| The Monday Edition | January 7, 2008 |
New heart drug to hit the market - Issue 37
- New heart drug to hit the market—complete with a list of side effects!
- Is your extra belly fat hiding potential prostate trouble?
- Conversation is an art… and possibly a memory booster!
- Which popular cholesterol-lowering drug starts out as a poison?
Dear Health-Conscious Friend,
Why not start a new year with a BANG and a commitment to improving your health!
There’s no better time to resolve to address nagging health problems—or even prevent new ones from cropping up.
At Health Resources™, we’re committed to providing the secrets you need to make this year your healthiest year ever!
So if you’re resolved to take advantage of all the new year has to offer…
…Check out some of the health tips in today’s Monday Edition of Health News Weekly™. You’re sure to find plenty of information to help keep you in tip-top shape!
Founder & President
Health Resources
New Beta Blocker Drug Receives FDA “Thumbs Up”
As High Blood Pressure Treatment
There’s a new beta-blocker drug coming soon to a pharmacy near you! The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Bystolic™ as a safe and effective treatment for high blood pressure.
According to a December 17, 2007 agency release, this new drug joins a “well established class of medications” in the fight against hypertension.
Beta-blockers work by “blocking” the effects of adrenaline on your body’s beta receptors. This makes your heart beat slower so blood passes through your arteries and veins with less force.
The FDA says Bystolic was proven “safe” in three double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials that ran for up to three months.
In a fourth placebo-controlled clinical trial, participants took Bystolic with up to two other blood pressure medications.
In total, more than 2,000 people received Bystolic during the trials. Its effectiveness during the trials was similar to those of other FDA-approved beta blockers.
The most common side effects reported by patients taking Bystolic in clinical trials were headache, fatigue, dizziness and diarrhea.
But the FDA statement doesn’t mention other possible side effects. According to the Texas Heart Institute, beta blockers have also been linked to:
- Wheezing, trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Trouble sleeping or nightmares
- Swelling of the hands and feet
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea and constipation
- Skin rash
- Sore throat
- Depression
- Memory loss, confusion, or hallucinations
- Impotence
Bystolic is already approved and successfully marketed for the treatment of hypertension in more than 50 countries outside of North America.
Forest Laboratories, Inc. licensed U.S. and Canadian rights to Bystolic from Mylan Bertek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in January 2006.
Forest expects Bystolic to be available to doctors, patients and pharmacies in January 2008.
Editor’s Choice
Thousands of satisfied men can’t be wrong…!
When men over 50 routinely report:
- Increased sex drive
- Lower blood cholesterol
- Balanced blood sugar levels
- Lower blood pressure
- Greater flexibility and mobility
- Improved mental alertness
- More energy, strength and stamina
- And fewer cardiovascular complaints…
…you’ve just got to find out their secret! Click here
Men: Excess Body Weight Could Throw Prostate
Test Results Out of Whack!
Overweight men could be in danger of having undetected prostate problems. This is because a higher body mass index (BMI) could produce low readings on the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test—a standard exam used to detect prostate cancer.
Doctors need accurate PSA readings to determine how much of the PSA protein your prostate is producing.
If your prostate is enlarged—whether from abnormal cell growth or other disorders—you’ll likely have higher concentrations of PSA in your bloodstream. This is why many physicians view PSA readings as a first step in diagnosing prostate cancer.
Heavier men tend to have a higher BMI number—which is often linked to higher plasma volume. This may produce lower PSA levels in obese men, according to a study in the November 21, 2007 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Lionel L. Baez, M.D. of Duke University Medical Center and his colleagues wanted to test two theories about lower PSA readings in obese men.
One theory is that obese men have less testosterone—the sex hormone that helps your body make PSA. A second theory is that obese men produce more blood to support their size. This can dilute blood concentration of PSA.
Study participants included men who underwent radical surgery for prostate cancer from 1988 to 2006.
As expected, PSA concentrations were typically lower in the obese patients than in the normal-weight ones.
The researchers found that men with a BMI of 35 or greater had 21 to 23 percent larger plasma volumes compared to normal-weight men. They also had 11 to 21 percent lower PSA concentrations compared to normal-weight men.
After adjusting for multiple variables, study authors concluded that higher BMI was consistently associated with lower PSA concentrations. The research team said they want to confirm this connection using study participants who do not have prostate cancer.
Fast Fact
It’s practically impossible to avoid stressful situations in life. You likely face a list of demands at home… work… and even in social circles.
But you can manage these priorities successfully if you work to build inner peace. This can help make stressful situations bearable.
Victor Frankel, author of Man’s Search for Meaning, credits his inner peace as the force that helped him survive the Nazi Holocaust!
Here are two ways to help manage stress:
- Exercise—Daily physical activity, preferably at the beginning of the day, help eliminate pent-up tension and stress.
- Learn from difficult experiences—Rather than repeating actions that bring negative results, find more effective ways to handle similar situations that occur.
Garlic is also a great remedy for battling cold viruses. So be generous when you spoon out the garlic during food preparation. Or, if you worry about the strong scent—garlic capsules work well too!
The “Gift of Gab” May Help Keep Your Memory Sharp!
