Health Education

Gym Seen

AH - that reminds me of my post of things seen at the beach - I miss the gulf coast of Florida. Anyways, if you read that one, you know I really am referring to observations not scenes... So I was in the Student Rec Center today - reading journal articles while moving - OH - BTW - one of the professors here at UNCG has the treadmill desk - so awesome. He can walk slowly while working on his computer. It isn't exercise really, but a way to prevent the deleterious effects of sitting too long. Anyways, this rec center is NOTHING compared to Lifestyles Family Fitness - where I was a member in Florida, but it is paid for with my dues, so hey - it is sort of , almost, but not really, free. The treadmills are very different than you see at most gyms or even for sale to take home. The are a little shorter and much narrower. The console is small enough for you to hug, though you cannot reach all the way around. Today, a young lady next to me had her speed up relatively high and had both hands gripping the top of the console. It is hard to explain in words but I must try. She was a tall, thin girl, nice long legs - her elbows were at her ribs and with her hands above, there was about a 45* angle or a Vee from her shoulder to elbow to hands. Her stomach was very close to the lower part of the console, where you push start, stop, enter etc. So her feet are flying, but barely touching the belt - she was indeed anchored with her hands. It was ALL I could do to not say anything. Here is what I would have said, "Girl - your arms are working way harder than your legs!" Take home message - don't hang on to the treadmill.

Gym Seen

AH - that reminds me of my post of things seen at the beach - I miss the gulf coast of Florida. Anyways, if you read that one, you know I ...

5:47 PM

Price Disparities

In the work that I do now, which is research or research review with regard to obesity and chronic disease, the term health disparity is often used. In fact, many government and philanthropist organizations offer grants to research entities who will work to end these disparities. The term basically means a significant difference in quality of health and quality of health care between certain groups. When looking at those who are OW(overweight) or obese, there is some difference in numbers based on race and income, but I do want to be very clear when I also say - there is NO group; eduction, income, gender, or race that has a majority of normal weight persons within its ranks. As a country the USA is over 66% OW/Obese - we are second to none. There is one reason and one reason only that a person or a population is OW - they eat too much. There are dozens of reasons however, that they eat too much and some are based on disparities. (others are culture, emotional, environmental, education, etc ) I have seen this before I have said this before but because I am studying it more these days, it pushes my buttons significantly. I was at a local grocery store and the items I wanted to buy were just too much money. I was not at Wal-mart. I didn't buy the mushrooms, I didn't buy the 100 calorie snacks. The 100 calorie snacks which I can find for 2.50 if I am lucky, were being sold for over 3 dollars at this store, but what put me over the edge were two separate snack packs near the registers. The packages had 4-6 servings of honey buns or danish - each pack was 99 cents. One had 250 cals and the other 310, one had 8 grams of saturated fat, the other 10. What is a low income person going to do in those situations? I wanted to call Michelle Obama and tell her to get herself down to NC right now and DO SOMETHING!! Ah - okay, that's all for today's rant...

Price Disparities

In the work that I do now, which is research or research review with regard to obesity and chronic disease, the term health disparity is oft...

5:40 PM

It’s THAT time again…..

<div><h3 id="start-widget-focus"><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/widgets/FluIQ/alt">Flu IQ</a></h3><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">     <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" height="500" id="widgetID" tabindex="0" title="widgetTitle" width="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.cdc.gov/widgets/FluIQ/fluIq_v2.swf"/><param name="quality" value="high"/><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="FlashVars" value="bg=ffffff"/><div style="width:auto"><img alt="Flu IQ Widget. Flash Player 9 is required." height="500" src="http://www.cdc.gov/widgets/FluIQ/FluIQ.jpg" width="300"/> Flu IQ Widget. <a href="http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/">Flash Player 9 is required.</a></div></object>     <a href="http://www.blogger.com/" id="end-widget-focus"></a></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWrffbzeAQXogYxPuFOQN0dKP-qt7CtTYsK0WS8jjYdk2zcJYesY_r9u6_Wwdn33_csuZdJxWLIRe5KXDvco_NMT0W90P96Xy06MO4pTzcP8OdLdgsXz4epNdFCunw66nGjBpcVEi5b0/s1600/Doc4.jpg" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522744344899845490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWrffbzeAQXogYxPuFOQN0dKP-qt7CtTYsK0WS8jjYdk2zcJYesY_r9u6_Wwdn33_csuZdJxWLIRe5KXDvco_NMT0W90P96Xy06MO4pTzcP8OdLdgsXz4epNdFCunw66nGjBpcVEi5b0/s320/Doc4.jpg" style="display: block; height: 115px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Every fall doctors and nurses talk about getting a flu shot and every year patients have lots of questions about the flu shot. What is it? Do I need it? Who shouldn’t get it? What’s with the nasal vaccine? Should my kids get it? Can it hurt me? So here are some answers! 1. What is in the Flu Vaccine? The flu vaccine is a medicine that is very similar to the influenza virus itself. When your body sees gets vaccinated your immune system learns how to fight off viruses that are like those in the vaccine. That way when you get exposed to the flu your body already knows how to handle it and you do not get sick. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5_n7D8Id3SP8pzDAIUZUdWewK_4OyKT-9DDhtyEz8JyWKMDMDknw4SzfHQpnN4BFCO3fPSt95pMNhnuJ_8Jk24Noq_5oAHbZslvELJpO3DH9-0YO3a3CJ9fShhyphenhyphenTODaSelN4iM1iZqCN/s1600/B00526_H1N1_flu_sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165px" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5_n7D8Id3SP8pzDAIUZUdWewK_4OyKT-9DDhtyEz8JyWKMDMDknw4SzfHQpnN4BFCO3fPSt95pMNhnuJ_8Jk24Noq_5oAHbZslvELJpO3DH9-0YO3a3CJ9fShhyphenhyphenTODaSelN4iM1iZqCN/s200/B00526_H1N1_flu_sml.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div> 2. What about the Swine Flu (H1N1)? Every year people at the United States Center for Disease Control try to figure out which flu viruses will be the worst and most dangerous. Last year they left one out, the H1N1 swine flu. That is why last year there were 2 different flu shots. This year they included the H1N1 swine flu into the regular seasonal flu vaccine. There are also other strains of flu in this year’s vaccine. 3. What is the Nasal Flu Vaccine (FluMist)? FluMist is actually a live flu that is changed so that it does not make you sick. It is a nose spray instead of a shot. You must be over age 2 and younger than 49 to get this form of flu vaccine. However, some people should not get this form of vaccine. Kids with asthma, and people with poor immune systems and risk for complications from flu as well as people who have close contact with other people who have poor immune systems. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5h60pF9D9Fy8WqhJ8hPE-85xd-geMuLQoRf0EPiFOIYNfZ-8ScH9EHs9RmSIRVoZd0YpgLdq1pJ3tnahY1NRLxgRexmLkaSw-Gd4awwheB3AVh2sUNsE_sexhQukMLmpU1kpPuN8X3og/s1600/doc3.bmp" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522743428013774498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5h60pF9D9Fy8WqhJ8hPE-85xd-geMuLQoRf0EPiFOIYNfZ-8ScH9EHs9RmSIRVoZd0YpgLdq1pJ3tnahY1NRLxgRexmLkaSw-Gd4awwheB3AVh2sUNsE_sexhQukMLmpU1kpPuN8X3og/s320/doc3.bmp" style="display: block; height: 194px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 193px;" /></a>4. Who should get it? See list<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/vax-summary.htm"> here</a> Odds are you should get a flu vaccine. The Center for Disease control includes more people every year in the group that should get vaccinated. Everyone who is over 6 months old who does not have a medical reason that they can’t get the vaccine should get it. People who are allergic to eggs can’t get the flu vaccine. Kids getting the flu vaccine for the first time need two doses!  <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5707a1.htm">Rates of infection are highest among children, but the risks for complications, hospitalizations, and deaths from influenza are higher among persons aged 65 years and older, young children, and persons of any age who have medical conditions that place them at increased risk for complications from influenza.</a> 5. But I got it LAST YEAR! I know! You have to get it EVERY YEAR. The pesky thing about the flu is it changes every year and so your flu vaccine from last year isn’t protecting you anymore. 6. Should I get it if I am pregnant, breast-feeding or trying to get pregnant? <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNYtpVMdIkdyMaIDTpkR-ZXMC1LwOFmqEv_GoeFT-CppDeqsOabyQu7lI23C9wdVWchSLu1Gyn93yRD2BUY6dc8uAugITFdVGvsmrW-wuyA08u2FSppHqALb_VO_zn_94o1X2cqit06w/s1600/Doc5.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522753180473321410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNYtpVMdIkdyMaIDTpkR-ZXMC1LwOFmqEv_GoeFT-CppDeqsOabyQu7lI23C9wdVWchSLu1Gyn93yRD2BUY6dc8uAugITFdVGvsmrW-wuyA08u2FSppHqALb_VO_zn_94o1X2cqit06w/s200/Doc5.jpg" style="display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a>YES! It is super important to get the flu vaccine when you are pregnant. For reasons that we don’t understand pregnant women are very susceptible to getting very sick and even dying from the flu. It makes many women nervous to get vaccines if they are pregnant but, there is no evidence that the vaccine hurts the baby.  In fact, not getting can result in harm to both mother and fetus!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">7. What happens if I don’t get it? </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If you do not get vaccinated there is a higher risk of getting <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/symptoms.htm">flu</a> and of having complications from the flu. The flu can cause serious medical problems and death. These include <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm#complicationsof">bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.</a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">8. Are there risks associated with getting the flu vaccine? <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/vaccine_safety.htm">Here's </a>safety information from the CDC  There are risks to the flu vaccine. There is a rare neurological problem called Guillain-Barré syndrome, which about 1 in 100,000 people will get with the flu vaccine. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">9. Who is contraindicated to get this? People with egg allergies; infants under 6 months; individuals who got Guillain Barre (neurologic disease) within six weeks of getting immunized; moderate or severe infection (with/without fever) People in this last category need to resolve their infection before they get immunized. SO WHERE DO I GET IT?  <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522753363253312994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDpn_i-e4l24c4PruQI4CM_CtZfHvGUzfEqpbLqxrRwJqLaYYCvBR1sPBGw5CXeAzQu_GNdn_pZa0Y8fkznCwnlIiERn5gOJ30-3M_rS4WPS7R_7mSDDEQiSn5RWgpc-0z9Tm29hOIfE/s200/Doc6.jpg" style="float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 141px;" />There are flu shots all over, if you have a doctor, call your doctor to ask abour flu shots. You may also be able to get one at work or school. They have flu shots in grocery stores and pharmacies as well!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zDOJgE1EfpGzCS10R-sxmisaC4t7tbFa8NDCLs4_BEmncCxzU3wcAsHjwul2zcpgmzTUL-YOhFW2-ae25nlAuEJ3k3st9UIZEXiG9h6jnLI3HyhdJaLZT7l9QEvzPXeYU-i0ITdV5vg/s1600/Doc7.jpg" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522757246668901042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zDOJgE1EfpGzCS10R-sxmisaC4t7tbFa8NDCLs4_BEmncCxzU3wcAsHjwul2zcpgmzTUL-YOhFW2-ae25nlAuEJ3k3st9UIZEXiG9h6jnLI3HyhdJaLZT7l9QEvzPXeYU-i0ITdV5vg/s200/Doc7.jpg" style="display: block; height: 153px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a></div> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So go get your flu shot….And Remember ….</div> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">                                                               The FLU ends with U! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flu.gov/?s_cid=seasonalFlu2010_019" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="The FLU Ends with U. Learn more: www.flu.gov"><img alt="The FLU Ends with U. Learn more: www.flu.gov" src="http://www.cdc.gov/images/campaigns/flu/2010/youngadult2_120x240.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; height: 240px; width: 120px;" /></a></div> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For more information on the flu vaccine and immunization try: </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.flu.gov/">http://www.flu.gov/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/flu/">http://www.cdc.gov/flu/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/medical/immunization_chart.html">http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/medical/immunization_chart.html</a></div>

