Pneumonia Prevention

Stay warm, keep your head and feet covered, to stay healthy. That's the advice from our newest contributing writer. That's the way to stay healthy and avoid getting ill from pneumonia. Not that the research agrees with that assessment. However just as there are studies, three (3) on the issue of cold catching illnesses. Only the oldest Army study says that heat is released mostly through your head hands or feet. The biggest current stories on the disease are concerning Montana sheep, catching a virus from a monkey (in 2009) and Zyvox (Linezolid) from Pfizer to treat pneumonia.

"FWP will let Pneumonia Run its Course in Anaconda Bighorns - Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) reports that the pneumonia outbreak it confirmed in Anaconda area bighorn sheep on August 19th has spread beyond management control, and wildlife officials say they will let the disease run its course. FWP killed sick sheep this fall in an attempt to eradicate the infection before it spread to healthy sheep.  But, officials decided last week to cease further culling efforts after evidence mounted that the pneumonia was already widespread." - Montana's Office State Website (News Article)

That's not the only animal story concerning a virus. Though it isn't in our region and is on the other side the country. It's an old story in that the incident occurred in 2009 and there was only one person affected and only one animal involved and none other. The incident is interesting in that the impossible appears to have become possible. Illness have either passed from animals to humans. Though even those at the University of California at Davis doubt the finding. Who are we to argue.

"New virus caused 2009 outbreak at California National Primate Research Center - This would be the first time an adenovirus had been shown to jump species, (UC San Francisco virologist Charles) Chiu said. His findings have not been published in a peer-reviewed journal. An adenovirus is a type of virus that commonly causes respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. The employee had experienced a flulike illness around the same time that the monkeys fell ill. The employee recovered uneventfully without medical treatment. No other employees who worked with the Titi colony were found to have developed antibodies showing that they had been exposed to the virus. Nor did any monkeys outside the colony." - University of California, Davis (News and Information)

What are the federally sanctioned ways to preventing pneumonia? There are medications that can be taken but even that information is disputed by professionals in the field. That the research is disputed without the research to support their conclusions means to us that they have to be ignored. Our concerns to to keep people alive and well and if the suggestions or disputes do not advance that reality its not of much use. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) how do you prevent pneumonia?

"Pneumonia Can Be Prevented – Vaccines Can Help - Reduce Your Risk - Pneumonia can be prevented with vaccines. Following good hygiene practices can also help prevent respiratory infections. This includes washing your hands regularly, cleaning hard surfaces that are touched often (like doorknobs and countertops), and coughing or sneezing into a tissue or into your elbow or sleeve. You can also reduce your risk of getting pneumonia by limiting exposure to cigarette smoke and treating and preventing conditions like diabetes and HIV/AIDS." - Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Current Features) 

PearlieMae died from a respiratory failure as a result of complications to her cancer. She was in an institution before being revived to succumb within the nearby hospital. When you're in an institution its difficult too not follow good hygiene practices. It's certainly important for the institution's personnel to practice good hygiene. Indeed it is critical and a matter of life and death. For prevention within an institution we found this information from local John Hopkins University Hospital (JHUH) for the prevention of infection. What we didn't expect to find as a preventive measure against pneumonia was the suggestion of the simple act of coughing and breathing deeply. 

"Incentive Spirometry: You will be expected to do some very simple breathing exercises to help prevent respiratory infections by using an incentive spirometry device (these exercises will be explained to you during your hospital stay). Coughing and deep breathing is an important part of your recuperation and helps prevent pneumonia and other pulmonary complications. " - Johns Hopkins University (WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER SURGERY)

We do remember the urban legend email that you'll see every now and then claiming that coughing can prevent a heart attack. Fortunately almost every debunking website has discredited the claim and though we haven't searched for the actual research or study to disprove the claim we do know that the information isn't "endorsed by Rochester General Hospital and Mended Hearts" as the message claims. 

"This coughing technique to maintain blood flow during brief arrhythmias has been useful in the hospital, particularly during cardiac catheterization. In such cases the patient's ECG is monitored continuously, and a physician is present." American Heart Association (Cough CPR)

John Hopkins is also our source for research on the issue of vaccination to prevent pneumonia. Which while presenting the information and research on the effectiveness of vaccination isn't the source that physicians tend to quote. While the myth is that the vaccines are more effective, often doubling the effectiveness percentages even among their own physicians. Even on their very own website. What's true today isn't necessarily true tomorrow. Taking that into consideration we'll allow that what was thought to be true then isn't statistically true today.

"PREVENTABLE PNEUMONIA - One vaccine, developed 20 years ago, is ninety per cent effective against these afflictions. Yet for some reason only about 30 per cent of people who ought to get the pneumococcal vaccine actually do. Johns Hopkins professor of International Health Dr. Mark Steinhoff says it could be because people assume antibiotics will clear up any health problems, especially pneumonia. But that's a mistake." - The Johns Hopkins University InteliHealth (Health Newsfeed # 941)

The most current research from a different wing of the largely same institution has found that the most recent studies are substantially different. Again we think that the sites differ only because the information that might have been considered true at the time the information was release was true at the time of publication. So while the information from the same institution differs in content and contradicts the earlier info we attribute it to time and more research.

"Pneumococcal Vaccine: Vaccinate! Revaccinate?? - It should be noted that vaccination does NOT reduce pneumonia.  A meta-analyses shows no decrease in pneumonia incidence as a result of vaccination, however it has been shown to be about 60-70% effective in preventing invasive disease (meningitis, bacteremia).  Only one study by Riley et al (Lancet. 1977 Jun 25;1(8026):1338-41) has demonstrated decreased mortality (by 44%).  Other studies to date have not been powered to do so or have not shown a statistically significant difference.  There are 40-50,000 cases of bacteremia plus 3-6,000 cases of meningitis.  Maybe half of these would be vaccine preventable." - Johns Hopkins Medicine (Pneumococcal Vaccination)

Internally we found that the John Hopkins staff was given this set of instructions which we also believe is probably outdated mostly replaced by mroe recent memos. If not one of the problems with a research institution is that the facts that always replace the procedures:

"Preventing Infections - To prevent pneumonia, carefully follow instructions about breathing treatments." - John Hopkins Medicine (National Patient Safety Foundation 2003)

While research sponsored by the Pfizer corporation found that the medication Crestor is more effective than previous thought. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave the corporation a "new indication" based on the February research from the Justification for the Use of statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluation Rosuvastatin (JUPITER) trial. What the February research and FDA gave to one (1) drug a new study taketh away from another.