If you’re worried about age-related memory loss—the best thing you can do may be to keep your lines of communication open!
A University of Michigan study tested people as old as 96 and found it only takes about 10 minutes of talking with someone to improve your memory.
“In our study, socializing was just as effective as more traditional kinds of mental exercise in boosting memory and intellectual performance,” said Oscar Ybarra, a psychologist at the university’s Institute for Social Research (ISR).
Ybarra was lead author of the study with ISR psychologist Eugene Burnstein and psychologist Piotr Winkielman from the University of California, San Diego.
In the article, Ybarra, Burnstein and colleagues report on findings from two types of studies they conducted on the relationship between social interactions and brain performance.
In one study, they examined ISR survey data to see whether there was a relationship between brain function and social interaction. The survey included information on a national sample of 3,610 people between the ages of 24 and 96.
Researchers used the mini-mental exam to assess brain function. This widely used test measures knowledge of personal information and current events. It also includes a simple test of working memory.
The research team assessed the level of social interactions by asking how often each week they talked on the phone with friends, neighbors and relatives. They also asked how often they got together with other people.
Study findings show the higher the level of participants’social interaction, the better their cognitive functioning. This relationship was reliable for all age groups, from the youngest through the oldest!
The research will be published in the February 2008 issue of the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
Editor’s Choice
Feel Fa-a-abulous Again!
Leading scientists the world over confirm this “amazing milk” can help:
- Build muscle mass
- Strengthen and rebuild bones
- Ease digestive problems
- Boost energy levels to new heights
- And even slow aging to a c-r-a-w-l!
That’s because this unique formula delivers a whopping 100% of the critical proteins you need to help create optimal cell growth… powerful muscle control… and an invincible immune system!
Yet most Americans don’t even know about this godsend!
But you will, when you… Click here
Health E-Hints
From Plant Poison… to Best-Selling Cholesterol Drug!
More than 100 million Americans have high blood cholesterol levels, excess homocysteine or other risk factors for heart disease.
Statin drugs are the most popular treatment for high cholesterol—with about 23 million prescriptions issued each year. But you might not know that these drugs come from a plant POISON!
The fungus known as red yeast rice produces a poison called lovastatin. This occurs as a natural response to the threat of a predator. Lovastatin from red yeast rice is a toxin. It causes sickness and in some cases DEATH to predators!
The discovery and isolation of lovastatin from red yeast rice was paid for by government funded research in the 1970’s. The result was the wildly popular cholesterol drugs known as statins!
If doctors say your high cholesterol levels could expose you to heart disease—statin drugs may not be the only answer.
Talk to your physician to get help with adopting a heart-healthy diet. Dr. Jay S. Cohen—author of the book What You Must Know About Statin Drugs & Their Natural Alternatives—says you should also boost your intake of CoQ10… magnesium… omega-3 fatty acids… and folic acid.
Posted in Cholesterol, Heart Health, Homocysteine, Memory Problems, Poor Diet, Prostate Health, Weight Loss.
Email this to a friend · Subscribe to this feed · Bookmark This!
| The Monday Edition | December 31, 2007 |
Which health problem escalates during end-of-year holidays? Issue - 36
- Which killer health problem escalates during end-of-year holidays?
- Post-menopausal women need more of this nutrient to prevent heart disease
- Get the scoop on the FDA recall of male performance enhancement drugs!
- What you need to know to save your eyesight!
Dear Health-Conscious Friend,
As you mount a new calendar on your wall or desk, remember this—every day brings new opportunities to improve your health!
And I’ll be right here to give you more fantastic health tips to help you meet your goals!
In today’s Monday Edition of Health News Weekly™, you’ll find out why some doctors say you should take extra care to protect your heart during holiday season…
…You’ll also find out which nutritious food helps women beat heart disease. And I’ll also tell you how to determine when to seek help for vision problems.
So let’s kick off the New Year by celebrating your commitment to better health!
Founder & President
Health Resources
’Tis the Season for Heart Problems
The end of the calendar year is often filled with festive holiday celebrations featuring rich, tasty foods. This is one reason some doctors say this time of year is prime heart attack season!
Cardiologist Dr. Keith Churchwell, associate director of the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said heart attacks tend to peak in December and January.
He based his comments on information from a U.S. database of 53 million deaths occurring between 1973 and 2001. Churchwell said the data revealed spikes in the number of heart attacks on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
One reason for this could be that people with heart problems prior to the holidays may delay seeing a doctor. In a HealthDay report, Churchwell said this neglect could be “because of obligations at home, not wanting to spoil holiday fun, not wanting to deal with the possibility of going to the hospital and being taken care of over the holiday period.”
And many folks take a breather from diet and exercise programs during the holidays too. Increased visits with family and friends… eating away from home… and activities outside your normal routine can take their toll on your normal fitness schedule.
Another factor that may contribute to heart problems is increased alcohol use during the holidays. Churchwell says alcohol has a toxic effect on the heart muscle and can irritate the top chamber, called the atrium. This irritation can cause you to experience abnormal heart rhythms.
He also said the hectic holiday season often causes people to forget to take heart medications—which can lead to severe heart trouble.
