October 8th, 2010 by Toni Brayer, M.D. in Better Health Network, Health Tips, News, Research
Tags: Absorption, Anti-depressant, Anti-Viral Effects, Biochemistry, Brain Health, Canada, Cancer-Fighting Effects, Cardiology, Cardiovascular Health, Dietary Supplements, Dietetics, Dr. Fereidoon Shahidi, Dr. Toni Brayer, EGCG, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Everything Health, Green Tea, Green Tea-Omega 3 Combo, Health Health, Memorial University, Neurology, Newfoundland, Omega-3 Fatty Acids
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We have know for some time that there are health benefits from drinking green tea. Research also shows that Omega 3 fatty acids have beneficial effects on a number of organs in the body, including the cardiovascular system, the brain, and even depression.
Dr. Fereidoon Shahidi, research professor in the Department of Biochemistry at Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada, is hoping to show that green tea polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), may also prevent colon cancer and even have anti-viral effects when combined with certain Omega 3 fatty acids.
“We know from experience that green tea is not well absorbed by the body,” Dr. Shahidi said. “Our premise was to see if by adding something to it that has its own benefits, like Omega 3 fatty acids, we might get an entity that would have improved properties in terms of its absorption and health benefits,” he said. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at EverythingHealth*
October 8th, 2010 by DrWes in Better Health Network, Health Tips, News, Opinion, Research
Tags: Accelerated Heart Rate, Acute Myocardial Infarction, Cardiac Arrhythmia, Cardiology, Circulation, Dr. Wes Fisher, Exhaustion, Healthy Relationship, ICD, ICD Shocks, Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator, Intercourse, Regular Physical Exertion, Sexual Activity, Sexual Health, Shortness of Breath
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Have a defibrillator and feel like getting frisky? For the first time that I can recall, there’s a very helpful article published in Circulation addresses the concerns of implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) patients and sexual activity. There’s all kinds of helpful tidbits, like this one:
A study of 1,774 patients who had experienced an acute myocardial infarction showed that sexual activity was a likely contributor in fewer than 1 percent of cases. In fact, regular physical exertion, such as that associated with sexual activity, was associated with a decreased risk of cardiac events in patients.
Now that’s helpful!
Recall that defibrillators are designed to detect rapid, potentially life-threatening arrhythmias. Most of the time, sexual activity does not lead to heart rates at a level that ICD’s would consider elevated during intercourse. (This, of course is patient specific). While your doctor can tell you the rate cut-off at which your ICD might possibly fire, watching your heart rate rise with a monitor during those moments might be a bit of a, shall we say, turn-off. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Dr. Wes*
October 8th, 2010 by RyanDuBosar in Better Health Network, Humor, News, Quackery Exposed, Research
Tags: Boost in Energy Level, Caffeine, CareerBuilder, Coffee, Coffee-Fueled Careers, Dunkin' Donuts, Energetic, Energy Drinks, General Medicine, Lack of Concentration, Less Productive, Medical Humor, National Coffee Day 2010, Nurses And Doctors, Productivity, Stimulant
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Nurses and doctors depend on coffee to perform their jobs the most of any profession, reports a survey.
Nurses ranked first and doctors second when asked if they needed coffee to get through their day. The rest of the coffee-fueled careers were a mixed bag of white collar and blue collar positions. Among other findings:
— 48 percent of those in the Northeast said they were less productive without coffee, compared to 34 percent of Midwesterners.
— 40 percent of those aged 18 to 24 said they can’t concentrate as well without coffee.
— 37 percent said they drink two or more cups a day.
NOTE: The study was funded by CareerBuilder and Dunkin’ Donuts.
*This blog post was originally published at ACP Internist*
October 7th, 2010 by DrRob in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Opinion
Tags: Big Phama, Consumer Drug Marketing, Cost of Medications, Dr. Rob Lambert, Drug Costs, Drug Manufacturers, Drug Rebates, Expensive Medications, FDA, Food and Drug Administration, General Medicine, Generic Drugs, Healthcare Economics, Musings of a Distractible Mind, Pharmaceutical Companies, Pharmaceutical Industry, Pharmacology, Prescription Drugs
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I used to defend pharmaceutical companies. ”What companies out there have contributed more good? Should care manufacturers make more when all they do is make transportation that breaks after a few years?”
It made sense to me that you should put a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow so that companies are motivated to invent more drugs and innovate. We throw a lot of money to athletes and movie stars who simply entertain us, shouldn’t we do better to those who heal us? I used to say that. I don’t anymore.
No, I don’t think the drug companies are “evil.” People who say that are thinking way to simplistic. These companies are doing exactly what their shareholders want them to do: make as much money as possible for as long as possible. That’s what all companies do, right? They are simply working within the system as it is and trying to accomplish the goal of making money. To say that they should “sacrifice” is foolish. They are simply playing by the rules that have been set out there. Those rules are the thing that has to change. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Musings of a Distractible Mind*
October 7th, 2010 by AndrewSchorr in Better Health Network, Health Tips, Opinion, True Stories
Tags: Admitted To The Hospital, Andrew Schorr, Athletic Screening Program, Athletics, Big Ten, Blocked Cardiac Artery, Cardiac Stent, Cardiology, Effects of Stress, Empowered Patients, Football, Heart Attack, High-Stress Life, Hospital Amenities, Hospital Medicine, Hospitalist Medicine, Hospitalized Patients, How Stress Affects Health, In The Hospital, Inpatient Care, Mark Dantonio, Michigan State Spartans, Patient Empowerment, Patient Power, Rest And Recovery, Stressful Job, University of Wisconsin Badgers
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Nobody is in the hospital these days feeling good. Regulations have made it so sick people are hospitalized and not-so-sick people are usually outpatients. People who are horizontal are there to have procedures, take heavy duty meds, rest and, hopefully, get better.
Hospitals have increasingly put in sophisticated television systems so you can be in bed and distracted and entertained. But that is not restful for everyone. Here’s an example from this past weekend that stands out:
Mark Dantonio, the coach of the Big Ten’s Michigan State Spartan college football team, was diagnosed with a heart attack right after last week’s game. Boom. He was hospitalized. Boom. He had a stent put in to unblock at least one artery. This past Saturday he was still in the hospital resting and recovering, right? In the hospital, yes. Resting, no! Are you kidding? Keep the coach down during the big game against Wisconsin, a Big Ten rival? Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Andrew's Blog*
