Courtesy LATimes.com:

The Food and Drug Administration Thursday warned physicians and patients that the intravenous antibiotic Cubicin can cause life-threatening eosinophilic pneumonia, which is marked by the accumulation of a type of white blood cells called eosinophils in the lungs. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

Cubicin is the brand name for the generic drug daptomycin, sold by Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc. It was approved in September 2003 for treating serious skin infections and in 2006 to treat bloodstream infections. In 2007, its label was modified to indicate an increased risk for pulmonary eosinophilia, an increased concentration of eosinophils in the blood.

The FDA said it has identified seven confirmed cases of eosinophilic pneumonia between 2004 and 2010 and an additional 36 possible cases. The seven confirmed victims were all older than 60 and symptoms appeared within two weeks of initiation of Cubicin therapy. All seven were being treated off-label for non-FDA approved conditions. Symptoms resolved when the drug was discontinued, but reappeared in two patients when the treatment was begun again.

The current epidemic levels of pertussis (whooping cough) in California have prompted public health officials to remind San Bernardino County residents about the importance of getting vaccinated. The rising number of pertussis cases in the state this year, may make this the worst outbreak of the disease in over 50 years.

"The best way to prevent pertussis is to get vaccinated," said Dr. Maxwell Ohikhuare, San Bernardino County Health Officer. He emphasized that the adolescent-adult pertussis booster vaccine (Tdap), is now recommended for the following individuals:

Anyone 7 years and older who is not fully immunized, including those who are more than 64 years old,

Women of childbearing age, before, during, or immediately after pregnancy, and
Other people who have contact with pregnant women or infants.

"Immunity from pertussis vaccine or disease wears off, so most adults are susceptible to pertussis and should get immunized to protect themselves and their families," said Ohikhaure.

Infants are especially vulnerable if they are not immunized or incompletely immunized. Infants under the age of 12 months have more serious illness from pertussis, and they are more likely to have complications and be hospitalized than persons in other age groups.

There were 1,496 cases of pertussis recorded in California in the first six months of this year. San Bernardino County has had 17 confirmed cases and 1 death since January. There were 16 pertussis cases in the County in 2009.

The pertussis vaccine is safe for children and adults. Infants can get the first pertussis vaccination at 2 months of age, but they aren't adequately protected until the series of three shots is complete at 6 months of age. It's preferable for pregnant women to be vaccinated after the first 12 weeks gestation.

Parents can also help protect very young infants by reducing contact with persons who have cold symptoms or cough illness. Pertussis is a bacterial illness spread through the air from person-to-person, through close contact with droplets released when someone coughs or sneezes. The illness starts with cold-like symptoms that get more severe after one-to-two weeks. Rapid coughing fits follow, that may have a whooping sound, lasting 6 to 10 weeks.

Adults are urged to contact their health care provider for information about the booster vaccine that is best for them, and to get immunized. Immunizations are a routine benefit covered by most health insurance plans.

San Bernardino County Department of Public Health will provide pertussis vaccine in all its clinics. For clinic locations and schedules call 1 (800) 782-4264, or visit the website at www.sbcounty.gov/dph.

For more facts about pertussis and vaccine guidance, visit the California Department of Public Health website at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/Pertussis.aspx, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/default.htm.

Courtesy Fastcompany.com:

So you've bought a BPA-free water bottle and ditched BPA-filled canned food. But BPA, a toxic chemical found in many of the products we use every day, may still be a big part of your life. That's because massive amounts of BPA are found on many store receipts. And according to a recent study, BPA easily makes the transfer from receipt to skin, where it penetrates at such a deep level that it can't be washed off.

Environmental Working Group decided to find out just how much BPA is found on the store receipts that many of us touch every day. The group explains:
Thermal paper is widely used for point-of-sale receipts, prescription labels, airline tickets and lottery tickets. Thermal printers use paper that is coated with a dye and developer (BPA or an alternative chemical). Heat from the thermal printing head triggers a reaction between the dye and developer, allowing the black print to appear. In an effort to quantify how much BPA would transfer to a person's hand, the laboratory performed wipe tests on four BPA-laden receipts. In all four cases, BPA transferred from the receipts to the wipes. An average of 2.4 percent of the receipts' total BPA content wiped off, suggesting that a person who handled receipts would be exposed to some BPA in the thermal paper.
EWG's test of 36 receipts from popular retailers yielded some disturbing results: BPA was found in significant levels in receipts from chains including Safeway, KFC, Whole Foods, Walmart, and McDonald's. In all cases, BPA levels varied wildly from store to store. For example, Receipts from a KFC in Wheaton, Maryland contained 10.64 milligrams of BPA, while receipts from another KFC in Ames, Iowa contained just 0.0001 milligrams. The discrepancies exist because different stores use different types of receipts--some thermal paper manufacturers make an effort to produce BPA-free products.