It’s THAT time again…..

Flu IQ Flu IQ Widget. Flash Player 9 is required. Every fall doctors and nurses talk about getting a flu shot and every year pat...

11:02 AM

Un Naturally

You have been forewarned by yours truly that in the USA there is not a well thought out definition of all natural in regards to food labels. I have encouraged you to use common sense when reading a label to determine how truthful the "all natural" declaration may be. Legally the words only have to mean minimally processed. That is quite broad. Most foods found in boxes are far from unprocessed. Today Ben and Jerry's decided to stop calling its ice cream all natural after one of my favorite groups, The Center for Science in the Public Interest, called on them to do so. They have actually been harassing them for a little while. I see it as a good thing - I hope others will engage in truthful labeling. We shouldn't have to make it a very specific LAW for companies to follow - they should just do right. Check out CSPI's website for more and to read about the<a href="http://www.cspinet.org/nah/10foods_bad.html"> ten worst foods</a>!

Un Naturally

You have been forewarned by yours truly that in the USA there is not a well thought out definition of all natural in regards to food labels....

6:07 PM

Cariology

That is a real word! It is the study of cavities. Today I heard about a new approach in dentistry which involves treating tooth decay in the earliest stages, before the enamel is in need of drilling and filling. This must be the type of problem we have when the dentist tells the hygienist "keep an eye on number 7." Some dentists think that better brushing and fluoride is all that is needed in this case (oh and not consuming a lot of sugar), but others are using a technique in which mild acid is used to clear out the early decay and a resin is used to fill the holes left behind. You can read about it <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130070080">here</a>. I heard about it on the radio this morning and as I was listening I sort of giggled thinking that 100 years from now, the new civilized world is going to gasp at the thought of the barbaric drilling we poor fools endured!

Cariology

That is a real word! It is the study of cavities. Today I heard about a new approach in dentistry which involves treating tooth decay in t...

6:29 PM

Odds and Ends

I think that the best I can do for the odds and ends this week (because I am too stubborn to admit that I just can't do them), is to share a few websites or links that I came across this week during my research review. All I have time for it seems, is research reviews - and hey, that is why I am here! :) [ okay - I did go to a dance workshop on Sat and Sun - but I studied during the lunch breaks!] First an article by my favorite expert - i.e. legitimate source of health information - I haven't even read this yet, but it is on my list. It is titled, <a href="http://www.med-ed.virginia.edu/courses/biochem/pdf/whatToEat.pdf">What Should We Eat</a>? Here is an article about <a href="http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/reprint/21/6/142?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&title=obesity+politics&andorexacttitle=and&andorexacttitleabs=and&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT">government's role </a>in the obesity issue. Ok, this is the website for the <a href="http://smallstep.gov/">Small Step </a>program which is to assist you in doing little things to improve your health. What is great and may not be there when you visit the site is a memo pad for the tip of the day which says, "Don't Skip Meals!" So please - do yourself a favor - eat often, but eat small. This links to a very startling report from the OECD which predicts that in the year 2020, the USA will have an overweight obese rate at 75%. <a href="http://www.oecd.org/document/35/0,3343,en_21571361_44315115_46064099_1_1_1_1,00.html">This report </a>compares countries. Mexico is second only to the USA. This information is the most up to date I have seen. This last webpage is for the <a href="http://www.preventionscience.org/">Society for Prevention Research </a>which would appear to be one in which yours truly would find a nice fit. There is a good chance that one of my professors will be allowing me to attend the conference in May of 2011 with his entourage and I am stoked!

Odds and Ends

I think that the best I can do for the odds and ends this week (because I am too stubborn to admit that I just can't do them), is to sha...

6:22 PM

Beware Your Popular Friends

Okay - I only know this and have time to say it because I told the instructor for the class I am helping with, epidemiology, that this article I read might lead to a good activity for the students. And guess what he said? Basically, "make it happen." Sigh. Researchers tracked flu cases last year. The study involved college students at Harvard. Students named their friends, and whoever they named were expected to have even more friends because they would be the popular people. Well, if the BMOC gets sick, a lot of people would be exposed to him. The researchers must have identified the popular folks and when they tested positive or went to the health clinic with flu symptoms, the scientists predicted that a little outbreak would occur a week later. They were right!

Beware Your Popular Friends

Okay - I only know this and have time to say it because I told the instructor for the class I am helping with, epidemiology, that this artic...

