Australian researchers claim Asprin may cause blindness

By Loic Cobbina

A new study done by some researchers in Australia shows that people who have developed the habit of taking aspirin to relieve their pain are more likely, as they grow old, to develop macular degeneration in comparison to people who rarely or never take the painkiller. Macular degeneration is a disease that causes blindness in old adults and it happens to be on the rise. It has two forms. The wet form and the dry form. Even though the wet form only occur in less than 15% of the cases, it progresses rapidly and is more likely to cause loss of vision.

Aspirin is a drug that has been used all over the world. It is mostly used as a painkiller but some other patients may use a low dose of it to deal with their heart disease or stroke. The idea that this drug could potentially cause macular degeneration surfaced last year when a group of European researchers found that people who were on that drug were more likely to develop the disease. Before that, 2 large studies were done and there was no link found. Another study even suggested that aspirin could even help prevent the dry form of macular degeneration.

For the new study that was done in the period of 15 years, the researchers observed a group of 2000 older adults. At the beginning of the study each individual who took part was interviewed and Doctors took note of the daily lifestyle, eating habits and medication use. About 11% of the people under study were taking aspirin on regular basis. That means they were taking aspirin at least once a week for the past year. The fact is 15 years later 63 people in the population under study had developed macular degeneration. Out of that 63, 15 were regular users of aspirin.

Based on these numbers the statistics show that those who took the aspirin on regular basis are 2 times more likely to develop macular degeneration compared to those who didn’t use the drug. That statement remained through even when doctors included other factors that could cause the disease. Factor like smoking, blood pressure, heart diseases included, aspirin was still twice more likely to cause the blindness.

The researchers published their findings in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal.

What should you do about that?
The research is not conclusive yet, it simply suggests something and more studies need to be done to confirm it. Doctors like Mark Fromer, an ophtamologist said it is still ok to take the aspirin. He works at Lenox Hospital and was not involved in the research itself. According to him the risks of getting macular degeneration after 15 years is still slight and there is no need to turn on the alarm.

The researchers who conducted the study admitted that regular eye exam can really be of help. For those who already have a family member with macular degeneration there chances are much higher. Heredity is also involved so one should always know his family history.

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The Overnight Diet

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Caroline Apovian, M.D. has introduced a concept that seems by its title to defy all we’ve been taught about proper weight loss. The book, “The Overnight Diet,” claims to help readers lose up to two pounds the very first night and then nine pounds each week. This weight loss is expected to continue as readers continue the diet plan. These are, however, tall claims. The claims are backed by Dr. Apovian’s plan, which she states allows dieters to jump start their fat-burning capabilities overnight and then keep them in fat-burning mode with a series of smoothies and a nearly unrestricted diet.

The Overnight Diet claims to burn fat, not muscle. It’s supposed to rev up metabolism, stave off hunger, reduce water retention and bloating, prevent common weight loss plateaus, increase the body’s levels of HGH, and even increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin.

All of this is accomplished through what the doctor calls “powering and fueling up” and moderate exercise.

There are no special food purchases requiredNo calorie countingThere are no major food restrictionsRich in fruit and vegetables and lean proteinsThe diet focus on building and retaining muscle, an essential element to any lifelong health planThe book’s website contains many real-life success storiesHighly criticized by the diet and health industryChocked up as nothing more than a fadWeight loss may exceed industry recommendation of 1-2 pounds per weekInitial weight loss is water, not fatDiscounts value of fitness and excuses readers from working out

With The Overnight Diet there are few restrictions, unlimited access to fruits and vegetables, and a dependence on high-protein foods.

The Overnight Diet focuses on a “1-Day Power Up,” which is mostly a day of high protein smoothies and a day of recharging with a liquid diet.

The next six days of the week are referred to as the “6-Day Fuel Up.” During the six days there’s an emphasis on lean proteins and all the fruits and vegetables one wants.

The concept is to be eating nutrient dense, high volume foods that make a person feel full. Also, Dr. Apovian says that the more protein one eats, the more muscle they can build, and the more muscle one has, the higher their metabolic rate will be. All of this yields what what many say have lead to rapid and easy weight loss. The book contains many recipes for the dieter to use.

