| The Thursday Edition | October 9, 2008 |
Bleeding Gums May Predict a Major Health Disaster!
If your dentist has told you that you have periodontal, or gum disease—this could be a sign of future blood sugar problems, too. According to a study led by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, periodontal disease may be an independent predictor of Type 2 diabetes.
Periodontal disease begins when bacteria in your mouth builds up. It causes your gums to become red and swollen—and can cause bleeding when you brush. When left untreated, these bacteria can destroy the bone and tissue holding your teeth in place.
Diabetes has long been believed to be a risk factor for periodontal infections. But this is the first study to explore whether the reverse might also be true.
According to a statement from the Mailman School of Public Health, researchers studied more than 9,000 participants without diabetes. They found that 817 patients went on to develop diabetes.
The researchers compared the risk of developing diabetes over the next 20 years between people with different levels of periodontal disease. They found that people with advanced levels of gum disease were nearly twice as likely to become diabetic in that 20-year period.
Even after adjusting for factors such as age, smoking, obesity, hypertension and dietary patterns—the diabetes risk remained.
“We found that over two decades of follow-up, individuals who had periodontal disease were more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later in life when compared to individuals without periodontal disease,” said Ryan T. Demmer, Ph.D., M.P.H., associate research scientist in the department of epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health and lead author.
Demmer said more studies are needed to determine whether gum disease directly contributes to Type 2 diabetes—and whether treating the dental problem can be a preventive measure.
Posted in Blood Sugar, General Health.
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| The Thursday Edition |
The Deadly Dozen of Prescription Drugs!
Nowadays, almost every prescription and over-the-counter drug on the market sports a warning label of potential side effects. That’s because pharmaceutical companies are all about raking in HUGE profits, which means what’s best for your health is likely to take a backseat!
Reports show five out of six Americans age 65 or older take at least one prescription medication. And nearly half take at least three prescriptions or more!
But the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) kindly informs you of drug dangers and side effects by slapping black box warnings—the agency’s highest risk level—on the labels of more than 430 medications!
Let’s look at 12 of the riskiest prescription drugs, or what you might call “The Deadly Dozen.”
Lipitor®, Zocor®, Pravachol®, Zetia®, Vytorin®, Crestor®—These cholesterol drugs, or statins, claim to help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and raise your “good” HDL. But they have been linked to kidney failure… decreased CoQ10 levels… potential liver damage… kidney and heart muscle damage… and immune deficiency, just to name a few!
Norvasc®—This drug claims to help control high blood pressure, chest pain and unclog your arteries for 24 hours straight. But it has been linked to low blood pressure, extreme dizziness and decreased libido!
Toprol XL®, Zebeta®—These are the brand names of a class of beta-blockers, which claim to treat high blood pressure and increase blood circulation, but have been known to cause irregular heartbeat… fainting or dizzy spells… increased depression… and numbness in the hands and feet!
Zoloft®, Paxil®, Prozac®, Wellbutrin®, Lexapro®—These antipsychotics or anti-depressants have been linked to worsening depression… migraines… digestive troubles… and an increased mental decline in Alzheimer’s patients!
Cirpo®, Zithromax®, Keflex® (amoxicillin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, tetracycline)—These popular antibiotics are intended to treat bacterial infections. But they also rid your body of GOOD bacteria—and make you a sitting duck for digestive problems!
Vioxx®, Bextra®, Celebrex®—These COX-2 inhibitors, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat arthritis. However, due to their dangerous side effects related to heart attack and stroke, Vioxx® and Bextra® were pulled from the market. Celebrex® escaped this fate by adding a black box warning!
Coumadin® (warfarin)—This blood thinner is intended to increase circulation and break down blood clots. But, according to the FDA black box warning—it can cause “major or fatal” internal bleeding!
Fosamax®, Actonel®—These osteoporosis drugs claim to maintain bone health. But the latest reports indicate patients—mainly women—double the risk of developing heart conditions! Plus they have been linked to jaw bone disintegration, severe muscle pain, digestive problems and migraines!
