January 2011 Archives

You might want to keep your emotions in check during next week's Super Bowl. That's because emotional stress that some people experience during a Super Bowl loss could prove deadly.

A new study suggests that a loss in the Super Bowl is associated with increased heart-related death rates for men and women, and in older fans as well.

Some sports fans may get heavily emotionally involved when rooting for their favorite team, and if that team loses, stress levels can soar, researchers say.

Researchers led by Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD, of the University of Southern California, examined data on death rates for Los Angeles County around the time of the Los Angeles Rams' loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIV in Pasadena in 1980. Researchers also looked at what happened four years later when the Los Angeles Raiders won Super Bowl XVIII in Tampa.

Rooting for Losing Team in Super Bowl Could Be Deadly

The 1980 loss was associated with an increase in total heart-related deaths in men and women in Los Angeles County on the day of the Super Bowl loss and for the two weeks following the loss. The increased risk of death was more pronounced in people aged 65 and older.

The Super Bowl loss was associated with a 15% increase in all circulatory deaths for men, but a 27% increase in women, the researchers say.

In older fans, the researchers report a 22% increase in circulatory deaths associated with the 1980 Super Bowl loss.

"Physicians and patients should be aware that stressful games might elicit an emotional response that could trigger a cardiac event," Kloner says in a news release.

While the Rams, now in St. Louis, lost in 1980, the Raiders' victory in 1984 did not show an increase in total death rates.

Intensity of Games May Be a Factor

The two Super Bowl games studied were markedly different in nature. The 1980 game was much more intense, the researchers say, with frequent lead changes, and fan loyalty may have been greater because the Rams had been a Los Angeles team since 1946.

In 1984, the Raiders had been playing in Los Angeles for only a few years.

Also, emotional involvement in fans in Los Angeles may have been different because the 1980 game was played in the suburb of Pasadena, while the Raiders' contest four years later was played in Tampa.

The researchers looked at death rates in Los Angeles County on the day of each Super Bowl and for the two weeks following each game. The data were compared to death rates in the same county for the same period in the years between and after those Super Bowls.

The study is published in the journal Clinical Cardiology.

Read more at WebMD

Courtesy washingtonpost.com:

Federal health officials announced Wednesday that they were investigating a possible association between saline and silicone gel-filled breast implants and very rare form of cancer known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).

In a statement released in advance of a briefing for reporters, the FDA said it had found a "a very small but significant risk of ALCL in the scar capsule adjacent to the implant" after reviewing data worldwide and was asking doctors to report any cases of ALCL in women with breast implants.

"We need more data and are asking that health care professionals tell us about any confirmed cases they identify," said William Maisel, the FDA's chief scientist in a written statement. "We are working with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and other experts in the field to establish a breast implant patient registry, which should help us better understand the development of ALCL in women with breast implants."

In the meantime, the agency planned to work with breast implant manufacturers warn women considering implants of the possible risk.

The announcement was prompted by a a review of scientific literature published between January 1997 and May 2010 and "information from other international regulators, scientists, and breast implant manufacturers," the FDA said. The literature review identified 34 unique cases of ALCL in women with both saline and silicone breast implants. So far, the FDA has found a total of only about 60 cases of ALCL in women with breast implants worldwide, according to the statement. But the agency stresssed ":this number is difficult to verify because not all cases were published in the scientific literature and some may be duplicate reports."

An estimated 5 million to 10 million women worldwide have breast implants.

Most cases reviewed by the FDA were diagnosed when patients sought medical treatment for implant-related symptoms. such as pain, lumps, swelling, or "asymmetry that developed after their initial surgical sites were fully healed," the FDA said. These symptoms were due to collection of fluid, hardening of breast area around the implant or masses surrounding the breast implant.

ALCL is diagnosed in about one out of 500,000 women in the United States each year, the FDA said. ALCL located in breast tissue is found in only about three out of every 100 million women nationwide without breast implants

The FDA stressed that there was "no need for women with breast implants to change their routine medical care and follow-up. ALCL is very rare; it has occurred in only a very small number of the millions of women who have breast implants."
.
"Women should monitor their breast implants and contact their doctor if they notice any changes," the FDA said. "Women who are considering breast implant surgery should discuss the risks and benefits with their health care provider."