Editor’s Choice
The Health Disaster that DIDN’T happen!
Arterial plaque could have been a death sentence for John—and a catastrophe for his grieving family.
Without a remarkable intervention, arterial plaque had the power to turn John—a living, breathing human being—into a fading memory. He could have been a mere statistic: One of the 960,000 Americans who will be killed by a clogged circulatory system this year.
Now, this once-savage killer is as harmless as a teaspoon of sugar.
A few hours ago, John swallowed two, tiny capsules containing an amino acid so safe, that the United States Food and Drug Administration approved it as an additive to baby food.
This remarkable amino acid didn’t just help remove plaque from John’s cardiac arteries—it has the ability to scrub every one of his 75,000 miles of arteries, veins, capillaries, and microscopic arterioles in his body.
Find out more about John’s remarkable journey to renewed health… Click here
This Japanese Secret Boosts Women’s Heart Health!
Soybean foods—such as tofu, miso soup or the fermented beans known as “natto”—could help older women dodge the bullet of heart disease.
A new Japanese study shows post-menopausal women who regularly eat such traditional Japanese soy-based foods face lower risks of heart disease.
Yoshihiko Kokubo, chief doctor of preventive cardiology at Japan’s National Cardiovascular Center, said these foods have a high amount of isoflavones. This is a natural source of estrogen similar to the female hormone.
According to an Agence France-Presse (AFP) report, the study surveyed a total of 40,462 men and women in healthy conditions in rural Japan over 13 years.
Study results found that risk of heart attack or stroke for a woman who ate soy products at least five times a week was 0.39—compared with a risk of 1 for a woman who ate the least.
The results were even more striking among women past menopause, with the risk falling to 0.25.
Kokubo said lower disease risk in post-menopausal women shows that isoflavones play a supportive role in preventing heart attacks.
Estrogen is the female hormone that affects your menstrual cycle—and your overall health. Your body’s estrogen levels decrease sharply when menopause begins.
The new findings seem to contradict those by the American Heart Association. In 2006, the AHA cautioned there was little direct proof that soy consumption lowered the risk of heart disease.
But Kokubo said this could be due to the Western diet, which often includes more fat than a typical Japanese diet.
He said his study may have had different results if it had focused on Japanese people living in major cities who ate more Western food.
Kokubo said the results did not present the same findings for men who eat soy. He said that men’s tendencies to drink alcohol and smoke more than women could have hindered the advantages.
Fast Fact
You probably know that cooking with garlic makes foods taste great. But garlic is almost like a miniature medicine cabinet!
Research shows garlic is helpful for:
- Reducing heart disease
- Preventing hardening of your arteries (atherosclerosis)
- Reducing blood clots
- Lowering elevated blood pressure levels
- Curing yeast infections
- Acting as a natural antioxidant
Garlic is also a great remedy for battling cold viruses. So be generous when you spoon out the garlic during food preparation. Or, if you worry about the strong scent—garlic capsules work well too!
FDA Requests Recall of True Man & Energy Max Erectile Dysfunction Supplements
If you’re using True Man Sexual Energy Nutrient Capsules or Energy Max Energy Supplement Men’s Formula—the Food and Drug Administration says STOP!
The agency says these erectile dysfunction products contain potentially harmful, undeclared ingredients. According to a November 2, 2007 agency release, these products could interact with medications—and cause dangerously low blood pressure.
The FDA requested the recall of all products distributed under both labels in a letter to Yin Kao, president and owner of America True Man Health Inc. of West Covina, California.
“The risk is even more serious because consumers may not know that these ingredients can interact with medications and dangerously lower their blood pressure,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., deputy commissioner for scientific and medical programs, chief medical officer and acting director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
The FDA classifies True Man Sexual Energy and Energy Max as unapproved new drugs. This is because neither supplement declares the active ingredients thione or piperadino vardenafil.
These analogs—or physically similar versions—of FDA approved drugs sildenafil and vardenafil—may cause side effects and drug interactions similar to the approved drugs (Viagra® and Levitra®) they resemble.
According to the agency, the undeclared ingredients in these products may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs such as nitroglycerin. Men with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or high cholesterol often take nitrates.
The FDA issued an alert on May 10, 2007 advising consumers not to buy or use True Man or Energy Max products. The recent recall request resulted from the company failing to notify all of their consignees.
This recall request applies to True Man Sexual Energy packaged in blister pack cartons of 10 capsules. It also concerns Energy Max packaged in blister pack cartons of 20 capsules.
FDA is prepared to take further regulatory action if America True Man Health Inc. does not comply with this recall request.
Editor’s Choice
What do Marie and Harry know that you don’t?
Marie was going through “the change of life” and suffered for three years with insomnia, hot flashes, and constant sweating.
Harry’s PSA levels were steadily climbing into the danger levels.
Both suffered from very different health problems—yet one natural solution proved to be an answer to their prayers.
Marie now sleeps through the night without tossing and turning and hasn’t had a “personal summer” in months. Harry’s PSA readings have already gone down 42%.
