The idea of "the pursuit of happiness" may have been popularized in the Declaration of Independence, but according to a new study, our personal happiness is not a solo affair. It has been known for years that people who have many relationships with others are most likely to feel happy, but the other side of the coin is that my mood -- for good or bad -- can significantly impact the well-being of a large number of other individuals.
We are by nature social creatures, and we have been created to flourish best in a positive and healthy social network. I found this article to be especially appropriate for our current state of affairs here in America, and around the world as well. While we are facing some very real challenges in our economy, it is so easy to focus on the fear and the negativity that pervades the media day in and day out. Today's article shines some light on how happiness is not only an individual pursuit, but that it has a corporate aspect as well.
Perhaps we all need to take a thoughtful look at what we believe, speak, read, and listen to on a regular basis. It is also important to assess the types of people we surround ourselves with. Do we find ourselves more often in a positive, grateful mood, or is negativity and complaining more the norm? Just as we can impact the moods of others, so it is that we ourselves can be influenced too. Mental health is a critical part of overall wellness, and since we are all about prevention on this blog, perhaps some lessons can be learned here about avoiding depression and discontentment simply by monitoring what we allow our minds to absorb. As the study discussed in this article points out, there is more at stake than our own personal happiness.
Experiment. While out shopping, eating and/or socializing during this Christmas season, smile and greet people with a Merry Christmas! From my own experience, you will see sad and tired faces literally light up as they acknowledge your smile and friendliness. You will also find that your spirit and mood will be up-lifted as well.
Happy Contagion
05 Dec 2008
A laugh can be infectious. You don't need a sophisticated study to tell you that. But does this happy contagion vanish as quickly as a smile?
New research from James Fowler of UC San Diego and Nicholas Christakis of Harvard Medical School shows that happiness spreads far and wide through a social network traveling not just the well-known path from one person to another but even to people up to three degrees removed.
This holiday season, during gloomy economic times which, if things get dire enough, might be called a "depression" it is heartening to know, said Fowler, that "happiness spreads more robustly than unhappiness" and seems to have a greater effect than money.
The study is being published in the British Medical Journal."Scientists have been interested in happiness for a long time," said Fowler.
"They've studied the effect of everything from winning the lottery to losing your job to getting sick, but they never before considered the full effect of other people. We show that happiness can spread from person to person to person in a chain reaction through social networks."
"One of the key determinants of human happiness is the happiness of others," said Christakis.
"An innovative feature of our work was exploring the idea that emotions are a collective phenomenon and not just an individual one."
Christakis and Fowler used data from the Framingham Heart Study to recreate a social network of 4,739 people whose happiness was measured from 1983 to 2003. To assess the participants' emotional wellbeing, they relied on answers to four items from the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale: "I felt hopeful about the future"; "I was happy"; "I enjoyed life"; and "I felt that I was just as good as other people.
"The research shows that happiness loves company. Happy people tend to cluster together, and, on the surface, people with more social contacts seem generally happier. Fowler and Christakis observe, however, that what matters there is not just the total number of connections but the number of happy ones.
On average, every happy friend increases your own chance of being happy by 9 percent. Each unhappy friend decreases it by 7 percent.
Happiness, the researchers found, spreads in a social network up to three degrees of separation: You are 15 percent more likely to be happy if directly connected to a happy person; 10 percent if it's the friend of a friend who is happy; and 6 percent if it's the friend of a friend of a friend.
Unhappiness also spreads, but not nearly as much.
"The effects we observe may not seem like much at first," said Fowler, "but consider that $5,000 extra dollars, in 1984, was associated with just a 2 percent increase in happiness and you see that the power of other people is incredible. Someone you don't know and have never met the friend of a friend of a friend can have a greater influence than hundreds of bills in your pocket.
"The structure of connections matters, too. "Remarkably," said Fowler, "where we sit in the social network has a big impact on how happy we are."
According to the study, individuals' happiness depends not only on how many friends they have but also on how many friends their friends have. In social-network terms, this is known as "centrality." And the more central a person is the better connected their friends or the wider the social circle the more likely they are to become happy. (The effect does not work the other way around: Becoming happy doesn't widen a social circle.)
Fowler and Christakis also looked at what happens to happiness with distance. When a friend who lives within a mile becomes happy, it increases the probability a person is happy by 25 percent. More distant friends have no significant effect. Similar effects are seen in siblings who live within a mile and in co-resident spouses versus distant siblings and distant spouses. Next-door neighbors have a significant effect, 34 percent, while neighbors further away, even on the same block, do not.
"We think the spread of emotion has a fundamental psychobiological aspect," said Christakis. "Physical personal interaction is necessary, so the effect decays with distance."
The effect also decays with time.
There are several practical implications to the work, not least of which, Fowler said, might be to take greater responsibility for your own happiness because it affects dozens of others. "The pursuit of happiness is not a solitary goal. We are connected, and so is our joy."
The study follows up on research by Fowler and Christakis published in the New England Journal of Medicine documenting social-network effects in obesity and smoking cessation.
The research is funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Aging, a Pioneer Grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and a contract from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to the Framingham Heart Study.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/131875.php
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Too Little Sleep Increases Cancer Risk
It is encouraging to see the article below published in the mainstream media because it gives a very holistic perspective on disease prevention. Today's piece highlights a recent study that analyzes the cancer preventative matrix involving physical activity, sleep patterns, and certain types of cancer. As important as exercise is to overall wellness and prevention, not getting enough sleep can greatly reduce its benefits. When the circadian rhythms of the body are constantly on a roller coaster, the body will have a difficult time with repair and healing.
Just as poor habits work together to rob us of our health, so it is with healthy lifestyle patterns. Healthy nutrition, plenty of clean water, exercise, sufficient quality sleep, and other positive choices combine to produce a lifestyle that pursues wellness and minimizes the risk of disease. But don't get discouraged if you haven't "arrived" yet. Very few have it all down perfectly, but it is important to know what your health goals are. It is difficult to find your way in any area of life if you don't know your destination. For example, many health concerns would be alleviated by implementing a natural weight loss program to take off extra pounds. Extra weight walks hand-in-hand with a lot of disease. As we approach the New Year, I encourage you to set goals to improve your health and well-being, and to be very specific about what you must do in order to accomplish these goals successfully.
