Health ShortsJanuary 2005What To Do about the Flu?
Flu shots are now available in most locations, but if you haven't been vaccinated yet, there are things you can do to protect yourself: - Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. If you have touched an infected person or objects, the virus spreads from hands to nasal passages and back to your hands to infect other people and objects.
- Avoid close contact with persons who are sick with colds or the flu.
Either a cold or the flu can cause a stuffy nose and throat and chest symptoms. The flu is usually characterized by a fever of 102 degrees or more, a prominent headache, severe aches and pain and extreme exhaustion. Like a cold, the flu will not respond to antibiotics, but if you are over age 65 or have a medical condition that puts you at risk, see a doctor right away if you suspect the flu.
[SOURCE: "Fighting Flu without Vaccine," Johns Hopkins Medical Letter, January, 2005] Students: Make Time for Breakfast
Fewer than 70 percent of adolescents and only 86 percent of elementary students report that they eat breakfast every day. The reason most commonly cited: lack of time. Four decades ago, 87 percent of adolescents and more than 95 percent of younger students were regular breakfast eaters. Numerous studies support the view of nutritionists that eating breakfast is associated not only with good health but better performance at school-greater attention span, sharper recall of facts, more energy and a happier mood.
[SOURCE: Marianne McGinnis, "New Breakfast Club: Healthy Fuel for Busy Mornings," Prevention, August, 2004] Eat Breakfast, Stay Thin and Healthy
Subjects eating breakfast every day had a 37 to 55 percent lower risk of obesity and insulin resistance compared to subjects eating breakfast twice a week or less, according to data from the CARDIA study (Coronary Artery Disease Risk Development in Young Adults). Insulin resistance, often associated with excess weight, is a key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. The study followed 1,884 black and 2,059 white subjects over an eight-year period.
[SOURCE: Damian McNamara, "Regular Breakfast Eaters at Lower Risk for Obesity: Don't Bring Home the Bacon," Family Practice News, May 15, 2003] Seniors: Eat Your Breakfast!
Healthy seniors, aged 61 to 79, performed better on memory tests 15 minutes after breakfast, regardless of whether the meal consisted of protein, fat or carbohydrate, according to a study conducted at the University of Toronto. The study was important, according to the authors, because it demonstrated that improved memory is not due solely to an increase in blood sugar. Fat and protein, as well as carbohydrates, can have a beneficial effect, within 15 minutes of ingestion.
[SOURCE: Randall Kaplan, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, October 23, 2001; "Breakfast May Improve Memory in Healthy Elderly," Diabetes Week, November 26, 2001] Dieting Teens Likely To Skip Breakfast
Adolescent girls are more likely than boys to skip breakfast, and the reason they most frequently cite is dissatisfaction with their weight. Studies consistently show, however, that persons who fail to eat a healthy breakfast have a higher risk of being overweight or obese. Skipping breakfast tends to lower a person's metabolism, resulting in fewer calories consumed for the same amount of effort. Individuals who skip breakfast also tend to eat more calorie-dense foods later in the day, resulting in a greater overall calorie intake.
[SOURCE: Elizabeth M. Young and Stuart W. Fors, "Factors Related to the Eating Habits of Students in Grades 9-12," Journal of Public Health," December, 2001] New Test Identifies Breast Cancer Patients Who Can Skip Chemo
Most women with an estrogen-dependent kind of breast cancer have traditionally been treated with surgery followed by chemotherapy, even if there's no evidence the cancer has spread. A new genetic test, however, is capable of telling doctors which patients can safely be treated with surgery plus tamoxifen, a drug which has very few adverse side effects compared to standard chemotherapy. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the test may allow about 25,000 women a year to escape the harmful short- and long-term side effects of standard chemotherapy.
[SOURCE: Soonmyung Paik, et al, NEJM, December, 2004; Maggie Fox, Test Shows Who Needs Chemo for Cancer," Yahoo News, December 11, 2004] Club Soda with Lime Reduces Nausea
To reduce the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, some doctors recommend that patients drink club soda with a dash of lemon or lime about an hour before meals. Tonic water and 7-Up do not have the same effect because of their sweetness.
