No or Little Exercise

We were looking for: ways to exists, reasons to be. Then we encountered the same research but interpreted two different ways in the media. While watching the NBC Nightly news with Brian Williams we heard what "couch potatoes" love to hear that exercise doesn't work even if you do it for an hour. If you aren't thin you aren't going to lose weight even if you work out for an hour. Then we see in the LA Times, News Channel 8, Reuters, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal that women need to exercise at least an hour or in Reuter's case that an hour "may be too much" for women.

How do they get that from this conclusion?

"Among women consuming a usual diet, physical activity was associated with less weight gain only among women whose BMI was lower than 25. Women successful in maintaining normal weight and gaining fewer than 2.3 kg over 13 years averaged approximately 60 minutes a day of moderate-intensity activity throughout the study." - The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) March 2010.

We love it! We love it! We love it! We are "couchers" from way back. Another reason to not get up early or to cancel that gym membership. It's in the genes after all. Commercials are for stretching and bathroom breaks. We don't mind the leg lift that comes from lifting them off the lounger but after so long even that gets to be difficult.

NBC and Reuters got it right and everybody else got it wrong. That's why we exists. The news isn't always the facts and the facts aren't always the news.We will admit that the researchers in the talking heads say something completely different than what their published research concludes. NBC even used the contradiction in their report and you can see and hear it below as well.

The video says that to simply maintain your weight and not get fat that exercising for at least one hour a day is the minimum daily requirement. You can't do that from the couch - we don't love that. Again that's not the conclusion in the research even if the researchers don't standup and say it.

We'd rather go with, if we have to exercise, John Gray's "super exercise" that only requires us to stand for at least ten (10) minutes and shake in a non-vigorous way. We haven't reviewed the science and research behind it but it requires a lot less sweating and is a lot easier than doing what the women in the video are doing when working out. We admit that our desire to do something "super" and requires less effort is whats most appealing about the Ph.D's advice more than anything else. Since it's unverified we also have to admit that as well. You might want to check out the PBS broadcast for yourself: Venus on Fire, Mars on Ice. We want to believe. We really want to believe.

You didn't put it together but we did the news from Cornell University where they studied art work through art history comparing food portion size as compared to head size to current portions. As we've gotten older the research suggests that our food serving size has increased. This is especially noticable when we visit other countries where their health exceeds our own and compare their individual servings to the United States standard portions. The utinsels and the food portions are much much smaller than the standard American sizes.

As published in the ChronicleOnline by Cornell University:

"The size of food portions and plates in more than four dozen depictions of the Last Supper -- painted over the past 1,000 years -- have gradually gotten bigger and bigger, according to a Cornell study published in The International Journal of Obesity (April, online March 23), a peer-reviewed publication."

This information is important only because Pearlie Mae would also say: "You eyes are bigger than your stomach" when we piled our plates so high with food and couldn't finish everything on our plates. Not eating more seem like something we can do from the comfort of our loungers or couches. Just use smaller plates, have a variety of food and just have smaller portions. That's still alot easier than exercising! If we have to exercise we can stand and shake per John Gray's suggestion and call it a day!

Vitamin D Needs

To be or not to be. What do you want to be? What do you need to be? Who wants health care that's less than the best? First aid is one thing. When you get first aid you know that it's not the best care you can receive. We consider it a "band-aid." It's a temporary response to an immediately bad situation. When we seek the care of a physician or an emergency room we'd like the choice or knowledge of the kind of care we will be receiving. When money is a concern we always want the best for less. We exist to point the way.

For a health care facility - what do they wish to be? We assume they want to provide the best for less. Which is fine if you know what the best is. According to our new president and some independent agencies that monitor and evaluate such things Intermountain Healthcare does this better than anyone else in the nation.

"President Obama mention Intermountain Healthcare in his speech for Healthcare - (A) nine-year study of more than 2,500 patients compared carotid endarterectomy, a surgical procedure to clear blocked blood flow that is considered the gold standard prevention treatment, to carotid artery stenting, a newer and less invasive procedure that involves threading a stent and expanding a small protective device in the artery to widen the blocked area to capture dislodged plaque. The study, dubbed the CREST trial, is of the largest randomized stroke prevention trials ever conducted. The trial was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the National Institutes of Health, and led by investigators at Mayo Clinic".- Intermountain Health Care (Feb 2010)

What's difficult to understand is why in any professional field if someone does it better why all the rest don't imitate the most successful? The choice would appear to be to strive to be the best by using the tools and methods that the best use. Everything else has to be considered sub par. There can only be one best and the differences between number one (1) and ten (10) should be too close to call. In the area of health care unfortunately that isn't the case. This does this appear to be the case when it comes to vitamins.

Vitamins are over the counter medications that few physicians prescribe. While there is generally little research available for these generics that are studies that examine the effects of vitamin deficiencies. We found this in the New York / LA Times and Yahoo News:

"In the study, researchers looked at tens of thousands of healthy adults 50 and older whose vitamin D levels had been measured during routine checkups. A majority, they found, were deficient in the vitamin. About two-thirds had less vitamin D in their bloodstreams than the authors considered healthy, and many were extremely deficient. Less than two years later, the researchers found, those who had extremely low levels of the vitamin were almost twice as likely to have died or suffered a stroke than those with adequate amounts. They also had more coronary artery disease and were twice as likely to have developed heart failure. The findings, which are being presented today at an American Heart Association conference in Orlando, don’t prove that lack of vitamin D causes heart disease; they only suggest a link between the two. But cardiologists are starting to pay increasing attention because of what they’re learning about vitamin D’s roles in regulating blood pressure, inflammation and glucose control — all critical body processes in cardiovascular health". - New York Times (November 2009)

Usually we receive our vitamins from the foods we eat and the way we live. Milk, tuna, sunlight and orange juice are the best sources of vitamin D but aren't generally found in our fast food lifestyles.