Exercise And Sleep Reduce Women's Cancer Risk
18 Nov 2008
A new US study of nearly 6,000 women found that while regular exercise appeared to reduced their risk of cancer, this benefit was likely to be lost if they did not get enough sleep.
The researchers presented their findings at the American Association for Cancer Research's (AACR) Seventh Annual International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research that is taking place in National Harbor, Maryland, this week. The press statement did not mention whether they intend to publish their findings in the AACR's peer-reviewed journal Cancer Research, or any other.
Lead author and cancer prevention fellow at the National Cancer Institute in the US, Dr James McClain said:
"Greater participation in physical activity has consistently been associated with reduced risk of cancer incidence at several sites, including breast and colon cancers."
"Short duration sleep appears to have opposing effects of physical activity on several key hormonal and metabolic parameters, which is why we looked at how it affected the exercise/cancer risk relationship," he added.
Scientists don't know exactly how exercise reduces cancer risk, but they suspect it is something to do with hormone levels and the immune system, and also because it affects body weight. In this study McClain and colleagues looked at the link between exercise and cancer, with particular attention to how not getting enough sleep might affect it.
While there are lots of studies looking at the links between sleep, exercise and health, not many are looking specifically at cancer, said the researchers in a press statement.
For the study the researchers used data taken from 5,968 cancer-free women aged 18 years and over who completed an initial survey in 1998 and were then monitored for nearly 10 years through State Cancer Registries in Washington County and Maryland.
From the questionnaire responses they compiled a measure of physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and assessed the link between this, sleep, and the incidence of overall, breast and colon cancer in the group of participants.
McClain said the findings suggest that:
"Sleep duration modifies the relationship between physical activity and all-site cancer risk among young and middle-aged women."
604 of the women showed a first incidence of breast cancer and there was a significantly lower risk of overall and breast cancer among the women in the higher 50 per cent of PAEE or physical exercise level.
Among the women aged 65 and under in the upper 50 per cent of PAEE, those who had less than 7 hours sleep a day had the higher overall cancer risk, suggesting that much of the cancer-preventive benefit that might come from doing more physical activity could be undermined by lack of sufficient sleep.
However, these results need to be confirmed by more research, which is what McClain and colleagues plan to do next, as well as explore in more detail what the underlying mechanisms could be that link sleep and exercise in the prevention of cancer.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/129735.php
Just as poor habits work together to rob us of our health, so it is with healthy lifestyle patterns. Healthy nutrition, plenty of clean water, exercise, sufficient quality sleep, and other positive choices combine to produce a lifestyle that pursues wellness and minimizes the risk of disease. But don't get discouraged if you haven't "arrived" yet. Very few have it all down perfectly, but it is important to know what your health goals are. It is difficult to find your way in any area of life if you don't know your destination. For example, many health concerns would be alleviated by implementing a natural weight loss program to take off extra pounds. Extra weight walks hand-in-hand with a lot of disease. As we approach the New Year, I encourage you to set goals to improve your health and well-being, and to be very specific about what you must do in order to accomplish these goals successfully.
Exercise And Sleep Reduce Women's Cancer Risk
18 Nov 2008
A new US study of nearly 6,000 women found that while regular exercise appeared to reduced their risk of cancer, this benefit was likely to be lost if they did not get enough sleep.
The researchers presented their findings at the American Association for Cancer Research's (AACR) Seventh Annual International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research that is taking place in National Harbor, Maryland, this week. The press statement did not mention whether they intend to publish their findings in the AACR's peer-reviewed journal Cancer Research, or any other.
Lead author and cancer prevention fellow at the National Cancer Institute in the US, Dr James McClain said:
"Greater participation in physical activity has consistently been associated with reduced risk of cancer incidence at several sites, including breast and colon cancers."
"Short duration sleep appears to have opposing effects of physical activity on several key hormonal and metabolic parameters, which is why we looked at how it affected the exercise/cancer risk relationship," he added.
Scientists don't know exactly how exercise reduces cancer risk, but they suspect it is something to do with hormone levels and the immune system, and also because it affects body weight. In this study McClain and colleagues looked at the link between exercise and cancer, with particular attention to how not getting enough sleep might affect it.
While there are lots of studies looking at the links between sleep, exercise and health, not many are looking specifically at cancer, said the researchers in a press statement.
For the study the researchers used data taken from 5,968 cancer-free women aged 18 years and over who completed an initial survey in 1998 and were then monitored for nearly 10 years through State Cancer Registries in Washington County and Maryland.
From the questionnaire responses they compiled a measure of physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and assessed the link between this, sleep, and the incidence of overall, breast and colon cancer in the group of participants.
McClain said the findings suggest that:
"Sleep duration modifies the relationship between physical activity and all-site cancer risk among young and middle-aged women."
604 of the women showed a first incidence of breast cancer and there was a significantly lower risk of overall and breast cancer among the women in the higher 50 per cent of PAEE or physical exercise level.
Among the women aged 65 and under in the upper 50 per cent of PAEE, those who had less than 7 hours sleep a day had the higher overall cancer risk, suggesting that much of the cancer-preventive benefit that might come from doing more physical activity could be undermined by lack of sufficient sleep.
However, these results need to be confirmed by more research, which is what McClain and colleagues plan to do next, as well as explore in more detail what the underlying mechanisms could be that link sleep and exercise in the prevention of cancer.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/129735.php
Friday, December 5, 2008
Hidden Sodium in "Healthy" Foods
Today's post gives an interesting perspective on how the American food industry replaces ingredients that have gotten a bad reputation (such as fat) with others that are also harmful to our health, like excessive amounts of salt. In an effort to appeal to consumers, many foods that are marketed as "healthy" (but in reality are still processed junk foods, for the most part) are laced with extra salt to boost their flavor. Ordinary table salt imposes a huge burden on the body. Because it is bleached and chemically stripped of everything that might be beneficial, it introduces additional toxins into the body that are difficult to be expelled completely. Next to animal fat, high levels of sodium is one of the most dangerous factors of the SAD (Standard American Diet).