While The Overnight Diet encourages moderate exercise, the author has stated that fitness isn't even necessary or required.

Dr. Apovian stresses that you can exercise for a lesser amount of time and get more benefits if you add in resistance training to your cardio. The impact on your body with weight training or resistance training will be higher than just cardio alone. Also, the goal of the high protein diet is to help boost metabolism through muscle growth. Resistance training will further this, too.

The book’s title is a bit more alarming than the actual diet plan. The information on the website and in the book seem based in science and on sound principles.

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Preganancy news of the week: pregnant women, the risk of a blood clot to identify

By Pekka Cobbina

The study identifies women at high risk for blood clots.
There are women who are at a higher risk of blood clotting. Blood clots are seen as generally good because that's what protects us from losing blood, when you get injured. But sometimes some strange reason clotting occurs within your body, and that can cause a heart attack or stroke, which are known to serious health problems.

A new study, researchers were able to identify specific factors that may increase the risk of blood clots during pregnancy. They took information about 400,000 pregnancies that occurred in the period 1995-2009.

Identify the key factors are age, weight, and disease history. In relation to the kind of women over 35 are at greater risk. Those who are overweight are also poses the same risks. The same for women who smoke. Other medical complications, such as varicose veins, diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease were also at increased risk.

These information at hand, the doctors would be able to identify the risk of pregnant women and to take the necessary measures in advance to prevent complications. The internal blood clots can be dangerous, given the fact that they got rid of, and travel to the heart, the lungs, or even the brain.

It was also about analyzing the women had stillbirths were 6 times more likely to have a blood clot. In the past, was called the Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). Dr. Matthew Grainge, who works at the University of Nottingham, school of community health sciences, admitted that, for the entire period of the Association, the dead and the blood clotting was only a date. According to him, this finding is particularly important.

The press release also mentioned that a blood clot will happen 2 times every thousand pregnancies. It is fairly uncommon, but it is still the leading cause of death in women expecting a baby in the developing countries. Unfortunately, the preventive measures the drug heparin daily may not be as effective as doctors had hoped. Heparin is usually used also as a blood thinner, but doctors only recommend it is considered to be high risk patients. But Grainge, adding that doctors even worth what factors to look at when deciding if women at risk.

Medications that may be just as cost effective to talk about is one of the new FDA approved.

The US Food and Drugs Administration to accept the return of Bendectin
The medication, which was previously used to help deal with the morning sickness is pregnant again approved by the FDA, and return to the market with a new name. The drug was pulled from 30 years ago, when several of the lawsuit, which it wasn't.

Today it is returning back into the market under the name of Diclegis. It happens to be the only drug approved specifically to help pregnant women to deal with stomach problems.

According to the FDA, when the medication was withdrawn from the market over a 30-year time period was carefully and is now considered to be safe. Diclegis is referred to as the "late version of the pill." Patients expected to take it in the morning before symptoms set in. Pregnant women typically experience symptoms worse part after waking up. Or, why it is called morning sickness. The medicine is supposed to help them, but some may still be going through some nausea throughout the day.

The medication is meant to help women manage their nausea. In most cases, the doctors only recommend for expectant mothers, to make some changes in diet and lifestyle are clear symptoms, which usually lasts for the first 3 months of pregnancy. One of the most important recommendation is to eat several small meals, not the usual 3 meals for others to take. The future mother should also avoid foods that are high in fat and smells that he knows the triggers episodes.

This new approval from the Food and Drug Administration reviewed the Diclegis effect of the 261 women suffer from morning sickness. The conclusion was that Diclegis to alleviate morning sickness symptoms. Other studies have also shown that the active ingredients in the manufacture of the drug does not cause more danger to the baby in the womb. It said that some of the side effects, such as drowsiness and sleepiness was posted. Let's hope that this time, the Diclegis is indeed a wonderful pill that relieves pregnancy-related nausea.

Talking about the miracles related to pregnancy, the first woman to get pregnant to transplant a uterus is found.

The first woman to get pregnant to transplant a uterus
the 22-year-old woman, who goes by the name of the father, after seeing his doctor revealed Derya pregnant almost 2 weeks as a result of in vitro fertilization Akdeniz University Hospital is located in the southern province of Turkey. The news was published by his doctor Mustafa Unal in a written statement. He added that he is doing well at the moment.

