Folic acid and cancer risk
Posted by admin in Medical Tidbits on April 2, 2010
Articles are appearing which are discussing the risk of excessive use of folic acids and its health impact. Prevention magazine published () in April of 2010 drawing attention to a possible relationship with folic acid ingestion in excess and cancer risks. Designs for Health have published a statement outlining their position (Folate+Rationale). There may be issues with synthetic folic acids as compared to natural folates, such as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) and 5-formyl tetrahydrofolate (5-FTHF). Interested readers are encouraged to investigate this issue or discuss with your physician.
Botox Days are here again!!!
Check your schedule for July 14, 2010 in our Encinitas office and July 21, 2010 in Mammoth Lakes
Give us a call to schedule an appointment soon as the day is filling up rapidly. Call us at 760.934.3424.
$10/unit (normally $12/unit)
Looking forward to see you and your friends!
Bonnie
Benefits of Mediterranean Diet
Posted by admin in Medical Tidbits on April 1, 2010
The Mediterranean diet has received a significant amount of public attention in terms of benefiting individuals with hypertension, heart disease and weight issues. There is another area of interest in whether or not there is a reduction in the incidence or a decrease in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. In an article published in the August 12, 2009 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association, there was evidence that such a diet may be of benefit in the struggle against Alzheimer’s disease. Interested patients may read about this in Medscape by going to http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/707404?src=mpnews&spon=26&uac=5460SX. Free registration for Medscape will be required. The article is written by Susan Jeffrey.
Red Yeast Rice Update
Posted by admin in Medical Tidbits on April 1, 2010
Medscape for WebMD posted an article from Heartwire discussing an article comparing Red Yeast Rice being comparable to Pravastatin in statin-intolerant patients by Steven Halbert, MD. What was shown was that red yeast rice was as well tolerated as pravastatin while arriving at clinically acceptable reduction of LDL-C cholesterol. The amount of red yeast rice was 2,400 mgm twice a day and was compared to pravastatin 20 mgm twice a day for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, LDL-cholesterol was reduced 30% as compared to pravastatin by 27% (not statistically significant difference). There was no significant different in stopping either therapy due to muscle aches in either group (5% for the red yeast rice compared to 9% for the pravastatin group. The article did caution that red yeast rice is not regulated by the FDA and therefore inconsistency may exist between red yeast rice preparation and results.
References
Halbert SC, French B, Gordon RY, et al. Tolerability of red yeast rice (2400 mg twice daily) versus pravastatin (20 mg twice daily) in patients with previous statin intolerance. Am J Cardiol 2010; 105:198-204.
Long-Acting Beta-Agonists (LABAs): New Safe Use Requirements
Posted by admin in Medical Tidbits on April 1, 2010
02/18/2010
FDA notified healthcare professionals and consumers that, due to safety concerns, FDA is requiring a risk management strategy (REMS) and class-labeling changes for all LABAs. The REMS will require a revised Medication Guide written specifically for patients, and a plan to educate healthcare professionals about the appropriate use of LABAs. These changes are based on FDA’s analyses of studies showing an increased risk of severe exacerbation of asthma symptoms, leading to hospitalizations in pediatric and adult patients as well as death in some patients using LABAs for the treatment of asthma.