A new study in New Zealand has found that calcium supplements can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke amongst postmenopausal women.
Researchers at the University of Auckland conducted this study for a period of five years. During this period they studied 1,471 healthy postmenopausal women, who had been postmenopausal for more than five years. Of these 732 were given calcium supplements and 739 given placebos. They were followed up every six months for five years. The mean age of women in this study was 74 years.
For this study, researchers also checked hospital admissions record and reviewed all death certificates for study participants in order to identify any unreported events. Moreover the study excluded women who were receiving treatment for osteoporosis, already taking calcium supplements, or who were suffering from any major ongoing disease.
The findings as published in the latest issue of the British Medical Journal states that
31 out of the 732 women who were given calcium supplement suffered heart attacks, as against 21 women from the group of 739 women who were given placebo. Apart from this, 34 women from the calcium group and 25 women from the placebo group suffered strokes.
According to the researchers although the findings were not conclusive, the results of this study suggests that high calcium intakes might have an adverse effect on vascular health. Moreover researchers are of the opinion that if other studies also reveal similar results then the beneficial effects of calcium of bone will certainly be overshadowed. However, they are also of the opinion that the harmful effects of calcium should be balanced against the likely benefits of calcium on bone, particularly in elderly women
Studies such as these that highlights the detrimental effects of calcium on postmenopausal women, in fact questions the excessive importance given to calcium supplements for postmenopausal women. Till now it was believed that calcium supplements helps in maintaining bone health, and could also provide protection against vascular disease by lowering levels of LDL cholesterol, the so-called "bad cholesterol", in the blood. Hence calcium supplements were commonly prescribed to postmenopausal women. However, with such studies, the importance of calcium supplements on postmenopausal women needs to be reinvestigated.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Traffic Fumes - Dangerous to Unborn Babies
Everyday new evidences demonstrate the hazardous health effects of air pollution. A recent addition in this regard is the study, which states that exposure to heavy traffic exhaust fumes, can be detrimental to baby’s growth in the womb.
The researchers in Brisbane carried out this study. They carried out a study in order to demonstrate the effect of traffic fumes on the unborn baby. For this the ultrasound scans of 15,000 women who lived within 14 kilometer of the city center were analyzed. The findings of this study as published in the Environmental Health Perspectives Journal, concludes that pregnant women who lived closer to main roads carried smaller babies.
Speaking about this research Dr Adrian Barnett, a senior research fellow at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane highlighted some key findings from this study. According to Dr Barnett, the results were based on the average air pollution that a woman was exposed to during to her first four months of pregnancy.
As per Dr Barnett, this research has revealed some very striking results. The study has shown that higher exposure to traffic fumes during pregnancy, is likely to result in smaller babies. He further stated that having smaller babies has a lot of disadvantages as against heavier babies.
In this context he pointed out that over the years numerous studies have shown that heavier babies have a higher IQ (intelligence quotient) at age seven and lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes later on in adult life as compared to smaller babies.
According to Dr Barnett, the research has further brought into forefront two major pollutants namely sulfur dioxide and particulate matter that directly comes out of the car exhaust as the most harmful pollutants for the unborn baby.
When asked about the possible precautions which pregnant women can take in this regard, Dr Barnett, replied by saying that women should try and reduce their exposure to air pollution during pregnancy. He further suggested that during pregnancy instead of driving at a time when one is likely to get caught up in heavy traffic, it would be better to drive when the traffic is comparatively lower. In fact he also suggested of temporarily leaving work during your pregnancy.
The research carried out by Dr Barnett and is his team has certainly provided great insights into the effect of traffic fumes on the foetus, however, researchers say a more detailed study is needed to confirm these findings, as other lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking or alcohol consumption were not considered.
The researchers in Brisbane carried out this study. They carried out a study in order to demonstrate the effect of traffic fumes on the unborn baby. For this the ultrasound scans of 15,000 women who lived within 14 kilometer of the city center were analyzed. The findings of this study as published in the Environmental Health Perspectives Journal, concludes that pregnant women who lived closer to main roads carried smaller babies.
Speaking about this research Dr Adrian Barnett, a senior research fellow at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane highlighted some key findings from this study. According to Dr Barnett, the results were based on the average air pollution that a woman was exposed to during to her first four months of pregnancy.