"Popular antibiotic may not be best for pneumonia - The study was recently published in the Critical Care Medicine Journal. Dr. Andre Kalil, an infectious disease specialist at UNMC, found that the antibiotic linezolid is not superior to two other common antibiotics used to treat patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia. Pfizer manufactures the drug. Dr. Mark Kunkel, an executive director in a unit for the company, said other recent international research shows that the drug is superior to its counterparts. People get hospital-acquired pneumonia, or nosocomial pneumonia, from prolonged hospitalization and more resistant germs, Kalil said." The North Platte Telegraph (State News)

So if you're in the hospital recovering you might want to keep warm wearing a hat, gloves, warm socks, cough and breath deeply to prevent pneumonia. Remember our newest contributor and suggestions from John Hopkins University. It's good to know what doesn't work and what does work. It helps to know that there are drug that we can take to give us more protection but not unfortunately full protection.

"Excess heat loss in the hatless - As temperatures drop, hats and caps flourish. Even the US Army Field manual for survival recommends covering your head in cold weather because “40 to 45 percent of body heat” is lost through the head. If this were true, humans would be just as cold if they went without trousers as if they went without a hat. But patently this is just not the case." British Medical Journal (December 2008)

Though the information was mostly published in the British Medical Journal the research and information is from American institutions. The facts are from the seasonal myth busters of science. Disproving other seasonal misstatements of science that are more like medical myths than actual facts. Even if there are researchers that challenge the study not on their techniques so much as their conclusions. We suggest a study to study the study. Until there is research to contradict their conclusions we'll take the Indiana University School of Medicine professors words just like we accepted the US Army Field manual information until now.

If you want and need a prescription to address your pneumonia concerns then Pfizer is here for you thanks to researchers at the University of Virginia (UVA). The study was first revealed in September 2008 concerning the effectiveness of the medication. While any medication, indeed any treatment can have side effects, the purpose of the drug is to prevent an infection that could lead to death. If we or our loved ones can survive the side effects, no matter how uncomfortable, it beats the alternative.

"Study Shows Higher Rates of Success for Zyvox Versus Vancomycin in MRSA Nosocomial Pneumonia - Investigators from 156 centers worldwide randomized 1,225 patients, of whom 448 patients had  proven MRSA nosocomial pneumonia (modified intent-to-treat group); 339 patients also met key protocol criteria at the end of study (per-protocol group) and were included in the primary analysis." Infection Control Today (Oct 26, 2010)

So you can take the drug or follow the dictates of our federal government. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers their prevention tips to survive the cold weather season. We support any and all ideas to help us survive until tomorrow. We're also willing to do anything other than exercise more and lose weight. Stop smoking, we don't smoke so sure we're all for it. So what does our FDA suggest we do to get ready:

"Get Set for Winter Illness Season - Certain people are more at risk for developing complications from flu; they should be immunized as soon as vaccine is available. These groups include:

• people 65 and older
• residents of nursing homes or other places that house people with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and heart disease
• adults and children with heart or lung disorders, including asthma
• adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes), kidney dysfunction, a weakened immune system, or disorders caused by abnormalities of hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen)" - FDA (Prevention Tips)

We're concerned that there is something about "certain people" who are "more at risk." Why and what is it about these people that makes them "more at risk?" We know that pneumonia is much like cancer not a single one of a kind infection. What causes it isn't. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health (NIH) the solution to prevention for the elderly and those "more at risk" is vaccines. According to the University of Virginia the best vaccine if you're hospitalized or in an institution is Pfizer's Zyvox.

"University of Virginia Study Reveals Promising Method for Reducing MRSA Infections in Hospital Intensive Care Units - In a study published in the September 3, 2008 issue of Surgical Infections, UVA researchers report that switching between two antibiotics, linezolid and vancomycin, every three (3) months in the surgical ICU decreased the MRSA infection rate from 1.9 to 1.4 patients per 100 admissions. In-hospital mortality from surgical ICU-acquired MRSA infections fell from 3.8 patients per year to none." - University of Virginia Health System (Medical News)

That's been true since 2008 and to date is the best hope for surviving pneumonia. It's certainly better than it to have been a sheep with pneumonia under the previous care of the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) before they decided to "cease further culling efforts." Better to suffer and survive than to be "culled." However the infection is spread complete protection is still years away. This is a constantly changing world and researchers are constantly making and releasing new information each day and when they do we'll bring the information to you. Because staying alive and keeping you alive is our reason for every season.

Green Tea Isn't Useless

The study said inconclusive and when compared to one (1) cup or ten (10) there did not appear to be a difference in the number of cases of breast cancer among Japanese women. Our question is that there are items in tea green or otherwise that has been shown in studies to be useful in the fight against cancer. Our question to the researchers is when has green tea been considered the only tool you'd need in the fight against breast cancer?

"Green tea drinking and subsequent risk of breast cancer in a population to based cohort of Japanese women - Although many in-vitro and animal studies have demonstrated a protective effect of green tea against breast cancer, findings from epidemiological studies have been inconsistent, and whether high green tea intake reduces the risk of breast cancer remains unclear. ...In this population-based prospective cohort study in Japan we found no association between green tea drinking and risk of breast cancer." Breast Cancer Research (October 28, 2010)

Essentially this study reflects the data found in the smaller 2009 study presented at the Experimental Biology 2008 conference in San Diego California. Since we don't have access to the full details of the research we're speculating based on the introduction and conclusion presented. What would make the information from the research more persuasive would be if attention was made and presented that disproved the results of the 2008 study.

"Effects of a Green Tea Intervention on Anthropometrics, Intake, and Glucose Levels in Breast Cancer Survivors ...results suggest that daily intake of 4 cups green tea did not significantly change anthropometrics or glucose in overweight breast cancer survivors, although these markers did move in a favorable direction. Future studies should include higher EGCG exposure and a larger sample size of breast cancer survivors who demonstrate insulin resistance at the time of study entry." Experimental Biology 2008 (April 2008)

While the 2008 researchers focused on a specific type of survivors (overweight). They also used half as much tea than the current study which ignored the leading indicators of the specific that might have impacted on those who might wish to survive breast cancer and focused on all women. The current research ignored the disease and focused specifically on all the women and not those impacted. We should be happy because our focus has been on ways to prevent cancer. Protecting PearlieMae from the ravages of the disease to which she succumbed.

The antioxidant found in green tea EGCG worked in female mice but not in female women has been found to be effective. Again we only have the abstract to go on then and now. At the same Experimental Biology conference evidence was presented to that conclusion.

"Oral Administration of EGCG, an Antioxidant Found in Green Tea, Inhibits Tumor Angiogenesis and Growth of Breast Cancer in Female Mice ...(mouse breast cancer) cells were injected in 4th mammary gland of the mice. Tumor size was monitored by measuring tumor cross section area (TCSA)." - Experimental Biology 2008 (April 2008)

This wasn't a case where mice were just observed and some were given EGCG and some were not. These mice were cancer infected and then treated with the EGCG and were compared to those not so lucky. Rather than focusing on the actual working part of the green tea the research focused on the tea itself. For us that's the flaw in the study. Not that we're always consistent in our support for the chemical over the naturals. Except in this case we have to go with the chemical.