"Lack of Vitamin D could spell heart trouble - Researchers issue recommendations to screen for and treat Vitamin D deficiency—which is traditionally associated with bone and muscle weakness—may also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). A growing body of evidence links low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels to common CVD risk factors such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes, as well as major cardiovascular events including stroke and congestive heart failure".- American College of Cardiology (December 2008)

When the president suggested checking the pressure in your tires as a way of improving fuel economy and his opponents laughed until they realized that the professionals in the automotive industry made the same suggestion and that the idea had merit. Sometimes the simplest ideas or rather the simple ideas can produce amazing results. A vitamin D deficiency can affect your ability to absorb calcium in a cascading effect. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is problem for us locally. The simple solution might just be to give all of us above the age of fifty-five (55) cod liver oil which is highest in vitamin D. To those of us who can't stand the smell there are gel capsules. Whatever form we take its in as long as we take it we're certain that Pearlie Mae would be proud! It could save the lives of many of the residences of our jurisdictions as well.

GERD Sleep

Until we started investigating why we were having a problem that was previously unknown to us: Acid Reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. We started chalking it up to old age. We were just getting to the point where we just had to suffer through it. We thanks to our thirst for knowledge we discovered that in our case the problem was pronounced because we'd be eating "milk" chocolate and adding powdered "milk" to our coffee. You might remember we were promoting the eating of chocolate and the drinking of coffee to improve our health.

What we did not want to do before we knew that we were creating our own misery we didn't want to take any medicine over the counter or prescribed. We're not particularly keen on what are called PPI's (Proton pump inhibitors) even though:

"The PPI's have been shown to be very safe. Most of the information that we have on side effects come from studies where a PPI is compared to a placebo. The most common side effects are headache, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and nausea. They occur in 1-2% of patients given PPI's. Interestingly, the incidence of these "side effects" is the same as when patients take the placebo. It is hard to compare side effect profiles between the medications, but there is no reason to believe that there are significant differences. - About GERD

Our problem is that the information may indeed be true and accurate but the website AboutGERD doesn't seem reputable enough for us. As always when we're in a quandary we head to GOOGLE and search for answers.  AboutGERD said:

"It is important to recognize that GERD is a disease that should not be ignored or self-treated. Heartburn, the most frequent symptom, is so common that its significance may be underestimated, casually dismissed, and not associated with a disease – like GERD. In studies that measure emotional well-being, people with unresolved GERD often report worse scores than those with other chronic diseases, like diabetes, high blood pressure, peptic ulcer, or angina. Yet, nearly half of acid reflux sufferers do not recognize it as a disease. - About GERD"

When we found the more technical information that we've grown accustom to read it was a bit to heady for us as well. We stumbled on the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) the umbrella organization for AboutGERD and immediately thought less of them. We finally stumbled on information we could use. The acid reflux was beginning to make it difficult to sleep and no it wasn't all the coffee. We stop drinking coffee after 2pm. So it couldn't have been the java!

"Sleep-Related Gastroesophageal Reflux: Evidence Is Mounting - Therefore, sleep-related GER disrupts sleep, causes insomnia, and is associated with daytime impairment. The relationship between sleep-related GER and sleep disturbances appears to be a bidirectional one. Furthermore, common medications used to manage insomnia depress the arousal response that is vital to esophageal refluxate clearance. The data are impressive." - Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH) September 2009.

We're not anti-medicine we just aren't comfortable with the current batch of PPIs. We did take a couple of antacids but they weren't TUMS they were discount fruit flavor versions from the dollar store. While the antacids did provide relief they didn't cure our problem. It was appropriate that we discovered the following:

"What Makes Individuals With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Dissatisfied With Their Treatment? - Patients who are given prescriptions for PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) tend to be more satisfied than those given H2-receptor antagonists. Partial responders are likely to be more dissatisfied than patients whose symptoms are fully resolved. A decrease in health-related quality of life is associated with greater dissatisfaction. Patients are more likely to be satisfied if they are taken seriously by their physician and if their symptoms are investigated. They are also more likely to be satisfied if the patient-physician consultation is interactive." - Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH) August 2009

We weren't patients and even without using the PPIs we were dissatisfied prior to their use. They should do a study to determine if patients were predisposed to being dissatisfied with acid reflux medications. Though the following study was presented months prior it wasn't published until this month and is probably the most comprehensive study of its kind.

"A population-based, cross-sectional, case-control study was based on 2 large health surveys performed in the Norwegian county Nord-Trondelag in 1984–1986 and 1995–1997. Gastroesophageal reflux disease was assessed in the second survey, which included 65,333 participants (70% of the county's adult population). The 3153 persons who reported severe reflux symptoms constituted the cases, and the 40,210 persons without reflux symptoms constituted the controls. Data on insomnia, sleep problems, and several potential confounders were collected in questionnaires. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by using unconditional logistic regression in crude and multivariable models. Results - In models adjusted for age, sex, tobacco smoking, obesity, and socioeconomic status, positive associations were observed between presence of insomnia (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 2.7–3.7), sleeplessness (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 2.9–3.8), problems falling asleep (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 2.5–3.8), and risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease. These associations were attenuated after further adjustments for anxiety, depression, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke, and gastrointestinal symptoms, but they remained statistically significant. Conclusions - A large population-based study indicated a link between sleep problems and gastroesophageal reflux disease that might be bidirectional." - A Population-Based Study Showing an Association Between Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Sleep Problems (March 2009) - Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH)

It was because of this study and conversations with our physicians that we discovered the lactose GERD connection. We highly recommend keeping a food diary if you suffer from acid reflux and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) don't quite do it for you. Bring all your medications and your diary to your doctor and don't self treated. We self diagnosed that's different. But we're imaginary professionals so don't try this at home!

Color Coded Dementia

It's hard to get focused on other concerns other than the flu but we must because there are other diseases that are more pressing and whose effects are more pronounced. You wouldn't think that to look at the stories we do and then we complain that the networks always want us to focus on the least important as a serious concern. We've been affected by family and friends who suffered from Alzheimer and lead to their deaths. The numbers are significant but don't seem to be pervasive.

