Young adults who don’t drink milk may get metabolic syndrome

    Washington, Mar 16 - College-age kids who don’t consume at least three servings of dairy daily are three times more likely to develop metabolic syndrome than those who do, a new study has found.

Researchers from the University of Illinois studied 339 Mexican college applicants who filled out a food frequency questionnaire and were then evaluated for metabolic syndrome risk factors.

ÒOnly one in four young persons in the study was getting the recommended amount of dairy,Ó said researcher Margarita Teran-Garcia.

That alarming finding means that three-fourths of the 18- to 25-year-old college applicants surveyed are at risk for metabolic syndrome, she said.

Metabolic syndrome occurs when a person has three of the following risk factors: abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and unhealthy cholesterol and lipid levels. Having this disorder greatly increases a person’s chances of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes, she said.

Although scientists believe that dairy products guard against obesity and the health problems that accompany extra weight, they aren’t sure how it happens.

ÒIt may be the calcium, it may be the proteins. Whatever the mechanism, evidence suggests that dairy products are effective in attaining and maintaining a healthy weight,Ó she said in a study.
The scientists suspected that students were substituting high-calorie sugar-sweetened beverages - for example, soda and juice drinksfor milk, but they found that wasn’t the case.

Instead, a quarter of the group drank these sorts of beverages in addition to dairy products, contributing surplus calories, she said.

High-Fat Dairy Products Linked to Poorer Breast Cancer Survival

OAKLAND, Calif., March 15, 2013- Patients who consume high-fat dairy products following breast cancer diagnosis increase their chances of dying from the disease years later, according to a study by Kaiser Permanente researchers. The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, is the first to examine the relationship between high-fat and low-fat dairy consumption following a diagnosis of breast cancer and long-term breast cancer survival. Previous studies have shown that higher lifetime exposure to estrogen is a causal pathway to breast cancer. Estrogen levels are believed to be elevated in dairy products consumed in the Western world, because most of its milk comes from pregnant cows. Estrogenic hormones reside primarily in fat, so levels are higher in high-fat than in low-fat dairy products. The researchers studied a cohort of women who were diagnosed with early-stage, invasive breast cancer between 1997 and 2000, primarily from Kaiser Permanente's Northern California region (83 percent) and the Utah Cancer Registry (12 percent). Those consuming larger amounts of high-fat dairy (one serving or more per day) had "higher breast cancer mortality as well as higher all-cause mortality and higher non-breast cancer mortality," wrote lead author Candyce H. Kroenke, ScD, MPH, staff scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, and co-authors. "Specifically, women consuming one or more servings per day of high-fat dairy had a 64 percent higher risk of dying from any cause and a 49 percent increased risk of dying from their breast cancer during the follow-up period," said Kroenke. The category of high-fat dairy products researchers tracked included cream, whole milk, condensed or evaporated milk, pudding, ice cream, custard, flan and also cheeses and yogurts that were not low-fat or non-fat. In general, the women studied reported that they consumed low-fat milk and butter most often, and they consumed relatively limited amounts of low-fat dairy desserts, low-fat cheese and high-fat yogurt. Overall, low-fat dairy intake was greater (median 0.8 servings per day) than high-fat dairy (median 0.5 servings per day). The study found an association between high-fat dairy and breast cancer mortality, but no association with low-fat dairy products and breast cancer outcomes. "High-fat dairy is generally not recommended as part of a healthy diet," said senior author Bette J. Caan, DrPH, research scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research. "Switching to low-fat dairy is an easy thing to modify." Women entered into the cohort approximately two years after their breast cancer diagnosis. At the beginning of the study, 1,893 women completed a self-administered food-frequency questionnaire, and 1,513 of these women completed a follow-up questionnaire six years later. They were followed for 12 years on average following study entry. The women were asked how often they consumed dairy foods during the previous year; what portion sizes they generally consumed; which products they ate, including milk, cheese, dairy desserts, yogurt and beverages made with milk (such as hot chocolate or lattes); and whether the dairy products were full fat, low fat or nonfat. Of the total sample, 349 women had a recurrence of breast cancer and 372 died of any cause, 189 (50.8 percent) of them from breast cancer. This research was part of the Life After Cancer Epidemiology (LACE) study, one of several efforts by investigators with the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research to consider the role of lifestyle factors such as nutrition, exercise and social support on long-term breast cancer survival and recurrence. While hundreds of studies have examined the role of lifestyle factors in cancer risk and prevention, this study is one of a small but growing number that focus on the role of lifestyle factors after a breast cancer diagnosis. For example, the Pathways study of breast cancer survivorship, based at the Division of Research, is collecting and analyzing data about women's genetic background, tumor characteristics and lifestyle choices immediately after diagnosis. Findings from this study, along with the LACE study, are providing objective information to help guide women as they make decisions following a breast cancer diagnosis; among these findings are that soy decreases the risk of breast cancer recurrence, quality of life after diagnosis influences outcomes, and physical activity is beneficial. Susan E. Kutner, MD, chair of the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Regional Breast Care Task Force, said that the new study bolsters the counseling that Kaiser Permanente gives breast cancer survivors about the importance of a low-fat diet, as well as exercise and weight management, in preventing recurrence of the disease. "Women have been clamoring for this type of information," Dr. Kutner said. "They're asking us, 'Tell me what I should eat?' With this information, we can be more specific about recommending low-fat dairy products." Authors of the study, in addition to Kroenke and Caan, were Marilyn L. Kwan, PhD, and Adrienne Castillo, MS, RD, of the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research; and Carol Sweeney, PhD, of the University of Utah Division of Epidemiology. The National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health funded this study (grant R01CA129059). About the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research The Kaiser Permanente Division of Research conducts, publishes and disseminates epidemiologic and health services research to improve the health and medical care of Kaiser Permanente members and the society at large. It seeks to understand the determinants of illness and well-being, and to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of health care. Currently, DOR's 600-plus staff is working on more than 250 epidemiological and health services research projects. For more information, visit www.dor.kaiser.org.