And both report:
- Better moods
- More control over stress
- Losing a few pounds
- And a boost of sexual desire and performance
Find out how Marie and Harry’s amazing wonder nutrient can work for you too… Click here
Health E-Hints
Is My Vision Loss Normal?
You may be one of thousands of Americans experiencing vision problems as you age. Blurred vision… difficulty seeing at night… double vision… and problems distinguishing colors are some common symptoms.
But other symptoms may indicate a more serious condition called age-related macular degeneration. According to WebMD, there are two forms of AMD—dry and wet. Wet AMD is the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. for people 55 and older.
Dry macular degeneration usually develops slowly over time with slow-progressing symptoms. But wet AMD usually develops quickly, leaving people with sudden central vision loss. If left untreated—both forms of AMD can damage your eye and cause you to develop a blind spot.
You should see your eye doctor for a referral to a retina specialist if you experience:
- A need for brighter light when working close to an item
- Difficulty adapting to low light levels
- Blurry print when reading (e.g. newspapers, books)
- Difficulty driving
- Problems with colors appearing less bright
- Difficulty recognizing faces
- Overall vision haziness
- A blind spot in the center of your vision
With early diagnosis and proper treatment, you may be able to delay the progression of AMD. And the earlier it is detected—the better your chances of saving your sight!
Posted in Blood Clots, Blood Pressure, Clogged Arteries, Female Libido, Heart Health, Male Libido, Menopausal Symptoms.
Email this to a friend · Subscribe to this feed · Bookmark This!
| The Monday Edition | December 24, 2007 |
Americans continue to buy drugs online—despite risks! - Issue 35
- Americans continue to buy drugs online—despite risks!
- Can Ch-ch-ch-chia seeds help control blood sugar?
- What you need to know about low-carb diets and prostate cancer…
- Here’s how to prevent dangerous falls and head injuries!
Dear Health-Conscious Friend,
The pharmaceutical drug industry is a real money maker. In 2006, the top 10 companies boasted annual revenues in excess of 40 billion dollars!
High drug prices are forcing some folks to search for cheaper alternatives—including online sources.
In today’s Monday Edition of Health News Weekly™, you’ll find out what people are buying from Internet drug sellers—and why this may be risky business.
You’ll also discover more natural remedies to help control your blood pressure… blood sugar… and possibly protect your prostate from abnormal cell growth.
Read on for more hints to help you feel better—starting right NOW!>
Founder & President
Health Resources
Americans Ignore FDA Warnings Against
Buying Risky Drugs Online
A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation into foreign drugs mailed to the United States suggests many Americans may be buying drugs online to sidestep doctors’ prescriptions.
According to a November 1 agency press release, the FDA investigation found 88% of the 2,069 drug packages they examined appeared to be prescription medicines available in the United States.
The remaining products were either:
- dietary supplements
- medications with illegible labels, or
- drugs not available in the United States
About 53% of the products sampled have FDA-approved generic versions. The agency said typically the generic drugs are sold at lower costs than comparable drugs in Canada or Western Europe.
“The data lead us to believe that many people are buying drugs online not to save money but to bypass the need for a prescription from their doctor since these Web sites typically do not require the purchaser to have a prescription,” said Randall Lutter, Ph.D., FDA’s deputy commissioner for policy.
These data are based on surveys conducted from September 2006 to August 2007 in international mail and courier facilities nationwide.
At each city surveyed, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents stopped parcels thought to contain pharmaceuticals.
FDA then recorded data on the contents of these packages before handling them according to usual procedures.
FDA urges consumers to beware of unregulated Internet drug sellers. Many of their products might not contain the correct ingredients—and could even contain toxic substances.
Editor’s Choice
Death begins in the COLON!
Doctors and nutritionist agree: Death begins in the colon… and keeping your colon healthy is the #1 way to help prevent sickness and maintain health.
Fiber is essential for healthy colon function. It helps scrub away dangerous toxins… promotes regular easy elimination… and increases absorption of vital nutrients.
But it even does more than that. Fiber can help maintain healthy cholesterol and boost your energy levels.
Now there’s a superior natural solution that helps keep your colon healthy and helps you maintain health and energy well into your 90’s…Click here
Here’s How a Chia Pet® Could Help
Lower Your Blood Sugar!
The chia grain has become widely known as the seeds used to sprout “hair” on pottery figures.
But it turns out this same seed is surprisingly nutritious—and can help regulate blood sugar and risk factors for heart disease in diabetics!
According to a report in the journal Diabetes Care, Canadian researchers report that the chia seed was once revered by ancient Aztecs. They used it as a powerful food to help energize village runners.
Its nutritional value is clear when you consider that 3.5 ounces of the chia seeds, trademarked as Salba™ provide:
- Omega-3 fatty acids equal to 28 ounces of salmon!
- Calcium equal to 3 cups of milk!
- Iron from 5 cups of raw spinach!
- Vitamin C from 7 oranges!
Dr. Vladamir Vuksan and a team at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto have been trying to uncover the magic in this “super grain” from the plant called Salvia hispanica.
Vuksan and his research team tested Salba on 20 otherwise healthy diabetic patients for 12 weeks.