"Meditation can increase blood flow in the brain and improve memory, according to researchers who tested a specific kind of meditation and found the improvement after just eight weeks. The 15 participants, ages 52 to 77, all had memory problems at the start, says Dharma Singh Khalsa, MD, one of the researchers and the medical director of the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation in Tucson, Ariz. For eight weeks, the participants engaged in a meditation at home known as Kirtan Kriya, which originated from the Kundalini yoga tradition. "It only takes 12 minutes [a day,] it's easy to learn, it doesn't cost anything, and it has no side effects," Khalsa tells WebMD. The technique, he says, "reverses memory loss in people with memory problems." - WebMD (Mar 2010)

They're aren't any preventions for the disease that we can do from the seated position. Much like the primary causes of death that require exercise and diet this one we can put in the delay to do column. You know we'll get around to it before its too late and then when the doctors tell us its do or die then we'll start to cry like a little baby and bemoan the fact that we didn't and we knew we should have. Probably then we'll decide that it's too late to exercise and diet now because we're going to die - just like our parents. Sometime bad habits aren't genetic just poorly learned.

There is hope since this story began the New York Times reported on a story that we could not verify but report because, well it's the New York Times and the story found the following:

"Two research teams have independently decoded the entire genome of patients to find the exact genetic cause of their diseases. The approach may offer a new start in the so far disappointing effort to identify the genetic roots of major killers like heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s." - The New York Times (NYT)"

We found the research alright. What we didn't find was the findings reached by the New York Times. From the first research team from Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) from Houston TX was:

"We hope we can use the information about you and your genome in your care," said Dr. James Lupski , who is both an M.D. and a Ph.D. "If you have hypertension, can we use your genome to figure out a better treatment for you? It will take a lot of time. We don't know what 90 percent of the genes in the genome do." - ( BCM)

How this would help individuals currently suffering from Alzheimer's disease we don't know from either the report or the available research. This is another one of those cases where if you're not a part of team or subscribed to the journal where the information is published, as we aren't, you only get just the little parcel of information to whet your appetite.

What's particularly missing from the story in the Times is how much like bio-identical treatment this type of research has revealed. This genome mapping within the family is currently extremely expensive though with more use will lower costs. Though the mapping is important its not a solution its a map to where a solution might be located. It's a diagnostic device. Traditional methods for understanding genes have been according to the Times:

"...turning out to be incorrect. Scientists thought the mutations that caused common diseases would themselves be common. So they first identified the common mutations in the human population in a $100 million project called the HapMap...."

"These projects, called genome-wide association studies, each cost around $10 million or more.The results of this costly international exercise have been disappointing. About 2,000 sites on the human genome have been statistically linked with various diseases, but in many cases the sites are not inside working genes, suggesting there may be some conceptual flaw in the statistics. And in most diseases the culprit DNA was linked to only a small portion of all the cases of the disease. It seemed that natural selection has weeded out any disease-causing mutation before it becomes common.The finding implies that common diseases, surprisingly, are caused by rare, not common, mutations. In the last few months, researchers have begun to conclude that a new approach is needed, one based on decoding the entire genome of patients." - The New York Times (NYT)

Check out the entire article for yourself. The cure for what ails you isn't always solved by group cures which is probably not what the pharmaceutical companies find very comforting. The results for us is a future lack without drug interactions. We're not ignoring the headlines that been all over the news and in the paper. It's just that there's nothing to do with the news. What do you do with this nugget of information?

"African-Americans and Hispanics have a higher rate of Alzheimer's than whites to have Alzheimer's and dementia, they are less likely than whites to have a diagnosis." - Alzheimer's Association: Fact and Figures (ALZ).

DC DEATHS - 117 MD DEATHS - 919 NC DEATHS - 2,265 VA DEATHS - 1,574 LEVELS OF IMPAIRMENT

What we can bring you are the local fact and figures. You'll be glad to know if you reside in the District of Columbia that the lowest rates in the jurisdiction are in the city. However if you believe the report, and there's no reason not to believe, the figures in the predominately African-American city with a growing Hispanic population the numbers are "less likely" to be accurate. So we issue the finding as a point of information only. It's what's out there but if you can find a use for it maybe you can share it with us.

We would have brought this story to you sooner but we forgot. It's a good thing that we remembered to 'er 'um. What were we saying?

The pie charts at the upper right hand of the page is from the Alzheimer's Associations report for 2010 of the levels of impairment for the Nursing Home Residents for the local jurisdiction. We admit that we did sort of "chop shop" the other chart from the report to make the information clearer for easier comparison. The PDFs of the specific states are available directly from the links below. The total number of Nursing Home Residents for 2006 was reported as 65,573 the page can be directly accessed through this link: MD (PDF). The District of Columbia reported their Total Nursing Home Residents to be 5,176 and is available from the Alzheimer's Association website as: DC (PDF). North Carolina reported the highest Total Number of Nursing Home Residents at 89,223 and is available as: NC (PDF). Virginia reported the second highest Total Number of Nursing Home Residents at 72,214 for 2006 and is available directly at: VA (PDF).

The implication is that people at in a nursing home because they are suffering from very mild to severe levels of impairment. Which according to the charts, equal or exceed sixty (60) percent of the residents. The report examines the financial costs of these facilities to the individual and society. You can read the report and decide for yourself. Our concerns is for avoiding and surviving all manner of diseases and delaying death at all costs just as long as we can do it while we're reclining.

Flu Still Getting You Week 9

Still not telling, the District of Columbia is hitting their second week of not reporting the number of deaths in the jurisdiction as the numbers rise and fall in the surrounding areas. While the situation of preventable deaths aren't at their height as the weather starts to become more moderate so does the numbers of deaths from flu and or pneumonia rises and falls in the reported areas.

Our source of information for all things flu are, of course, derived from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which reported for the ninth (9) week of 2010 that:

"The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P and I) based on the 122 Cities Report increased very slightly over last week but remains low. One flu-related pediatric death was reported this week associated with an influenza B virus infection that occurred in February 2009.