[SOURCE: Emily Wing Rogers, "Relief for Nausea of Chemotherapy," Consultant, July, 2004] Chemo May Affect Cognitive Functions
One of the most troubling side effects of cancer chemotherapy is "chemobrain"-usually subtle effects on memory, attention span, concentration and other cognitive functions. Chemobrain is associated with all types of cancer and affects patients regardless of age, sex or race. It is dose-related, however. About 32 percent of patients getting high-dose chemotherapy-but only 17 percent of those treated with a standard dose-reported symptoms. Other factors contributing to the impairments include stress, anemia, fatigue, menopause and non-chemotherapy medications such as opiates and anti-nausea drugs. Patients are advised to use behavioral techniques and memory aids to compensate for the deficits.
[SOURCE: Bridget M. Coyne and Marjorie L. Leslie, "Chemo's Toll on Memory," RN, April, 2004] Get Your Nutrition on Blueberry Hill
Anthocyanin, a compound that contributes to the distinctive deep blue pigment, is believed to be the source of powerful antioxidant properties present in blueberries. Studies have found that blueberries may counter short-term memory loss, lower LDL cholesterol, help fight urinary tract infections and improve and protect eye health. Blueberries can be sprinkled on cereal or dessert or added to pancake or muffin mix. The antioxidant benefits can be obtained from blueberry juice as well as fresh, dried or frozen berries.
[SOURCE: "Eating Blueberries To Battle Alzheimer's" Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, December, 2004] Do the Antioxidant Combo
Some antioxidants appear to be more beneficial when eaten in tandem. Studies have found, for example, that garlic and fish together pack a more powerful antioxidant punch than the sum of the two eaten separately. Early studies suggested that selenium and vitamin E used together were more anticarcinogenic than either used alone, and a 12-year study now underway is looking at the effectiveness of this combination against prostate cancer.
[SOURCE: Kim Schoenhals, "Cocktail Anyone? Antioxidants That work Better in Teams," Better Nutrition, July, 2004] Don't Forget To Drink Your Tea
Tea drinkers have always known that the beverage offers a pleasant way to relax with friends and family. Researchers have found that tea also contains antioxidants that may improve cholesterol and repair or prevent cellular damage associated with disease or aging. As an additional benefit, a recent study found that tea inhibits the activity of two enzymes in the brain that have been linked with Alzheimer's disease. The study found benefits from drinking both green and black tea but none for coffee. The enzyme-inhibiting effects lasted for a week with green tea but for only a day with black tea. There is no known cure for Alzheimer's disease.
[SOURCE: "Remember To Drink Your Tea," Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, January, 2005; Ed Okello, Phytotherapy Research] Beans, Berries Rich in Antioxidants
Common foods that are rich in antioxidants include: - red kidney beans: 13,259 antioxidants per half cup
- pinto beans: 11,864 per half cup
- blueberries: 9,019 per cup
- blackberries: 7,701 per cup
- strawberries: 5,938 per cup
- red delicious apples: 5,900 per apple
- pecans: 5,095 per ounce
- sweet cherries: 4,873 per cup
- russet potato: 4,649 per cup
[SOURCE: "Antioxidant Foods," Mayo Clinic Health Letter, December, 2004] Men Still Worry after Negative Biopsy
The PSA screening test is highly effective in detecting early prostate cancer but gives frequent false positives, usually requiring a biopsy of the prostate. After biopsy results proved negative, men in a recent study said their lives had been changed for the better; yet 49 percent continued to worry about developing cancer. Forty percent of the men said they worried "a lot." Based on these results, the researchers recommended that men should be counseled about the risks of false-positive results before undergoing PSA screening.
[SOURCE: Charnicia E. Huggins, "Men Still worry after 'All Clear' Prostate Biopsy," Reuters Health, December 30, 2004; Mary McNaughton-Collins, American Journal of Medicine, November 15, 2004] | 