"Green Tea and Its Catechins Inhibit Breast Cancer Xenografts - A major shortcoming of the vast majority of the antiangiogenic drugs is the fact that they require intravenous or subcutaneous administration. This is particularly problematic, since antiangiogenic drugs need to be given on a long-term basis to control cancer growth. Furthermore, many of these agents are complex peptides that are difficult and expensive to produce in the quantities and purities required for human use. Thus an antiangiogenic drug that can be administered orally and inexpensively, such as green tea, would be clinically very useful." - Nutrition and Cancer (November 2009)

The Nutrition and Cancer research conclusion is why we support tea in the prevention of cancer. We're not big supporters of green tea but EGCG and possibility of either treating or preventing cancer. The future is still not predetermined by the very large study results (53,793 women during 13.6 years) over such a large period. We believe in the possibility in spite of the results. We're hanging our hopes on this statement in their conclusion: "We also found no association of oolong tea, black tea, coffee and canned coffee intake with breast cancer risk."

It's weak we know - about like a cup of green tea. It's still something to hang our hopes upon. We found the full study results in the PDF. "Although we found no association, we cannot deny the possibility that changes in green tea intake during the follow-up period influenced the findings, particularly considering that the questionnaires used in the baseline and five-year follow-up surveys were different." See were not totally delusional. There are flaws in the study and we're going to exploit them.

Soy Safe Breasts

We disagree with the American Heart Association's (AHA) conclusions on soy. It's not that they're wrong or that their statements are incorrect. The AHA conclusions are misleading. Our newest associate editor accused us of trying to kill him because we fed him vegetables. He claims he's allergic to vegetables, jokingly. The American Heart Association (AHA) will later conclude that soy is not bad for you. We think that's not strong enough in support of soy.

"AHA Comments to FDA on Soy Protein and Coronary Heart Disease Health Claim - at this time the totality of evidence linking soy protein consumption with reduced risk of coronary heart disease is not sufficient to meet the standards of significant scientific agreement (SSA). Thus, AHA strongly recommends that FDA revoke the soy protein and CHD health claim. We understand that if the FDA decides to revoke this SSA health claim, the Agency could consider allowing its use as a qualified health claim. We urge FDA not to do so. Consumer research conducted by AHA, FDA, and others has repeatedly shown that despite the presence of qualifying language, consumers do not understand qualified health claims and do not understand that they are based on limited and varying degrees of evidence. Therefore, AHA does not support the use of qualified health claims; only health claims meeting the SSA standard should be permitted." - American Heart Association (May 1, 2008)

Headlines don't help and the news reports you read or view don't have the time to accurately explain the research results. The American Heart Association (AHA) is accurate saying that soy protein doesn't prevent cancer. Neither does beef or pork prevent cancer or heart disease. If you have to eat a soy burger, hamburger or pork chop you'll be better off eating the soy than any of the alternatives. While soy protein might not be heart healthy processed soy is better than processed meat as an alternative. It might not make you live forever it would be better if you ate tofu, cooked soy beans with your unprocessed soy milk that you made yourself. That's more likely to keep you alive than any of the processed alternatives.

"Effect of soy isoflavones on breast cancer recurrence and death for patients receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy - Of the original 524 patients, we were able to contact 508 directly for follow-up in July 2008. Among the 16 patients who could not be contacted directly, the mortality registry revealed 10 deaths. For six patients there was no match in the registry, and we assumed that they were still living. The total number of deaths was 154, and 132 of these were due to breast cancer. The other causes of death were cardiovascular disease (12 patients), respiratory disease (5), other cancers (2) and other causes (3)." - Canadian Medical Association Journal (October 18, 2010)

How can soy be good for you two (2) years ago but good for you now? The answer is in the processing of food as compared to unprocessed food. Soy protein is processed soy isoflavones is unprocessed and actually part of the waste product from processing soy. It's like comparing apples to cinnamon sweeten applesauce. It's not all soy and soy is better and healthier for you than any meat alternatives. Soy is as a vegetables the lowest in fats. Meats can't compete.

"In this study, high dietary intake of soy isoflavones was associated with reduced risk of recurrence of disease among postmenopausal patients with estrogen- and progesterone-receptor positive breast cancer and those who were receiving anastrozole as endocrine therapy. This finding is potentially important in terms of recommendations for intake of soy isoflavones in conjunction with endocrine therapy. Large multicentre clinical trials and other observational epidemiologic studies are needed to confirm these findings." - Canadian Medical Association Journal (October 18, 2010)

While the American Heart Association (AHA) may not be convinced we think there is more than ample evidence that soy is heart smart and healthy. While this might not apply to all soy processed products we maintain that the research is clear and getting clearer all the time. There were earlier stories that indicated the contrary but again those stories results often contradicted the studies. For instance the evidence might not have made soy the superfood that on its own was miraculous. We think soy in combination with the basics recommendations of the AHA was more healthful than previously thought.

"Dietary Soy and Increased Risk of Bladder Cancer, the Singapore Chinese Health Study - We caution that our novel finding of a positive association between soy and bladder cancer risk is based on a relatively short period of follow-up and a modest number of cancer cases. If this provocative observation is confirmed by others, laboratory studies to delineate possible mechanisms will be needed. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention (December 2002)

There are other items in nature and health that if you don't want to be bothered with soy have been scientifically effective. We're convinced of the effectiveness of soy but can understand if you aren't convinced. You don't need to take our word or the word of the above mentioned organizations and institutions. Just because an institution isn't based in the United States of America doesn't mean their facts or rather research should be ignored. Often the off-shore universities work in cooperation and collusion with US institutions of higher learning to share methods and methodologies.

Bitter Melon Extract Attacks Breast Cancer Cells - Early Research Points to Promising Area of Research - The extract from a vegetable that is common in India and China shows promise in triggering a chain of events that kills breast cancer cells and prevents them from multiplying, a Saint Louis University researcher has found. Ratna Ray, Ph.D., professor in the department of pathology at Saint Louis University and lead researcher, said she was surprised that the extract from the bitter melon she cooks in stir fries inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells. "To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the effect of bitter melon extract on cancer cells," Ray said. "Our result was encouraging. We have shown that bitter melon extract significantly induced death in breast cancer cells and decreased their growth and spread." - Saint Louis University (February 23, 2010)

One of the weaknesses in much of the research is in the reporting to researchers. The individuals reported their behavior to researchers. While this might be significant in a small study history has shown the success of soy in both animals and human trials. While much of the research has centered on breast cancer research specifically in girls and women soy has other benefits as well. You might not trust soy be we're soy believers. We think that more unprocessed soy is digested the more effective its health benefits would be felt on the human body.