6:16 PM

Take Back Campaign

Tomorrow or Today - by which I mean Saturday 9/25/10 - over 4000 sites in the USA will be offering prescription drug take back services. This is a way to get unused, expired or unneeded prescription drugs out of your cabinets and away from anyone who might abuse them - such as your children. Prescription drug abuse is a problem for both adults and children and the Partnership for a Drug Free America claims that the number one source of these drugs (for kids) is the medicine cabinets of ones own parents or the parents of their friends. The take back program is possible due to several recent legislations and it is being coordinated by the DEA. The DEA claims that prescription drugs are the first high for 2500 hundred kids a day. They are as popular as marijuana and it appears, easier to access. Another point about these drops offs, which was noted in an article by Pete Yost of the AP, is that the drugs will be properly disposed of, incinerated, and not get into our treatment facilities or ground water. I strongly encourage you to clean out your cabinets and just as strongly urge you not to put those pills in the trash, sink or toilet. To learn more about take backs and drop offs, visit this <a href="http://www.justice.gov/dea/index.htm">link.</a>

Take Back Campaign

Tomorrow or Today - by which I mean Saturday 9/25/10 - over 4000 sites in the USA will be offering prescription drug take back services. Thi...

5:46 PM

Bug Free Milk?

A national campaign exists to encourage breast feeding to at least six months of life, if not longer. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists lists these reasons to breast feed on its website: -The colostrum—a yellow, watery pre-milk—that breasts make for the first few days after birth help newborn's digestive system grow and function. -Breast milk has antibodies that help a baby's immune system fight off sickness. Babies who are breastfed also have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, allergies, and colic. -The protein and fat in breast milk are better used by the baby's body than the protein and fat in formula. -Babies who are breastfed have less gas, fewer feeding problems, and often less constipation than those given formulas. -Breastfed babies have a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Let me add one more - your own breast milk is highly unlikely to be recalled because of a bug infestation as was Abbott's Similac Formula - this past week. One news reporter stated that the contaminated products were not life threatening and that babies would JUST get an upset stomach maybe and then not want to eat. Are you kidding me? Who would give their baby milk with insect parts in it. Sigh - all processed foods have the potential for contamination on top of how poor their nutrient content usually is -

Bug Free Milk?

A national campaign exists to encourage breast feeding to at least six months of life, if not longer. The American Congress of Obstetricians...

6:13 PM

Salmon

I expect that those who have been reading me for the last five or so years are wondering why I am not weighing in on the great genetically modified/altered salmon debate. The reason is that I do not like to write about things I haven't explored thoroughly. I am not as free to explore myriad topics these days with all the other readings on my agenda. It is possible my head could explode. I did hear a little bit on the Diane Rehm Show today and I have a link for an <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129939819">NPR story</a>. What I hope is that you will do a little reading on your own for this one. I can say that the FDA is tasked with determining if the labeling has to indicate that it is a GM (genetically modified) food. A company does not have to make that distinction UNLESS the GM food is substantially different from the non GM food and or could cause health problems because of this new production practice. So the question regards how this fish compares to wild or farm raised salmon. The debate I heard this morning was pretty interesting. The problem the two scientists argued over was whether or not the data was good. The concerns are about allergens, growth hormones and insulin-like growth factor number one. IGF-1 is studied in regard to cancer. There is also concern for the environment on several levels. I was able to follow some of this because of the epidemiology and environmental health classes I have taken in the past. Diane Rehm spoke up and asked how in the world the consumer was supposed to understand the "data" validity, and such. I actually did find a link to the transcript to the show. I think you should <a href="http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-09-22/pros-and-cons-genetically-altered-salmon/transcript">take a look</a> and if you like you can listen to the pod cast instead. It was great to hear Diane speak up for us! Oh, the fish is supposed to have all the good things we want in our salmon, i.e. those Omega 3s. I myself will wait on this one.

Salmon

I expect that those who have been reading me for the last five or so years are wondering why I am not weighing in on the great genetically m...

3:57 PM

Pump Often

I forced some time into my evening and went to a short bicycle seminar. The class covered changing or repairing a flat, lubricating chains and cables and keeping the bike clean. All of these things can prolong the life of the bike and its parts which will reduce the risk of accident and injury. As I have already had maintenance and crash issues, I thought it wise to go to the class. I think the most important thing to tell you, as I can't show you anything, is that a common cause of a flat is low tire pressure. When the pressure is too low and you hit a curb, for example, the rim can pierce the tube. Thus it is recommended that you put air in your tires every time you ride, even daily. Or at least check them every time. Air can leak out just from time, but also when the temperature cools, like it does in automobile tires. You should also have a decent pump which will cost around 30 dollars and last longer than a cheaper one. I took my free class at REI.

Pump Often

I forced some time into my evening and went to a short bicycle seminar. The class covered changing or repairing a flat, lubricating chains a...

4:54 PM

Punting

Punting

Friends - today has been too much - aaack - going to punt this one to Harvard School of Public Health - home of my favorite health promoter,...

6:43 PM

Active Lifestyle May Help Counter Obesity Genes

<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjvktSDGla2EjkNJFOpyvlAGniG6cnZsiUxmbIb2yuhDf5Dlp7Ktz7Q-jKmrf9G1tNjTeta7nOsD7Qs_M2hm_SZZisA0Emv1ZD57H4IaoPVsU55dmcMSfyCD6mo3JxTcqXysRuq0e5p3a/s1600/aim_biking_hdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjvktSDGla2EjkNJFOpyvlAGniG6cnZsiUxmbIb2yuhDf5Dlp7Ktz7Q-jKmrf9G1tNjTeta7nOsD7Qs_M2hm_SZZisA0Emv1ZD57H4IaoPVsU55dmcMSfyCD6mo3JxTcqXysRuq0e5p3a/s320/aim_biking_hdr.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">TUESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Exercise can reduce a person's genetic predisposition to obesity by 40 percent, finds a new English study.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Researchers looked at 20,430 people in Norwich and focused on genetic variants known to increase the risk of obesity. Most people had inherited 10 to 13 of these variants from their parents, but some had more than 17 while others had fewer than six.</div>The participants also provided information about their levels of physical activity. Overall, each additional obesity-related genetic variant was associated with an increase in body mass index (BMI) equivalent to 445 grams (0.98 pounds) for a person 1.70 meters (5 feet, 6 inches) tall. BMI is a measurement that takes into account a person's height and weight. <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7C0PKq2bMYaGNF5RvtU7p_TBycNq1ps3d8kwdoyPgQ6n91H-8SYl8fNNgJHLOebIX4lQ_gZfFGKpsjHqY6XVRFf11zpv9RlYANfD6nXc7VuFhJhi2UPQT7jd3Uw6qYmVAWhDLE-bEDR6t/s1600/bmi-calculator-index.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7C0PKq2bMYaGNF5RvtU7p_TBycNq1ps3d8kwdoyPgQ6n91H-8SYl8fNNgJHLOebIX4lQ_gZfFGKpsjHqY6XVRFf11zpv9RlYANfD6nXc7VuFhJhi2UPQT7jd3Uw6qYmVAWhDLE-bEDR6t/s320/bmi-calculator-index.gif" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">However, this effect was greater in sedentary people than in active people, the researchers found. For those with a physically active lifestyle the increase was 379 grams (0.84 pounds) per genetic variant. That's 36 percent less than the increase of 592 grams (1.3 pounds) per genetic variant for inactive people.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The researchers also found that each additional obesity susceptibility variant increased the odds of obesity by 1.1-fold. But this risk was 40 percent lower for active people compared to inactive people, the findings revealed.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The study shows that adopting a healthy lifestyle can benefit people at increased genetic risk of obesity, the authors explained.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCigj_1oZJ5h23af8spRaN1Cjyr0jIh9ZRW5lKDQtFQKyMfgocMnq8K8QP3d-gGzYdZ4wkapXsuSPOTRg3g-frxWni6fg9dsz1rGrvXjcg2la0-NV9QLZj1udhxsZMR3QiIg67IMn0XRA/s1600/ruth_loos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCigj_1oZJ5h23af8spRaN1Cjyr0jIh9ZRW5lKDQtFQKyMfgocMnq8K8QP3d-gGzYdZ4wkapXsuSPOTRg3g-frxWni6fg9dsz1rGrvXjcg2la0-NV9QLZj1udhxsZMR3QiIg67IMn0XRA/s320/ruth_loos.jpg" /></a>"Our findings further emphasize the importance of physical activity in the prevention of obesity," “Our research proves that even those who have the highest risk of obesity from their genes can improve their health by taking some form of daily physical activity. People don’t have to run marathons to make a difference either - walking the dog or working in the garden all counts. It goes to show we’re not complete slaves to our genetic make-up and really can make a big difference to our future health by changing our behaviour." <a href="http://www.mrc.ac.uk/Newspublications/News/MRC007192">Dr. Ruth Loos, of the Medical Research Council's epidemiology unit in Cambridge</a> and colleagues wrote in the August 31st 2010 article published online in PLoS Medicine.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">CHECK OUT: </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute offers a <a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/phy_act.htm">Guide to Physical Activity.</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Download  BMI calculator <a href="http://apps.usa.gov/bmi-app/">here</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Women and overweight obesity <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/women/az/overwght.htm">data info here</a> and <a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/obesity.html">resources </a>here</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuBYREefDRNbcPVxs1gu4VBiXxplDmS21opnNRgcuId1vkIMUim4-q665kdRDNQeBMfjhNcOScPQKtXZAgYhORorq6CXYMEfD_ZhVXbLgW9kK_yytceuO88DNehTGG6CdRuCCCcMwLT9k/s1600/2008percenttimeleisure.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuBYREefDRNbcPVxs1gu4VBiXxplDmS21opnNRgcuId1vkIMUim4-q665kdRDNQeBMfjhNcOScPQKtXZAgYhORorq6CXYMEfD_ZhVXbLgW9kK_yytceuO88DNehTGG6CdRuCCCcMwLT9k/s320/2008percenttimeleisure.gif" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">                  Women lag in time spent in leisure activity (weights, calisthenics) as compared to men,  2008 data</td></tr> </tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div></div>

