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Brit
authorities bar chocolate from hospitals
SHEFFIELD, UK
— In a move aimed at promoting healthy eating,
the primary care trust in England's South Yorkshire
region is banning chocolate and other sweets from being
sold in three area hospitals. They want staff to lead
by example in eating healthy food. Confectioner Cadbury
issued a statement of protest in response: "There have
also been a number of studies which show chocolate can
be good for you — a standard six chunk bar of Dairy
Milk contains 20% of the recommended daily intake of
calcium."
BMI
goes belly up as CVD risk indicator
MILWAUKEE —
It's time to stop worrying about those thunder thighs,
and focus on what's really important — the size
of your waist, according to a report in the February
issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Researchers looked at data from 10,969 people's answers
to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.
After analyzing the data, they concluded that waist
circumference was a better indicator of cardiovascular
disease risk than body mass index, no matter if the
patient were black, white or Latin American.
Brain
stimulation lights up dark days
ATLANTA —
A small but significant study shows that deep brain
stimulation might effectively treat depression in patients
who don't respond to conventional therapies like meds,
psychotherapy and electroconvulsive treatment. The six-month
study followed six subjects with treatment-resistant
depression. Researchers implanted electrodes in the
subgenual region of the brain — thought to be overactive
in patients with treatment-resistant depression. After
just a few stimulating volts, researchers noted an improvement
in patients. They appeared calmer and showed a heightened
sense of awareness. These improvements increased in
duration with longer treatment times. Results of the
study are in the March 3 issue of Neuron.
Atkins'
(golden) archenemy?
EDMONTON —
In the blockbuster documentary Super Size Me,
director Morgan Spurlock went on a 30-day McDonald's
binge and put on 12kg. Well, Edmonton teacher Les Sayer
decided to do the same. His results: an 8kg weight loss
and a drop in his BP. So is chowing down on McFood the
weight-loss answer? Not according to dieticians at the
University of Alberta who analyzed Mr Sayer's diet.
They say that Mr Sayer ate less food than usual and
consumed more fat and salt and not enough fibre and
vitamins, which explains the drop in pounds. A visit
to a doctor next week will see how the McDiet affected
Mr Sayer's body.
Save
the best for last
PITTSBURGH —
Folks looking to make it big on Canadian Idol
would be well advised to perform last. According to
research published in the February issue of Acta
Psychologica, those who are on last do best. Researchers
looked at results from 47 editions of the Eurovision
Song Contests and the European and World Figure Skating
Championships from 1994-2000. They found that scores
increased with the performers' serial positions. The
researchers say that this phenomenon, known as serial
position effect, may not only apply to performers but
also to the average Joe in situations like job interviews
and exams.
Virtually
painless recovery for burn victims
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA
— A team of Australian researchers have
found a way to ease the pain of kids being treated for
severe burns — video games. Researchers from the
University of South Australia had seven kids between
five and 16 play a virtual reality video game while
having the dressing changed on their wounds. The children
also received a regular painkiller. They found that
those playing the virtual reality game showed a close
to 75% drop in pain levels. The game immerses kids in
a world of monsters and aliens. Study results are published
in the March 3 issue of BioMed Central Pediatrics.
Gluten
for punishment
ST LOUIS —
A possible link between gluten intolerance and osteoporosis
has been uncovered. Researchers evaluated 840 people
— 266 with and 574 without osteoporosis. People
with brittle bones were 17 times more likely to have
celiac disease and celiac disease sufferers already
have a low bone mineral density. The study, published
in the February 28 issue of the Archives of Internal
Medicine, shows that those with osteoporosis would
benefit from screening for celiac. Researchers also
noted that a gluten-free diet could reduce bone loss
in celiac patients.
Statin
use labelled risky business
WASHINGTON —
The FDA approved new labelling for the cholesterol lowering
drug rosuvastatin. A warning was recently issued for
the drug and other statins, stating that these meds
increased the risk of jaundice and a rare side effect
— rhabdomyolysis — a muscle wasting condition,
especially for patients on the highest marketed dose
(40mg). The FDA warned that people of Asian descent,
in particular, should take a smaller dose of the drug.
Of
mice and men — and IBD
SAN DIEGO —
Relief for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) sufferers
may be in the pipeline, thanks to a study in the March
issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Using mouse models of Crohn's disease and ulcerative
colitis, scientists found that the activation of a molecule
called IFN-alpha/beta can help ease bowel inflammation.
Results from their experiments indicate that IFN-alpha/beta
normally helps maintain the natural balance of the intestines.
These results may well point the way to a therapeutic
role for IFN-alpha/beta in the future.
Common
sense diet works
PROVO, UT —
The latest diet and exercise combo may not be just a
fad — it shows a significant health impact in as
little as six weeks, according to a study in the February
28 Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
Six weeks after adopting a diet that emphasized unprocessed
foods and an exercise regime involving 30 minutes of
cardiovascular activity per day, the 337 volunteers
aged 43-81 showed significant improvements in body fat,
cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
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