"A New Frontier in Soy Bioactive Peptides that May Prevent Age-related Chronic Diseases - Soybean proteins can be a source of bioactive peptides with diverse and unique health benefits that can be used in the prevention of age-related chronic disorders such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, and decreased immune function. Bioactive peptides are released from proteins by either food processing or by GI digestion. Indirect evidence also suggests that these peptides can be absorbed by the GI system thus exerting their action on specific target organs. Other peptides do not need to be absorbed and act at the intestinal level. However, understanding whether digestion of food proteins in vivo releases the same peptide fragments as the ones in vitro experiments is an important question. Also, the effective plasma levels of bioactive peptides are unknown and need to be determined. In comparison with milk, research on bioactive peptides from soybean is far from complete." - Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety (November 20, 2006)

If we didn't convince you - you just might want to try soy and we looked for the specifics in the research that we might personally duplicate for better health. Well try anything as long as its not exercise. We're not allergic to exercise we just remember the quote from Mark Twain. "Whenever we feel the urge to exercise we lie down until it goes away." Since that kind of thinking can lead to an early death we look for foods we can consume to keep death at bay. We look to soy and all the soy research that leads us to that conclusion.

"Soy Peptide Lunasin Has Anti-Cancer, Anti-Inflammatory Properties - "We confirmed lunasin's bioavailability in the human body by doing a third study in which men consumed 50 grams of soy protein--one soy milk shake and a serving of soy chili daily--for five days. Significant levels of the peptide in the participants' blood give us confidence that lunasin-rich soy foods can be important in providing these health benefits," said Elvira de Mejia, a U of I professor of food science and human nutrition." - University of Illinois and the Champaign-Urbana (December 2, 2009)

Our focus because of PearlieMae has been breast cancer. Soy's benefits aren't new neither are results that say its so. We wish that more of the bigger more familiar institutions of higher learning we more in the research of soy. We will admit that many of the smaller, meaning less trust worthy institutions are sources for much of the information. We don't admit that their research is any less trust worthy only that when you think of the Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico you don't immediately think of as scientific worthy of award and acclaim.

"Children’s Hospital Oakland Scientists Discover Soy Component May be Key to Fighting Colon Cancer - Soy has long been touted as protective against colon cancer, but Dr. Saba’s team made the groundbreaking discovery that SDs naturally found in soy may underlie the benefits of soy products. Dr. Saba and her team first identified SDs in the fruit fly, an organism that is sometimes used to study the genetics of human diseases. Further investigation indicated that elevated SDs actually induced the death of mutant cells in the fly, revealing SDs to be cytotoxic compounds (toxic to cells). Preventative colon cancer strategies often focus on cell death—a normal process the body uses to remove unhealthy or mutant cells, like cancer cells. Coupling this discovery with the finding that soy is a rich source of SDs, researchers made an innovative connection." - Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland (November 24,2009)

We aren't fruit flies and again this is the only study on soy and cancer. We still think its better to eat your way to health than sweat your way to health. We don't deny the benefits from exercise. We're just reminded of the TV commercials for the Biggest Loser and the woman contestant who said that her workout "was harder than giving birth." TV trainers who proclaim: "You thought the other person was hard you ain't seen nothing yet." We imagine passing out from the sweat and strain of working out. That's before we even begin to exercise.

"Diet Can Provide Protection against Development of Certain Cancers, New Studies Show - With cancer, researchers don't believe "you are what you eat" -- that disease is always a direct result of what is, or what isn't, on your dinner plate. But studies into the association between diet and cancer show that food can have an impact in preventing cancer, or in reducing the aggressiveness of the disease. At the American Association for Cancer Research's Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research meeting, investigators have found that eating fish regularly as an adult, or soy as a young girl, or using a specific vitamin if you are a smoker, can help to protect against development of certain cancers. Another study found that blood cholesterol, some of which comes from eating animal fats, doesn't control whether a man develops prostate cancer, but lower levels of these lipids may help protect against aggressive forms of the disease. The researchers say these studies provide some of the strongest links found to date between diet and cancer."  - American Association for Cancer Research (November 14, 2006)

The implication from this earlier research are clear. While later conclusions are that you can't eat your way to good health it appears from earlier research is that to survive the leading indicators of death requires a proper diet as well as exercise. We tend to place our focus on food rather than work. We'd rather add soy and "gold pepper" to our diet with the proper supplements to intensify the effectiveness of all than to grunt and strain under the watchful eye of a scowling trainer. However it is better to workout with a buddy than alone. We support that as well. Soy and a buddy for better breast health.

We're Not Doctors But We're Here To Help You

While other editors got it right the editors at TIME magazine didn't quite get it right. We felt that if you can walk away from any health advice then that's good advice. In this case its not what you can do for yourself its what you can do for someone else. This Sunday this editor's wife observed someone who passed out in church. Her concern was that the person was no longer with us and that enough wasn't done to aid them. The news articles and research indicates that something is always better than nothing.

"The Case Against Mouth-to-Mouth Resuscitation - The study measured survival by hospital discharge: 13% heart patients who received chest-only compressions were discharged from the hospital, compared with 7.8% of those who received conventional CPR. Of those who received no resuscitation whatsoever, only 5.2% left the hospital, showing that whether you do mouth-to-mouth or not, doing something is better than doing nothing." - TIME (Healthland)

When you go to the source of the most current research even they don't give the source of their information though we're certain that it's just a matter of math. You know the kind from your school days where A is to B as B is to C. For instance Arizona Health Science Center said:

"Every three (3) days, more Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest than the number who died in the 9-11 attacks. " - The Arizona Health Sciences Center (AHSC) 

That's not what the headline would indicate in the TIME article. We've got some experience, as should anyone with a loved one, with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. What we learned and were told is that we should first do no harm and we're taught how and when giving aid - to do no harm. We were told that the first few minutes were crucial to the individuals survival.

"You can lessen this recurring loss by learning this hands-only CPR method that doubles a person’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest. Watch physician researchers Gordon A. Ewy, MD, and Karl Kern, MD, demonstrate the easy, life-saving method that they developed at the University of Arizona College of Medicine." - The Arizona Health Sciences Center (AHSC) 

Change is a good thing but if you're unwilling to take a chance on this non-mouth to mouth method you can always become certified by the American Red Cross who still teaches the old fashion cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) just like we did. However we're going to make the switch. Better is better to us and it's less to remember, not as intimate nor as personal.

"Prepare for Emergencies with American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Courses - American Red Cross first aid, CPR and AED programs are designed to give you the confidence to respond in an emergency situation with skills that can save a life. Additional training in bloodborne pathogens, oxygen administration and injury prevention can be added to CPR and first aid training to prepare you to prevent and respond to life-threatening emergencies." - American Red Cross (Taking A Class) 

There are a lot of statistics given about the risk of heart disease or heart attacks without sufficient indication of what specific research, by whom and what was used to get these numbers. If we're certain of one thing its that things change.

"Less than eight percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital survive." - American Heart Association (AHA) 

What's true today, if you make a change those same things, won't be true tomorrow. If you've not made any changes then yes what was true yesterday can be true today. To be honest, even if you make changes what was true yesterday can still be true today. If you make a change then its not unusual to see a change reflected but nothing is guaranteed.