His team ground the Salba seeds into flour and baked it into bread, which was served to the diabetics. They also got more Salba powder to sprinkle on foods they ate at home.
Participants ate a total of four teaspoons of Salba each day. The subjects then had their blood measured for a variety of changes.
Researchers noted a slight drop in blood glucose. They also found that Salba:
- made blood thinner and less prone to developing harmful clots
- lowered levels of internal inflammation
- reduced blood pressure
According to study results, using Salba reduced systolic blood pressure by about 6.3 mmHg!
Dr. Amir Hanna, a diabetes specialist at St. Michael’s who reviewed the data from the study, was impressed with the results. “The interesting thing was the… reduction in blood pressure. Actually, some pills don’t lower blood pressure that much.”
No study participants experienced any harmful side effects from the grain. But Vuksan cautions that—because of Salba’s ability to thin blood—people using anticoagulants, blood thinners and other blood pressure medications should consult their doctors before taking it.
Fast Fact
How Much Should You Weigh?
Here’s a simple way to calculate your ideal weight. Take your height over five feet—or 60 inches—and multiply by five. Add 110 if you’re a woman, and 120 if you’re a man.
For example, suppose Ralph is 5’7″—that’s 67 inches. Seven times five is 35. Add 120 and you get 155 pounds. This is Ralph’s ideal weight. If Marsha is 5’7″, her ideal weight is 145.
You have “wiggle room” of about 5% with your ideal weight. But maintaining the weight described by the formula can help you avoid high blood pressure and other health problems associated with excess weight gain!
Low-Carb Diet May Slow Prostate Tumor Growth
A recent study found that a low-carbohydrate diet slowed prostate tumor growth in mice. If this finding is confirmed in human clinical trials—it could have huge implications for prostate cancer therapy.
Lead researcher Dr. Stephen Freedland, a urologist at Duke University Medical Center, said eating fewer carbohydrates may decrease insulin production—which may be linked to tumor growth.
Previous studies linked insulin and a substance called insulin-like growth factor (IGF) with the growth of prostate tumors in mice.
Freedland and his colleagues think that reducing levels of these substances might slow prostate tumor growth.
They compared tumor growth in mice eating either:
- a low-carbohydrate diet
- a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet, or
- a Western diet high in fat and carbohydrates
The team found that mice who ate the low-carbohydrate diet had the smallest tumor size and longest survival.
Freedland said mice who ate a low-fat diet had large tumors and a shorter life span. Mice on the Western diet had the lowest survival rates and biggest tumors.
What’s more, although the low-carb and low-fat mice had lower insulin levels—only the low-carb mice had lower levels of IGF capable of stimulating tumor growth,” Freedland said.
Freedland is currently organizing a clinical trial to examine the impact of a low-carbohydrate diet on prostate tumor growth in men.
The study is published in the November 13 online edition of the journal Prostate.
Editor’s Choice
America’s single, deadliest deficiency…
Nine out of ten Americans are deficient in the #1 nutrient that clobbers inflammation.
This is dangerous because inflammation is a major cause of heart and brain problems… high blood pressure… joint pain… bone loss… digestive problems… blood sugar imbalances and a host of other health problems.
But the good news is: You can quickly help restore healthy levels of this essential nutrient and even REVERSE many of your health problems. How? Click here.
Health E-Hints
10 Tips for Preventing Head Injuries
In 2006, an estimated 1.1 million people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for head injuries. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), this doesn’t even account for injuries treated in doctors’ offices and urgent care centers.
To help prevent falls that can cause brain injury—the AANS offers these safety tips:
- Secure loose electrical cords and put away toys and other items that are lying around on floors, stairs, etc.
- Secure rugs and lift them periodically to inspect the backing for wear.
- Don’t walk on slippery, freshly washed floors and avoid floor waxes.
- Install grab bars and handrails if you are frail or elderly.
- Improve dim lighting in your home to decrease risk of falls.
- Install night lights in halls and bathrooms; keep a flashlight near your bed.
- Use stepstools or ladders only when absolutely necessary; check to ensure they are secure before using them.
- Check all stair railings and steps.
- Wear proper shoes with slip-resistant soles.
- Inspect and remove debris, snow or ice from walkways, driveways, porches and yards.
Just a few simple precautions can help protect you from dangerous falls—and the possibility of severe injuries!
Posted in Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, Bone Strength, Digestive Health, Heart Health, Inflammation, Joint Pain or Stiffness, Poor Diet, Protein Intake, Weight Loss.
Email this to a friend · Subscribe to this feed · Bookmark This!
| The Monday Edition | December 17, 2007 |
This UN-common cold virus could be public health enemy #1! - Issue 34
- This UN-common cold virus could be public health enemy #1!
- Swiss biotech firm says new vaccine may clobber high blood pressure…
- Can extra pounds PROTECT you from illness and death?
- Eat more of this nutrient for laser-sharp vision!
Dear Health-Conscious Friend,
Another year is coming to a close. If you didn’t meet all of your fitness goals, don’t worry.
It’s never too late to start improving your health—even if you’re past the “bloom of youth”!
In today’s Monday Edition of Health News Weekly™, I’ll share more interesting news to help protect your health. You’ll even find some tips to help you set new health goals—starting TODAY!