The father, as was referred to in some medical miracle, when he became the first in the world, which has managed the uterus transplant from the donor that used to be out in August 2011.

News of the pregnancy comes on in the hopes of many women who cannot conceive a child, due to complications related to the uterus. UTO was born without a uterus. This occurs every 5,000 women from around the world. Before the plant embryo in the womb, doctors decided to wait for more than 18 months just to make sure, not rejected, as foreign to the body.

This is the second in a uterus transplant, and it turned out to be successful. The world's first transplant took place in Saudi Arabia in 2000 and 99 days, doctors had to remove the organ due to heavy clots.

Experts fear that the pregnancy may carry on for many other health risks, the patient and the baby, which is intended to give the c-section. Doctors plan to remove the uterus in the months after the delivery to avoid further complications. Let's hope that everything goes well.

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Tell Me the Truth, Doctor

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According to Richard Besser, M.D., health is simple. It grows or fails over time based on the decisions you make and lifestyle you have. Besser’s new book, Tell Me the Truth, Doctor, aims to provide you with what you need to live a long, happy and healthy life.

In Tell Me the Truth, Doctor, Besser answers the most confusing and critical health questions facing Americans today. He organized his answers into six lifestyle categories, including diet and nutrition, fitness and medications, vitamins and supplements. The book also addresses Americans’ concerns when going to and leaving the doctor’s office, such as illness, testing and treatment.

Besser’s overall approach to health and wellness can be summed up in three principles – none of which include popping pills or taking a daily multivitamin.

Eat Less: Portion size and overeating are two leading causes of the American obesity epidemic. Besser explains that the amount of calories you need is determined by your size and your activity level. It is not determined by boredom, by stress, or by food availability, such as in social settings.

Eat Differently: The types of food, in addition to the amount of food, you eat also play into overall health. Instead of drinking soda, drink water. Instead of eating fries with your sandwich, eat a side salad. Fill your pantry and fridge with real food instead of processed, sugary and salt-laden options.

Move More: Besser’s advice is to start small. Go for a walk, take the stairs or attend social gatherings that involve moving instead of sitting, such as going to the mall. Small steps lead to bigger steps, including going to the gym, getting a trainer and jogging instead of walking.

Besser is ABC News’ Chief Health and Medical Editor. He provides medical analysis and commentary for ABC News broadcasts, including Good Morning America. Before ABC News, Besser served as the acting director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He was responsible for public health emergency preparedness and emergency response activities at the CDC.

The author is a medical professional who lives the life he wants his patients and readers to liveThe author answers the most common diet, exercise and medical questionsQuestions are answered from a straightforward, medical approachQuestions are answered completely with a summary at the end of each with advice for implementationTopics are organized into six lifestyle categories so the book can be navigated easilyPromotes a healthy, balanced approach to eating and fitness The book does not include a diet and exercise regimen to follow, if that's what you're lookingTypes of food to eat and recipes to prepare the food are not includedTypes of exercises to do and workout routines are not includedQuestions answered in the book might not be the most pressing health questions for some readers

From diets to juice fasts, Besser answers the most common questions about diet, food and supplements with a straightforward medical approach.

The first question asks whether dieting is the best way to lose weight. According to Besser, dieting does not work. Diets restrict calories or entire food groups and cause rapid weight loss for only a short time – pounds that are later packed back on because diets cannot be maintained for long periods. Instead, Besser advises his readers to make one small dietary change at a time, such as drinking skim milk instead of the full fat, which will lead to long-term, sustainable eating practices.

Besser addresses a variety of diet and nutrition topics, such as how often to eat, whether salt causes high blood pressure, whether sugar causes diabetes, and if skipping breakfast is good for weight loss.

Besser also discusses how multivitamins and supplements affect weight loss and health, and his approach to pill-popping is that one dose does not fit all. Vitamins and minerals are important parts of the diet, and the body needs those micronutrients to survive. However, instead of popping vitamin C to fend off a cold, eat vitamin C in a nutrient-rich diet filled with the dark, leafy greens packed with the vitamins and minerals the body needs. The doctor himself claims to have never taken a multivitamin.