The best way to avoid too much sodium is to choose a diet based on whole, natural foods (organic is always best) that are not processed or full of artificial ingredients and additives. Using Himalayan Crystal Ionic salt is also recommended, as this has the added benefit of providing many minerals that the body needs. Himalayan Crystal Salt contains 84 minerals along with trace elements that come alive when dissolved in water, and is then able to penetrate the human cell in a form that can be easily metabolized by the body and does not lead to dehydration the way that common salt can.
High Salt Levels Common in Many Foods
Tuesday, December 2, 2008; 12:00 AM
TUESDAY, Dec. 2 (HealthDay News) -- There can be plenty of sodium -- commonly known as salt -- in foods that seem to be health-friendly, and shoppers should know that lower-fat foods can have much more sodium than full-fat products.
That's the finding of a report published online Monday by Consumer Reports magazine. Researchers analyzed 37 common supermarket items and found large amounts of sodium in unexpected places, including some products that don't even taste salty. For example: a cup of Kellogg's Raisin Brain cereal contains 350 milligrams of sodium; a half-cup of Friendship 1 percent low-fat cottage cheese has 360 milligrams of sodium; and a single Pepperidge Farm Whole Grain White Bagel has 440 milligrams of sodium.
Here are some other findings from the report:
Four strands of Twizzlers Black Licorice Twists have 200 milligrams of sodium, while four strands of Twizzlers Strawberry Licorice have 115 milligrams.
Prego Heart Smart Traditional Italian Sauce has 430 milligrams of sodium per half cup. The product has an American Heart Association logo on the label, which means that saturated fat and cholesterol are restricted, but not that it's low in sodium.
Each pancake made, as directed, with Aunt Jemima Original Pancake and Waffle Mix contains 200 milligrams of sodium.
One cup of Heart Healthy V8 vegetable juice has 480 milligrams of sodium.
Some seemingly healthy fast food can contain high levels of sodium. For example, McDonald's Premium Caesar Salad with grilled chicken has about 890 milligrams of sodium, without dressing. A large order of fries has 350 milligrams of sodium.
"Our analysis found that lower-fat products might be higher in sodium. That's in part because when fat is taken out of full-fat foods, sodium is sometimes used to compensate for flavor," Jamie Hirsh, associate health editor at Consumer Reports, said in a news release.
Healthy adults should consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day (the amount in one teaspoon of table salt), according to dietary guidelines. Middle-aged and older people, those with high blood pressure, and black Americans should consume no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day. But, the average American consumes 2,900 to 4,300 milligrams a day, the study authors said.
A high-sodium diet can increase the risk of high blood pressure (which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease) and also increase the risk of asthma, kidney stones, osteoporosis and stomach cancer. A 50 percent reduction in Americans' dietary sodium intake could save 150,000 lives a year, according to the American Medical Association.
"On average, Americans consume far more sodium than the recommended daily limit. Unfortunately, cutting back isn't easy because of the high levels of sodium in the many processed and prepared foods that Americans eat on a regular basis," Hirsh said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/02/AR2008120201634_pf.html
The best way to avoid too much sodium is to choose a diet based on whole, natural foods (organic is always best) that are not processed or full of artificial ingredients and additives. Using Himalayan Crystal Ionic salt is also recommended, as this has the added benefit of providing many minerals that the body needs. Himalayan Crystal Salt contains 84 minerals along with trace elements that come alive when dissolved in water, and is then able to penetrate the human cell in a form that can be easily metabolized by the body and does not lead to dehydration the way that common salt can.
High Salt Levels Common in Many Foods
Tuesday, December 2, 2008; 12:00 AM
TUESDAY, Dec. 2 (HealthDay News) -- There can be plenty of sodium -- commonly known as salt -- in foods that seem to be health-friendly, and shoppers should know that lower-fat foods can have much more sodium than full-fat products.
That's the finding of a report published online Monday by Consumer Reports magazine. Researchers analyzed 37 common supermarket items and found large amounts of sodium in unexpected places, including some products that don't even taste salty. For example: a cup of Kellogg's Raisin Brain cereal contains 350 milligrams of sodium; a half-cup of Friendship 1 percent low-fat cottage cheese has 360 milligrams of sodium; and a single Pepperidge Farm Whole Grain White Bagel has 440 milligrams of sodium.
Here are some other findings from the report:
Four strands of Twizzlers Black Licorice Twists have 200 milligrams of sodium, while four strands of Twizzlers Strawberry Licorice have 115 milligrams.
Prego Heart Smart Traditional Italian Sauce has 430 milligrams of sodium per half cup. The product has an American Heart Association logo on the label, which means that saturated fat and cholesterol are restricted, but not that it's low in sodium.
Each pancake made, as directed, with Aunt Jemima Original Pancake and Waffle Mix contains 200 milligrams of sodium.
One cup of Heart Healthy V8 vegetable juice has 480 milligrams of sodium.
Some seemingly healthy fast food can contain high levels of sodium. For example, McDonald's Premium Caesar Salad with grilled chicken has about 890 milligrams of sodium, without dressing. A large order of fries has 350 milligrams of sodium.
"Our analysis found that lower-fat products might be higher in sodium. That's in part because when fat is taken out of full-fat foods, sodium is sometimes used to compensate for flavor," Jamie Hirsh, associate health editor at Consumer Reports, said in a news release.
Healthy adults should consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day (the amount in one teaspoon of table salt), according to dietary guidelines. Middle-aged and older people, those with high blood pressure, and black Americans should consume no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day. But, the average American consumes 2,900 to 4,300 milligrams a day, the study authors said.
A high-sodium diet can increase the risk of high blood pressure (which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease) and also increase the risk of asthma, kidney stones, osteoporosis and stomach cancer. A 50 percent reduction in Americans' dietary sodium intake could save 150,000 lives a year, according to the American Medical Association.
"On average, Americans consume far more sodium than the recommended daily limit. Unfortunately, cutting back isn't easy because of the high levels of sodium in the many processed and prepared foods that Americans eat on a regular basis," Hirsh said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/02/AR2008120201634_pf.html
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Vitamin D Earning Respect in Mainstream Medicine
Vitamin D, one of the most crucial elements of human health, is receiving increased attention as more members of conventional medicine are beginning to understand and discuss its many benefits. The latest research indicates the importance of Vitamin D to cardiac health and related issues.