If you’re ready to discover more ways to protect your mind and body from illness, let’s get to it!
Founder & President
Health Resources
Mutant Cold Virus is a Dangerous Killer!
A mutated form of a common cold virus has caused 10 deaths in the last 18 months, U.S. health officials said.
According to a November 15 report issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adenoviruses usually cause non-life threatening respiratory infections.
But officials say a new version has caused at least 140 illnesses in New York, Oregon, Washington and Texas.
The illness made headlines in Texas earlier this year, when hundreds became sick at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.
The virus was fingered as the cause of the most serious cases—and even claimed the life of a 19-year-old trainee.
The Ad14 form of adenovirus was first identified in 1955. In 1969, doctors blamed the virus for a rash of illnesses in military recruits stationed in Europe.
Occurrences of this form of virus were rare until the recent incidents. Authorities say they seem to be growing more common.
The Ad14 strain accounted for 6% of adenovirus samples collected in 22 medical facilities in 2006. None was seen the previous two years, according to a study published this month in the medical journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.
There are more than 50 distinct types of adenoviruses to make you sick. Besides causing the common cold-they can also trigger pneumonia and bronchitis.
But some adenoviruses have also been blamed for stomach problems… eye infections… and the bladder infection cystitis. Severe illnesses are more likely in people with weaker immune systems.
There are no effective antiviral medications for adenoviruses. Patients usually are treated with aspirin, liquids and bed rest.
Editor’s Choice
Just sniff and go!
Now, viruses, bacteria, and allergens don’t stand a chance against this force shield of protection…
…That’s because this all-natural, scientifically formulated nasal spray contains a powerhouse of bacteria fighting nutrients that include:
- Aloe Barbadensis—for maximum antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant protection
- Mannitol—to help prevent bacteria from adhering to nasal passages
- Lysozyme—a powerful antibiotic that fights off infections by destroying the structural integrity of bacteria cells
- Potassium Sorbate—used to help prevent mold and bacteria growth
- Glycerin and Lactic Acid—to help soothe and moisturize inflamed nasal passages
- Nisin—a germicidal powerhouse that’s up to 1,000 times more toxic to bacteria than other natural antibiotics
Just sniff it and go—don’t worry—you’re protected… Click here
Could a Blood Pressure Vaccine Replace
Daily Medications?
A research group says they may have developed a series of shots to provide lifetime protection from high blood pressure. They say this vaccine could replace your need for daily medications to lower blood pressure.
Study author Dr. Juerg Nussberger—a professor of medicine at University Hospital of the Canton of Vaud in Lausanne, Switzerland—presented study results at the November 6 American Heart Association annual meeting in Orlando, FL.
According to a Health Day report, researchers used a small vaccine dose during the trial. But Nussberger the results showed “there was not only safety and tolerability—we also had efficacy with blood pressure.”
Nussberger also has an interest in Cytos Biotechnology, which makes the vaccine.
This new vaccine—known as CYT006-AngQb—works by blocking angiotensin II. This molecule constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure.
Study participants included 65 men and seven women, with an average age of 51 years. The volunteers all had mild to moderate high blood pressure.
Researchers injected volunteers with 100 or 300 micrograms of the vaccine at zero, four and 12 weeks from the start of the trial. Other volunteers received a placebo.
Patients who received either dose of the vaccine produced antibodies against angiotensin II after the first injection. The response was significantly higher and lasted longer in those who received the higher dose.
After 14 weeks, systolic blood pressure—the top number in a reading—fell by 5.6 mm Hg in the high-dose group. Diastolic blood pressure, the bottom number, fell by 2.8 mm Hg.
What’s more, the vaccine seemed to diminish the blood pressure surge that often occurs between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Experts say high blood pressure readings during these early morning hours raise the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The vaccine needs further testing—especially to see if your body would have an “escape mechanism” to raise blood pressure if and when needed.
“The big hope is that you could give a few doses, and that would be it for life, then you wouldn’t have some of the compliance issues related to taking medications on a daily basis,” added Dr. Daniel Jones, president of the American Heart Association. “Safety is the key thing. If this is proven safe, I really can’t think of a downside.”
Fast Fact
Coughing… wheezing… sneezing… these common allergic reactions can make you feel plain miserable! If you’re not sure what’s causing your discomfort, you could ask your doctor about computerized kinesiology systems—also called Dr. Voll’s technology. Some healthcare providers are using these methods to detect allergies.
You might also try some natural remedies such as vitamin B complex and vitamin C with bioflavonoids. Some folks also use B pollen or bromelain with quercetin for some sweet relief!
“Obesity Paradox” Puzzles Health Officials
Researchers have coined the term “obesity paradox” to describe a puzzling new connection between weight gain and heart disease.
Study results published in the American Journal of Medicine show an unexpected decrease in illness and death as body weight or body mass index (BMI) increases.
This unusual trend was noted among people with heart failure… patients having angioplasty… people with high blood pressure… and those with diseased heart arteries.
Researchers found that overweight and obese adults with high blood pressure and coronary artery disease had a lower risk of heart attack, stroke or death when compared with normal-weight counterparts.