What's a shopper without easy access to a BPA testing facility to do? Decline receipts whenever possible, wash hands after touching them (even though some BPA will still penetrate the skin), and store receipts in separate envelopes. Beyond that, we can only try to pressure stores into ditching BPA-coated receipts. Reports like this one from the EWG should help.

Read more

By Steven Rawls
www.REEIShome.com

(Riverside, CA) Could a toxin lurking in your home be a threat to you and your family? Some of us may not sleep so well after hearing speculation that mold may have been the cause of actress Brittany Murphy and her husband film maker Simon Monjack's death.

Mold was found in the couple's home, which was at first was determined "not to be a contributing factor" to Murphy's death, but after Monjack was found dead on May 23, the Department of Public Health has reportedly launched an investigation. Monjack died from pneumonia and severe anemia and Murphy's cause of death was determined to be anemia, pneumonia and multiple drug intoxication (including prescription medications, not illegal drugs) and was officially ruled an accident.

Mold can be lurking anywhere; in an attic, behind a wall cavity, in a garage, under a sink, however only poses a serious problem once airborne. Toxic mold can produce chemicals called mycotoxins if ingested in your system mycotoxins damage health by increasing susceptibility to a wide variety of diseases, including pneumonia, by weakening the immune system. The amount of mold it takes to cause health effects in humans is highly individualistic. Infants, young children, elderly, and those with immune-compromising conditions are at greater risk. Symptoms include dermatitis cough, and cold and flu-like symptoms.

Courtesy Chicago Sun Times:

Contact lenses might be harder for kids and teens to get the hang of than some people think.

They're the top cause of medical "device" complications in kids, U.S. Food and Drug Administration researchers found in a new study of emergency care.

Many problems are things like infections and eye abrasions in contact lens wearers.
These often result from wearing contact lenses too long without cleaning them.
In all, more than 70,000 children and teens go to the emergency room each year for injuries and complications from medical devices, according to the study, published Monday by the journal Pediatrics.

Other problems include puncture wounds from needle injections of medicine or illegal drugs, infections from implanted shunts and catheters in chronically ill kids, infections in young children who've had ear tubes inserted and skin tears from pelvic devices used during gynecological exams in teenage girls.

(NAPSA)-While it's a wise idea for everyone to see an eye care professional at least once every year or so, this is especially important for Latinos.

The Reasons
Research that was supported by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, revealed that Mexican-Americans are at greater risk for developing visual impairment, blindness, diabetic eye disease and cataracts than non-Hispanic whites.

"This study showed that Latinos develop certain vision conditions at different rates than other ethnic groups," said Rohit Varma, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Ocular Epidemiology Center at the Doheny Eye Institute, University of Southern California. "The burden of vision loss and eye disease on the Latino community is increasing as the population ages and many eye diseases are becoming more common."

Researchers found Latinos developed visual impairment and blindness at the highest rate of any ethnic group in the country. Overall, nearly 3 percent of Latinos developed visual impairment and 0.3 percent developed blindness in both eyes, with older adults affected more frequently. Of Latinos age 80 and older, 19.4 percent became visually impaired and 3.8 percent became blind in both eyes.

U.S. Latinos were more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy than non-Hispanic whites. One in three study participants who had diabetes developed diabetic retinopathy, with Latinos ages 40 to 59 having the highest rate.

Researchers also found that Latinos who already had visual impairment, blindness or diabetic retinopathy in one eye when they began the study had very high rates of developing the condition in the other eye during the study. More than half of participants who already had diabetic retinopathy in one eye developed it in the other eye.

"These results underscore the importance of Latinos, especially those with diabetes, getting regular, dilated eye exams to monitor their eye health," Varma said. "Eye care professionals should closely monitor those who have eye disease in one eye because their quality of life can be dramatically impacted if they develop the condition in both eyes." Yet previous studies showed more than 60 percent of eye disease in Latinos is undiagnosed and undetected.