Most Americans have insufficient levels of Vitamin D in their bodies, and much of that is due to bad choices such as a poor diet and a lethargic lifestyle. The reality is that couch potatoes don't usually spend enough time outdoors, and the most useful form of Vitamin D is that made by our own bodies from exposure to sunlight.
Even wellness-minded people can find that they aren't getting enough Vitamin D, especially during the winter or if they live far from the equator. Supplementation with a quality Vitamin D product, especially one that supplies adequate D-3, is highly recommended.
Too Little Vitamin D Puts Heart at Risk
Research Suggests Vitamin D Deficiency May Be an Unrecognized Heart Disease Risk Factor
By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Elizabeth Klodas, MD, FACC
Dec. 1, 2008 -- Getting too little vitamin D may be an underappreciated heart disease risk factor that's actually easy to fix.
Researchers say a growing body of evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of heart disease and is linked to other, well-known heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.
For example, several large studies have shown that people with low vitamin D levels were twice as likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or other heart-related event during follow-up, compared with those with higher vitamin D levels.
"Vitamin D deficiency is an unrecognized, emerging cardiovascular risk factor, which should be screened for and treated," says researcher James H. O'Keefe, MD, director of preventive cardiology at the Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Mo., in a news release. "Vitamin D is easy to assess, and supplementation is simple, safe and inexpensive."
Most of the body's vitamin D requirements are met by the skin in response to sun exposure. Other less potent sources of vitamin D include foods such as salmon, sardines, cod liver oil, and vitamin D-fortified foods like milk and some cereals. Vitamin D can also be obtained through supplements.
Vitamin D Deficiency on the Rise
Vitamin D deficiency is traditionally associated with bone and muscle weakness, but in recent years a number of studies have shown that low levels of the vitamin may predispose the body to high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and chronic blood vessel inflammation (associated with hardening of the arteries). It also alters hormone levels to increase insulin resistance, which raises the risk of diabetes.
In a review article published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers surveyed recent studies on the link between vitamin D deficiency and heart disease to come up with practical advice on screening and treatment.
They concluded that vitamin D deficiency is much more common than previously thought, affecting up to half of adults and apparently healthy children in the U.S.
Researchers say higher rates of vitamin D deficiency may be due in part to people spending more time indoors and efforts to minimize sun exposure through the use of sunscreens. Sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 blocks approximately 99% of vitamin D synthesis by the skin.
"We are outside less than we used to be, and older adults and people who are overweight or obese are less efficient at making vitamin D in response to sunlight," says O'Keefe. "A little bit of sunshine is a good thing, but the use of sunscreen to guard against skin cancer is important if you plan to be outside for more than 15 to 30 minutes of intense sunlight exposure."
Testing for Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D levels can be measured with a blood test that looks at a specific form of vitamin D called 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D). Vitamin D deficiency is defined as a blood 25(OH)D level below 20 ng/dL. Normal levels are considered to be above 30 ng/dL.
Researchers recommend 25(OH)D screening for those with known risk factors for vitamin D deficiency including:
Older age
Darkly pigmented skin
Reduced sun exposure due to seasonal variation or living far from the equator
Smoking
Obesity
Kidney or liver disease
The U.S. government's current recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin D is 200 international units (IU) per day for individuals under age 50. For those between 50 and 70, 400 IU per day is recommended, and for those over age 70, the RDA is 600 IU. Most experts believe these doses are too low, and that somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day is necessary to maintain adequate vitamin D levels. The safe upper limit of vitamin D consumption is 10,000 IU per day.
Vitamin D supplements are available in two different forms: Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3. Although both appear effective in raising vitamin D blood levels, Vitamin D3 supplements appear to result in a longer-lasting boost.
Although there are no current guidelines for restoring and maintaining healthy vitamin D levels in people at risk for heart disease, for those who are vitamin D deficient, the researchers recommend initial treatment with 50,000 IU of vitamin D2or D3 once a week for eight to 12 weeks, followed by maintenance with one of the following strategies:
50,000 IU vitamin D2or D3 every 2 weeks
1,000 to 2,000 IU vitamin D3 daily
Sunlight exposure for 10 minutes for white patients (longer for people with increased skin pigmentation) between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Once maintenance therapy has been initiated, rechecking 25(OH)D blood levels is recommended after three to six months of ongoing supplementation.
"Restoring vitamin D levels to normal is important in maintaining good musculoskeletal health, and it may also improve heart health and prognosis," says O'Keefe. "We need large, randomized, controlled trials to determine whether or not vitamin D supplementation can actually reduce future heart disease and deaths.”
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20081201/too-little-vitamin-d-puts-heart-at-risk?print=true
Most Americans have insufficient levels of Vitamin D in their bodies, and much of that is due to bad choices such as a poor diet and a lethargic lifestyle. The reality is that couch potatoes don't usually spend enough time outdoors, and the most useful form of Vitamin D is that made by our own bodies from exposure to sunlight.
Even wellness-minded people can find that they aren't getting enough Vitamin D, especially during the winter or if they live far from the equator. Supplementation with a quality Vitamin D product, especially one that supplies adequate D-3, is highly recommended.
Too Little Vitamin D Puts Heart at Risk
Research Suggests Vitamin D Deficiency May Be an Unrecognized Heart Disease Risk Factor
By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Elizabeth Klodas, MD, FACC
Dec. 1, 2008 -- Getting too little vitamin D may be an underappreciated heart disease risk factor that's actually easy to fix.
Researchers say a growing body of evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of heart disease and is linked to other, well-known heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.
For example, several large studies have shown that people with low vitamin D levels were twice as likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or other heart-related event during follow-up, compared with those with higher vitamin D levels.
"Vitamin D deficiency is an unrecognized, emerging cardiovascular risk factor, which should be screened for and treated," says researcher James H. O'Keefe, MD, director of preventive cardiology at the Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Mo., in a news release. "Vitamin D is easy to assess, and supplementation is simple, safe and inexpensive."
Most of the body's vitamin D requirements are met by the skin in response to sun exposure. Other less potent sources of vitamin D include foods such as salmon, sardines, cod liver oil, and vitamin D-fortified foods like milk and some cereals. Vitamin D can also be obtained through supplements.