The reasons for the apparent protective effect of increased BMI “are unclear,” said Dr. Seth Uretsky and colleagues from St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City.
The research team investigated the effect of overweight and obesity on heart-related outcomes in 22,576 people. Participants either had treated high blood pressure or coronary artery disease.
Study conclusions show the risk of death, heart attack, or stroke was lower in subjects who were classed as “overweight” with a BMI of 25 to 30. The same was true of obese participants with a BMI of 30 or greater.
“This ’obesity paradox&lsquoo; ccurred in men and women across all age groups, even though blood pressure was better controlled in normal-weight patients,” the investigators note.
In a commentary, Dr. Carl J. Lavie and colleagues of the Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans cautions that “one should not conclude that weight reduction is detrimental in overweight populations.”
Results of numerous studies clearly support the benefits of weight reduction in obese patients with heart disease, despite the obesity paradox.
Editor’s Choice
Reduce Homocysteine and Increase Heart Health
There are four power-packed nutrients that can help you drastically reduce your homocysteine levels.
Numerous studies have proven that vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, and TMG—nature’s four most powerful homocysteine fighters—can help give you a powerful defense against heart and circulatory problems and more…
Health E-Hints
A Simple Solution for Preventing Vision Loss!
You may already know high homocysteine levels cause heart and brain problems. But researchers at the Medical College of Georgia say they suspect homocysteine may also cause damage to your retina—and even vision loss!
According to cell biologist Dr. Sylvia Smith, preliminary evidence suggests elevated homocysteine levels damage the blood vessels and neurons of the retina.
Folate and vitamin B12 change homocysteine into an amino acid that helps create protein. Insufficient folate prevents this change from occurring.
Dr. Smith said a lack of folic acid in your diet can cause homocysteine levels to rise. The key is to include more folate-rich fruits, vegetables and grains in your diet.
Some delicious food sources of essential folate include:
- Fortified breakfast cereals
- Spinach
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Oranges
- Peanuts
Just a few dietary changes could help you clobber high homocysteine—and help you enjoy eagle-eye vision!
Posted in Blood Pressure, Heart Health, Homocysteine, Immunity, Poor Diet, Weight Loss.
Email this to a friend · Subscribe to this feed · Bookmark This!
| The Monday Edition | December 10, 2007 |
Find out why doctors are pouring “fire” into open wounds! - Issue 33
- Find out why doctors are pouring “fire” into open wounds!
- A new disturbing side effect of cholesterol-lowering drugs…
- What’s 1,000 times sweeter than sugar—with ZERO calories?!
- This natural disease fighter is simply NUTS!
Dear Health-Conscious Friend,
When it comes to improving your health—sometimes the best solutions you’ll find are right in Nature’s pantry!
For example, did you know that peanuts can help keep you safe from dangerous diseases? New scientific research says it’s true!
And did you know some surgeons think chili peppers are a “hot” new way to provide relief during painful surgeries? Doctors say it actually reduced morphine use in many patients!
You might know it—but there’s a West African fruit being used to develop a natural sweetener. It’s 1,000 times sweeter than sugar—and has no bitter aftertaste like artificial sweeteners!
You’ll find more information about these natural solutions to healthy living in today’s Monday Edition of Health News Weekly™!
Founder & President
Health Resources
Doctors Try Red-Hot Chili Peppers for Pain Relief!
It might sound crazy, but the searing heat of chili peppers may actually provide comfort during painful surgery!
Doctors are dripping capsaicin—the chemical that gives chili peppers their punch—directly into open wounds. They want to see if this fiery substance can dull the pain of knee replacement and other highly painful surgeries.
According to an Associated Press report, these experiments use an ultra-purified version of capsaicin to avoid infection. Volunteers are under anesthesia—so they don’t scream at the initial burn.
Researchers think higher doses could numb surgically exposed nerves for weeks. As a result, patients could suffer less pain and require fewer narcotic painkillers as they heal.
Chili peppers have been part of folk remedies for centuries. And heat-inducing capsaicin creams are popular drugstore remedies for aching muscles.
But the chili-pepper spice is hotter than ever—especially now that research shows capsaicin targets key pain-sensing cells in a unique way.
In a pilot U.S. study of 50 knee replacements, the half treated with capsaicin used less morphine in the 48 hours after surgery. The patients also reported less pain for two weeks. Ongoing studies are testing larger doses in more patients to see if the effect is real.
There’s a huge need for better surgical pain relief, says Dr. Eugene Viscusi, director of acute pain management at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, one of the test sites.
Morphine and other opioid painkillers are typically used for many surgeries. But these drugs also have serious side effects.
Specialists are watching the capsaicin research because it can act inside the wound, not body-wide.
“It’s in and it’s done,” Viscusi explains. “You can’t abuse it. You can’t misuse it.”
Editor’s Choice
A real pain ERASER!
Imagine eliminating your nagging neck… shoulder… hand… joint… back… elbow… knee… hip… or wrist pain as easy as erasing writing on a chalk board.
It’s not a dream, it’s an amazing balm that contains 7 of the most powerful, all natural pain fighters known to mankind.