Where's the beef? Apparently not in Taco Bell beef chimichangas, according to a recent lawsuit.

A group of attorneys in California claim the "¡Yo Quiero Taco Bell!" chain is using false advertising when it says it uses "seasoned beef" in its food. The lawsuit says they had Taco Bell's meat mixture tested and it contained less than 35 percent beef.

"Rather than beef, these food items are actually made with a substance known as "taco meat filling"... (which) mostly consists of "extenders" and other non-meat substances," says the class-action lawsuit, filed last Friday in the Central District of California. "Taco meat filling is not beef."

When customers bite into a crunchy beef taco, they are actually munching on water, wheat oats, soy lecithin, maltodrextrin, anti-dusting agent and modified corn starch, the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit, filed by the Montgomery law firm Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, claims the chain does not meet the minimum requirements by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA defines beef, the lawsuit says, as "flesh of cattle" and says ground beef should consist of chopped fresh and/or frozen beef "without the addition of beef fat as such, shall not contain more than 30 percent fat, and shall not contain added water, phosphates, binders or extenders."

Read more:

Courtesy NPR.org:

Sure, blueberries are good for you, and they taste terrific. That's why food marketers make blueberry-flavored stuff.

But why is it OK to list blueberries on a package of something that doesn't have blueberries in it?

With dramatic sound effects and scary music, a video produced by natural food advocates at the Consumer Wellness Center points out that this kind of marketing can be deceptive.

Instead of using real blueberries, some companies use blueberry "bits" and "particles," which typically consist of various sugars and starches coated with food dye to make them look like blueberries, the documentary shows. A couple are from Kellogg's, which has gotten in trouble with packaged cereal claims before.

For example, from the video:

Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats also come in a Blueberry Muffin variety, with fresh blueberries prominently featured on the front of the package. But inside, there are no actual blueberries to be found. Instead, you get "blueberry flavored crunchlets" -- yes, crunchlets -- made from sugars, soybean oil, red #40 and blue #2.

It's true! Here are the blueberry flavored crunchlets, right on the ingredient list.

Company spokesman Kris Charles says the product is "labeled in compliance with applicable laws and regulations."

Now, this isn't the first time the food industry's been a little loose with food definitions. Earlier this week, things got sticky for McDonald's because the state of Vermont objected to the company's "Fruit and Maple Oatmeal." It doesn't contain real maple as that state defines it.

Apparently, the company just settled, agreeing to offer real maple syrup on the side to customers in Vermont.

A spokeswoman for the Food and Drug Administration said the agency would have to review the blueberry-pushing products to determine whether they violate any laws. That could take a while.

So what's a consumer to do now? Turn the box over and read the fine print on the ingredients list to see if there's any real fruit in there before buying.

Better yet, buy a box of fresh blueberries and top your plain old cereal with them.

The community is invited to a Health Resource Fair for information that will help create a healthier 2011 for themselves and their families. This is the first time Goodwill is collaborating with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health to offer these services onsite.

The Community Health Resource Fair will be held on Monday, January 24, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. - noon, at Goodwill on 8120 Palm Lane, in San Bernardino, 92410.

"This is a great opportunity to promote public health services outside the County's clinic facilities," said Dr. Maxwell Ohikhuare, Health Officer with the Department of Public Health. "We want to encourage people to take advantage of the wealth of health resources available to them, regardless of whether they have health insurance," he continued.

Lowell King, Regional Operations Officer for Goodwill Southern California noted that "we are pleased to partner with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health to provide information and resources to community members who might otherwise not have access to these services. Helping individuals maintain good health is good for the community and paramount to sustaining employment."

There will be a broad array of public health information and referral assistance available on topics such as asthma care education, emergency preparedness, immunizations, healthy eating, the Women Infants and Children (WIC) program, physical activity, lead poisoning prevention, quitting tobacco use, and responsible pet ownership. The HIV/AIDS program will provide testing services onsite in a mobile van.

In addition, the County Department of Behavioral Health will provide mental health information, and there will be representatives from the County Preschool Services Department, Inland Empire Health Plan, Inland Regional Center, and the Pink Ribbon Place, a program of Inland Agency Breast Cancer Resource Center, and 2-1-1 San Bernardino County.

Visit the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health website for service information at www.sbcounty.gov/dph, or call toll-free 1 (800) 782-4264.