"Heart Attack Risk Assessment - It's essential that you measure your risk of heart disease and make a plan for how to prevent it in the near future. Use this tool to help you assess your risk of having a heart attack or dying from coronary heart disease in the next 10 years. It will also check to see if you may have metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors that greatly increase your chances of developing cardiovascular disease, including stroke and diabetes. This Risk Assessment can be use by people age 20 or older who do not already have heart disease or diabetes." - American Heart Association (AHA) 

This tool might not change anything for you but like Continuous Chest Compression CPR - when you're in need sometimes a little can mean a lot. It can save a life and if you see a situation we hope you'll have the proper instructions. At the very least you'll view what you can - and do no harm.

The parishioner survived, did not suffer a stroke or heart attack but tests are still being performed. His condition is stable.

Programmed Salmon

When man doesn't act science fills the gap. It'll be more than the price of fish that critical ingredient to health according to every research known to man. We love all things natural but there are consequences and repercussions for our actions. Remember that 3rd law of Newton that we're so fond of. (Hey we're on a theme!)

"Tuna on the endangered list - Illegal fishing has depleted global stocks of tuna and governments must take bold action to save some critically endangered species, the conservation group WWF said Monday as a conference on the topic opened in Japan. Japan's insatiable appetite for tuna has been a key factor behind the threat to stocks, and now increasing demand from other countries is adding to the pressure." - NY Times (January 22, 2007)

One of the consequences of our OVER fishing and depletion of food supplies means more than shortages and high prices. It can result in the repercussion of poor health and diseases of old and conditions long since cured and eliminated. That however is negative doomsday thinking and while some of us live to think it others of us feel as though its too much of a downer. So with that in mind lets go to professionals.

"Continued mismanagement could force some tuna populations to quickly go the way of cod, a highly threatened fishery that once helped shape economies of whole nations, leading scientists said in the symposium “Last Best Chance for Tuna: Learning from the Cod Collapse” at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting in Boston on February 18." - World Wildlife Fund (Feb 19, 2008)

Okay so you say that's tuna and not salmon. We wish!. You see the fish that are tuna, are in the sea, well, ocean but you get our drift. Unfortunately close to home things are not that much better either. Indeed they have not been that way for some time now. So before you get all high and mighty we call your attention to this bit of historical information.

"Currently populations of salmon, steelhead, trout, and rockfish are listed as endangered or threatened in the state of Washington." - Municipal Research and Services Center (March 1999)

We don't really NEED fish to survive do we? We that depends on what you mean by survive. You've heard that we have this health care thing going on haven't you? Fish isn't important if your in great health and you exercise regularly and we've got enough stored vitamins and nutritional supplements for the next millennium.

"Some fish (such as salmon, trout, and herring) are high in a type of PUFA called “omega-3 fatty acids.” The omega-3 fatty acids in fish are commonly called “EPA” and “DHA.” There is some limited evidence that suggests eating fish rich in EPA and DHA may reduce the risk for mortality from cardiovascular disease. (EPA is eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA is docosahexaeonoic acid.)" - USDA (MyPyramid)

In any event we haven't heard the last word on the subject of genetically modified (GM) salmon eggs that grow faster than the naturally farm grown variety. Unfortunately Canada has said that their GM salmon has escaped into the wild and you know how indiscriminate those fish are. They've probably already mixed their scientific genes with those natural ones - except among the tank raised variety! Gives a whole new meaning to the term farm fresh doesn't it!

Smoking Deaths

When the founder and his wife took a working vacation to South Carolina they did more than just sun and fun themselves. They walked, talked and researched. And if you're from the IRS they performed all the necessary functions to render their trip fully tax deductible under the current terms of the tax code. That is also why we've added a new state to our regional reporting.

Although South Carolina is a big tobacco state it was surprising to discover so many non-smoking establishments, although there was smoking and most ridiculous was the non-smoking section of the New China Buffet where the food was plentiful, cheap and delicious. We found the best (meaning syrupy sweet) sweet tea in all of the state. The section was separated by a booth divider that was waist high. Fortunately there were no noticeable smokers in the smoking section.

"Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. Each year in the United States, cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke causes 443,000 or 1 in 5 deaths. Economic losses are also staggering. Smoking-caused diseases result in $96 billion in health care costs annually." - Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

But enough about the new addition. Let's put things into perspective by examining the winners and losers in the area of smoking health. How do we rank, meaning our region? In order of importance by how we will survive in the number one (1) spot at nineteenth (19th) is:

District of Columbia - "Among adults ages 35+ years, over 700 died as a result of tobacco use per year, on average, during 2000-2004. This represents a smoking-attributable mortality rate of 249.9 / 100,000. The District of Columbia's smoking-attributable mortality rate ranks 19th among the states."

It's all over after the District of Columbia because followed by all the over twentieth (20th) place with the others following with the great state of -

Maryland - "Among adults aged 35+ years, over 6,900 died as a result of tobacco use per year, on average, during 2000-2004. This represents a smoking-attributable mortality rate of 261.9 / 100,000. Maryland's smoking-attributable mortality rate ranks 23rd among the states."

Rounding out the twentieth (20th) level is the southern state of -

Virginia - "Among adults aged 35+ years, over 9,200 died as a result of tobacco use per year, on average, during 2000-2004. This represents a smoking-attributable mortality rate of 267.0 / 100,000. Virginia's smoking-attributable mortality rate ranks 28th among the states."

As the newcomer its certainly not the least or the last in the rankings, the very southern of the Carolinas

South Carolina - "Among adults aged 35+ years, over 6,100 died as a result of tobacco use per year, on average, during 2000-2004. This represents a smoking-attributable mortality rate of 293.4 / 100,000. South Carolina's smoking-attributable mortality rate ranks 37th among the states."

The editor has picked tobacco or at least attempted to pick tobacco as a child in the state of his birth, the most northern of the Carolinas -

North Carolina - "Among adults aged 35+ years, over 12,300 died as a result of tobacco use per year, on average, during 2000-2004. This represents a smoking-attributable mortality rate of 298.4 / 100,000. North Carolina's smoking-attributable mortality rate ranks 38th among the states."

 The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released reports congratulating California for their successful handling of their whooping cough outbreak and administration of their H1N1 flu inoculations. As always if you don't want your grandchildren to fall victim to its effects you'll need a shot for that!

"Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After fits of many coughs, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breathes which result in a "whooping" sound. Pertussis most commonly affects infants and young children and can be fatal, especially in babies less than 1 year of age. The best way to protect against pertussis is immunization." - Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC press release said:

New Data Show Gains in Public Health Preparedness - "Today's report indicates that our nation is better prepared to respond to a public health emergency. It also reminds us that preparedness challenges remain and our efforts need to continue," said Dr. Ali Khan, director of CDC's Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response. "We must foster improvements for rapid awareness, identification, and communication of health threats; measurable preparedness goals and response plans; and ongoing support for state and local public health." - Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released reports congratulating California for their successful handling of their whooping cough outbreak and administration of their H1N1 flu inoculations. As always if you don't want your grandchildren to fall victim to its effects you'll need a shot for that!