Active Lifestyle May Help Counter Obesity Genes

TUESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Exercise can reduce a person's genetic predisposition to obesity by 40 percent, finds a new English...

2:12 PM

Odds and Ends

Weights on the Greenway: I cannot let go of this pet peeve and think that I will eventually have to coordinate some type of public service health promotion announcement at trail heads. Weight lifting is meant to be done when you are still. That does NOT mean that you cannot interweave it with cardio bursts, or that you cannot do multi joint exercises. It means if you are walking, running or taking a step aerobics class while carrying weights you are making a mistake that can cost you valuable cartilage while providing negligible results. The worst thing this week was that I saw a very attractive, seemingly fit guy doing overhead presses with weights while walking a 2 mile green way course. KFC: This is actually something I heard a few weeks ago on the radio. Someone was talking about the fact that few people today realize that there was a real person associated with Kentucky Fried Chicken and that they don't even call it Kentucky Fried Chicken anymore. The person on the radio blamed it on people not caring about Kentucky. I don't know where he got that. The reason it is referred to as KFC is because they are trying not to say FRIED. In fact, the next time you see a KFC, look at the sign, it says Kentucky Grilled Chicken. Really. Produce Bags: How cool this is. On the thin bags that we put our fresh produce in at the grocery store, at least in a Walmart in NC, the USDA slogan, Fruits and Veggies - More Matters was written on the bags! Money: It is a sad sad thing that whole wheat breads cost at least one dollar more than white breads. Now tell me that people who make less money have easy access to healthy foods. Capri Sun: Don't be fooled by the ad. The fact that it is 100% juice does not mean you should give it to your kids. Better for them that you give them a glass of water and a 70 calorie orange than 15 grams of sugar and NO fiber to slow it down. Bisphosphinates: I am surprised that this week another study pointed to unexpected and unusual femur fractures in persons on drugs like fosomax more than five years, when a few months ago, we were told NOT to worry about those outcomes. Preferences: Just something I know about myself that I wanted to share. When it comes to an injury my first preference is always ice and massage as opposed to medicine and rest.

Odds and Ends

Weights on the Greenway: I cannot let go of this pet peeve and think that I will eventually have to coordinate some type of public service...

5:02 PM

October Fest

I spent most of this evening trying to remember what I heard today that I wanted to share in the blog - and finally, it came to me. Oktober Fest is nearing and in Germany it will be the 200th Anniversary of the event - which includes drinking a lot of beer in tents that are set up outside. This is the LAST year that smoking will be allowed in these tents, in Bavaria, a southern state in Germany. Germany has a smoking rate about ten percent higher than that of the USA in both men and women. It is a significant 30+ percent. It is surprising then that the law passed, but pass it did (that is what happens when the smokers don't come out to vote!). This German state joined many others by banning smoking in cafes, bars and restaurants. Next year, add tents to that list. YEAH!!!! I can go to the Oktoberfest and breathe easy.

October Fest

I spent most of this evening trying to remember what I heard today that I wanted to share in the blog - and finally, it came to me. Oktober ...

5:53 PM

the Whole Patient

Oh so briefly, on Science Friday today a scientist from The University of Chicago School of Medicine discussed research they were conducting with medical students and residents (doctors not yet on their own). The outcome of interest is whether or not physicians will ask patients about life events during their clinical exams AND incorporate the answers into the plan of care. For example, if a patient indicates that things have been hard lately because of X, does the doctor say, 'sorry to hear that', or 'tell me more.' The intervention was adding a class to the med student curriculum for one group while another group just had the stand classes. The experimental group did spend more time with patients and ask more about their LIFE. I was interested in the idea of changing behavior by educating or teaching a skill to those not yet in practice vs trying to teach doctor's who are already treating patients. The scientist thought that they would have better success teaching the students and I think he is right. It is the same premise that I am engaging when I say we need to teach CHILDREN very early about nutrition and calories, etc. I think that the parents will be somewhat affected by the children, but not enough to solve the problem. I am okay with doing my work now and waiting a generation to see the full positive outcomes. Here is a <a href="http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/201009171">link</a> to SciFri. It was an interesting show. Especially since the second part included a guest from Union College in Schenectady NY. I was born in that city and my brilliant, beautiful, athletic niece is a Union student :). (oh, one of my nieces, as I have dozens!)

the Whole Patient

Oh so briefly, on Science Friday today a scientist from The University of Chicago School of Medicine discussed research they were conducting...

4:54 PM

Fat Suckers

I took a minute away from grading papers to open a newspaper. I had four unpoened ones on my couch. The WSJ had a story about fat cells. Apparently, the FDA has lost all sense of reason and has approved two devices that are meant to remove subcutaneous fat cells from the body (the kind just under the skin that we don't like to see on our body). Visceral fat, the kind that settles around the organs as we age and if we become obese, is the fat that does us harm. Subcutaneous fat just looks bad and if one continues to eat more than they burn (need), it will just come back. There is concern about procedures that remove fat as fat cells actually have special roles to play in the body and this type of manipulation can really mess up that delicate balance. It also always amazes me what expensive, uncomfortable, often futile and invasive things a person will do to avoid changing the way they eat. The real point I wanted to make today is that in the article about the new procedures it was said that the fat will come back unless the person eats less OR exercises more. The wrong message again - because when you compare eating fewer calories only to exercise only - the weight loss occurs in the eat fewer calories, but if you do BOTH, the person loses MORE calories or loses them quicker. Exercise alone is not a strong weight loss strategy but it does significantly improve mood. Back to work now....

Fat Suckers

I took a minute away from grading papers to open a newspaper. I had four unpoened ones on my couch. The WSJ had a story about fat cells. A...

5:39 PM

Calories Vs Nutrients

Just thought I better make this clarifying point because I do not want to misrepresent my own knowledge and beliefs. I am trying to make a clear distinction between factors that impact weight and those that impact health - of course there can be overlap. But as I have said before a calorie is a calorie. Too many of them lead to weight gain, just the right amount will maintain a weight and less than is needed should lead to weight loss. Weight alone is NOT an adequate indicator of HEALTH. If one eats a pretty safe 1700 calories a day - their weight should be stable (many things considered) but if they are 1700 calories of steak - high cholesterol and subsequent problems could follow. IF they are all sugar calories, then insulin resistance and eventually diabetes may follow. If a person eats 1700 calories of plant based foods and good fats, but never exercises, they could still be at risk for certain cancers. With my research, I intend to point out that weight control is related to calories more than anything else and that point needs to be clear in the messages we (public health experts) send.

Calories Vs Nutrients

Just thought I better make this clarifying point because I do not want to misrepresent my own knowledge and beliefs. I am trying to make a c...

