sunlight, without sunscreen (10 minutes twice a day) throughout the summer should provide you with enough vitamin D for the whole year.
Certain groups of people may be at risk of not getting enough vitamin D. These include people who may be
- housebound or
- particularly frail,
-people with a poor diet,
- people who keep covered up in the sunshine because they wear total sun block or
- adhere to a certain dress code, and
- women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you are at risk of not getting enough vitamin D through your diet or lifestyle, you can take a vitamin D supplement. For adults, 10 micrograms a day of vitamin D is recommended. The recommended amount for children is 7 micrograms for babies under six months, and 8.5 micrograms for children aged six months to three years. Talk to your GP or health professional for more information.
Other useful healthstyle choices:
- quitting smoking: cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis.
- limiting your alcohol intake: the recommended daily limit is three to four units of alcohol for men and two to three units for women.
But the best prevention tip of all - start early to implement these strategies - from childhood. So start with your children - if you have them - from the beginning.Please spread the word!
To your abundant health,
Dr Ike
Functional Health Expert and Health Coach
References:
The Mayo Clinic
NHS Choices
Vitamin D
Vitamin D can be found in eggs, milk and oily fish. However, most vitamin D is made in the skin in response to sunlight. A short exposure to sunlight, without sunscreen (10 minutes twice a day) throughout the summer should provide you with enough vitamin D for the whole year.
Certain groups of people may be at risk of not getting enough vitamin D. These include people who may be
- housebound or
- particularly frail,
-people with a poor diet,
- people who keep covered up in the sunshine because they wear total sun block or
- adhere to a certain dress code, and
- women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you are at risk of not getting enough vitamin D through your diet or lifestyle, you can take a vitamin D supplement. For adults, 10 micrograms a day of vitamin D is recommended. The recommended amount for children is 7 micrograms for babies under six months, and 8.5 micrograms for children aged six months to three years. Talk to your GP or health professional for more information.
Other useful healthstyle choices:
- quitting smoking: cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis.
- limiting your alcohol intake: the recommended daily limit is three to four units of alcohol for men and two to three units for women.
But the best prevention tip of all - start early to implement these strategies - from childhood. So start with your children - if you have them - from the beginning.Please spread the word!
To your abundant health,
Dr Ike
Functional Health Expert and Health Coach
References:
The Mayo Clinic
NHS Choices
Friday 4 February 2011
The Osteoporosis Drugs That Can Double Your Risk of Oesophageal Cancer - Part two
Hi there,
Just to continue from yesterday... how can we prevent osteoporosis - as this can cause brittle bones, fractures and various metabolic problems? Here are some tips below:
Regular exercise
Regular exercise is essential. Try to do a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise, at least three to four times a week. Weight-bearing exercise and resistance exercise are particularly important in improving bone density and helping prevent osteoporosis.
If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or health specialist before you take up any new exercise activity, to make sure it’s right for you.
Weight-bearing exercises
Weight-bearing exercises are exercises where your feet and legs support your weight. High-impact weight-bearing exercises, such as running, skipping, dancing, aerobics and even jumping up and down on the spot, are all useful ways to strengthen your muscles, ligaments and joints. When exercising, wear footwear that provides your ankles and feet with adequate support, such as trainers or walking boots.
People over the age of 60 can also benefit from doing regular weight-bearing exercise. This can include brisk walking, keep-fit classes or a game of tennis. Swimming and cycling are not weight-bearing exercises.
Resistance exercises
Resistance exercises are exercises that use muscle strength, where the action of the tendons pulling on the bones boosts bone strength. Examples include press-ups, weight lifting or using weight equipment at a gym. If you have recently joined a gym or you have not been for a while, your gym will probably offer you an induction. This involves being shown how to use all the equipment and recommended exercise techniques. If you are unsure how to use a piece of equipment or how to do an exercise, ask a gym instructor for help.
Calcium
The amount of calcium you need to stay healthy changes over your lifetime. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends the following amounts of daily calcium from food and supplements:
* Up to 1 year old — 210 to 270 milligrams (mg)
* Age 1 to 3 years — 500 mg
* Age 4 to 8 years — 800 mg
* Age 9 to 18 years — 1,300 mg
* Age 19 to 50 years — 1,000 mg
* Age 51 and older — 1,200 mg
Dairy products are one, but by no means the only, source of calcium. Almonds, broccoli, spinach, cooked kale, canned salmon with the bones, sardines and soy products, such as tofu, also are rich in calcium.
If you find it difficult to get enough calcium from your diet, consider taking calcium supplements. The IOM recommends taking no more than 2,500 mg of calcium daily.
Tips will continue tomorrow......
To your abundant health,
Dr Ike
Functional Health Expert and Health Coach
Sources:
The Mayo Clinic
NHS Choices
Just to continue from yesterday... how can we prevent osteoporosis - as this can cause brittle bones, fractures and various metabolic problems? Here are some tips below:
Regular exercise
Regular exercise is essential. Try to do a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise, at least three to four times a week. Weight-bearing exercise and resistance exercise are particularly important in improving bone density and helping prevent osteoporosis.