As per Dr Barnett, this research has revealed some very striking results. The study has shown that higher exposure to traffic fumes during pregnancy, is likely to result in smaller babies. He further stated that having smaller babies has a lot of disadvantages as against heavier babies.
In this context he pointed out that over the years numerous studies have shown that heavier babies have a higher IQ (intelligence quotient) at age seven and lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes later on in adult life as compared to smaller babies.
According to Dr Barnett, the research has further brought into forefront two major pollutants namely sulfur dioxide and particulate matter that directly comes out of the car exhaust as the most harmful pollutants for the unborn baby.
When asked about the possible precautions which pregnant women can take in this regard, Dr Barnett, replied by saying that women should try and reduce their exposure to air pollution during pregnancy. He further suggested that during pregnancy instead of driving at a time when one is likely to get caught up in heavy traffic, it would be better to drive when the traffic is comparatively lower. In fact he also suggested of temporarily leaving work during your pregnancy.
The research carried out by Dr Barnett and is his team has certainly provided great insights into the effect of traffic fumes on the foetus, however, researchers say a more detailed study is needed to confirm these findings, as other lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking or alcohol consumption were not considered.
Eating Disorders - A Cause of Concern
The increase in the number of “figure conscious” youths, and the rising popularity of “size zero” models and celebrities is said to have an adverse effect on the body image of many youngsters. According to a spokesman for Beat, an eating disorder charity, these people are very vulnerable and the size zero images are certainly a contributory factor for eating disorders
Today a large number of people in the country are suffering from eating disorders. The gravity of problem of eating disorders gets highlighted from the Hospital Episode Statistics, which reveals that over the years there has been a significant increase in the number of patients with eating disorders. This is evident from the increase in the numbers of bed days which were taken up by patients suffering from eating disorders. In this regard the data on Health Service wards, in the year 2007, indicates that the numbers of bed days, which were taken up by patients suffering from eating disorders, increased up to 84,377 bed days as compared to 51,878 bed days in the year 2002.
Further more the hospital data also reveals that patients needing hospital treatment from eating disorders generally suffer anorexia or bulimia. In this regard, the hospital data reveals that the number of patient admitted with anorexia increased by 11% while that of bulimia increased up to 150% in the year 2006-2007 as compared to the admission number for the year 2005-2006.
Based on the hospital data, a gender wise study about eating disorder reveals that there has been a significant increase in the number of number of men suffering from eating disorders.
Highlighting the age factor in the context of eating disorders, the data revealed that, patients under the age of 15 accounted for 1/5th of the total number of patients admitted with eating disorder. Such kind of finding is also revealed from the study conducted by the British Pediatric Surveillance Unit, in a 13-month period to April 2006, which showed that around 206 children under 13 had been suffering from eating disorders.
Due to the increase in the number of eating disorders, last year the government announced a multimillion-pound grant to the Institute of Psychiatry to research into the problem of eating disorder.
Today a large number of steps are being taken to find solution to the problem of eating disorder. In this regard the Model Health Inquiry report, which investigated into the problem has put forth 14 non-binding suggestions, In fact it has also urged the London Fashion Week to consider forcing models to present medical certificates so as to prove that they did not have eating disorders.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Mardi Gras: From Fat Tuesday to Fasting
Some of us were unaware that yesterday, we were to throw caution to the wind in a whirlwind of eating, drinking, and partying. In a bayou country community outside of New Orleans, a particular Fat Tuesday run is explained by FoxNews as a wild send-off to the Catholic fasting season of Lent where participants walk through the countryside to gather ingredients for a communal gumbo that will be served at the end of the run. The average workday incorporates about a 30-minute express lunch hour, less the excitement of alcoholic beverages and costume.
Heart health and colon health were probably not the focus for many of us whether or not we celebrated Fat Tuesday. Exercise and diet choices that reduce belly fat will improve heart health. WebMD informs us that belly fat appears to boost inflammation and is linked to worse atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which makes heart attacks more likely. Though contradictory to Mardi Gras practices, advices from MayoClinic for cancer prevention of the colon include eliminating tobacco and alcohol use and eating a variety of healthy foods.