2010 FLU DEATHS by Jurisdiction THIS Week LAST Week YTD 2010 YTD 2009 YTD 2008 YTD 2007 District of Columbia Baltimore, MD Charlotte, NC Richmond / Norfolk, VA U 19 9 8 U 20 12 6 11 152 106 55 12 150 74 69 12 153 115 57 9 131 115 61 TOTALS (Week 9) 36 38 324 305 337 335

Since April 2009, CDC has received reports of 329 laboratory-confirmed pediatric deaths: 277 due to 2009 H1N1, 50 pediatric deaths that were laboratory confirmed as influenza A, but the flu virus subtype was not determined, and two pediatric deaths that were associated with seasonal influenza viruses. (Laboratory-confirmed deaths are thought to represent an undercount of the actual number. CDC has provided estimates about the number of 2009 H1N1 cases and related hospitalizations and deaths. No states reported widespread influenza activity. Four states reported regional influenza activity." - CDC

Activity isn't our concern so much as deadly affects. That we have a treatment and can resist the deadly effect of H1N1 flu and yet individuals in any area are still being affected concerns us greatly. That individuals aren't getting inoculated we can understand we don't support it and will continue to report the deaths primarily because they're currently preventable and treatable. To know that there is a treatment and it can be prevented and not be prepared is an unnecessary risk that we don't understand or support.

The numbers of the deceased, as reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from all causes again unreported from the District of Columbia for a the second week in a row. This is consistent with the activities of the city for the years: 2009, 2007 and for weeks 7 and 8 for 2008. Whatever DC's reasons for either not reporting or record keeping must be an institutional glitch or gap that we haven't as of yet discovered an explanation. We're in communication with the agency to determine either the information or the reason for the lack of reporting.  In other local areas the numbers are up for the dead and dying from Maryland and Norfolk by one (1)  from last week but down in the Richmond and in the Virginia area overall. North Carolina reported a decrease in overall deaths for the state since last week.

Limited Time Sleep Offer

We should be sleeping now. Most of the staff is snoring in their beds and here we are still up doing a story of how difficult it is for some people to get to sleep. What we discovered is that the organization in charge of the study, the National Sleep Foundation, has been putting forward information on sleep for the last few years. The problem we found was that their information sometimes contradicts their research. Last year (2009) their suggestions to get better sleep was the following:

• Do not eat for two hours before bed Sleep in complete darkness in a cool environment
• Exercise regularly, but don’t exercise for at least 3 hours before bedtime – a workout after that time may actually keep you awake because your body has not had a chance to cool down
  
• Don’t smoke or drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages before bedtime - Sleep Foundation (NSF) August 2009

What we find most interesting is in their 2009 efforts that included a telephone number for people to call who can't get to sleep. See if you can find what's wrong with the following information from National Sleep Foundation:

"The hotline, 888-TIME 4 SLEEP (846-3475), will be staffed by NSF sleep center members, medically trained sleep professionals who will offer tailored solutions to callers with common sleep problems and provide screening for common sleep disorders. The hotline will be open until September 15, Monday through Friday, 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The hotline's hours of operation coincide with the peak hours when people are getting ready for bed or experiencing sleep problems." - Sleep Foundation (NSF) August 2009.

When they're asleep (after 1am) you should be asleep or don't call us they seem to be saying. Why would anyone remember to call a number that isn't available 24 hours. Call and ask them for us won't you. We're got to get some sleep. Here's their suggestions for better sleep for 2010 if you can't or are unable to fall asleep!

"If you’re lying in bed for more than 15 minutes, get up and do something relaxing, like taking a warm bath, reading or meditating. Try to clear your mind; don’t use this time to solve your daily problems. When staying in a hotel, ask for a room with eastern or southern exposure for more morning sun to help reset your clock to new time zones. When traveling, bring a nightlight or penlight if you get up at night to avoid disturbing the body's circadian clock." - Sleep Foundation (NSF) August 2009

Who the heck is the NSF? We asked the same question and here's what they said:

The National Sleep Foundation is dedicated to improving sleep health and safety through education, public awareness, and advocacy. It is well-known for its annual Sleep in America poll. The Foundation is a charitable, educational and scientific not-for-profit organization located in Washington, DC. Its membership includes researchers and clinicians focused on sleep medicine, professionals in the health, medical and science fields, individuals, patients, families affected by drowsy driving and more than 900 healthcare facilities throughout North America. - Sleep Foundation (NSF) March 2010

"Health and Safety?!?" Sleep is unsafe? Maybe Freddy is real? Though they don't seem to mention him in their study.. Maybe we shouldn't go to sleep right now!

Most interesting is what the Foundation found concerning the "united colors" and race. Based in the District of Columbia the 2010 sleep study revealed the following information:

• Blacks/African-Americans report the busiest bedtime routines.
• Asians report getting the best sleep, report the least amount of sleep problems and infrequent use of sleep aids.
• While Blacks/African-Americans report the least amount of sleep, they also say they need less sleep.
• Hispanics are the most likely to say they are kept awake by financial, employment, personal relationship and/or health-related concerns.
• Whites are the most likely to report sleeping with their pets and/or their significant other/spouse.
• Among those married or partnered respondents with children, Asians (28%) and Hispanics (22%) are the most likely to report that they sleep in the same room with their children (compared to 15% of Blacks/African-Americans and 8% of Whites).
• Sleep disorder diagnosis is uneven among the four ethnic groups.
• Ethnic groups seek help for sleep problems differently. - (NSF)

It's a sleep thing. You wouldn't understand. We bet you're sleeping right now aren't you. Hope Freddy doesn't get you! Though the "Westin Hotels is sponsored this public service (the toll free number) in celebration of its 10th Anniversary of the Heavenly Bed" it didn't influence the foundation's sleep suggestions at all. If it was the Serta company sponsoring and funding the National Sleep Foundation they would have suggested counting sheep we bet!

Wine or Exercise?