Learn More
For information about the National Eye Health Education Program's ¡Ojo con su Visión! (Watch out for your Vision) program, which provides culturally appropriate vision health information for Latinos, visit www.nei. nih.gov/nehep/programs/ojo/ index.asp.

(NAPSA)-When it comes to prescription medications, one size does not always fit all. Different patients can have varied responses to the same medication based on a number of factors-such as weight, age and their genes.

The good news is that knowing about your DNA could make all the difference when it comes to a medication's effectiveness. That's because your genetic makeup can influence the way your body will react to certain medications and knowing that information can help a physician prescribe the right drug or dose.

In the past, doctors have used a trial-and-error approach to determine whether a drug was working properly for a patient. But now there are genetic tests for several commonly prescribed medications that can help doctors target dosing more precisely.

Genetic tests, which often involve a saliva test or simple swab from the inside of your cheek, can determine how a medication is metabolized or broken down in the body and indicates if you'll need a higher or lower dose of the drug or if the medication will be effective at all.

Knowing how a patient will respond to a drug can prevent serious side effects or can ensure that the drug being taken is having the desired effect. These gene tests can be lifesavers, such as for those taking certain breast cancer and heart disease medications.
For example, tamoxifen is one of the most commonly prescribed breast cancer drugs. It's used to prevent the recurrence of the disease, and for most women, it's extremely effective.

However, for the 10 percent of women who don't metabolize it properly, taking the drug may provide little or no benefit. With a genetic test, their physician can decide if they should be on tamoxifen or if another drug would be more beneficial.

According to the experts at Medco, gene testing can also be important for patients taking an anti-clotting medication. Known by its brand name Plavix, it's used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Even though it is one of the world's most prescribed drugs, there are patients who do not fully benefit from it because of their genetic makeup.

Based on this evidence, the Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning, stating that the drug can be less effective for patients with this gene mutation, putting them at risk of a serious cardiovascular problem.

Patients taking another heart medication known by its brand name Coumadin can also benefit from a gene test. For years, doctors have struggled with starting patients on the correct dose of this blood thinner.

To learn more about the benefits of genetic testing, visit www.medco.com.

(NAPSA)-Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men, and one in six will get prostate cancer during his lifetime. With nearly 200,000 new cases reported a year, there is fresh hope found within the pith of citrus fruit peels, according to a study from New York's Columbia University.

The results of this study, as reported by lead researcher Dr. Aaron Katz in the online-first publication of Integrative Cancer Therapies, demonstrate that modified citrus pectin (MCP) can inhibit prostate cancer cell growth and even induce cell death in all prostate cancer cell lines tested, including the aggressive androgen-independent form of the disease. The study also supports the results of previous research on MCP, which showed clinical benefits in patients with recurring prostate cancer and those with advanced solid tumors of multiple cancer types.

Modified citrus pectin is derived from the pith of citrus fruit. The MCP studied at Columbia University has undergone enzymatic modification so that it meets specific molecular chain and weight characteristics (www.modifiedcitruspectin.org).

"Our findings clearly demonstrate that MCP possesses anti-prostate cancer properties in both androgen-dependent [hormonal sensitive] and androgen-independent [hormonal-resistant] prostate cancer cells. These results strongly suggest that MCP can be a promising chemopreventive and therapeutic agent against this malignancy," says lead author Dr. Jun Yan. "We speculate that the specific type of MCP used in this research may be absorbed more easily into the human body, meaning that a higher concentration of MCP may reach the prostate gland."

Scientific data suggests that MCP interferes with the binding properties of cancer cell surface proteins called galectins. This prevents the cancer cells from adhering to each other and growing elsewhere in the body (metastasis). MCP additionally blocks the surfaces of cancer cells from attracting blood vessels (angiogenesis), essentially starving the cells.

"The anti-metastatic role of MCP is well established," says Dr. Isaac Eliaz, whom the authors of the study acknowledge for his development of the specific MCP in the research (www.dreliaz.org). "The fact that it can have a direct effect on the cancer itself makes it important in prevention, in early stage prostate cancer, and into advanced prostate cancer. Its safety and the fact that it doesn't work via hormonal-induced mechanisms of action make it an excellent agent to be used in conjunction with other therapies."