Brackets or 'Break-Its': 5 Common Women's Basketball-Related Injuries

KANSAS CITY, Kan., March 15, 2013 - Many Americans are familiar with common injuries sustained by male athletes because of the heavy year-round media coverage of men's sports. But as the tournament season for women's basketball gets underway, many people may be interested to learn that potential injury risks for female athletes differ from their male counterparts. "Women are more likely to have a different set of injuries playing basketball due to inherent differences in anatomy or muscle control and responses," says Dr. Kim Templeton, an orthopedic surgeon at The University of Kansas Hospital and Professor of Orthopedic Surgery in the University School of Medicine. "Women can help reduce their potential for an injury by understanding these differences and attempting to modify those factors that can be addressed, such as relative weakness of some muscles or avoiding positions that place them at higher risk for injury." Dr. Templeton, who is senior editor and co-author of the recently released medical textbook "Women's Sports Injuries," lists the following injuries as most common for female athletes: ACL Tears: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a tight band of tissue that binds together the bones in the knee to keep the joint stable. While men typically tear this ligament as a result of direct contact, women are more likely to tear it due to the positions in which they land. This injury is common among female soccer and basketball players, the latter primarily due to the way they inherently land from a jump. When landing with their hips and knees straight, this forces the knee to straighten beyond its natural range, causing the ACL to pull apart. One way to help prevent this injury is to build up strong hamstrings, which will take pressure off the ACL. Another strategy is to learn different landing techniques, especially those where the hips and knees are bent. "Runners Knee" or Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome: This is caused by irritation of the cartilage on the undersurface of the kneecap and is more common in women due to the alignment of the pelvis and legs, and also due to inherent, relative differences in muscle strength. To avoid runner's knee, use proper running shoes with adequate support. In addition, focus on strengthening the quadriceps, the muscles in front of the thigh that straighten the knee and control the knee cap. For women, it is also important to strengthen the muscles that turn the hip out, as this will help with the positioning of the knee cap during activities. Stress Fractures: These are small cracks in a bone, often developed from overuse and/or low bone mass. Stress fractures occur when bone is not allowed the time necessary to recuperate from the impact of sports activities, especially if athletes rapidly increase their training or change running surfaces. They are also more common in women with low bone mass, as it does not respond and strengthen as quickly in response to increasing activity levels, as normal bone. Stress fractures can likely be prevented by gradually increasing activity, building strong, sturdy calves that absorb the shock around bones, wearing well-cushioned sports shoe that are in good condition and developing healthy bone habits (e.g., taking in enough calories to support the athlete's level of activity, adequate calcium and vitamin D intake). Sprained Ankle: Ankle sprains occur more commonly in female than male basketball players. The sprains can be caused by simply rolling the ankle, whether by landing wrong on an uneven surface or due to increased friction between shoes and the playing surface. Differences between men and women in terms of this injury are most likely due to differences in how the pelvis and legs are aligned, as well as differences in how loose ligaments are. Strengthening and balancing exercises can help avoid a sprained