Courtesy LAtimes.com:

Walmart is getting on Michelle Obama's bandwagon, announcing today that it will start selling healthier foods.

The four-year plan, which company officials announced in Washington with the First Lady, includes reducing salt and sugar as well as eliminating trans fats in packaged foods. Officials for the world's largest retail chain also plan to cut the prices of fresh fruits and vegetables -- and will build stores in low-income neighborhoods where consumers have few choices to buy food beyond gas stations and convenience stores.

"No family should have to choose between food that is healthier for them and food they can afford," said Bill Simon, president and CEO of Walmart U.S. "We are committed to working with suppliers, government and non-governmental organizations to provide solutions that help Americans eat healthier and live a better life."

Read more

Courtesy ARA:

How healthy am I? It's a question we've all asked ourselves. Learning the answer is easier than you may think.

You can quickly gauge your health status through screenings for height, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose. These tests may prove you are on the path to good health, or they may reveal a more serious health condition, like metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors that occur together, increasing your risk for developing heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The more of these risk factors you have, the greater your risk.

According to medical guidelines, you have metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of these risk factors:

* Elevated blood pressure, defined as greater than 130 over 85

* High triglyceride level, which is the level of fat found in your blood. A number greater than 150 is too high.

* Raised blood sugar, or glucose levels, of more than 110.

* Low HDL cholesterol, or "good" cholesterol. Men's levels should be above 40, and women's should be above 50.

* A waist measurement of more than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men

"Blood pressure, glucose or cholesterol levels that are not within the healthy range may indicate the presence of conditions such as hypertension or prediabetes," says Lonny Reisman, chief medical officer at Aetna. "These conditions can be managed with a combination of diet, exercise or medication."

Healthy lifestyle changes can reduce or reverse the effects of metabolic syndrome. And the earlier you make changes, the easier it will be to reverse the impact of a serious condition such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

If you have one or more of the risk factors for metabolic syndrome, you should talk to your doctor. He or she may recommend taking action, which may include:

* Losing weight. Losing even 10 percent of your body weight can really help.

* Exercising more often. Increasing your physical activity - striving for at least 30 minutes of activity on most days of the week - is one of the best things you can do for your health.

* Adopting healthy eating habits. Your food plan should include lots of fruits and vegetables, lean protein and dairy, and heart-healthy fats like olive oil, fish and nuts. Avoid lots of sugar and heavily processed foods.

To read more about metabolic syndrome or to learn what you can do to reach your best possible health, visit aetna.com.

Courtesy LAtimes.com:

The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that it is asking manufacturers to limit the amount of acetaminophen in prescription painkillers such as Tylenol 3, Percocet and Vycodin to a maximum of 325 milligrams per dose because of the potential for damage to the liver. Currently, some formulations of the popular drugs contain as much as 750 milligrams of acetaminophen. The FDA recommends that people consume no more than 4,000 mg. of the drug per day and agency officials say that many people inadvertently consume more than that amount because they take two different products containing the drug without realizing it. Some products, for example, use the abbreviation APAP for acetaminophen and most people do not realize they are taking it, said Dr. Sandra Kweder of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "I was a third-year medical student before I knew APA was acetaminophen," she said at a news conference.

More than 200 million prescriptions for the combination painkillers are written in the United States each year. Recent studies have shown that about half of all cases of liver failure, perhaps about 800 per year, are due to acetaminophen overdose, said Dr. Gerald Dal Pan, director of the center's Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology. About 30% of acetaminophen-related calls to poison control centers were for prescription drugs.

Read more

Courtesy reuters.com:

A study of antibodies from people infected with H1N1 swine flu adds proof that scientists are closing in on a "universal" flu shot that could neutralize many types of flu strains, including H1N1 swine flu and H5N1 bird flu, U.S. researchers said on Monday.

They said people who were infected in the H1N1 pandemic developed an unusual immune response, making antibodies that could protect them from all the seasonal H1N1 flu strains from the last decade, the deadly "Spanish flu" strain from 1918 and even a strain of the H5N1 avian flu.

"It says that a universal influenza vaccine is really possible," said Patrick Wilson of the University of Chicago, who worked on the paper published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

Many teams are working on a "universal" flu shot that could protect people from all flu strains for decades or even life.