Ongoing research on this MCP continues to show encouraging results in prostate as well as breast cancer, and additional studies are forthcoming.
You can learn more about the multiple health benefits of MCP at www.modifiedcitruspectin.org.

About Dr. Isaac Eliaz:
Dr. Isaac Eliaz is a respected author, lecturer, researcher, product formulator and clinical practitioner. He's been a pioneer in integrative medicine since the early 1980s.

Source: Integrative Cancer Therapies
Yan J, Katz AE. PectaSol-C Modified Citrus Pectin Induces Apoptosis and Inhibition of Proliferation in Human and Mouse Androgen-Dependent and Independent Prostate Cancer Cells. Integr Cancer Ther. 2010.

(NAPSA)-There's actually some good news for those at risk for heart disease. Experts say there are several risk factors for heart disease that can be controlled through a combination of behavior and diet. One of the more important of these factors is blood cholesterol.

Cholesterol can build up in our arteries and cause blood flow to be restricted. This can raise blood pressure and strain the heart; it also raises risk of developing heart attacks and strokes. Here are some tips that can help you manage your cholesterol:

Know Your Numbers
Stay on top of your health by getting your important numbers checked regularly by a doctor or a nurse.

These include blood cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, BMI (body mass index) and blood pressure.
• Total Cholesterol-If your total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL, your risk for heart attack is thought to be relatively low.
• LDL Cholesterol-This is your "bad" cholesterol and is one of the most important numbers for determining your risk for heart disease. The ideal level is less than 100 mg/dL.
• HDL Cholesterol-This is your "good" cholesterol and ideally is greater than 60 mg/dL.
• Blood Pressure-Blood pressure is the measure of the blood as it pushes against the arteries in your body. A desirable blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg.

Get Moving

Another way to help manage your cholesterol is to get some physical activity every day to help keep your heart strong.

Regular exercise also helps to boost your levels of HDL. It can also help to maintain a healthy weight, which makes your heart's job easier while lowering stress.

Chronic stress can strain the heart, just like extra weight. Try healthy ways to vent stress, such as breathing exercises.

Diet And Cholesterol

The American Heart Association recommends a heart-healthy diet as one way to help manage your cholesterol. Such a diet includes:
• Fruits prepared with little or no added sugar, fat or salt;
• Vegetables prepared with little or no added sugar, fat or salt;
• Lean meats and poultry;
• Soy protein: soy milk or soy meat analogs;
• Fish: Preferably fish with "healthy fats," such as salmon or tuna, baked, broiled, grilled or boiled-but not fried;
• Dairy: Low-fat or fat-free milk (1 percent or skim), low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheese;
• Whole grains: cereals, breads, pastas and tortillas made with whole grain, and brown rice;
• Oats, which contain soluble fiber that can help soak up some cholesterol and prevent it from being absorbed by your digestive tract. Eating foods made from oats, such as Cheerios, may help lower cholesterol.

Here is a recipe that uses Cheerios as part of a heart-healthy snack. You can pack individual servings of this snack in small containers or plastic bags for family members who are on the go.

On-the-Run Cereal Snack
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Start to Finish: 5 Minutes
4 cups Honey Nut Cheerios(r) cereal
1 cup salted peanuts
1 cup raisins
1 cup chocolate chips

1. In large bowl or resealable food-storage plastic bag, stir all ingredients.
2. Store in airtight container.

14 servings (1⁄2 cup each)
1 Serving: Calories 210 (Calories from Fat 90); Total Fat 10g (Saturated Fat 3g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 110mg; Potassium 240mg; Total Carbohydrate 26g (Dietary Fiber 3g); Protein 5g

To learn more, visit www.my pyramid.gov, www.cheerios.com/ forAdults/cholesterol/cholesterol_ home.aspx and www.american heart.org.

by Dr. Robert Meislin
NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases

(NAPSA)-Do you tend to avoid exercise for fear your aging joints may be prone to stress during the twists, turns and pounding of many sports? Unfortunately, many aging weekend warriors begin to shy away from physical activities-even those they used to enjoy-because they are afraid exercise will make them feel worse, not better.

In fact, exercise can help reduce the pain and stiffness seniors often experience. The key is picking the right activity. While it's true that high-impact activities like running, tennis and basketball can aggravate pain, it's also true that low-impact activities like swimming, cycling and yoga can actually lessen joint discomfort and improve flexibility. Aerobic exercises (such as swimming) curb weight gain, which stresses joints, while range-of-motion exercises (such as yoga) build strength, which protects joints.