5:38 PM

Epiphany

I struggled with my obesity issue last night. I was reviewing my old papers and other people's papers and the same old data bases and the government's websites and feeling that something was OFF. For starters, I didn't understand WHY I was doing this again - I already know what is going on, the extent of the problem, the diseases its causes, the economic impact, what the government thinks, what non profit agencies think, what local agencies and their coalitions think and STILL the numbers of obese people and amount of preventable disease in our country just keeps rising. I went to sleep overwhelmed and frustrated. I awoke thinking maybe this afternoon I could sit down and really get into this again. Then I went for a run and had my epiphany. Everything we read about obesity frames it around three behaviors. This is true in statements from the President and First Lady, the Health and Human Services Secretary, and the Surgeon General. If they say it, then the federal agencies (DHHS, CDC, NIH, etc) say it and the nonprofits say it and the research dollars and grants go to these three areas - You know what they are: consumption, physical activity and sedentary behavior. Those are the triumvirate of the prevention model for this country. Remember that Harris Interactive Poll I mentioned Sunday? People believe that IF they are overweight it is because __________ Seriously - what is the answer we have all come to accept and desperately want to believe? (no not genetics :)) People think that they are overweight because they do not get enough exercise. They think IT because someone is perpetuating the myth that the best way to maintain a healthy weight is through exercise and that is NOT confirmed in the science. It seems that even public health experts don't want to EAT LESS. Physical activity and exercise are absolutely key to preventing disease states and disease progression but they are NOT the gold standard for weight maintenance. And that my friends, is the theme for my class paper :) You should have seen me explaining this to my professor - talk about passion :) I realized that none of my strategies, as good as I like to think they are, will work if people think calories don't count!

Epiphany

I struggled with my obesity issue last night. I was reviewing my old papers and other people's papers and the same old data bases and t...

5:47 PM

Back to Task

For those of you who were unable to open the links from yesterday's post - this time, it was NOT your computer - it was me. I believe they are fixed now. When I got to campus today my blackberry was missing. I rode my bicycle. The good news is I found it about 1/4 of a mile from where I was. The bad news? It was in the middle of the road with the screen badly damaged. Upshot - have to buy a new smart phone. I am establishing a planning committee for my doctoral program and dissertation. The professor I met with today wants me to start with a problem analysis. Of course my problem is obesity ( ha ha - not my personal problem). I have to update my data from three years ago and from FL to NC. I did notice just now that the latest information for state childhood obesity rates has NC and FL just tenths of a point a part at 18.6 and 18.3. Mississippi is the worst state in the union at over 21%. Curious about your state? Click <a href="http://healthyamericans.org/states/states.php?measure=overwieght&sort=data">here</a> for the Trust of America's Health report. BTW, I have been so entrenched in tobacco these last few years that I am having trouble not feeling completely overwhelmed. Oh and then, I have to go find a phone in my spare time - Its gonna be funny one day -

Back to Task

For those of you who were unable to open the links from yesterday's post - this time, it was NOT your computer - it was me. I believe t...

5:41 PM

Odds and Ends

Without preamble or follow through - a few notes 3 Ms - Received an email newsletter sometime this week. I wasn't able to spend much time with it, but it suggested that we consider these three Ms with regard to our eating. We should maximize variety, flavor and plant based foods, Moderate calories and meats and Minimize fats and sugar. Survey - I am not sure how much validity this survey would have nor why I should trust the <a href="http://www.harrisinteractive.com/NewsRoom/HarrisPolls/tabid/447/mid/1508/articleId/558/ctl/ReadCustom%20Default/Default.aspx">Harris Interactive Poll</a>, however, intuitively, the results make sense, do not surprise me and validate my professional objectives. An online poll (excluding millions of people right there) of a couple thousand adults showed two important things. People do not accurately perceive their own weight status and when they do see themselves as overweight or obese, they blame inactivity not overconsumption. Remember, physical activity is a strong mediator for health whereas calories are related to weight. CDC - another report - we are not eating enough fruits and vegetables. Let me encourage you to eat more plant based foods and to serve more as well. Fruits and vegetables contain nutrients and chemicals, sometimes called phytochemicals that can reduce the risk of some cancers. They are also - usually - lower in calories than many other foods. The CDC conducts a telephone survey where they ask Americans about their fruit and vegetable intake. The <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5935a1.htm?s_cid=mm5935a1_w">latest data </a>is from 2009 where over 75% of us report eating less than five servings of F&V a day. Vital Signs - Wow it is already another month. The report this month is on tobacco. You can see it <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/vital_signs/index.htm">here.</a> Now - make your exercise plans for the week and fill your lunch box - YES, bring your lunch - with low calorie but nutritious foods.

Odds and Ends

Without preamble or follow through - a few notes 3 Ms - Received an email newsletter sometime this week. I wasn't able to spend much ti...

4:51 PM

Electronic Cigarettes Revisited

I had the chance to open a newspaper this week. Actually, I keep putting a hold on the paper and then letting it start again only to realize that I still do not have time to read it. I am glad that I opened it yesterday, it being the Wall St Journal, because there was an update on a topic I have often educated on. The electronic cigarette. The e cigarette is a devise that is sold on line and at mall kiosks. A battery heats up the a liquid cartridge of nicotineand then releases a vapor. When I last spoke about it, I noted that if the e - cigarette is either a new tobacco product or a nicotine delivery device. It clearly is the second of the two and in that case it is a drug. The FDA has long been the agency to regulate the sale of drugs (1938) and in so doing, they mandate that clinical trials be completed and approval granted before a drug can be sold. There are five known electronic cigarette peddlers and they have all received letters from the FDA warning them that they are in violation of the law and MUST present the safety data on these devices. I personally know several people who own these. They know my feelings against them - namely , there are no clinical trials for me to review which would attest to safety and efficacy. I recall telling these same people a few months ago, that the devices WOULD be pulled from the shelves so they better get all the supplies they could.

Electronic Cigarettes Revisited

I had the chance to open a newspaper this week. Actually, I keep putting a hold on the paper and then letting it start again only to realiz...