With the abundance of fad diets, it can be frustrating when trying to figure out where the main focus of our health and wellness should be. Periodic fasting can be just as good for the health as sharply cutting back on calories, even if the fasting doesn't mean eating less overall, USATODAY reported a few years ago. Regardless of the diet, fast, or lifestyle we choose, it will always be more difficult to resume after a day of feasts and parades.
Heart health and colon health were probably not the focus for many of us whether or not we celebrated Fat Tuesday. Exercise and diet choices that reduce belly fat will improve heart health. WebMD informs us that belly fat appears to boost inflammation and is linked to worse atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which makes heart attacks more likely. Though contradictory to Mardi Gras practices, advices from MayoClinic for cancer prevention of the colon include eliminating tobacco and alcohol use and eating a variety of healthy foods.
With the abundance of fad diets, it can be frustrating when trying to figure out where the main focus of our health and wellness should be. Periodic fasting can be just as good for the health as sharply cutting back on calories, even if the fasting doesn't mean eating less overall, USATODAY reported a few years ago. Regardless of the diet, fast, or lifestyle we choose, it will always be more difficult to resume after a day of feasts and parades.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Paper, Scissors, Rock, VOTE: Universal Healthcare
Republican or Democrat? Christian or Mormon? Black or White? Man or Woman? HMO’s or Universal Healthcare? Paper, Scissors, or Rock? How does the burden of healthcare, universal or not, place in the 2008 Presidential campaign.
Clinton outlines her American Health Choices Plan which will: offer new coverage choices for the insured and uninsured, lower premiums and increased security, promote shared responsibility, and ensure affordable health coverage for all through a fiscally responsible plan that honors our priorities. According to the Boston Globe, during a presidential spar between ’08 Presidential Candidates, “…she was open to stringent measures to bring about universal healthcare, including withholding money from people's paychecks.”
The first step of a plan for Massachusetts crafted under former Gov. Mitt Romney, involves getting all of those who are eligible for Medicaid to sign up with a goal to ease the burden on state-funded emergency rooms by giving the poor more access to preventative care.
Obama’s plan declares to be quality, affordable and portable coverage for all with a plan to cover uninsured Americans similar to the plan available to members of Congress. Participants in the new public plan and the National Health Insurance Exchange will be able to move from job to job without changing or jeopardizing their health care coverage.
"I'm eligible for veterans' care, because of having served in the military, and I'm most proud of that," McCain said in an interview. "I have the Senate health-insurance program, and I'm also part of my wife's supplementary insurance that she has." McCain does believe that insurance reforms should increase the variety and affordability of insurance coverage available to American families by fostering competition and innovation.
The plans are well-detailed but have yet to be initiated. With so many issues at hand, Americans will hopefully be voting more wisely than with leisurely method of paper, scissors, rock.
Clinton outlines her American Health Choices Plan which will: offer new coverage choices for the insured and uninsured, lower premiums and increased security, promote shared responsibility, and ensure affordable health coverage for all through a fiscally responsible plan that honors our priorities. According to the Boston Globe, during a presidential spar between ’08 Presidential Candidates, “…she was open to stringent measures to bring about universal healthcare, including withholding money from people's paychecks.”
The first step of a plan for Massachusetts crafted under former Gov. Mitt Romney, involves getting all of those who are eligible for Medicaid to sign up with a goal to ease the burden on state-funded emergency rooms by giving the poor more access to preventative care.
Obama’s plan declares to be quality, affordable and portable coverage for all with a plan to cover uninsured Americans similar to the plan available to members of Congress. Participants in the new public plan and the National Health Insurance Exchange will be able to move from job to job without changing or jeopardizing their health care coverage.
"I'm eligible for veterans' care, because of having served in the military, and I'm most proud of that," McCain said in an interview. "I have the Senate health-insurance program, and I'm also part of my wife's supplementary insurance that she has." McCain does believe that insurance reforms should increase the variety and affordability of insurance coverage available to American families by fostering competition and innovation.
The plans are well-detailed but have yet to be initiated. With so many issues at hand, Americans will hopefully be voting more wisely than with leisurely method of paper, scissors, rock.
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