If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or health specialist before you take up any new exercise activity, to make sure it’s right for you.
Weight-bearing exercises
Weight-bearing exercises are exercises where your feet and legs support your weight. High-impact weight-bearing exercises, such as running, skipping, dancing, aerobics and even jumping up and down on the spot, are all useful ways to strengthen your muscles, ligaments and joints. When exercising, wear footwear that provides your ankles and feet with adequate support, such as trainers or walking boots.
People over the age of 60 can also benefit from doing regular weight-bearing exercise. This can include brisk walking, keep-fit classes or a game of tennis. Swimming and cycling are not weight-bearing exercises.
Resistance exercises
Resistance exercises are exercises that use muscle strength, where the action of the tendons pulling on the bones boosts bone strength. Examples include press-ups, weight lifting or using weight equipment at a gym. If you have recently joined a gym or you have not been for a while, your gym will probably offer you an induction. This involves being shown how to use all the equipment and recommended exercise techniques. If you are unsure how to use a piece of equipment or how to do an exercise, ask a gym instructor for help.
Calcium
The amount of calcium you need to stay healthy changes over your lifetime. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends the following amounts of daily calcium from food and supplements:
* Up to 1 year old — 210 to 270 milligrams (mg)
* Age 1 to 3 years — 500 mg
* Age 4 to 8 years — 800 mg
* Age 9 to 18 years — 1,300 mg
* Age 19 to 50 years — 1,000 mg
* Age 51 and older — 1,200 mg
Dairy products are one, but by no means the only, source of calcium. Almonds, broccoli, spinach, cooked kale, canned salmon with the bones, sardines and soy products, such as tofu, also are rich in calcium.
If you find it difficult to get enough calcium from your diet, consider taking calcium supplements. The IOM recommends taking no more than 2,500 mg of calcium daily.
Tips will continue tomorrow......
To your abundant health,
Dr Ike
Functional Health Expert and Health Coach
Sources:
The Mayo Clinic
NHS Choices
Thursday 3 February 2011
The Osteoporosis Drugs That Can Double Your Risk of Oesophageal Cancer - Part one
This post applies specifically to those who are taking a bisphosphonate osteoporosis drug such as Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel, and others.
I REALLY hope that you never have to take these drugs. Because the more biphosphonates are researched, the worse results appear. New evidence reveals significant risk of potential life-threatening danger.
Big numbers...bad news
Have you ever wondered about those specific instructions that tell bisphosphonate users to drink a full glass of water and not lie down for 30 minutes after taking the drug?
Here's why...
If the drug isn't swallowed properly, it can irritate the oesophagus. If that happens too often, it can cause oesophagitis — inflammation of the oesophagus. According to Fosamax prescribing instructions, oesophageal ulcers and oesophageal erosions "occasionally with bleeding" may also occur.
So just getting this pill down your gullet is very serious business. But as bad as those side effects are, the long- range potential for damage with oesophagitis is MUCH worse.
A few years ago, Danish researchers reviewed more than 11,000 medical records and found that patients with oesophagitis were significantly more likely to develop oesophageal cancer - compelling evidence indeed.
Recognizing the importance of this potential link, a team of UK researchers examined medical records for more than 78,000 patients. As reported in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the UK team found that extended bisphosphonate use (about five years) nearly DOUBLED the risk of oesophageal cancer.
This is pretty horrifying when you consider that more than 20 million people have used Fosamax since it was introduced in the 90s. And that's just one brand of this very popular class of drugs.
I hope you'll share this e-mail with anyone you know who might be using or thinking about using a bisphosphonate drug for osteoporosis. Most importantly, they should know that once they've successfully swallowed their pills, that's when other serious dangers loom — especially when the drug is taken for several years.
So the pertinent question is - how can we prevent osteoporosis, and avoid taking these potentially dangerous drugs? I will discuss what we can do tomorrow...
To your abundant health,
Dr Ike
Functional Health Expert and Health Coach
References:
"Exposure to Oral Bisphosphonates and Risk of Esophageal Cancer" Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 304, No. 6, 8/11/10, jama.ama-assn.org
"Oral bisphosphonates and risk of cancer of oesophagus, stomach, and colorectum: case-control analysis within a UK primary care cohort" British Medical Journal, Vol. 341, No. 4444, 9/2/10, bmj.com
"Fosamax Allegedly Connected with Esophageal Cancer, Bone Breaks" Drug Alert, 9/9/10, drugalert.org
I REALLY hope that you never have to take these drugs. Because the more biphosphonates are researched, the worse results appear. New evidence reveals significant risk of potential life-threatening danger.