Detrol®, Ditropan®—These drugs are prescribed for urinary incontinence and overactive bladder. But they have been linked to chest pain… weight gain… hallucinations… painful urination (if any at all!) dizziness… migraines… and joint pain!
Proscar®, Flomax®—These drugs are used to treat enlarged prostate. But reports show significant results are delayed by up to six months. And the side effects include an increased risk of developing abnormal prostate cells… reduced libido… swelling in hands and feet… severe pain in the testicles… and even impotence!
Actos®, Avandia®—These drugs claim to help Type 2 diabetes patients control blood sugar levels by reducing insulin resistance. But both have FDA black box warnings of side effects ranging from shortness of breath, rapid weight gain and chest pain to an increased risk of heart attack and potential liver failure!
Prilosec®, Nexium®, Prevacid®—These proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) claim to treat the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). But they’ve been shown to increase the amount of acid in your stomach! Plus, these “purple pills” can cause depression… increase your risk for pancreatitis… cause liver damage… increase joint pain and more!
This is just a brief list of the dangerous—and possibly deadly—risks associated with expensive prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. When deciding what’s best for your health, be sure to check out natural and safe alternatives with your physician. It could mean all the difference in protecting your priceless body and mind!
Posted in General Health.
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| The Thursday Edition |
Fast Fact
There’s “berry” good news for those of you wanting to naturally lower your cholesterol. Researchers from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) say a compound found in blueberries—called pterostilbene—can significantly help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels. In lab results, the compound worked just as well as prescription medications—minus the dangerous side effects!
Posted in Cholesterol.
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| The Thursday Edition |
Health E-Hint: Amazing Nutrients Provide the Secrets to Virility!
Women know the healthy benefits of folic acid, but men—did you know it was good for you, too? Folic acid and vitamin B have long been prescribed for expectant and nursing mothers to ward off the possibility of serious birth defects, but their amazing abilities don’t end there!
Folic acid and vitamin B—coupled with zinc—have now been shown to help restore sperm counts and increase fertility. In a study of 103 men who experienced fertility problems, the group was given a regimen comprised of either folic acid and zinc sulfate or a placebo.
Published reports showed a 74 percent increase in sperm count for patients who received the supplements! So, men don’t leave your sexual health to chance—get your share of folic acid and zinc, too!
Posted in Female Libido, General Health, Male Libido.
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| The Monday Edition | October 6, 2008 |
Aging Doesn’t Automatically Snuff Out Your Fires of Desire!
Here’s some good news if you’re trying to keep the “vroom vroom” in your bedroom! A study conducted by researchers at the University of Chicago has found that sexual dysfunction is not necessarily an inevitable part of aging.
The study findings show sexual problems among older Americans can be tied to many common life stressors—such as changes in mental or physical health. But the researchers said there was “little, if any, increase in sexual problems with increasing age for either gender.”
This finding is reported in the paper “Sexual Dysfunction Among Older Adults: Prevalence and Risk Factors from a Nationally Representative U.S. Probability Sample of Men and Women 57 to 85 Years of Age,” and is published in the current issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Researchers conducted interviews with 1,550 women and 1,455 men, ages 57 to 85 nationwide. The participants were also part of the 2005-2006 National Social Life, Health and Aging Project—a national survey of community-dwelling, older Americans. The survey collected data on social life, sexuality, health and a broad range of biological measures.
Study results showed that women were more likely than men to experience sexual dysfunction because of health issues. For example, researchers found that urinary tract infections increased women’s lack of interest or pleasure in sexual relations.
Researches also noted that any lifetime history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) nearly quadrupled women’s chances for experiencing pain or lubrication problems.
Men were similarly affected by such diseases—and were nearly five times as likely to report sex as non-pleasurable if they previously had an STD.
But the most common problem for men is erectile dysfunction, a problem that increases with age.
“The results point to a need for physicians who are treating older adults experiencing sexual problems to take into account their physical health and also consider their mental health and their satisfaction with their intimate relationship in making any assessment,” said Edward Laumann, the George Herbert Mead Distinguished Service Professor of Sociology at UOC, and lead author of the paper.
Posted in Female Libido, Male Libido, Monday Edition Archive.
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