U.S. officials say an effective universal flu vaccine would have enormous ramifications for the control of influenza, which kills anywhere from 3,300 to 49,000 people in the United States each year.

Wilson's team started making the antibodies in 2009 from nine people who had been infected in the first wave of the H1N1 swine flu pandemic before an H1N1 vaccine had been produced. The hope was to develop a way to protect healthcare personnel.

Working with researchers from Emory University School of Medicine, the team produced 86 antibodies that reacted with the H1N1 virus, and tested them on different flu strains.

Of these, five were cross-protective, meaning they could interfere with many strains of flu including the 1918 "Spanish flu" and a strain of H5N1 or avian flu.

Read more

Courtesy CNN.com:

A now-retracted British study that linked autism to childhood vaccines was an "elaborate fraud" that has done long-lasting damage to public health, a leading medical publication reported Wednesday.

An investigation published by the British medical journal BMJ concludes the study's author, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, misrepresented or altered the medical histories of all 12 of the patients whose cases formed the basis of the 1998 study -- and that there was "no doubt" Wakefield was responsible.

"It's one thing to have a bad study, a study full of error, and for the authors then to admit that they made errors," Fiona Godlee, BMJ's editor-in-chief, told CNN. "But in this case, we have a very different picture of what seems to be a deliberate attempt to create an impression that there was a link by falsifying the data."

Britain stripped Wakefield of his medical license in May. "Meanwhile, the damage to public health continues, fueled by unbalanced media reporting and an ineffective response from government, researchers, journals and the medical profession," BMJ states in an editorial accompanying the work.

Read more

The Foundation for Community and Family Heal is offering immunization and TB Skin tests on a walk in basis Monday's only from 8am - 4pm and by appointment Tuesday - Friday from 8 a m- 4 p m at Children's Center, 815 W. 6th Street, Suite 110, Corona. Information: 951-270-0522

The program is also available on January 15 from 10:00 a m - 12:00 p m

Funded in Part by:
First Five of Riverside
San Manual Band of Indians
Corona-Norco United Way
CDBG Corona

Courtesy bloombergnews.com:

Tobacco companies led by Altria Group Inc. and Reynolds American Inc. must get U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to sell products introduced or changed in the past four years, a move that may let the agency keep more addictive items off the market.

Products that weren't commercially available on Feb. 15, 2007, must be submitted for review, the FDA said today in a statement. Items that aren't "substantially equivalent" to those already for sale on that date or raise public health questions may be banned or withdrawn from sale, the agency said.

The product reviews are required under a 2009 law that gave the FDA expanded authority to restrict tobacco marketing. Tobacco companies must pay fees to the agency to fund reviews and regulatory activities. Altria Group's Philip Morris USA, the biggest U.S. cigarette maker, broke with rivals Reynolds American and Lorillard Tobacco Co. to back the law as a way to standardize manufacturing requirements and spur development of less harmful tobacco products.

"Manufacturers frequently alter ingredients without anyone knowing what they're consuming," Lawrence Deyton, director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, said on a conference call with reporters. "No longer will changes to products consumed by millions of Americans be made without anyone knowing."

Cause of Death

More than 20 percent of adults in the U.S., or 46 million people, smoke cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing about 443,000 people a year, according to the CDC.

"Tobacco companies will no longer be able to secretly manipulate their products in ways that make them more addictive and appealing," Matthew Myers, president of the nonprofit Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids in Washington, said today in an e-mail.

Courtesy NPR.org:

Imagine doctors being able to find common cancers just by testing a little bit of blood. Sure would beat getting poked with a sharp needle, right?

Well today Johnson & Johnson and Massachusetts General Hospital announced a $30 million investment by the company in a partnership that aims to develop technology that could detect even a few cancers cells floating in a person's blood.

Mass General's Dr. Daniel Haber, one of the test's inventors, told the Associated Press, "This is like a liquid biopsy." The experimental test uses a plastic chip whose microscopic inner surfaces are covered in antibodies to grab cancer cells from the blood. Those cells can be analyzed in detail as well as counted.

Some early research has shown the approach has promise. It could, if all goes well, help doctors detect cancer and also to tailor treatment. But developing cool technology is one thing -- making sure that it makes a difference in patient care is another.

Read more