Tough choice! We love anything that makes us better that we can do from the comfort of our couch. Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA discovered more benefits from wine drinking. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) for March 2010 has two featured articles. The big news yesterday morning was wine makes it possible to not gain weight more than no wine. The second was that exercise will help your heart. (See the YouTube video from the JAMA below) Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah!

We'd rather drink than sweat. Moderation is the key so we say chocolate and wine during meals for better health if you're gaining weight! Of course don't hold us to it because it's our very liberal way of interpreting the data. What research has actually shown is:.

"The researchers found that compared with lifelong abstainers, women who consumed 0.1 to 4.9 grams of alcohol per day (less than one beer) had a 20 percent reduction in risk for developing type 2 diabetes; women who drank 5.0 to 14.9 grams of alcohol per day (about one beer) had a 33 percent risk reduction; women who drank 15.0 to 29.9 grams of alcohol per day (about one to two beers) had a 58 percent risk reduction, and those who drank 30 or more grams of alcohol per day (about two to three beers) had a 22 percent risk reduction." - American Medical Association (AMA) 

"The researchers found that the inverse association with light to moderate drinking and reduction in risk of developing type 2 diabetes was most apparent in women who reported drinking beer or wine. However, women who reported drinking 30 grams or more of liquor per day had a significantly increased risk (about two and one half times higher) of diabetes compared to those who did not drink. In this cohort of mainly premenopausal women, a nonlinear relationship was seen between alcohol consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus," write the authors. "We found a linear inverse association up to levels of 29.9 grams per day, beyond which risk increased compared with light and moderate drinkers. Despite the consistent association between light to moderate drinking and lower risk of diabetes mellitus, the potential harmful effects of drinking on other aspects of health outcome need to be considered," the researchers write." - American Medical Association (AMA)

Which is good if you don't have diabetes and if anyone asks you can always say that you're protecting yourself against type 2. Twenty-nine grams (29) is a social way of drinking. Take one and make it last or finish it and its time to leave, if you can't resist another. Then when you get home you can have another glass or two.

"Low to moderate intake of wine is associated with lower mortality from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and other causes. Similar intake of spirits implied an increased risk, while beer drinking did not affect mortality." - (6051 men and 7234 women aged 30-70 years) - Mortality associated with moderate intakes of wine, beer, or spirits - British Medical Journal (BMJ), May 1995

Now that's science. When we looked for the earliest healthy wine research guess what we found out from Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) from April 1933 we could only get this little bit of information from the archives:

"Certain American newspapers1 have recently featured special foreign correspondence alleging that French physicians, "following the well known practice at Vichy, are prescribing more and more the moderate drinking of wine instead of milk for patients suffering from gastric or intestinal troubles." It is further reported that "one of the eminent physicians who are leading the antimilk campaign in favor of wine" regards it as a duty to inform the public about the physiologic advantages of wine. These statements, which have been widely circulated at a moment when the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment is being discussed in every home, are already promoting numerous inquiries to physicians." - Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) April 1933.

Seventy-seven (77) years later we have to ask the question, as the American Dairy Association (ADA) wants us to get more milk, whose healthier the French or Americans? The answer according to Forbes magazine from April 2008 is the United States which was the eleventh (11th) most health country in the world and France is the fifteenth (15th) most health country in the world. The year before Forbes released their healthiest country was Forbes magazines' fattest nations.

Forbes also ranked the US as the ninth (9th) most overweight as compared to France one hundred twenty eighth (128th) fattest nation. Ethiopia is the next to last in obesity at one hundred and ninety three (193rd) out of a possible one hundred and ninety four (194th) nations, Feb 2007. So we can be fat, happy and healthy unless you don't consider fat healthy and clearly Forbes magazine does. If however you like health on the thin side then the wine might make you consider the French as thinner, happier (because of the wine) and therefore healthier. The World Health Organization (WHO) certainly considers the French less obese, overweight and healthier. We think its mostly the wine.

Out Milking Milk

It's cheap and readily available that's good enough for us. OK it does give us gas and it's better with chocolate than with out but other than that it's good enough for us. OK it really tears up our stomach but we like it best frozen even though we're sick of the snow and cold weather. Overall milk is OK with us. If it didn't make us so sick we'd probably drink more of it than we do. For most of us if it's not in cereal or ice cream we can leave it alone.

"Low-fat chocolate milk is the original protein drink. It contains a mix of carbohydrates and protein to refuel and repair muscles, fluids to rehydrate and electrolytes including calcium, potassium and magnesium, to replenish what is lost in sweat. It has the added bonus of bone-building nutrients, like calcium, (not found in traditional sports drinks) to help maintain strong bones and prevent stress fractures. In addition to getting the right combination of carbohydrates and protein, research suggests low-fat chocolate milk is a naturally nutrient-rich protein drink that can help you refuel and rehydrate within the critical two-hour recovery window after exercise." - Shamrock Farms

What Shamrock Farms does not say is what and where is that research. They mention all of the benefits without any way of verifying their claims. Here is what we found. University of Auckland (2006, March 2). Chocolate Milk Could Be Key To Longer, Healthier Life. Science Daily "(A) group of elderly kiwis to perform two identical sessions of aerobic exercise on a stationary bike."

From Indiana University, March 2006, we found:

"A drink like chocolate milk is most useful to a cyclist, swimmer, or long-distance runner. These sports stress high endurance levels and constant, sustained movement. Competing athletes need high levels of calories, carbs, and protein to sustain that level of performance." - Fitness Magazine

In all things chocolate milk related its seems Indiana University (IU) is the place to go for info where an April 2008 article compares chocolate milk to sports drink with chocolate exceed both for cyclists. Until November 2009 when Barcelona Spain published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN)  their research on skim milk and cocoa which concluded: "These results suggest that the intake of cocoa polyphenols may modulate inflammatory mediators in patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease. These antiinflammatory effects may contribute to the overall benefits of cocoa consumption against atherosclerosis." In all the tests, the subjects groups are small. With Spain the number of participants was forty-seven (47).