Vitamin D Deficiency on the Rise
Vitamin D deficiency is traditionally associated with bone and muscle weakness, but in recent years a number of studies have shown that low levels of the vitamin may predispose the body to high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and chronic blood vessel inflammation (associated with hardening of the arteries). It also alters hormone levels to increase insulin resistance, which raises the risk of diabetes.
In a review article published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers surveyed recent studies on the link between vitamin D deficiency and heart disease to come up with practical advice on screening and treatment.
They concluded that vitamin D deficiency is much more common than previously thought, affecting up to half of adults and apparently healthy children in the U.S.
Researchers say higher rates of vitamin D deficiency may be due in part to people spending more time indoors and efforts to minimize sun exposure through the use of sunscreens. Sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 blocks approximately 99% of vitamin D synthesis by the skin.
"We are outside less than we used to be, and older adults and people who are overweight or obese are less efficient at making vitamin D in response to sunlight," says O'Keefe. "A little bit of sunshine is a good thing, but the use of sunscreen to guard against skin cancer is important if you plan to be outside for more than 15 to 30 minutes of intense sunlight exposure."
Testing for Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D levels can be measured with a blood test that looks at a specific form of vitamin D called 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D). Vitamin D deficiency is defined as a blood 25(OH)D level below 20 ng/dL. Normal levels are considered to be above 30 ng/dL.
Researchers recommend 25(OH)D screening for those with known risk factors for vitamin D deficiency including:
Older age
Darkly pigmented skin
Reduced sun exposure due to seasonal variation or living far from the equator
Smoking
Obesity
Kidney or liver disease
The U.S. government's current recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin D is 200 international units (IU) per day for individuals under age 50. For those between 50 and 70, 400 IU per day is recommended, and for those over age 70, the RDA is 600 IU. Most experts believe these doses are too low, and that somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day is necessary to maintain adequate vitamin D levels. The safe upper limit of vitamin D consumption is 10,000 IU per day.
Vitamin D supplements are available in two different forms: Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3. Although both appear effective in raising vitamin D blood levels, Vitamin D3 supplements appear to result in a longer-lasting boost.
Although there are no current guidelines for restoring and maintaining healthy vitamin D levels in people at risk for heart disease, for those who are vitamin D deficient, the researchers recommend initial treatment with 50,000 IU of vitamin D2or D3 once a week for eight to 12 weeks, followed by maintenance with one of the following strategies:
50,000 IU vitamin D2or D3 every 2 weeks
1,000 to 2,000 IU vitamin D3 daily
Sunlight exposure for 10 minutes for white patients (longer for people with increased skin pigmentation) between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Once maintenance therapy has been initiated, rechecking 25(OH)D blood levels is recommended after three to six months of ongoing supplementation.
"Restoring vitamin D levels to normal is important in maintaining good musculoskeletal health, and it may also improve heart health and prognosis," says O'Keefe. "We need large, randomized, controlled trials to determine whether or not vitamin D supplementation can actually reduce future heart disease and deaths.”
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20081201/too-little-vitamin-d-puts-heart-at-risk?print=true
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Beware of Some Skin Care Treatments
The market for treatments regarding skin care and skin disorders is huge, and there are many new "remedies" that have recently become available and are quite safe when used correctly. In the past on this blog, we have warned readers about the dangers of many cosmetic and personal skin care products that contain toxic chemicals. Today's post covers ELOS (Electrical Light Optical Synergy) and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) machines, and a recent case in New Zealand involving injury to a woman undergoing such treatments.
Apparently the training and certification given to operators of these machines varies greatly, as does the quality and safety of the equipment itself. The article also points out that certain medications can negatively affect ELOS treatments as well.
The skin is particularly vulnerable, as whatever substances are applied to this organ can go directly into the bloodstream and are quickly dispersed throughout the body. Newer procedures such as ELOS and IPL are usually safe and effective when properly administered; however, care must be taken when choosing this type of therapy. When dealing with any type of skin care, it is critical to research and make sure that the company offering the treatment has properly certified technicians and uses quality equipment. We must also remember that some people's skin is more sensitive because of diet, sun exposure, medications, cosmetics, etc. Thus, not everyone will react in the same manner nor should they all be treated alike. Before any type of skin treatment/therapy make sure that you tell the technician everything about your skin and be certain that you are getting treated by a reputable company. Ask for references. Also, if the pricing seems too good to be true, then check out other companies that are offering the same technique. Skincare therapy is really not a good place to "pinch" pennies.
Call for tight controls after scar therapy goes wrong
4:00AM Wednesday Nov 19, 2008
By Martin Johnston
The beauty therapy industry is calling for tighter controls after a woman who was treated for acne scars ended up with worse damage on her face.
Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Rae Lamb yesterday made public her brief report on the case, in which she said the therapist breached the code of patients' rights on standard of care and informed consent.
The woman had asked the clinic about laser treatments for acne scars and a skin pigmentation disorder which had left dark patches on her cheeks.
She was treated with an ELOS machine (electrical light optical synergy). The next morning she found blisters and swelling where she had been treated.
She sought help from another beauty therapist and a doctor. The clinic apologised, refunded her fee and offered free treatments. She needed further assessment and treatment from a skin specialist.
The therapist had been trained in the use of the machine. She assessed the woman's skin type as highest risk for treatment with ELOS or the related intense pulsed light (IPL) machine.
The woman signed her consent to the therapy, but was "clearly unaware of the risks", Ms Lamb
said.
The consultation form listed medications that could cause problems with ELOS. The woman's acne was concurrently being treated with an antibiotic, but it did not appear the use of this medication was "satisfactorily explored".
Ms Lamb said the Association of Beauty Therapists had no guidelines on therapists' use of ELOS and IPL machines and the industry relied on the machines' distributors for training. The association's policy on IPL focused more on workplace safety than managing risks to clients.
"It appears that there is a need for adequate guidelines/standards regarding the use of ELOS and IPL equipment across the whole sector."
Association president Judy West said yesterday: "We have been really concerned. We are certainly looking into trying to make this more safe for the public." The established distributors provided good training, but many machines were obtained through the internet "and that's creating massive problems".
Russell Smith, owner of InTouch Medical, the distributor of a British IPL machine, said British and US machines cost $50,000 to $100,000. Chinese-made machines could be imported for $7000, but some were so poorly designed that patients could inadvertently be burned.