His overall approach to diet and nutrition can be summed up in the two previously mentioned practices: eat less and eat differently. Do not diet. Do not supplement. Change one thing at a time. Eat real food.

In Tell Me the Truth, Doctor, you'll see that weight loss and long-term health cannot be accomplished by dieting, but they can be accomplished by changing the way you eat.

According to Dr. Besser, participating in physical activity is one of the most important things you can do to lose weight and to maintain a healthy weight. Medically, when a doctor talks about fitness, he or she is referring to how well the heart meets the needs of the body. Exercise is used to increase that physical fitness, which will lower your risk factors for developing a number of disorders, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

However, to accomplish physical fitness, you do not have to run a marathon or hit the local Cross Fit gym five times a week. In one of his examples, Besser described the high intensity of a spinning class as being too intense for him. He preferred the intensity of the stationary bike, which he could control. He expressed concern for people who exercise with the mindset of “no pain, no gain.” According to the doctor, exercise does not have to feel like torture.

The doctor also addresses topics, such as whether you should drink sports drinks when exercising, how much physical activity is needed daily, and when the best time of day is to exercise.

Besser’s approach to exercise and attaining physical fitness is to get up and do something. Just move.

Dr. Richard Besser believes that attaining health and wellness is simple. The questions he answers in Tell Me the Truth, Doctor are meant to provide advice to readers who do not know where to start or to those who are tired of not knowing what they can believe when it comes to the latest fad diet or exercise trend. At the end of his book, Besser outlines his top 10 pieces of advice, including “own your health.” You'll be able to be a better advocate for yourself after you finish this book.

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The Oldways Diet

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“The Mediterranean Diet is not a diet, as in go on a diet... Rather, it’s a lifestyle, based upon the traditional foods (and drinks) of the countries that surround the Mediterranean Sea.” – Oldways Preservation and Exchange Trust on The Oldways 4-Week Mediterranean Diet Menu Plan

The Oldways Preservation and Exchange Trust is a nonprofit diet and nutrition organization focused on guiding people to good health by following the Mediterranean Food Pyramid. The founder, the late K. Dun Gifford, worked with food and wine producers, policymakers, chefs and scientists from around the world to design the diet and nutrition program outlined in The Oldways 4-Week Mediterranean Diet Menu Plan.

Food pyramid outlines Mediterranean cuisine (what dieters are supposed to eat)Grocery shopping and cooking tips included to guide new dietersIncludes menus and recipes for 28 daysExtras include recipes for salad dressings, information about whole grains and easy-to-prepare Mediterranean snacks The Mediterranean Food Pyramid is not similar to the food pyramid Americans are used toNew dieters might find Mediterranean cuisine is not to their tastesNo exercise program is included

The diet and nutrition program outlined in The Oldways 4-Week Mediterranean Diet Menu Plan provides individuals with the Mediterranean Food Pyramid, which is the cornerstone of the program. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, seeds and herbs and spices make up the base of the pyramid –the most important part of the diet. Fish and seafood are secondary; poultry, eggs, cheese and yogurt are third; and meats and sweets make up the smallest portion at the top of the pyramid. Water and wine (in moderation) are the only recommended beverages in the diet.

The plan also provides individuals with eight simple rules for good health and good diet while following the plan. Rules highlight different aspects of Mediterranean cuisine and explain their important to the diet, such as eating healthy fats by using extra-virgin olive oil and eating seafood twice a week.

Another important aspect of the diet plan as well as traditional Mediterranean cuisine is the fact that food and meals should be prepared and eaten with family and friends in the home.

Part of the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid featured in The Oldways 4-Week Mediterranean Diet Menu Plan contains physical activities, such as dancing, walking and playing sports as well as cooking and eating with friends and family, which are recommended for good health. No specific exercise program is included.

As mentioned by the Oldways organization, The Oldways 4-Week Mediterranean Diet Menu Plan is not necessarily a diet program. Instead, adopting the Mediterranean cuisine is a lifestyle choice made to increase health and wellness through the food prepared and consumed within the diet.

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