So who are the CDC's top ten states that are making great strides? They are in order of success:

Percentage of Recommended Tobacco Control Investment, 2007 - Maine, 1, 85.5%; Delaware, 2, 79.4%; Wyoming, 3, 78.2%; Alaska, 4, 70.7%; Hawaii, 5, 66.6%; Vermont, 6, 61.8%; Montana, 7, 57.3%; Colorado, 8, 48.7%; North Dakota, 9, 47.1%; Arkansas, 10, 44.3% - Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

There are other rankings at the same site where you our region can do much better than published in other categories. Think of it as those other categories in the beauty pageant that have nothing to do with beauty. That's for the really desperate who wants better news than you've lost! You can go there find better news if you must and we're certain that our leaders will.

HPV Hope and Help

What finally beat PearlieMae and many of our relatives was the dreaded "C" word (cancer). It was their generation's AIDS and struck more fear and hopelessness in them than any other condition. For them and their peers it was a sentence of death. It didn't matter how many therapies, protocols or alternative treatments there were. It meant they were going to die. Indeed in spite of the fact that her doctors didn't expect her to respond to treatment PearlieMae did. She could have survived her cancer. It would not have meant she would have been cured but she would not have had to die from the ravages of the disease. PearlieMae surrendered to her illness. She gave up hope and that's what killed her.

While the debate continues concerning the cervical cancer vaccine for teenage girls and young adults some researchers are suggesting is that as hopeful as this treatment is it isn't the be all end all cure that many would believe especially for the teenage future PearlieMaes.

"...excess of 18,000 adverse reactions recorded in the US, including 75 deaths. Adverse reactions have also been recorded in New Zealand, Canada and Australia. A US federal report in 2009 found the vaccine had a 400% higher rate of adverse reactions than another comparable vaccine, the Menactra anti-meningitis shot. The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) said it had received 10 reports of suspected adverse reactions associated with Gardasil." (Irish Examiner)

Hope springs eternal - while we know the cervix isn't a bone and PearlieMae's cancer wasn't cervical it made it into her back and into her bones. The same institution that is developing a more effective vaccine than Gardasil which only works against four (4) types of HPV (human papillomavirus) and Cervarix which only works against five (5) types with a vaccine that works against nine (9) types of the cancer. Extending the effectiveness from eighty (80) percent to ninety (90) percent effectiveness and essentially reducing the possibility of adverse reactions.

"Cancer has a greater economic impact from premature death and disability than all causes of death worldwide, according to a report from the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the LIVESTRONG organization. Using data from the World Health Organization (WHO), it concludes that cancer "has the most devastating economic impact of any cause of death in the world." (Medscape Today)

The Medical College of Georgia (MCG) has also identified a protein that can result in fragile bones. While PearlieMae's cancer cause her bones to be brittle and hindsight is 20/20 we believe that had she not been so depressed by her virus she might have survived to live a longer life and suffered a more prolonged death. Of course we would believe this because we miss her so much and love her so. We loved her enough to concede to her wishes to not prolong her death.

"In late-stage arthritis, the cartilage function may be completely disrupted but early in the disease process, maybe there is a window for stimulating this protein." (MCG)

Family members that haven't told their own parental units are terrified of their condition even though when discovered in the early stages treatment can be very effective. That's not just our opinion it's also the opinion of specialist in the field.

"If cervical cancer is caught very early, surgery alone may effect a cure. If the disease is more extensive, then radiation is added to the treatment mix... ...Patients with cervical cancer and, in some cases, uterine cancer first get external beam radiation under the new large bore linear accelerator at the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center. This first phase of radiation treatment lasts about five to five-and-a-half weeks. - Dr. Chris Sheils (MCG)

Yes, we're big on prevention but actionable prevention like eating dark non-milk chocolate, adding deep colored foods to your diet - the easy stuff. We even support the taking of vaccines to prevent an annual massacre. But you have to compare the upside to down and make the judgment yourself. We just want to make sure that the treatment isn't as bad as the cure.

So sweet relative of ours, please tell your momma - there is hope and you will survive.

The Air Truth

What can you do? We're not going to be afraid. We CAN handle the truth. Until we get the truth and its too much for us to handle. The truth is TOO much for us to handle. The truth is in our environment regardless of how well we take care of ourselves we're being attacked by unseen attackers in our air and seeping into our water supply. Yes, many are filtered out but when we're breathing it in and expelling it out. On our skin and on our clothes.

We intended to include information from one of our favorite shows that we almost never watch, the Doctor Oz show. We don't watch the show because we really CAN'T handle the truth. We want to until Dr. Mehmet Oz tells us we have to do what we don't want to do to keep us healthy and alive. When he shows us the affects of our inaction its overwhelming sometimes. When he doesn't give us the information directly and like PearlieMae directs us to the truth. It's when we CAN'T handle it.

"A person's cancer risk can be reduced in other ways by receiving regular medical care, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol use, avoiding excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning beds, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, and being physically active. "(Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

This is the most obvious individual ways of personal responsibility. We call this blaming the victim. We don't want to blame you we want to communicate with you in the most effective way to encourage you to do what you can do to have a better and healthy life. PearlieMae would say the family was trying to control her. We would never do that. We give you the information and hopefully we can do it, like the good Doctor, and you'll be inspired to do what you want to do in a way that improves the quality of your life.

The other way is what's where you live. And we mean in your community. Not what you're told because all that's here is what's in your neighborhood detected and reported by your local or the federal government. What's too much to handle is the specific effects of the things detected.

"The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), based in Atlanta, Georgia, is a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ATSDR serves the public by using the best science, taking responsive public health actions, and providing trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances." (CDC)

What you'll find we have to warn you might be more truth than you can handle. We'll admit its' more than we can handle so we'll bury our heads in the sand and act as if it doesn't matter. Yes, we know it does. We're just not ready for this much truth. Even the site and the government doesn't do that. But the next time you're not feeling well and you're off from work - just pull up this site and see what's going on especially if your neighbors are feeling the same symptoms.

"I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord" - Phil Collins "In The Air Tonight"

You know there's more don't you that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Once you tear away a piece of the veil you eyes are wide open. Can you stand to read moreeee? We can't. The same Center for Disease Control and Prevention that brought us the above information also tells us that there are other little nasties out there at a rate of early 1,100 food borne outbreaks reported nationally in 2007 which works out to more than three a day (365 days in a year x 3 = 1095).