"Best sources of Calcium and Vitamin D - Breastfeeding is the best way to meet your baby's calcium needs. Infant formula provides calcium for babies who cannot be breastfed. Dairy foods are very high in calcium, especially milk, yogurt and cheese. Other good sources include calcium-enriched orange juice, rice beverages, and soy beverages." - Health Canada (June 2007)

The National Institute of Health (NIH) began a conference on lactose intolerance: "To provide health care providers, patients, and the general public with a responsible assessment of currently available data on latose intolerance and health." Concluding that: "its true prevalence is not known. The majority of people with lactose malabsorption do not have clinical lactose intolerance. Many individuals who think they are lactose intolerant are not lactose malabsorbers. Many individuals with real or perceived lactose intolerance avoid dairy and ingest inadequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D, which may predispose them to decreased bone accrual, osteoporosis, and other adverse health outcomes. In most cases, individuals do not need to eliminate dairy consumption completely."

"Calcium and Milk: What's Best for Your Bones and Health - On the other side are those who believe that consuming a lot of milk and other dairy products will have little effect on the rate of fractures but may contribute to problems such as heart disease or prostate cancer." - Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)

While milk is the easiest and cheapest alternative to calcium we love that there is at least according to some seventy thousand (69,532) French women that coffee can protect you from diabetes if you don't have diabetes with or without milk if drank at lunchtime. At least that's what Reuters says but the free abstract (from AJCN) isn't so clear. But we're coffee drinkers so we'll take their word for it.

"Calcium is important. But milk isn’t the only, or even best, source - (D)airy products can be high in saturated fat as well as retinol (vitamin A), which at high levels can paradoxically weaken bones. Good, non-dairy sources of calcium include collards, bok choy, fortified soy milk, baked beans, and supplements. - Best Bones Forever (BBF.gov)"

Here are some final things we didn't know that maybe you did know about the Dairy Industry. Dairy Farm Milk Myths or what we call the Nine (9) Lies About Milk. Ignore the punctuation and just watch the videos and read the text you'll be able to figure out what they're trying to say. Until we find information to the contrary we'll give the dairy farmers the benefit of the doubt. Hey we're suckers for all things country. It just all seems so American.

Soy doesn't give us gas and chocolate soy doesn't it. It could be that we imagine that we're lactose intolerant from milk but we don't imagine the gas. We might be imagining the stomach cramps. Those could be psychosomatic we will admit to that.

"It is important for all individuals who suffer discomfort from the inability to digest lactose be given information about all sources of calcium, dairy and non-dairy, available to them, so individuals can develop a plan that meets not only their requirements for calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, potassium, and magnesium, but also their cultural, religious, and ethical preferences without exceeding calorie, sugar, and saturated fat," highlighted Nancy Chapman, RD, MPH, Executive Director of the Soyfoods Association of North America."

Soy is still not as cheap as skim chocolate milk but cheap food can't make up for the cramps and gas. The choice is too go with the cheap and easy or to spend the extra bucks for the just as good. However you get your calcium make sure you get enough calcium to stay healthy enough to stay healthy. You can always go cheap but if you can afford it go for the gold who knows it might all be in your head. You might be able to eat the affordable without any ill effects.

Cold Week 8 No DC Kills

When is less more? When this weeks flu deaths exceeded last weeks deaths and this weeks or rather week number eight (8) deaths from flu or pneumonia from the District of Columbia are not reported. This month is considered or rather week eight's (8) month is considered the peak of the flu season. That the numbers are up is not inconsistent with the period as predicted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

When is it less? When even with an unreported weekly figure from Washington DC the overall numbers are down when compared to the periods of the previous three (3) years. It's working. It's working! If you got vaccinated you are protected. Whether or not you believe that the protection is actually protecting you, its protecting you by keeping those who could infect you uninfected. That might be hard to understand but its easily and scientifically verifiable. We're protected and again this is the height of the season of infections and the flu shot protection will keep you alive and sick free. Nothing offers you that kind of protection except the shot.

Flu Deaths 2010 by Jurisdiction  THIS Week LAST Week YTD 2010 YTD 2009 YTD 2008 YTD 2007 District of Columbia Baltimore, MD Charlotte, NC Richmond/Norfolk,VA U 20 12 6 3 11 12 4 11 133 97 47 12 136 66 61 11 131 100 53 9 121 100 55 TOTALS WEEK 8  38  30  228  275  295  285

"The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Report increased very slightly over last week but remains low. One flu-related pediatric death was reported this week associated with an influenza B virus infection that occurred in February 2009. Since April 2009, CDC has received reports of 329 laboratory-confirmed pediatric deaths: 277 due to 2009 H1N1, 50 pediatric deaths that were laboratory confirmed as influenza A, but the flu virus subtype was not determined, and two pediatric deaths that were associated with seasonal influenza viruses. (Laboratory-confirmed deaths are thought to represent an undercount of the actual number. CDC has provided estimates about the number of 2009 H1N1 cases and related hospitalizations and deaths." - Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The dead totals for the week (eight) excluding the unreported figures from the District of Columbia are for Maryland (171),  North Carolina (123) and Virginia (146). That Washington DC didn't report any death numbers for the week is consistent with the reporting habits for the jurisdiction for the years 2009 and 2008. That the numbers were either unreported or didn't include any deaths should figure, in our opinion, into the city's scheduling. Every year, weather pending, close down the jurisdiction for the protection of its citizens so that no one would die.

Oh, if that's all it took think of how much money we could save in health costs!

Our focus, maybe much like yours, has been on the second earthquake to hit Chile and the current malaria outbreak in Haiti. And while its good to be concerned for others while were on this "flight through time and space" like all good passengers we have to first be able to take care of ourselves before we can take care of others. So continue to take care of yourself, give what you can and do what you're able. Just keep on being safe.

Kiss It Goodbye DC Residents

Put your head between your legs and just kiss it! Just kiss it! Not a way to live but its a way leading to your untimely death. We can't let that happen to you. Others might not be concerned but we want you to live. We're not doctors, we're not politicians, we're not medical professionals. We leave that to others. We find and verify the information and their sources and bring the news to you. Sometimes we do reach conclusions not always supported by the data. We'll admit the above is not a foregone conclusion but... You'll see later in the story.