Big numbers...bad news
Have you ever wondered about those specific instructions that tell bisphosphonate users to drink a full glass of water and not lie down for 30 minutes after taking the drug?
Here's why...
If the drug isn't swallowed properly, it can irritate the oesophagus. If that happens too often, it can cause oesophagitis — inflammation of the oesophagus. According to Fosamax prescribing instructions, oesophageal ulcers and oesophageal erosions "occasionally with bleeding" may also occur.
So just getting this pill down your gullet is very serious business. But as bad as those side effects are, the long- range potential for damage with oesophagitis is MUCH worse.
A few years ago, Danish researchers reviewed more than 11,000 medical records and found that patients with oesophagitis were significantly more likely to develop oesophageal cancer - compelling evidence indeed.
Recognizing the importance of this potential link, a team of UK researchers examined medical records for more than 78,000 patients. As reported in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the UK team found that extended bisphosphonate use (about five years) nearly DOUBLED the risk of oesophageal cancer.
This is pretty horrifying when you consider that more than 20 million people have used Fosamax since it was introduced in the 90s. And that's just one brand of this very popular class of drugs.
I hope you'll share this e-mail with anyone you know who might be using or thinking about using a bisphosphonate drug for osteoporosis. Most importantly, they should know that once they've successfully swallowed their pills, that's when other serious dangers loom — especially when the drug is taken for several years.
So the pertinent question is - how can we prevent osteoporosis, and avoid taking these potentially dangerous drugs? I will discuss what we can do tomorrow...
To your abundant health,
Dr Ike
Functional Health Expert and Health Coach
References:
"Exposure to Oral Bisphosphonates and Risk of Esophageal Cancer" Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 304, No. 6, 8/11/10, jama.ama-assn.org
"Oral bisphosphonates and risk of cancer of oesophagus, stomach, and colorectum: case-control analysis within a UK primary care cohort" British Medical Journal, Vol. 341, No. 4444, 9/2/10, bmj.com
"Fosamax Allegedly Connected with Esophageal Cancer, Bone Breaks" Drug Alert, 9/9/10, drugalert.org
Tuesday 1 February 2011
Do you snore loudly?
Patients with sleep symptoms are at higher risk for developing metabolic syndrome, a prospective study found.
Difficulty falling asleep, snoring loudly, and unrefreshing sleep were significant predictors of metabolic syndrome. Snoring doubled the risk, while difficulty falling asleep increased the risk by 80%, Wendy Troxel, PhD, of the University of Pittsburgh, and colleagues reported in Sleep.
Loud snoring also was associated with doubled risks of other metabolic abnormalities, and remained a significant metabolic syndrome predictor after further apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) adjustment, whereas other sleep symptoms were only marginally significant, the researchers noted. Apnea means cessation of breathing, while hypopnea means shallow or reduced breathing.
The study evaluated 2,000 patients enrolled in an ongoing, community-based prospective heart health study. Patients were ages 45 to 74, and had no associated illnesses that could limit their life span to less than five years ie relatively healthy at the onset of the study.
Metabolic syndrome is a gateway for diabetes type two, thus snoring and other poor sleep symptoms could also predict development of diabetes, hence the importance of this study. So if you snore loudly etc, get yorself checked out thoroughly by a competent medical professional, and start acquiring healthy lifestyle habits - this may be a wake up call - no pun intended - and not just for your fed up loved ones!
To your abundant health,
Dr Ike
Functional Health Expert and Health Coach.
Reference:
Troxel WM "Sleep symptoms predict the development of the metabolic syndrome" SLEEP 2010; 33: 1633-1640.
Difficulty falling asleep, snoring loudly, and unrefreshing sleep were significant predictors of metabolic syndrome. Snoring doubled the risk, while difficulty falling asleep increased the risk by 80%, Wendy Troxel, PhD, of the University of Pittsburgh, and colleagues reported in Sleep.
Loud snoring also was associated with doubled risks of other metabolic abnormalities, and remained a significant metabolic syndrome predictor after further apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) adjustment, whereas other sleep symptoms were only marginally significant, the researchers noted. Apnea means cessation of breathing, while hypopnea means shallow or reduced breathing.
The study evaluated 2,000 patients enrolled in an ongoing, community-based prospective heart health study. Patients were ages 45 to 74, and had no associated illnesses that could limit their life span to less than five years ie relatively healthy at the onset of the study.
Metabolic syndrome is a gateway for diabetes type two, thus snoring and other poor sleep symptoms could also predict development of diabetes, hence the importance of this study. So if you snore loudly etc, get yorself checked out thoroughly by a competent medical professional, and start acquiring healthy lifestyle habits - this may be a wake up call - no pun intended - and not just for your fed up loved ones!
To your abundant health,
Dr Ike
Functional Health Expert and Health Coach.
Reference:
Troxel WM "Sleep symptoms predict the development of the metabolic syndrome" SLEEP 2010; 33: 1633-1640.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)