THE MACHINE
* Electrical light optical synergy (ELOS).
* Uses an adjustable combination of pulsed light and radio frequencies.
* A development of intense pulsed light (IPL), which uses only light.
* It is estimated there are up to 300 machines in use in New Zealand, mainly by beauty therapists.
* They are different from laser therapy.
* IPL can be used to remove hair, freckles and spider veins. ELOS can also treat acne.
* Beauty therapists, unlike nurses and doctors, are not regulated by statute.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10543799
Apparently the training and certification given to operators of these machines varies greatly, as does the quality and safety of the equipment itself. The article also points out that certain medications can negatively affect ELOS treatments as well.
The skin is particularly vulnerable, as whatever substances are applied to this organ can go directly into the bloodstream and are quickly dispersed throughout the body. Newer procedures such as ELOS and IPL are usually safe and effective when properly administered; however, care must be taken when choosing this type of therapy. When dealing with any type of skin care, it is critical to research and make sure that the company offering the treatment has properly certified technicians and uses quality equipment. We must also remember that some people's skin is more sensitive because of diet, sun exposure, medications, cosmetics, etc. Thus, not everyone will react in the same manner nor should they all be treated alike. Before any type of skin treatment/therapy make sure that you tell the technician everything about your skin and be certain that you are getting treated by a reputable company. Ask for references. Also, if the pricing seems too good to be true, then check out other companies that are offering the same technique. Skincare therapy is really not a good place to "pinch" pennies.
Call for tight controls after scar therapy goes wrong
4:00AM Wednesday Nov 19, 2008
By Martin Johnston
The beauty therapy industry is calling for tighter controls after a woman who was treated for acne scars ended up with worse damage on her face.
Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Rae Lamb yesterday made public her brief report on the case, in which she said the therapist breached the code of patients' rights on standard of care and informed consent.
The woman had asked the clinic about laser treatments for acne scars and a skin pigmentation disorder which had left dark patches on her cheeks.
She was treated with an ELOS machine (electrical light optical synergy). The next morning she found blisters and swelling where she had been treated.
She sought help from another beauty therapist and a doctor. The clinic apologised, refunded her fee and offered free treatments. She needed further assessment and treatment from a skin specialist.
The therapist had been trained in the use of the machine. She assessed the woman's skin type as highest risk for treatment with ELOS or the related intense pulsed light (IPL) machine.
The woman signed her consent to the therapy, but was "clearly unaware of the risks", Ms Lamb
said.
The consultation form listed medications that could cause problems with ELOS. The woman's acne was concurrently being treated with an antibiotic, but it did not appear the use of this medication was "satisfactorily explored".
Ms Lamb said the Association of Beauty Therapists had no guidelines on therapists' use of ELOS and IPL machines and the industry relied on the machines' distributors for training. The association's policy on IPL focused more on workplace safety than managing risks to clients.
"It appears that there is a need for adequate guidelines/standards regarding the use of ELOS and IPL equipment across the whole sector."
Association president Judy West said yesterday: "We have been really concerned. We are certainly looking into trying to make this more safe for the public." The established distributors provided good training, but many machines were obtained through the internet "and that's creating massive problems".
Russell Smith, owner of InTouch Medical, the distributor of a British IPL machine, said British and US machines cost $50,000 to $100,000. Chinese-made machines could be imported for $7000, but some were so poorly designed that patients could inadvertently be burned.
THE MACHINE
* Electrical light optical synergy (ELOS).
* Uses an adjustable combination of pulsed light and radio frequencies.
* A development of intense pulsed light (IPL), which uses only light.
* It is estimated there are up to 300 machines in use in New Zealand, mainly by beauty therapists.
* They are different from laser therapy.
* IPL can be used to remove hair, freckles and spider veins. ELOS can also treat acne.
* Beauty therapists, unlike nurses and doctors, are not regulated by statute.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10543799
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Perfume = Air Pollution
Many individuals have an allergy or chemical sensitivity to ingredients in perfumes, colognes, and other fragrances. But today's article points out that even if a person does not have an allergic reaction to such chemicals, they are by nature toxic, and many are carcinogens as well. People who use these products create a hazard for those around them, and by applying perfumes to their skin they endanger themselves as well.
Indoor air pollution is a very serious problem. Due to the confined nature of interior air, the conditions inside our homes, offices, and automobiles are typically much worse than outside. Most homes are loaded with cleaning and personal care products that are also very toxic. Whether we are aware of bad reactions to these substances or not, it is wise to very carefully consider what we allow ourselves to be exposed to in our homes and places of work.
Many people like to use an essential oil hydrosol. They are very refreshing and up-lifting without being harmful or polluting the air. Rose Hydrosol is one of my personal favorites.
Co-Workers Can Sue Over Excessive Perfume in Workplace
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, November 29, 2008
A Judge has ruled that a lawsuit over workplace perfume filed by a Detroit city planner can proceed. The lawsuit alleges that perfume from a co-worker made Susan McBride unable to properly breathe, creating a hazardous work environment and making it difficult for her to complete her work.
The city of Detroit sought to have the lawsuit dismissed in court, but the Judge agreed with McBride that her difficulty in breathing with the excessive perfume did, indeed, qualify for protection under federal laws that protect the disabled from workplace discrimination.
That may seem like an odd law to invoke in this case (is McBride really "disabled" due to her difficulty in breathing?) but at least it is recognizing the reality of perfume toxicity.
Let's get straight to the real story here, folks: Perfume-wearing people are toxic to the world, and they create a toxic workplace filled with poisonous, cancer-promoting chemicals that cause healthy people to gasp for breath.
It mostly seems to be old ladies who slosh on the perfume, but it's also a few old men, and none of them seem to have any idea that their toxic scents can be detected a quarter-mile away, upwind!
That's because the senses of these perfume-wearing idiots have been burned out by years and years of chemical assault. They can't even smell their own perfume, so they slop on ever-increasing amounts of the stuff, completely oblivious to the fact that they're creating a toxic cloud of fumes emanating at least ten meters from their body in all directions. They stand in elevators, sit in meetings or walk down hallways, thinking, "Gee, I smell so pretty!" when, in reality, they smell like some disgruntled family member smashed a bottle of perfume over their thick skulls and they never bothered to wash it off.