CDC Report looks at Foods and Foodborne agents associated with Outbreaks in the United States - "A total of 1,097 foodborne disease outbreaks were reported in 2007 to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a CDC analysis. State investigators reported 21,244 illnesses and 18 deaths as a result of these outbreaks. The report also provides the most recent data on how many illnesses were linked to specific types of foods." (CDC)

If that's not enough even if you survive all the diseases, local toxins, foul air, and every other nasty out there. Say you make it safely home every day, God willing and the creek don't rise. You can be placed at risk by accidents that happen to other people. Were not talking health care so much as health care costs that affect your health by their very expensiveness.

"...injuries, both fatal and nonfatal, to people riding in cars and light trucks cost $70 billion a year. Injuries to motorcyclists cost $12 billion. Bicyclists and pedestrians, who are vulnerable against motor vehicles, cost $5 billion and $10 billion a year respectively, the CDC said." (CNN)

And then you die. Again not to make you fearful but unlike the young and the very young at heart, taking risk while behind the wheel, such as driving aggressively or even too timidly or texting / talking while on the phone, all can lead to higher cost (both physical and fiscal) and less effective emergency department services for those not so distracted.

Common Wisdom Not Wise...

...when it comes to lung cancer. The big "C," commonly considered cancer, is an automatic death sentence is a mistaken belief. Yes, it is "the most lethal cancer in the United States" but doctor can catch it in time and recovery is possible. If you're the kind of person who does the old "wait and see" for treatment because you don't have enough insurance or either don't have enough money to buy either your current medications or can't pay your co-pay for every doctor's visit that delay can mean a death sentence. So maybe common wisdom is wise but it more of a "self fulfilling prophesy" than a forgone conclusion. Believing it to be so and the depression that can ensue from having a fatalistic "doom and gloom" attitude can do more to prevent treatment and recovery.

We bet you think we just make this stuff up as we go along don't you? We don't. Christopher Lathan, MD, MS, MPH "an oncologist in the Division of Population Sciences at Dana-Farber, is the first author of the report in the journal Cancer. Senior author is Gary Bennett, PhD, of Duke University's Global Health Institute. Both whites and blacks in the survey "grossly underestimated" the bleak outlook associated with a diagnosis of lung cancer — only 15 percent of patients survive for five years."

"Many said 50 percent when the true number is 15 percent. There were three survey questions on which blacks and whites diverged significantly. African-Americans were more likely than whites (53 percent vs. 37 percent) to say they were confused by too many recommendations on how to prevent lung cancer. "This is shocking," says Lathan. "There is only one recommendation to decrease the chance of getting lung cancer. Stop smoking and avoid tobacco smoke." (Dana-Farber)

Dana-Farber (DF) is a Boston Mass based research center founded "in 1947, Dana-Farber has been committed to providing cancer patients with the best treatment available today while developing tomorrow's cures through cutting-edge research."

Last September DF discovered a protein that can aid in stopping cancer from spreading. Unfortunately the discovery that is on going doesn't appear to offer much hope to suffers of lung cancer. When Dana-Farber made Science magazine's "top ten breakthroughs of 2008" it had nothing directly to do with cancer or stopping cancer. The hope the center offers is to individuals who catch the lung cancer's in time and survive their surgeries thanks to "Yolonda Colson, MD, PhD, (who) is testing a small solution to the problem of lung cancer recurrence following surgery – small enough to fit millions of times into a grain of sand."

While the researchers at Dana-Farber have been searching for effective cancer medicines since 2003 with nearly $12 million in research fund and what's there final recommendations to prevent lung cancer? Stop smoking. Dana-Farber is no CUBA which, with less funding and no American tax dollars spent developed a lung cancer vaccine for terminal lung cancer patients. "CimaVax EGF does not prevent or cure lung cancer. It is a therapeutic vaccine which stimulates the patient's body to make an antibody against the epidermal growth factor (EGF), which is a key driver causing lung cancer cells to grow." Unfortunately the vaccine works better on the younger patients than the older. What it is more than anything else is hope to the hopeless.

Presidential Surgery

Former president Bill Clinton made news this weekend as concern for his health revealed a return to heart bypass surgery which for him was a tuneup to his quadruple coronary. The surgery didn't heal the problem it was a temporary solution to a long term problem. Doctor's revealed the problem wasn't that the former president returned to his bad habits. We initially postulated that it was his failures that brought about the problem. Surgical solutions aren't final solutions and as we continue to promote "couch potato" solutions to health we're gladden by the reports.

But coronary artery disease is a lifetime commitment, Dr. Randal Thomas, director of the Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Health Clinic and president of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation says. "[Surgery] is a good short-term solution [but] it's temporary; in the long term, the most powerful thing we can do is adjust lifestyle and medication. "Unless we get rid of the underlying problems," he says, the problem will come back.

We searched for local solutions to the bypass surgery and found to our dismay that if we or you needed to have such care the best place to receive it wouldn't be found in the District of Columbia nor even in the traditionally "best hospitals in America." While the places we located were considered by patients and professionals as your best bets for survival and had the lowest infection rates their "quality of care" wasn't equal to the medicine one received. The staff might suck even though the actual surgery and recovery may be the best. We can attest to this from our own anecdotal experiences. While the physician was rude but accurate the nurses were incredibly considerate and attentive.

There are no four or five star facilities in the District of Columbia for Heart Bypass Surgery. There are alternatives in the other local jurisdictions. The Best Hospital for Heart Bypass Surgery in MD -

          1. Saint Joseph Medical Center

The Best Hospitals (4) for Heart Bypass Surgery in NC -

          1. Durham Regional Hospital
          2. Select Specialty Hospital - Durham
          3. Mission Hospitals
          4. Mission Health & Hospital - St. Joseph

The Best Hospital for Heart Bypass Surgery in VA -

          1. Sentara Norfolk General Hospital

Even if you're not an ex-president and we aren't, we can still receive quality care that we can survive if we plan and utilize the best available services from the best available facilities. If we don't, we have only ourselves to blame. If we've got loved ones we can also give them the benefit of our knowledge. We didn't attempt this story until now because of our initial ignorance. We were in disagreement as to whether the problem was a result of President Clinton's lifestyle abuses. It was reassuring to discover it was not (well to some of us).

Dr. Allen Schwartz, the chief of cardiology at the hospital, publicly stated that there was "no evidence of [a] heart attack or [of] damage to [Clinton's] heart," and that what occurred was "not a result of either his lifestyle or diet, both of which have been excellent." (CNN)

Quality Check, our usual source for all things hospital rated was not the most recent source for these local facilities. Becker's Hospital Review magazine names America's 10 Best Hospitals for 2009 none of which made our list. Their choices were, in our area: Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC and John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD.

While the choices from Health Grades might be your best chances for survival and recovery they aren't the best choices in terms of patient satisfaction. The choices that might be good for you might not be good to you.