In seconds, you can help erase pain and stiffness in your joints and muscles and experience long lasting relief… Click here
Cholesterol Drugs May Cause Insomnia
A new report from the U.S. National Institutes of Health found the statin drug Zocor® disrupts sleep patterns in some users.
Thousands of Americans take statin drugs to reduce their cholesterol levels. They also hope the drugs can help prevent heart attack or stroke.
Study author Dr. Beatrice Golomb of the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine’s Department of Medicine said concerns about statins adversely affecting sleep date back to at least 1990—just after the drugs were released.
Golomb said these early studies used tiny sample sizes and follow-ups of only 4 to 6 weeks. “The sample sizes were less than 20 or 30—not enough typically to show an effect unless the effect was huge,” Golomb noted.
The new study is the largest of its kind—involving 1,106 healthy adult men and women.
Participants were randomly chosen to receive 20 milligrams of Zocor® (simvastatin), 40 milligrams of Pravachol® (pravastatin), or a placebo for six months. The two dosages of the two statins are considered approximately equivalent.
Golomb said researchers noted less sleep quality and more sleep problems in patients taking simvastatin.
Participants who had worse sleep also showed a worsening in their aggression scores, compared to people in the other two study groups.
Dr. Sidney Smith, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Science and Medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, said this doesn’t mean that patients experiencing sleep problems should take themselves off Zocor® or another statin.
“The broader benefit of decreasing heart attack and stroke must be taken into account,” he said.
But Shane Ellison, former drug chemist and author of Hidden Truth about Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs, said an analysis of five major statin drug trials showed these medications only prevented heart attacks and strokes by a mere 1.4%.
Ellison said 50% of patients taking cholesterol-lowering drugs quit within the first year due to negative side effects. In considering the damage these drugs can cause, Ellison said “in no way do the benefits outweigh the risks.”
Fast Fact
Did you know drinking too much alcohol can cause high blood pressure? Even if you haven’t been diagnosed with hypertension—you should know that excessive alcohol can still boost your pressure.
Alcohol-related high blood pressure doesn’t respond to medication. Use alcohol very sparingly if you’re trying to keep you blood pressure in check. And for some folks—it could mean you’ll have to just say NO to even one drink!
New Plant-Based Sweetener
Poised to Hit the Market!
A new plant-based sweetener—said to be 1,000 times sweeter than cane sugar—may be the first natural product to rival artificial aspartame and sucralose sweeteners!
The substance brazzein, which is derived from a West African fruit, will be marketed globally under the brand name Cweet™. The sweetener has zero calories… is heat stable… and has no aftertaste.
According to a Natur Research Ingredients press statement, the California company with exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute the sweetener, scientists have long been aware of brazzein’s potential. But other distributors previously lacked a practical manufacturing process to bring the product to market.
Natur Research chief executive officer Loren Miles says his company has overcome this obstacle due to a production breakthrough achieved by a scientist at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Dr. Fariba Assadi-Porter is said to have developed an expression and purification system that will aid mass production of the product.
Natur Research Ingredients—which has obtained the exclusive worldwide manufacturing and distribution license for the ingredient from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)—claims this new product has no connection to previous versions of brazzein that failed to reach the market.
The ingredient will not be available commercially for another 12 to 18 months, pending approval of GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The company said its GRAS approval should coincide with customer testing of the product, and the sweetener should be ready to hit the market when testing phases have been completed.
Editor’s Choice
It’s an OUTRAGE You Haven’t Heard About This—
Until Now!
By the time you finish reading this, someone in your home state—maybe even your neighbor will suffer from a heart… lung… or brain attack! And sadly, that unfortunate soul won’t even know their health—and their life—was in serious danger!
Because while their cholesterol levels were normal… their blood pressure was a bit elevated, but not abnormally high… and they weren’t even overweight. But they did have some hidden symptoms of this health hazard:
- Numbness in their hands and feet…
- Forgetfulness… mental fuzziness… and “senior moments”…
- Blurry vision that would come and go…
- Nightly muscle spasms…
- Varicose veins that throbbed constantly…
- And not to mention the painful hemorrhoids!
They ignored these problems and blamed them on “getting old” because no one ever told them they were symptoms of the #1 sinister health threat facing folks over 50… Click here
Health E-Hints
A “Nutty” Solution for Clobbering Diseases!
Here’s a new peanut discovery that would surely make George Washington Carver proud!
A group of researchers in Huntsville, AL found that boiling peanuts boosts production of natural antioxidant chemicals. The study findings are reported in the October 31 edition of the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
According to study co-author Lloyd Walker—chair of Alabama A&M University’s Department of Food and Animal Sciences—these phytochemicals help protect cells against degenerative diseases. This includes killer diseases such as cancer… diabetes… and heart disease.
Walker said when water and heat penetrate the nuts, they release beneficial chemicals. Overcooking the nuts destroys the useful elements.
Posted in Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, Cholesterol, General Health, Heart Health, Joint Pain or Stiffness, Monday Edition Archive, Muscle Pain.
Email this to a friend · Subscribe to this feed · Bookmark This!