Synthetic perfume chemicals cause cancer
These people also remain oblivious to the fact that perfumes contain cancer-causing chemicals that are absorbed right through the skin. These chemicals enter the blood where they poison the liver and other organs, causing cancer and cellular toxicity throughout the body.
I also have a theory that this onslaught of chemicals literally affects brain function, causing the brain to recede from sensory reality by decoupling neurons, thus making those people cognitively impaired. You can observe this in the real world, too: Have you ever noticed it's the dumbest people who wear the most perfume or cologne? I do not believe that is by chance: It could very well be a cause-effect relationship between perfume chemicals and brain function.
Keep in mind, too, that dumbed-down mainstream consumers use a lot of perfume-laced products throughout their homes: Laundry detergent, dryer sheets, air fresheners, carpet cleaners, shampoo, shower soap and other products laced with the same toxic fragrance chemicals found in perfumes. This creates a toxic environment in which cancer is accelerated and brain development is retarded.
NaturalNews supports a nationwide ban on perfumes in the workplace. Indoor air pollution in offices across the country is already quite bad due to the toxic chemicals used in building materials (particle board, carpet glues, etc.). It certainly does not need perfumes, colognes and smelly shower soap added to the recipe.
In addition, personal care products containing cancer-causing chemicals should be banned from the marketplace entirely. All perfume products are technically illegally labeled because they don't warn consumers of the cancer risk of their ingredients.
I encourage ALL workers exposed to perfumes to sue for damage caused by exposure to such chemicals. It is only through such lawsuits that employers will enforce "no fragrance" rules and eliminate such toxic chemicals from work environments.
Barely a decade ago, people even SMOKED in the workplace! Today that would be considered ludicrous. And why? Because smoke contains hazardous chemicals and pollutes the air for everyone.Precisely the same argument applies to perfumes.
http://www.naturalnews.com/News_000560_fragrance_chemicals_indoor_air_workplace_environment.html
Indoor air pollution is a very serious problem. Due to the confined nature of interior air, the conditions inside our homes, offices, and automobiles are typically much worse than outside. Most homes are loaded with cleaning and personal care products that are also very toxic. Whether we are aware of bad reactions to these substances or not, it is wise to very carefully consider what we allow ourselves to be exposed to in our homes and places of work.
Many people like to use an essential oil hydrosol. They are very refreshing and up-lifting without being harmful or polluting the air. Rose Hydrosol is one of my personal favorites.
Co-Workers Can Sue Over Excessive Perfume in Workplace
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, November 29, 2008
A Judge has ruled that a lawsuit over workplace perfume filed by a Detroit city planner can proceed. The lawsuit alleges that perfume from a co-worker made Susan McBride unable to properly breathe, creating a hazardous work environment and making it difficult for her to complete her work.
The city of Detroit sought to have the lawsuit dismissed in court, but the Judge agreed with McBride that her difficulty in breathing with the excessive perfume did, indeed, qualify for protection under federal laws that protect the disabled from workplace discrimination.
That may seem like an odd law to invoke in this case (is McBride really "disabled" due to her difficulty in breathing?) but at least it is recognizing the reality of perfume toxicity.
Let's get straight to the real story here, folks: Perfume-wearing people are toxic to the world, and they create a toxic workplace filled with poisonous, cancer-promoting chemicals that cause healthy people to gasp for breath.
It mostly seems to be old ladies who slosh on the perfume, but it's also a few old men, and none of them seem to have any idea that their toxic scents can be detected a quarter-mile away, upwind!
That's because the senses of these perfume-wearing idiots have been burned out by years and years of chemical assault. They can't even smell their own perfume, so they slop on ever-increasing amounts of the stuff, completely oblivious to the fact that they're creating a toxic cloud of fumes emanating at least ten meters from their body in all directions. They stand in elevators, sit in meetings or walk down hallways, thinking, "Gee, I smell so pretty!" when, in reality, they smell like some disgruntled family member smashed a bottle of perfume over their thick skulls and they never bothered to wash it off.
Synthetic perfume chemicals cause cancer
These people also remain oblivious to the fact that perfumes contain cancer-causing chemicals that are absorbed right through the skin. These chemicals enter the blood where they poison the liver and other organs, causing cancer and cellular toxicity throughout the body.
I also have a theory that this onslaught of chemicals literally affects brain function, causing the brain to recede from sensory reality by decoupling neurons, thus making those people cognitively impaired. You can observe this in the real world, too: Have you ever noticed it's the dumbest people who wear the most perfume or cologne? I do not believe that is by chance: It could very well be a cause-effect relationship between perfume chemicals and brain function.
Keep in mind, too, that dumbed-down mainstream consumers use a lot of perfume-laced products throughout their homes: Laundry detergent, dryer sheets, air fresheners, carpet cleaners, shampoo, shower soap and other products laced with the same toxic fragrance chemicals found in perfumes. This creates a toxic environment in which cancer is accelerated and brain development is retarded.
NaturalNews supports a nationwide ban on perfumes in the workplace. Indoor air pollution in offices across the country is already quite bad due to the toxic chemicals used in building materials (particle board, carpet glues, etc.). It certainly does not need perfumes, colognes and smelly shower soap added to the recipe.
In addition, personal care products containing cancer-causing chemicals should be banned from the marketplace entirely. All perfume products are technically illegally labeled because they don't warn consumers of the cancer risk of their ingredients.
I encourage ALL workers exposed to perfumes to sue for damage caused by exposure to such chemicals. It is only through such lawsuits that employers will enforce "no fragrance" rules and eliminate such toxic chemicals from work environments.
Barely a decade ago, people even SMOKED in the workplace! Today that would be considered ludicrous. And why? Because smoke contains hazardous chemicals and pollutes the air for everyone.Precisely the same argument applies to perfumes.
http://www.naturalnews.com/News_000560_fragrance_chemicals_indoor_air_workplace_environment.html
Monday, December 1, 2008
Antibiotics in Chickens Pose Hazards to All
Even if you don't eat commercially processed chicken or other meats, you may want to note what researchers discovered as covered in today's article. Adding antibiotics to meat has long been criticized by those concerned about the hazards associated with this practice. Such overuse of antibiotics can make legitimately harmful forms of bacteria immune to antibiotic drugs, and it also weakens the human immune system by harming beneficial bacteria in our bodies.