5:06 PM

Anti-HIV gel is declared breakthrough for women

<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYXpKlQ9uprNlNzFsaMvjQgn_S6KvpTPhkdpvpKn2RjUlquo8kJmMOBv_Sn83rgOnCNg_oPD7rTkEgUk2JnQC6ZjrkGGdgF1FiLOvopOU5aO5g7Vwga1JbpbTzgiD6oiUXj03928EJBpP/s1600/vaginal-gel-for-AIDS-300x199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYXpKlQ9uprNlNzFsaMvjQgn_S6KvpTPhkdpvpKn2RjUlquo8kJmMOBv_Sn83rgOnCNg_oPD7rTkEgUk2JnQC6ZjrkGGdgF1FiLOvopOU5aO5g7Vwga1JbpbTzgiD6oiUXj03928EJBpP/s320/vaginal-gel-for-AIDS-300x199.jpg" /></a></div>By <a class="linkedBylineName" href="http://content.usatoday.com/topics/reporter/Steve+Sternberg">Steve Sternberg</a>, USA TODAY</div> <div>Researchers say they've achieved the first AIDS prevention breakthrough for women. More than a decade of failure and frustration ended Monday with a report that a new vaginal gel gives women the power to reduce their risk of contracting HIV and genital herpes without relying on their male partner to use a condom. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAFP_rMPgj3V61bt_mbj5scjr-8ov_53oBqhuQVdaAksUTmt5jUQcS4Md6vBwDuPWRy2iH0Lsn_kq_UJ0CwS6jOGtdJdBGP3KcFGaklcRgT4-DRQkFnSph0xIsgXRr1Qbk-4gydn3Lw6Q/s1600/200px-Tenofovir_disoproxil_fumarate.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182px" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAFP_rMPgj3V61bt_mbj5scjr-8ov_53oBqhuQVdaAksUTmt5jUQcS4Md6vBwDuPWRy2iH0Lsn_kq_UJ0CwS6jOGtdJdBGP3KcFGaklcRgT4-DRQkFnSph0xIsgXRr1Qbk-4gydn3Lw6Q/s200/200px-Tenofovir_disoproxil_fumarate.png" width="200px" /></a></div>The experimental gel is made with <a href="http://content.usatoday.com/topics/topic/Gilead+Sciences">Gilead Sciences</a>' antiviral drug tenofovir, which is widely used for treating HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Applying the 1% tenofovir gel 12 hours before and 12 hours after sex reduced a woman's risk of HIV infection by 39% over the course of 2½ years. The gel also reduced the risk of <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm">genital herpes</a> by 51%, an unexpected bonus because <a href="http://www.webmd.com/genital-herpes/guide/risk-hiv">women with herpes are twice as likely to be infected with HIV.</a> "We now have a product that can potentially alter the epidemic and save millions of lives," says Quarraisha Abdool Karim of the University of KwaZulu-Natal in <a href="http://content.usatoday.com/topics/topic/Places,+Geography/Countries/South+Africa">South Africa</a>, who co-wrote the study with her husband and university colleague, Salim Abdool Karim. At this level of protection, the researchers say, widespread use of the gel could prevent 1.3 million infections and more than 800,000 <a href="http://avert.org/worldstats.htm">deaths in South Africa</a> alone over the next 20 years. The findings were to be released today at the 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna and in the online edition of Science. AIDS researchers and advocates who have grown accustomed to failure, or worse — one promising vaginal gel actually was found to boost the risk of infection — hailed the report. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWt4CoOxfiIKiWztoPAPHTGsSRj4rRI0BcLlLwz9ukuinXt0EVD_cDB_9jGA_M8mVZmaysP8psKTBttoWe4hTVrMS_RIOyrGxjHHGFxnMswanQlQhN4d2-BfkRv8ni9HdM15b8mvzIZHQ/s1600/Yasmin-Halima-WEB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWt4CoOxfiIKiWztoPAPHTGsSRj4rRI0BcLlLwz9ukuinXt0EVD_cDB_9jGA_M8mVZmaysP8psKTBttoWe4hTVrMS_RIOyrGxjHHGFxnMswanQlQhN4d2-BfkRv8ni9HdM15b8mvzIZHQ/s200/Yasmin-Halima-WEB.JPG" width="141px" /></a></div>"This is good news," says Yasmin Halima, director of the Global Campaign for Microbicides, an advocacy group that has championed the approach. "Women are vulnerable to HIV across the world. Just having condoms for men is not really a viable option." In the study, 889 sexually active women ages 18 to 40 were given either the tenofovir gel or a placebo. Thirty-eight of the women in the tenofovir group were infected with HIV, compared with 60 in the placebo group. Of 434 women who did not have herpes at the start of the trial, 29 of those using tenofovir became infected vs. 58 using a placebo. The gel worked best in the women who used it most consistently. Women who used the gel at least 80% of the time were 54% less likely to become infected, cutting their risk of HIV by more than half. <a href="http://www.niaid.nih.gov/about/directors/biography/Pages/biography.aspx">Anthony Fauci,</a> director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, says the study marks a "significant conceptual advance" in efforts to give women the tools they need to protect themselves. "The level of protection isn't as high as we hoped it would be," Fauci says, "but there are a lot of things we can do to change that. The degree of the effect was related to the degree (to which women used the gel.) You may want to use it more often. You may want to put it in a vaginal ring." Halima noted that the pipeline of microbicides may include drug combinations similar to those now used for HIV treatment. Fauci says his institute is sponsoring a complex trial that compares patients using tenofovir gel daily with those taking oral tenofovir or Truvada, a combination of tenofovir and Emtriva, also made by Gilead Sciences. Results won't be available for at least a year, he says.</div>Read more <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.knowabouthealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/vaginal-gel-for-AIDS.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.knowabouthealth.com/breakthrough-microbicide-gel-protect-women-against-hiv/4272/&usg=__pdzo27dse3YJ8ZOLly2OQUiIbXI=&h=1129&w=1700&sz=20&hl=en&start=1&sig2=50NYee2yTM3Us2QtEuDCYA&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=ja1bd9Lz8cH06M:&tbnh=100&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgel%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=GGSKTN_nBIL-8AbfkbyxCg">here</a> Bloggers Note - Despite significant challenges in developing an immunization for HIV, this advance may be critical to saving lives for women.  Additionally, this success will stimulate industry and research for additional advances. <div></div>HIV terminology HIV positive - evidence of exposure to HIV AIDS - evidence of disease from HIV infection ARVs antiretrovirals; <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">HAART Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) consists of 3 or more highly potent anti-HIV drugs (usually need three to 'contain' the virus and prevent development of resistance)        Click below to enlarge</div><div></div> <div><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-07-19-anti-hiv-gel_N.htm"></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SI0ZnQiufbhODIUfksEm1rvJ4J9rxFMdeX3L_yn2ZtP71tbdjXLeMZjXxIPn03Pya4UF1eAzu0g6mrLXLHi77zv6ORTmZHYii2bGxSL1iVj5j7JHZSCMnmmZ1y1-qRcKpnmmBqULKI3M/s1600/typeshivmeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SI0ZnQiufbhODIUfksEm1rvJ4J9rxFMdeX3L_yn2ZtP71tbdjXLeMZjXxIPn03Pya4UF1eAzu0g6mrLXLHi77zv6ORTmZHYii2bGxSL1iVj5j7JHZSCMnmmZ1y1-qRcKpnmmBqULKI3M/s400/typeshivmeds.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.avert.org/treatment.htm">NRTIs, NNRTIs, PIs and Others</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>

Anti-HIV gel is declared breakthrough for women

By Steve Sternberg , USA TODAY Researchers say they've achieved the first AIDS prevention breakthrough for women. More than a decade of ...

11:16 AM

Informed Eating

I have decided that my doctoral work will involve several things. I will tell you the statement I have begun to employ. I am interested in reducing the incidence (new cases) of obesity and tobacco related chronic disease states in the 20-40 year old population. My research and intervention interests include obesity prevention in children, Hookah Bar policies and creating a tobacco cessation data base. I will continue to work with web media to further my main objective. My main objective, with adults and children, is to assist in the creation of an environment that allows informed eating. By this I mean, children learn why a calorie matters at all, the best foods for getting them, and such, at the same time that restaurants, schools and other food providers give them the information they need, we need, to make informed decisions about what we choose to eat at any given time. Which brings me to today. The week ended on a much better note. I was one of the main facilitators for a prospective student information session. Since it was going to be a small gathering, the program director thought it fine that I take care of the refreshments personally. I mentioned the menu a few days ago. The trays went over VERY well. The guests and the faculty were very complimentary and appreciative. Now this happens wherever Deirdre goes! I provide healthy foods that look and tastes good. It is my passion. Unfortunately, I was on the tour when my trays were set out. I should have taken pictures for you guys, but I thought of it too late. Any ways, in the center of one tray were the light round baby bell cheeses, wrapped. On another tray was the light laughing cow cheese wedges, wrapped. When I came in, two doctoral students were waiting and I noticed that the cheeses were UNWRAPPED - how weird. They were in little individual packages. I said, "hmmmm - I would not have unwrapped those." My peers said, "she made us." She is the secretary. AH SO. One issue - the uneaten cheese is no longer in the fresh wrap, but more importantly, you cannot have informed eating if someone removes the labels! I'll clarify next time. I expect I will get a next time :)

Informed Eating

I have decided that my doctoral work will involve several things. I will tell you the statement I have begun to employ. I am interested in...

5:16 PM

Genetics Extra

From <a href="http://http//yourhealtheducator.blogspot.com/2010/07/gao-gets-genetic.html">past posts </a>you would know that though I believe in genetic predisposition to disease, I do NOT believe that is what people in general should be focusing on. Instead, I think that a genetic predispositions for some diseases is a big flashing neon sign urging that individual to make as many healthy choices in their day to day life as possible. To be fair, there are diseases that are 100% genetic, but they are rare. It is more likely that a disease has both a genetic and environmental cause - an interaction often takes place between the two. I am currently refreshing my basic genetic knowledge for the epidemiology class for which I am an assistant. We are having a genetics student as a speaker in a few weeks. One of our suggested themes for the class is HER response to direct to consumer advertising of the genetic tests and the GAOs response to them. This was the topic of a <a href="http://http//yourhealtheducator.blogspot.com/2010/07/gao-gets-genetic.html">past blog post.</a> I wanted to share a few things from the reading, beyond what I have just said. First is that twin studies are pretty close to the best scientists can hope for to study genetic links. However, the twins have to be identical or monozygotic because those pairs are from the same ovum and share 100% genes. Fraternal or dizygotic twins are the same as non twin siblings in the gene sense. So look for that if you are reviewing a twin study. Further, know that the twins of either type are very likely to also share the same environment and thus be influenced by it. Adoption studies are better but not perfect as any time we are out in the community there will be factors that we cannot control or even know sometimes that may have an influence. The other thing I wanted to explain with regard to twin studies are the terms concordant and discordant. Consider this sentence, "The twins were concordant for breast cancer." My immediately deduction is that the twins BOTH had cancer. Only part of that is right as the other is unknown from the sentence. Whatever the outcome, the result is concordant - the same. Both twins either have it or don't. If I said instead, "The twins were discordant for breast cancer." I would mean that one had it and one did not. This would lead us to think that genes were NOT involved. It is not whether they have the disease or not, but if both identical twins have the same disease status then they are concordant. Last thing - what geneticists find in many instances is that the younger the age of onset of disease in one monozygotic twin the more likely it is to be concordant. In other words, both twins will get the disease and it is thus more often linked to genetics. If in identical twin girls, one gets a cancer at 13 say, the other twin is also likely to have it or get it soon. IF the twin gets the cancer in her 50s, there is much less of a chance that her sibling will get it - from her genes - it is more likely to be some environmental cause. Ok lesson over :) Check out the widget I added to the blog home page - under the text of the posts. It is from my favorite Go Slow Whoa initative from the NHLBI -

Genetics Extra

From past posts you would know that though I believe in genetic predisposition to disease, I do NOT believe that is what people in general s...