They May Excel, But They're the Worst Hospitals for Patient Satisfaction - Patients surveyed give these hospitals, some of America’s best, a poor score overall - Among elite centers in the U.S. News "America's Best Hospitals" rankings that reported patient satisfaction survey results for the year ended December 2008, the 10 percent below were rated worst overall. They had the highest percentages of patients who gave them a 6 or below (10=highest, 0=lowest).

Take, for instance, Virginia's Sentara Norfolk General Hospital which received a patient satisfaction rating of only 16%. While Maryland's John Hopkins considered by many to be one of the best hospital in America received a rating of 75%.

“The fact is, patients are twice as likely to die at low-rated hospitals than at highly rated hospitals for the same diagnoses and procedures,” Dr. Rick May, an author of the HealthGrades study, said in a statement. “With Washington focused on rewarding high-quality hospitals and empowering patients to make more informed health care choices, this information comes at a turning point in the health care debate.” (Seattle Biz Journal)

Our experience reflects that great nurses won't be found with great doctors and great doctors don't necessarily attract great nurses. We loved the nursing staff and care we received but the doctor's attitudes left a lot to be desire. We're they any good? The doctors were incredible. The nursing staff we felt saved our lives. Then again we weren't in for heart bypass surgery either. If we were we'd take rude over sweet but deadly anyday. To use our own anecdotal experiences with Pearlie Mae, her doctor's were the nicest and kindest people we'd ever met. However, the information they gave us wasn't just wrong. It was deadly wrong. We didn't have either access to the information we now have nor any of the rating we're making available to you. If we had, maybe Pearlie Mae would still be with us.

Life By Chocolate

For valentine's day when you give your valentine life affirming chocolates and they wonder why you're eating them all, you can always say that you're feeling a little stroke-ish and you want to do more research on how much it takes to starve it off. Or you could admit you're busted and pull out that second box you got, just in case you got busted. The big news, just in time for the "candy and card created celebration" is chocolate "lowers stroke risk." However the researchers from north of the border said:

“More research is needed to determine whether chocolate truly lowers stroke risk, or whether healthier people are simply more likely to eat chocolate than others,” said study author Sarah Sahib, BScCA, with McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Sahib worked alongside Gustavo Saposnik, MD, MSc, where the study was completed at St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto. - American Academy of Neurology (AAN)

It's the sugar in candy that isn't healthy for us right? Chocolate is good. Chocolate is very very good. Now all we need is the chocolate with the most antioxidants but with our luck it'll probably be like Indian Pale Ale or wild blueberries. All the really good stuff is never local and generally unavailable locally.

"To maximize the protective effect chocolate has to offer, your best bet is to reach for dark chocolate when the craving hits. To make sure you are getting the highest concentration of flavonoids, read the list of ingredients and choose bars that list cocoa solids or cocoa mass first, not sugar. Alternatively, choose a bar with a high percentage of cocoa – 70 per cent or more. Beware of highly processed, sugar-coated chocolate bars - these are nothing more than empty calories and contain little in the way of cocoa or flavonoids." Canadian Broadcasting Centre (CBC)

The science is well established for the benefits of chocolate beating wine and tea as a historic health elixir. This is our kind of natural health treatment. A chocolate life seems like the best kind of life of all. However moderation in all things. The most recent research puts it in this technical fashion:

"Flavonoid-rich dark chocolate improves endothelial function and is associated with an increase in plasma epicatechin concentrations in healthy adults. No changes in oxidative stress measures, lipid profiles, blood pressure, body weight or BMI were seen." The Journal of the American College of Nutrition (JACN)

The specifics of the research continued to say:

"Chocolate is rich in antioxidants called flavonoids, which may have a protective effect against stroke, but more research is needed. The first study found that 44,489 people who ate one serving of chocolate per week were 22 percent less likely to have a stroke than people who ate no chocolate. The second study found that 1,169 people who ate 50 grams of chocolate once a week were 46 percent less likely to die following a stroke than people who did not eat chocolate." American Academy of Neurology (AAN)

While the Mayo Clinic can continue to find studies they can review to disprove alternative and naturopathic remedies all they want. History and canadian researchers will continue to prove their effectiveness. From the same sources that brought us the chocolate news comes:

The yogurt, containing live bacteria or yeasts, appears to prevent stress-induced skin inflammation and hair loss. It works in mice, and researchers at the Brain-Body Institute at St. Joseph's Healthcare want to test whether it helps humans. "That is the hope," said lead researcher Dr. Petra Arck, Canada Research Chair in Neuroimmunology. "When they are experiencing stressful periods in their life ... (eating probiotic yogurt) could be a way of dealing with this." (The Spec)

The canadian researchers don't just tell us how to survive our heart attacks they've also go the cocktail for staying young. Their suggestions won't reverse the ravages of time but they can "forestalls aging."

The study found that a complex dietary supplement powerfully offsets this key symptom of ageing in old mice by increasing the activity of the cellular furnaces that supply energy - or mitochondria - and by reducing emissions from these furnaces - or free radicals - that are thought to be the basic cause of aging itself.- McMaster (Daily News)

Did you think we wouldn't tell you the secret formula? Who do you think we are the nightly news. If we know you know. Forget the Mayo Clinic when they're only reviewing research. This is the real scientific and tested deal.

Ingredients consists of items that were purchased in local stores selling vitamin and health supplements for people, including vitamins B1, C, D, E, acetylsalicylic acid, beta carotene, folic acid, garlic, ginger root, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, green tea extract, magnesium, melatonin, potassium, cod liver oil, and flax seed oil. Multiple ingredients were combined based on their ability to offset five mechanisms involved in aging. Daily News

We say take your anti-aging cocktail with some hot black tea with a single serving of chocolate or an unsweeten biscuit with bits of chocolate to start a day that could last for the rest of your healthy life.

The antioxidant catechin content of chocolate is four times that of tea. Chocolate contributed 20% of the catechin intake in a representative sample of the Dutch population, and tea contributes 55%. Epidemiological assessments of health effects of tea should include other foods that are sources of catechins. (Lancet)

Hopefully you'll live a very very long time or it might just seem like a long life. The problem with anti-aging instead of reverse aging is that you'd better love the age you are because you ain't getting any younger. Don't like your age - aww poor baby! Too bady if you're lucky you get to stay this age forever. Or it might just seem like forever.

Green Tea Catechin Consumption Enhances Exercise-Induced Abdominal Fat Loss in Overweight and Obese Adults - These findings suggest that green tea catechin consumption enhances exercise-induced changes in abdominal fat and serum TG. The American Society for Nutrition (ASN)

Chocolate solves the known green tea reactions that individuals on some high blood pressure medications can suffer from their use - without any of negative side effects associated with green tea. Chocolate is the "couch-er" final solution. Chocolate - the weight loss answer that we've waited a lifetime to receive. You don't have to be a researcher to reach that conclusion.

Oh, by the way, don't just dump your chocolate drops in your blender and hope for the best. Nuke 'em in your microwave until their soft enough to dissolve and be digested. Learn from our mistakes!