Our intestinal tract, when healthy, is naturally populated by numerous forms of bacteria that are major factors in digestion and the proper functioning of the immune system. This balance can be restored through the use of a high-quality probiotic supplement and the use of an oxygen-based colon cleanser such as Mag O7 that will help to keep the intestinal tract clean. The type of environmental exposure to antibiotics discussed in today's post is just another way that our bodies can be torn down and thus increase our risk of disease unless we take steps to protect ourselves and nurture wellness.
Study ties chicken trucks to bacteria
By Timothy B. Wheeler
November 27, 2008
Anyone who's ever driven behind a truck hauling chickens knows to expect a powerful odor and even a few feathers in its wake. But poultry carriers also apparently trail an airborne plume of potentially harmful bacteria, according to a new study by Johns Hopkins researchers.
The results suggest that motorists and those who live along roads traveled by chicken trucks may be exposed to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the researchers say. They urged further study and possibly changing transport methods in areas of intense poultry production such as the Delmarva Peninsula.
Scientists at Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health tailed 10 poultry trucks on U.S. 13 down the Delmarva Peninsula in summer and fall of last year, as the vehicles hauled their loads to a processing plant in Accomack, Va. With the windows of their car down and the air conditioning off, the researchers drove two to three car lengths behind the trucks, so they could get a good dose of the vehicles' slipstream.
The researchers collected elevated levels of bacteria in and on their car, including some that were resistant to antibiotic drugs used to treat human illnesses. Their findings were published in the inaugural issue of Journal of Infection and Public Health.
Bloomberg researcher Ellen Silbergeld and others have previously reported that chicken industry workers and the public might be at greater risk of exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria when handling live, raw or inadequately cooked poultry. Critics have questioned the routine feeding of antibiotics to chickens, which is approved by the federal government, because bacteria can develop a resistance to the drugs and render them ineffective in treating human illnesses.
The National Chicken Council issued a statement criticizing the study, calling it "unfocused, unrealistic, and rather unsafe."
Only two strains of the Enterococcus bacterium detected by the researchers are potentially harmful to humans, according to Steve Pretanik, the industry group's director of science and technology. The study did not attempt to identify which types it collected.
Pretanik also said the researchers "tailgated" the chicken trucks, which he contended was an unsafe practice and an unrealistic measure of any health risk. Few motorists would follow a truck that closely, he argued.
"Tailgating a tractor-trailer is much more dangerous than being around live chickens," he contended in the statement.
Ana Rule, a Bloomberg research associate and the study's lead author, said further research is needed to gauge the risk, but this study showed that antibiotic resistant bacteria are coming from the trucks.
"We drove the same roads without following chicken trucks, and we didn't find the bacteria," she said.
And while most motorists might not follow trucks as closely, or would at least roll up their windows, Rule said that their study points to a broader exposure that merits further scrutiny.
"If it's getting into the car, it's getting into the environment," Rule said. "There's people living along that road. The next thing we would like to test is how the trucks are impacting the community."
http://www.naturalnews.com/News_000560_fragrance_chemicals_indoor_air_workplace_environment.html
Our intestinal tract, when healthy, is naturally populated by numerous forms of bacteria that are major factors in digestion and the proper functioning of the immune system. This balance can be restored through the use of a high-quality probiotic supplement and the use of an oxygen-based colon cleanser such as Mag O7 that will help to keep the intestinal tract clean. The type of environmental exposure to antibiotics discussed in today's post is just another way that our bodies can be torn down and thus increase our risk of disease unless we take steps to protect ourselves and nurture wellness.
Study ties chicken trucks to bacteria
By Timothy B. Wheeler
November 27, 2008
Anyone who's ever driven behind a truck hauling chickens knows to expect a powerful odor and even a few feathers in its wake. But poultry carriers also apparently trail an airborne plume of potentially harmful bacteria, according to a new study by Johns Hopkins researchers.
The results suggest that motorists and those who live along roads traveled by chicken trucks may be exposed to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the researchers say. They urged further study and possibly changing transport methods in areas of intense poultry production such as the Delmarva Peninsula.
Scientists at Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health tailed 10 poultry trucks on U.S. 13 down the Delmarva Peninsula in summer and fall of last year, as the vehicles hauled their loads to a processing plant in Accomack, Va. With the windows of their car down and the air conditioning off, the researchers drove two to three car lengths behind the trucks, so they could get a good dose of the vehicles' slipstream.
The researchers collected elevated levels of bacteria in and on their car, including some that were resistant to antibiotic drugs used to treat human illnesses. Their findings were published in the inaugural issue of Journal of Infection and Public Health.
Bloomberg researcher Ellen Silbergeld and others have previously reported that chicken industry workers and the public might be at greater risk of exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria when handling live, raw or inadequately cooked poultry. Critics have questioned the routine feeding of antibiotics to chickens, which is approved by the federal government, because bacteria can develop a resistance to the drugs and render them ineffective in treating human illnesses.
The National Chicken Council issued a statement criticizing the study, calling it "unfocused, unrealistic, and rather unsafe."
Only two strains of the Enterococcus bacterium detected by the researchers are potentially harmful to humans, according to Steve Pretanik, the industry group's director of science and technology. The study did not attempt to identify which types it collected.
Pretanik also said the researchers "tailgated" the chicken trucks, which he contended was an unsafe practice and an unrealistic measure of any health risk. Few motorists would follow a truck that closely, he argued.
"Tailgating a tractor-trailer is much more dangerous than being around live chickens," he contended in the statement.
Ana Rule, a Bloomberg research associate and the study's lead author, said further research is needed to gauge the risk, but this study showed that antibiotic resistant bacteria are coming from the trucks.
"We drove the same roads without following chicken trucks, and we didn't find the bacteria," she said.
And while most motorists might not follow trucks as closely, or would at least roll up their windows, Rule said that their study points to a broader exposure that merits further scrutiny.
"If it's getting into the car, it's getting into the environment," Rule said. "There's people living along that road. The next thing we would like to test is how the trucks are impacting the community."
http://www.naturalnews.com/News_000560_fragrance_chemicals_indoor_air_workplace_environment.html
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