4:56 PM

Distress and Sexual Health

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14FIWED82hk2g0cpM72iaplASPQ0fDldFAtZSoPBtX9V8jmqODe0YSdh-Mfwshm8u70w3HRd5ytRGBejHppLAhjH0rEw9U01q1i33MqRLrauJsjIJHp8Ca0nhiV5sSuZElWqqnc1KYNkf/s1600/desire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14FIWED82hk2g0cpM72iaplASPQ0fDldFAtZSoPBtX9V8jmqODe0YSdh-Mfwshm8u70w3HRd5ytRGBejHppLAhjH0rEw9U01q1i33MqRLrauJsjIJHp8Ca0nhiV5sSuZElWqqnc1KYNkf/s320/desire.jpg" /></a></div>Female Sexual Dysfunction includes disorders of desire; arousal; orgasm and sexual pain. Desire disorders include hypoactive sexual desire disorder and sexual aversion disorder. To make the diagnosis of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder two key elements must be in place (hypoactive sexual desire and marked distress - personally or interpersonally as a result of the condition) Additionally, we exclude depressed desire that is due to medications, substances or general medical conditions or those due to another Axis I disorder. How prevalent a problem is this? Research tells us that there is a range 9-26% and a mean of about 10% of women with HSDD.(Leiblum)- this include premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Is this an isolated sexual health concern? No - data shows that women with HSDD are generally less healthy than their non-HSDD counterparts. They have less vitality, more bodily pain, poorer physical, social, emotional functioning. It is likely that women will come into the office with diffuse feelings of body aches and feeling unwell as part of their presentation. Sexual health affects both the physiology and psychology of women. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXF2-9lhM6WFzJBJfmDZWij5uxTzuFJVU6ZmMOnA8rCxfgAPFZMHputSFKdazmz9eU3nCO7Anv63UZok5ommuSRkwB306YAlSQiUML5SQGqCNwBKmVfDT6omJoZbWXG-ZGJ_8O2nzzaCrz/s1600/dopaminepathwaybrain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296px" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXF2-9lhM6WFzJBJfmDZWij5uxTzuFJVU6ZmMOnA8rCxfgAPFZMHputSFKdazmz9eU3nCO7Anv63UZok5ommuSRkwB306YAlSQiUML5SQGqCNwBKmVfDT6omJoZbWXG-ZGJ_8O2nzzaCrz/s320/dopaminepathwaybrain.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>What's the physiology of sexual function in women? The physiology is that of central neuroendrocrine function matched with peripheral intact anatomic and vascular function. Centrally - Desire is augmented by excitation that is driven by dopamine, norepinephrine, testosterone, estrogen and inhibited by serotonin and prolactin. Arousal adds nitric oxide and acetycholine with the above factors and has the same inhibitory ones. Orgasm has oxytocin as an excitatory hormone. External genitalia needs estrogen, testosterone and progestin to function. Vasocongestion needs working and responsive vasculature- thus nitric oxide, norepinephrine, cholinergic fibers and prostaglandin E are excitatory with serotinin as inhibitory. How do these factors play a role in diagnosis and interventions? Anything that decreases dopamine (or increases serotinin) will have adverse sexual side effects. Anything that lowers testosterone - like hyperprolactinemia, opiates or menopause - will also lower sexual functioning. What diseases can decrease desire or arousal? Chronic diseases such as Diabetes, Thyroid disease, Cardiovascular Disease, Depression and Renal Failure. Other illnesses - adrenal disease, head injury, neurologic diseases including hyperprolactinemia, bilateral oophorectomy and incontinence can do so as well. (Basson) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhON8cJQkoXgMhKJvOzvYCRnEpduq-K154mwKqSRdt92Y0to7rWDclNH26chkDAUwjVmjC06Z_FKKIxvG1YzrcKHxymEB8P3xQ64tSV_0XQdhAK55-AL8d1VZJd9F9PFqrZNOYVUISc_AWn/s1600/pharmacistdisppills.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206px" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhON8cJQkoXgMhKJvOzvYCRnEpduq-K154mwKqSRdt92Y0to7rWDclNH26chkDAUwjVmjC06Z_FKKIxvG1YzrcKHxymEB8P3xQ64tSV_0XQdhAK55-AL8d1VZJd9F9PFqrZNOYVUISc_AWn/s320/pharmacistdisppills.png" width="320px" /></a></div>What medication or substances adversely effect sexual health? Perhaps most well known are antidepressants that block reuptake of serotinin (SSRIs; SNRIs) Other psychiatric medicines such as benzodiazepines; antipsychotics; mood stabilizers and anti epileptics can do so. Less well known, perhaps, are H2 blockers, NSAIDs, oral contraceptive, thiazide diuretics, non-selective beta agonists. Additionally narcotics and other hormones (estrogen, progestins, anti androgens, GnRH agonists) are involved (Clayton, Kingsberg.) It is important, up front, when we prescribe these medications to make patients aware of the potential side effect! How do I screen? If you wait for most women to ask about this, there are numerous reasons why they won't ("It is appropriate to talk to the doctor about this?" "How do I discuss this?""Maybe there isn't anything I can do?") The literature shows that docs have to ask and patients want us to. (Stengel) In the ideal, we should include sexual health screening at least on annual exams. There are  <a href="http://www.blogger.com/.%20http://www.arhp.org/files/kellogg_algorithm.pdf">tools </a>and surveys you can use: Brief Sexual Symptoms Checklist for Women (Hatzichristou); <a href="http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/121637960/PDFSTART">Decreased Sexual Desire Screener</a> (Clayton); Female Sexual Distress Scale - Revised (DeRogatis) <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdQVCt0QY0ElfBZ4SNVsfMtsgZB8C2JKF5OORV2mFI84ToPNEvlS5lWZct0S_sjnw1U5JY5J_kCyV5nOFjOIJbsB8Sfe2FYfHUcg_P8psLQFb9qzKuTQvg0aasNstcZwwrTkf6ZoJUosl/s1600/woman-running-776103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdQVCt0QY0ElfBZ4SNVsfMtsgZB8C2JKF5OORV2mFI84ToPNEvlS5lWZct0S_sjnw1U5JY5J_kCyV5nOFjOIJbsB8Sfe2FYfHUcg_P8psLQFb9qzKuTQvg0aasNstcZwwrTkf6ZoJUosl/s320/woman-running-776103.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What can we do about it? First off, sexual health tracks with physical health. So many of the same lifestyle issues we discuss (regular exercise, healthy nutrition, weight loss, smoking cessation, minimizing intake of alcohol) all help sexual health. There are some medications that are used - though none currently FDA approved (and there others in the pipeline to watch for) but most patients are likely to benefit from counseling (education, personal, couples, cognitive behavioral, mindfulness, etc.), lifestyle changes and medication. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnw996Jm5QovGWtl8lBHgU4dmTJOwvecX-rZwF2pyYnVTbtGSzf3i37yAXV7f8Ibc0I-gtj3vwz16CSM6MDyrd15CO6eZpvlS65UrD5uxMPaf2r9bluywNPoWZAlylTR_bx8tkzlMT_z7/s1600/buproprion-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnw996Jm5QovGWtl8lBHgU4dmTJOwvecX-rZwF2pyYnVTbtGSzf3i37yAXV7f8Ibc0I-gtj3vwz16CSM6MDyrd15CO6eZpvlS65UrD5uxMPaf2r9bluywNPoWZAlylTR_bx8tkzlMT_z7/s320/buproprion-1.jpg" /></a>The most commonly used medication is bupropion (which increases dopamine and NE)- which is used for non-depressed women with HSDD (it can also be used with depressed women, as well) Testosterone has been used - and a gel is in the pipeline. A melanocortin receptor agonist (this stimulates dopamine) is also in the pipeline.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It seems odd that few people would perceive erectile dysfunction (and associated distress) as 'not real' or not a significant health concern, yet there are those who feel that female sexual dysfunction is somehow different. Women may be more complex, physiologically and psychologically when it comes to sexual health. Remember, if a woman with diminished desire isn't bothered by it, then neither are we! But for many women, sexual health is part of overall health. Physicians need to learn about this health issue, develop skills in communication about sexual health and ask patients on a regular basis. By doing this, we can uncover health concerns that may appear to be 'playing in the background' - yet are the health burden at the heart of the problem.</div> RESOURCES Leiblum SR, et al. Menopause. 2006;13:46-56. Basson R, Schultz WW. Lancet. 2007;369:409-424. Clayton A, Hamilton D. Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2010;33:323-338. Kingsberg S, Janata J. Urol Clin N Am. 2007;34:497-506. Stengel C. Martinez L. http://twshf.org/survey.html. Accessed August 2010. Hatzichristou D, et al. J Sex Med. 2010;7:337-348 Clayton A, et al. J Sex Med. 2009;6:730-738 DeRogatis L, et al. J Sex Med. 2008;5:357-364