"Although heart disease, cancer, and cerebrovascular diseases are the top three leading reported causes of death in the United States1 (54 percent of all deaths) as well as in the District of Columbia (52.7 percent of all deaths) in 2007, research has shown that approximately one-half of all deaths nationally are actually due to preventable causes. These preventable causes of death, defined by McGinnis and Foege in 19932, include tobacco/smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity, alcohol, microbial (infectious) agents, toxic agents, firearms, motor vehicle, sexual behavior, and illicit drug use, as well as two additional causes (uninsurance and medical errors) identified by the Institute of Medicine and applied by the state of Wisconsin." - DC Department of Health (DCDOH)

It doesn't matter what's happening nation wide if its not reflected locally. What matters is what's happening in your area, in your city, jurisdiction, state or town where you live is what concerns us. Shouldn't that concern those who are responsible for taking care of us? We think it should.

This is what we've been saying. From last month's Black History Month story we said: "What we should learn from this African American History Month is that the history of the FDA is too little critical health information provided too late. If history of the African American experience tells us anything is that to wait can be too late." From the news that there are other places in the United States where you can have a better quality of life and care we said: "Every jurisdiction needs to aim higher than Hawaii's Kauai which most certainly will be aiming to continue to be the best in the nation." While we said that the Mayor of Washington, DC said:

“Information like this is the key to residents making smart decisions about their health,” said District of Columbia Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. “This report illustrates clearly how much we have to do to help people live healthier lives, because the choices we make can have serious impact on our health.” - (DCDOH)

To which we have to ask the very obvious question and those choices are what exactly? We get the blaming the victim part with the responses from a three (3) year old report but if you recall we've been focused on the things that keep us alive. The problem with old information, other than it makes you make repairs to late to be of use to anyone, is its old. Think of what you should do to make high school a better experience for you now. Or now that you've had you're teeth pulled you'll brush the ones you no longer have next time. Hindsight is twenty twenty and really useless if you only stay focused on the hind. Unfortunately the most recent information that we the people have is 2006, thanks to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The information they report is from the local departments of health from the local jurisdictions. That information is updated weekly. It's how we get our flu stats.

CAUSES OF DEATH By Jurisdiction 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH District of Columbia North Carolina Maryland Virginia United States of America North Carolina Virginia

“This Report is for lay people, policy-makers, and health practitioners to use as they work to improve their own health, and the health of those that they serve. Knowing that these causes of death are preventable should be particularly empowering, because knowing that we can take actions to reduce the burden of a disease can give us all hope, ” said DOH Director Dr. Pierre Vigilance “We encourage people to use this report to impact health at the individual, community, and institutional levels, and to make decisions that improve our collective health and wellness.” - DC Department of Health (DCDOH)

There's no conclusion in this report (PDF). It's a review of old and outdated information to which no conclusion is drawn except - it's your fault! We conclude that if you're a resident of the District of Columbia like the old joke where the man is bitten by a poisonous snake while relieving himself in the woods with his best friend calls a doctor who tells him that he has to suck the poison out to save his friends life. The bitten man who is holding his himself asks his best friend what the doctor says and his best friend tells him: "You're going to die!"

Remember we said earlier at you'll see and ended with but... They're not the ones who as so suck out the poison was how we were going to end that statement. The mayor and the DC Department of Health are the ones who do have to suck out the poison. They're the ones whose responsibility is to suck out the poison.

"The Mission of the Department of Health is to promote and protect the health, safety and quality of life of residents, visitors and those doing business in the District of Columbia. Our responsibilities include identifying health risks; educating the public; preventing and controlling diseases, injuries and exposure to environmental hazards; promoting effective community collaborations; and optimizing equitable access to community resources." - About DC Department of Health (DCDOH)

To us, this kind of conclusion is not funny. We'll do what we can to keep this from happening to you and to us. Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia residents - At Ease! As You Were!

Grass Good

If you remember the comedy duo of Cheech and Chong then the news of the last few weeks should have you either angry or "mellowed out." In the news from California is the most recent of study suggesting that marijuana (called cannabis by the scientific community) is good.

"In total, the (Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research) CMCR has approved fifteen clinical studies, including seven clinical trials, of which five have completed and two are in progress. The CMCR has also approved four pre-clinical studies, all of which have completed... ...(W)e now have reasonable evidence that cannabis is a promising treatment in selected pain syndromes caused by injury or diseases of the nervous system, and possibly for painful muscle spasticity due to multiple sclerosis. Obviously more research will be necessary to elucidate the mechanisms of action and the full therapeutic potential of cannabinoid compounds. Meanwhile, the knowledge and new findings from the CMCR provide a strong science-based context in which policy makers and the public can discuss the place of these compounds in medical care. The book isn't closed though the study is in it's earliest of stages even in California." - Report Feb 2010 (PDF)

Now if the west coast news "chaps your nerves" you'll be gladden that those "pot smoking long hairs" are going crazy thanks to the news from AOL, CBS and Reuters news service from "the land down under." The recent research unfortunately when you examine the source, you'll discover that the University of Queensland has more than a few studies on the wicked cannabis. Just look at the dates and we know that in this instance that the research began in 2007 with data retrieved from the eighties babies.

"Association of maternal smoking and alcohol consumption with young adults' cannabis use: a prospective study... Prevention programs that address maternal and adolescent tobacco use and adolescent externalizing behavior should be considered as strategies to reduce cannabis use by young adults." - American Journal of Epidemiology (Sept 2007)

OK so since we're not tokin' or smoking so how does a study, first released in 2007 about research performed on eighties pregnant adults have to do with getting high and going bonkers? Didn't we tell you that it was a study on Pregnancy? Oh, Yeah!

