June 1, 2010

Summer News Bites

Yaz Birth Control Pill

You may have seen negative ads about Yaz on television over the past several months. The FDA has come out in an unusually strong and clearly worded statement that Yaz and Yasmin pose no greater risk than other oral contraceptives. This is based on the largest and most comprehensive study done on this matter.

Osteoporosis Drugs

Taking bisphosphonate* osteoporosis drugs may end up causing brittle bones that can lead to deterioration in bone quality and increased hip fractures. The drugs are extremely effective in the first years of use. But after four or five years, talk to your doctor about taking a “drug holiday” from bisphosphonates.

*Actonel, Boniva, Fosamax (alendronate), Reclast

(Joseph Lane, MD, Metabolic Bone Disease Service Chief, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City)

Depression and Migraines

Depression and migraine headaches often go together. Twenty-five percent of people with migraines also suffer from depression– versus only 13% of people who do not get migraines. Migraines are known to have a strong genetic basis — which may be linked to the genetic tendency to develop clinical depression. Migraine sufferers should discuss any signs of depression with their doctors.

(Gisela Terwindt, MD, PhD, assistant professor, neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands)

Healthy Travel

Go to the free web site: www.nc.cdc.gov/travel, for important information from the CDC about specific destinations…traveling with children, disabilities and other special needs..cruise ship reports… and more.

Brain Booster

Chewing gum increases blood flow to the brain — and a corresponding increase in cognitive performance. People who chew gum also report a reduction in stress, which protects brain cells from stress-related hormones.

So chew gum when you are stressed or have challenging mental work to, but opt for sugarless gum.

(David Grotto, RD, LDN, president of Nutrition House call, author of 101 Optimal Life Foods)

Placebo Response

The secret to making any medication work much better is the placebo response. Use these enhancement ideas –know how the drug works so the brain can ampify this information and produce additional positive effects; visualize it working; and, imagine yourself healed. Studies of this with allergies, high blood pressure, pain, swelling, and depression have shown an enhanced response.

(Murray Grossman, MD, otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon with the Tower Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic at Cedars-Sinai Medical Towers in Los Angeles)

Still more about Vitamin D

You may have heard of the head to toe benefits of more Vitamin D than we used to recommend. Add to the list, urinary incontinence. Sun exposure is critical for vitamin D production Wearing sunscreen reduces production of vitamin D… and in regions above 40′ north latitude, which runs from New York City to northern California, the sun is strong enough to trigger vitamin D production only between May and September.