In This Issue:
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the August 2006 True North Tune-Up. We continue to emphasize "up stream" strategies for health in the areas of nutrition, mind-body, and lifestyle. The studies are from peer-reviewed scientific journals.
To your health,
B. Joseph Semmes, MD
Director of Research, True North
Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
bjsemmes@truenorthhealthcenter.org.
Coffee drinking may benefit women’s cardiovascular health.
This high quality study from UCLA looked at 48 men who had been treated for prostate cancer and had recurrence of disease. Eight ounces of Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice daily significantly slowed the rise of PSA, a cell marker of prostate cancer activity.
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Probiotics are effective for prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and treatment of Clostridium difficile.
A succinct analysis by Bandolier (a favorite evidence-based medicine group at Oxford University, UK) looked at nine published studies about lifestyle interventions and diabetes. The graphs are at first glance complicated, but nifty in that each circle corresponds to the number of people in the study and the further they are located to the lower right, away from the diagonal line, the more favorable the results. Over 10 years, one cuts the risk of developing diabetes in half by "eating fruits and vegetables, having a good walk and perhaps enjoying a nice glass of wine when you get back."
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Lifestyle recommendations plus the “DASH” diet reduced hypertension in patients with above-optimal blood pressure.
Treatment with acupuncture in addition to routine care was significantly better at reducing pain among 14,000 Germans with neck pain for longer than six months.
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Again, Susan Fekety, RN, MSN, CNM of True North reminds us that the DASH diet is high in carbohydrates which can be problematic for diabetcs or pre-diabetics with “insulin resistance” (trouble lowering their blood sugar after a high carb meal).
Study shows measles vaccine is not likely linked to autism.
Over 20 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis; and Americans spent $730 million in 2004 on these products. Over 1500 people were studied. Overall, there were no differences between the supplements and placebo, though a small group with moderate to severe pain did get significant relief. The group was so small that the results are considered preliminary.
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STAY “TUNED”!
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Disclaimer:
Information provided in the True North Tune-Up is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The information and links in this e-publication are intended to provide general education on the topics listed, but you should not use the information or links to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare practitioner. True North advises you to always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health practitioner prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