Early diagnosis of such conditions as osteoarthritis (OA) is also vitally important-lifestyle changes work best during OA's earliest stages. OA is the most common type of arthritis in the United States, affecting over 33 million people. Unfortunately, when OA advances, it can result in major disability. Even normal movements such as walking, bending and climbing steps can become painful.

That's why it's so important to see your doctor if you notice symptoms of knee OA including stiffness, pain and swelling. Together, you can develop a treatment plan that includes appropriate exercise and, if necessary, medications such as over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription anti-inflammatories.

One treatment option for knee pain caused by osteoarthritis is Euflexxa(r) (1% sodium hyaluronate). Euflexxa is an injectable prescription medication that replenishes the fluid found in the knee, allowing for easy movement with little to no side effects. Combining treatments such as Euflexxa with exercise and weight loss can be especially effective in helping to relieve OA knee pain.

Physical activity provides enormous benefits to older adults. Exercise prevents disease, lightens mood, improves balance, averts falls and overall preserves independence. It can also be fun. With the right exercise program and the right treatment, seniors can look forward to an active life filled with enjoyable pursuits.

To share your story and enter for a chance to win a year's gym membership, visit www.euflexxa.com.

Courtesy Foxnews.com:

The regular use of basic cleaning products in the home may double the risk of women developing breast cancer, a U.S. study found.

The study, published Tuesday in the international journal Environmental Health, suggests that using household cleaning products may contribute to an increased risk of women developing breast cancer.

The use of cleaners including air fresheners and mold removers doubled the risk of breast cancer in women who used them most often, the study found.

However, products including mothballs, pesticides and insect repellents had little impact on the risks of women developing breast cancer.

The study suggests that household cleaning products and pesticides may contribute to breast cancer because they contain "endocrine disrupting chemicals" or "mammary gland carcinogens."

Researchers asked 787 Massachusetts women diagnosed with breast cancer between 1988 and 1995 about which household cleaning products they used.

Researchers also questioned a further 721 women without breast cancer.The women were then asked for their beliefs about the causes of breast cancer.

However, the study's authors warned that "recall bias" may have skewered the results.

This means that patients who believed chemicals contributed heavily to the risk of developing breast cancer were more likely to report high use of cleaning products.

Not everyone was happy with the news of the study.

"Simply put, this research is rife with innuendo and speculation about the safety of cleaning products and their ingredients," said Richard Sedlak, the American Cleaning Industry's senior vice president of Technical and International Affairs, in a press release. "This is all based on the most cursory look at the scientific literature and the recollection of breast cancer survivors as to the products they used 15 to 20 years ago."

"Although the authors recognize the potential bias in their results, present conflicting findings, and have no real gauge as to the products used by the interviewees so long ago, they proceed to make unscientific assumptions on a very shaky foundation. Unfortunately, this work sheds little light on the real causes of breast cancer."

Any diet plan that you can comfortably create a caloric deficit should create a 1 to 2 pound per week loss is best. Something that works for some, may not work for others. It really has to do with preference. There are special diet needs (diabetic, celiac or gluten sensitivity etc.) but that's not a weight loss diet.

There are many options available. Just walk into any bookstore in the diet section and you will see many variations. Yes, they will work, if they are creating a caloric deficit for you.

Whatever way you choose, it needs to be a good fit with your lifestyle. Drastic diets may look great, but not many people can maintain that way of eating for the rest of their lives. In other words don't look for a quick fix. You can use a diet that someone else has come up with or you can figure out your own caloric needs for weight loss. There are many free online calculators and if you have a smart phone there's an ap for that.

You could search out BMR calculators or there's a simple calculation I use. Just figure your goal weight, making sure that it's a weight that's sustainable for you and multiply that by 10 to 12 depending on your activity level and height and frame. For example your goal weight is 130 pounds. For a small framed, short woman, you would multiply that by 10 and your daily caloric needs would be 1300 calories per day. By experimenting you'll know what is good for you. For instance, if you're just hungry all the time and have no energy, you may want to bump up that amount some. It's a bit of trial and error. Counting calories will also entail learning how many calories are in your foods and drinks. Which will require some sort of journaling, weighing and or measuring.

Now, if this is not your thing, there are other methods available that can be helpful, in that I will cover in my next post.