Distress and Sexual Health

Female Sexual Dysfunction includes disorders of desire; arousal; orgasm and sexual pain. Desire disorders include hypoactive sexual desire ...

11:18 AM

FOOD

So I do not want to get into a kid theme, but I will pass on this<a href="http://http//2-moms.blogspot.com/2010/09/bento-lunches-week-of-830.html"> link </a>from a friend. It shows some very creative lunch box ideas that do look quite healthy. The food is a keeper, but I guess adults don't need it to be so cute! I brought my lunch to class today. It was a salad with lettuce, boca crumbles, tomato, onion and mushrooms with Walden Farm dressing. I had a few orange wedges and a couple of my favorite Mexican brand sugar cookies. It was less than 150 calories total. On Friday, we are having a few visitors to my graduate program and guess what the director did? He put ME in charge of the refreshments. Ah SO. Going to the store in the morning. Here is my shopping list: Fruit - probably grapes and oranges Bell Peppers Laughing cow light spreadable cheese Kraft 2% cheese cubes Hummus Crackers Water Okay back to studying....

FOOD

So I do not want to get into a kid theme, but I will pass on this link from a friend. It shows some very creative lunch box ideas that do...

4:52 PM

All Children

I continue to be a fan of WebMD and today one of their newsletters found my inbox. In this edition, certain nutrients that are important to children were noted, and concern was raised that some children may be deficient in these. At the very least, the writer who penned the letter suggests being mindful of these four nutrients. (also note that webmd materials are physician reviewed) I want to say this first however , and you may have heard this from me before - "if it's good for or bad for pregnant women and children I want to get it or avoid it too!" Today I add - "though we may not all be parents, we ARE all children." The ingredients to note are: Vitamin D - yes it continues in its exalted state (supplements may be needed) to quote the newsletter <blockquote>The AAP specifies that children who don't drink a quart of milk fortified with vitamin D take vitamin D supplements to make up for what they miss from their diet</blockquote> Calcium - fat free milk is a great source, fat free or lowest fat cheese and yogurt are awesome and for those who cannot or will not consume dairy, there is fortified OJ. Of issue is that children drink sugary beverages that are problematic in and of themselves, but also because they take the place of milk. Potassium - I did NOT know that the more processed a food, the less potassium and the more sodium, but so says WebMD. I did know that fruits and veggies are good sources of potassium. Remember, you can use this <a href="http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/12354500/Data/SR22/nutrlist/sr22w306.pdf">USDA resource </a>to find foods rich in any nutrient. I.E there are foods beyond bananas that are high in potassium :) Fiber - sigh - you know this one right. If you like, these <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pPFwxYWZJ4">cereal bars </a>are a great way to get fiber into you, your kids and those you love...

All Children

I continue to be a fan of WebMD and today one of their newsletters found my inbox. In this edition, certain nutrients that are important to ...

4:43 PM

To Unbreak a Habit

As a colleague (we're grad assistants) and I were leaving a meeting today, I mentioned that I was going to hang out until the pool opened. She said something supportive and admiring about my dedication, as people often do. I explained that my goal is to swim on Tues and Thurs and I fear if I miss one, then I'll miss two - etc. She laughed and shared something that HAD to go on the blog - She said she had missed her Yoga class one night and that had been a year ago. Exactly. Which made me wonder, hence the title, how long does it take us to undo the habits that take three to six months to instill? The answer appears to be - uh, one day! So I did swim and believe it or not I had the WHOLE pool to myself with two life guards standing watch :)

To Unbreak a Habit

As a colleague (we're grad assistants) and I were leaving a meeting today, I mentioned that I was going to hang out until the pool opene...

6:14 PM

Odds and Ends

Has it indeed been another week! I have to say that I feel more grounded in my studies and caught up with my readings and such. It is a good feeling, except I keep thinking I must have forgotten something. That being said, I found time to read a little here and there and keep a sheet of notes for today, so let us have at it. A Positive Consequence: One of the older diabetes drugs, i.e. not the one that the FDA has received calls to pull from the market, but metformin, may have another indication. This is popular drug is being studied by scientists at the National Cancer Institute. A preliminary finding in mice shows that those exposed to one of the tobacco specific nitrosamines, nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone or NNK, associated with lung cancer, do not develop tumors when on this medication. However, I have to call out Reuters for saying in their headline that the diabetes drug may prevent smokers from getting lung cancer because the loudest headline should always be - Stopping Smoking Can Prevent Lung Cancer. Allergan: Allergan is the company that makes botox and they just got in trouble for one of the things that I am often all in a tizzy over - misleading advertising and physician manipulation. They have agreed to settle and pay hundreds of millions of dollars in fines and or restitution for not only telling us that botox can help with migraines, pain, muscle spasms and cerebral palsy, but health care professionals too. Botox may be approved for additional uses now, but in the past it encouraged (maybe with money) doctors to use the medicine in ways it had not been approved. Off label use is legal but it cannot be marketed. I believe the fees are over 600 million bucks. RD Club: My campus has a nutrition club and of course I signed up. This weekend I received an email about the first meeting and event. I cannot go to the meeting because of my classes, but the email included a notice that they would be having an ice cream social. Seriously? And you wonder where the freshman 15 come from! With Regret: Yes, it is with regret that I add these few sentences because what I witnessed was at Walmart and that is where I prefer to shop because I have limited funds and because a lot of people work there and I want them to keep their jobs. This weekend though - darn it - I saw this and just sort of stood there stunned, staring, disappointed and fruitless - meaning - I didn't buy any fruit. I had been at the green beans and didn't get any because mixed into the big batch of them were moldy ones. I then went to the strawberries and grapes and a produce clerk was rearranging the strawberries. Now, it is ALWAYS a challenge to buy these berries, no matter the store. There is almost always containers with darkening or moldy fruit and they never seem to last long once you get them home. So the clerk was pulling the containers forward and making the display neat. I had already been looking for a clean batch and had come across several in very bad shape. To my dismay, they were NOT pulled from the shelf. It was like the person was there to arrange the shelf not to think. As I watched him, sort of dumbfounded, I noticed that he had places on his forearms that were scratched and bloodied. I just sort of stared as I said, and then walked away. Sadly, the next day I went to an upscale grocer and their strawberries and green beans were also turning bad. Fitness: I think I wrote this word down on my list just to toot my own horn. I have my routine now. Running five days a week, 7-6-8-6-8 if possible, swimming two days, 30 laps but I think tomorrow I am ready to go back to 34, weight training two days and for transportation I am bicycling about 20 - 24 miles a week with a little walking too. I must say that in the last couple days I have started standing up and pedaling on the hills instead of lowering the gear and I am getting stronger. BTW, those spin classes that have you add resistance and stand up - they pay off!

Odds and Ends

Has it indeed been another week! I have to say that I feel more grounded in my studies and caught up with my readings and such. It is a go...

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