"Association Between Cannabis Use and Psychosis-Related Outcomes Using Sibling Pair Analysis in a Cohort of Young Adults -  Three thousand eight hundred one young adults born between 1981 and 1984 as part of the Mater-University Study of Pregnancy... Early cannabis use is associated with psychosis-related outcomes in young adults. The use of sibling pairs reduces the likelihood that unmeasured confounding explains these findings. This study provides further support for the hypothesis that early cannabis use is a risk-modifying factor for psychosis-related outcomes in young adults." - The Archives of General Psychiatry (March 2010)

That seems like the researchers were smoking the whole time they should have been doing research. They definitely seem grass obsessed. Whether its a seminar or making the original data from this early study stretch out year after year after year. The University of Queensland also held series like:

"Seminar - Cannabis prices and dynamics of cannabis use by Dr Jerry Williams, Department of Economics, University of Melbourne" (Sept 2006)

Talk about getting the most from your research dollar the University of Queensland takes that to a whole new level. Which is why it should mostly be ignored on the "pot drives you crazy front." Try to search for terms like grass and marijuana and you'll come up short. They take their cannabis seriously. This is the same year (2006) of the "setting prices" for your "grass class."

"In 2004 the Queensland (Illicit Drug Reporting System) IDRS documented an increase in the prevalence of heroin use among intravenous drug users (IDU), although the average frequency of use decreased. This was mirrored by a decrease in the use of crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’). There was little change with respect to cocaine use which continues to be infrequent and largely opportunistic among IDU in Queensland. As in previous years, around three quarters of IDU in Queensland reported recent cannabis use (usually hydroponic cannabis) although the average frequency of use among IDU may be increasing." - University of Queensland (2006)

The above mentioned information only cost them a mere $52,000. In 2006 serious drug users may been increasing their "grass" use. The re-release of the earlier grass study using the same subjects and data resurfaces again with the following info:

"Child and adolescent externalizing behavior and cannabis use disorders in early adulthood: an Australian prospective birth cohort study." - (March 2008)

Were not hating the Australians and indeed we appreciate other research from the University as long as its of the non-drug related variety. Specifically we're impressed and hopeful by the following study also released in the same year from the university:

"Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) neuroscientists at UQ have discovered a new way to reduce neuronal loss in the brain of a person with Alzheimer's disease... QBI neuroscientist Dr Elizabeth Coulson already has patented molecules that can block p75 and is ready to begin testing them in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. “If such therapy is successful, it probably wouldn't cure this multifaceted disease,” Dr Coulson said. "But it would be a significant improvement on what is currently available for Alzheimer's disease patients.” The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2040, neurodegenerative conditions will become the world's leading cause of death, overtaking cancer. Alzheimer's disease is the most common dementia affecting 10 per cent of people over 65 and 40 per cent over 80 years of age." - The Journal of Neuroscience (June 2008)

The study finds out other things on the way to it'll drive you crazy message for "dope heads." It's these earlier conclusions again from the same researchers that reached other conclusions that point to things other than smoking the weed as reasons for lacking normalcy. For instance in 2009 from the very same cannabis study found:

"There are a number of strong predictors of cannabis use identified in this study. They suggest that the social context within which children are reared has a major influence on cannabis use and use disorders." - The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse (2009)

When you start with a group that is less than healthy psychologically and then you add something like, oh, say, sexual abuse, we're not talking about a cross section of the community here though it does make a good cautionary tale for teens. From February of the same year the study results reached these conclusions:

"(C)hildren experiencing (c)hildhood sexual abuse (CSA) have a substantially greater risk of use of cannabis and, in particular, its frequent use in early adulthood. Further research is required to explore factors that explain the pathway linking CSA and use of cannabis in early adulthood." - Archives of Sexual Behavior (Feb 2009)

The Queensland research can be a bit obvious in its conclusions and even with it's need to detail the obvious with science. However we suspect (without any evidence) that the researchers are the same ones who were the test subjects in the eighties born dope study. This is actual research from the University of Queensland:

"UQ research finds that attractive women increase risky behaviour in young men - The Presence of an Attractive Woman Elevates Testosterone and Physical Risk Taking in Young Men (March 2010)"

The University is spending more on space toys ($14m) than cancer ($7m). Which we find extremely disturbing because: "Cancer is the No. 1 killer of Australians. One in every three Australians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime." That concerns us, much like our criticism of the District of Columbia on a snow emergency day when accidents are that jurisdiction third leading cause of death. Since the Aussies are number one (1) ignoring their number one (1) killer makes us especially critical of their old "eighties born" drug facts, as should you.

What we couldn't ignore as this research from the "land down under" stating that men make women fat:

"A University of Queensland study has found that women who live with a partner gain more weight than those without a partner or child. The study, published in the January edition of The American Journal of Preventive Medicine (AJPM), also found that women also experience a larger weight gain after having their first baby." - (2010)

What is it with "UQ" and pregnancies? Again the information started out studying the pregnant but somehow it ended up being the fault of their husbands or boyfriends. She's fat and it's all your man's fault.

If you want to know where the University of Queensland first got started with "all things marijuana" it might be because of their hemp industry. We also found this information from the late nineties long after the recent research published this month was finished and being collated.

Industrial Hemp-Research and Development in South Australia - (July 1995)

While you might not be interested in the following information we thought this is probably the best and safest way to enjoy the "wacky tobacky" is through the comedy of Cheech and Chong whose characters might have migrated to Australia where they're now researchers at the University of Queensland. We do know that viewing their concert is legal in most of the country. Well probably.

"In 2008, two of the country's most beloved comedians -- not to mention the most beloved stoners of all time -- got back together after decades apart for the Light Up America tour. The reunion with Richard "Cheech" Marin was "incredible," Tommy Chong reveals. "When I'm out there by myself, I've got too much to prove, but when I'm with Cheech, all we have to do is what we've always done. And that makes life much easier." (Tour Info)

If anything, the tour and the concerts will certainly be alot more humorous than the details of the research from University of Queensland. Who knew that California would be at the forefront of legitimate marijuana research. Unfortunately it doesn't reach the research conclusion that many people would hope it would. It is however the most recent and reputable. Smoking grass might get you arrested and probably smoking a lot might not be good for you but crazy? That's crazy talk!