ankle. These exercises are especially important for athletes who have had a prior ankle sprain, as this places them at higher risk of another ankle injury. If an injury does occur, Dr. Templeton recommends discussing this with a health care professional. For minor leg injuries, the commonly used RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) protocol may be all that is needed. Continued pain after a few days suggests a follow-up with a doctor. More significant injuries will need additional evaluation and treatment. Rest. Take a break from the activity that caused the injury. Your doctor may recommend that you use crutches to avoid putting weight on your leg. Ice. Use cold packs for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Compression. To prevent additional swelling, wear an elastic compression bandage (not too tight, more compression isn't necessarily better). Elevation. To reduce swelling, recline when you rest and put your leg up higher than your heart. The University of Kansas Hospital is the region's premier academic medical center, providing a full range of care. The hospital is affiliated with the University of Kansas Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions, and their various leading edge research projects. The constantly growing facility contains 665 staffed beds (plus 24 bassinets) and serves more than 28,000 inpatients annually. A total of ten of its specialty areas are ranked nationally by the U.S. News & World Report "Best Hospital" lists, including Cancer (#37), Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#24), Diabetes & Endocrinology (#38), Ear, Nose & Throat (#20), Gastroenterology (#20), Geriatrics (#17), Nephrology (#15), Neurology & Neurosurgery (#22), Pulmonology (#15) and Urology (#45). The cancer program is part of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute designated program. The hospital has received Magnet nursing designation, reflecting the quality of care throughout the hospital, an honor awarded to only 6.6 percent of the hospitals nationwide. The hospital also houses the region's only burn center, the area's only nationally accredited Level I Trauma Center and the area's only Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center recognized by the Joint Commission. For more information, visit www.kumed.com.

Chronic kidney diseases a cause for concern: Experts

New Delhi, Mar 14 - Around ten per cent of Indian adult suffer from chronic kidney diseases and nearly two lakh patients require dialysis or kidney transplant, says medical experts on the occasion of Kidney Day today. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a group of kidney diseases and is a broad term which includes all degree of chronic kidney failure (CKF) including end stage kidney failure (ESKF). ÒAround 10 per cent of adults in India suffer from chronic kidney disease and estimates is that nearly two lakh new cases of ESKF require dialysis or kidney transplant every year,Ó says S K Agarwal, Head of Nephrology department, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Many patients of CKD prematurely die of cardiovascular complications, Agarwal says, adding that diabetes and hypertension are responsible for more than 50 per cent cases of CKD. Many so called cardiovascular deaths in patients with diabetes and hypertension are actually due to CKD, he says. ÒDiabetes is the commonest cause of any new patient taken for dialysis and or kidney transplant. Only 5 to 10 per cent of all cases of ESKF in India are able to get some sort of dialysis or kidney transplant. Rest of 90 per cent die without getting any definite treatment for ESKF,Ó says Agarwal. Talking about government's preparedness to deal with the disease, Agarwal says, ÒPresent hospitals and professionals do not suffice for the present load of patients. More trained professionals are required with better hospital facilities and decrease in cost of treatment. ÒThe authorities do not give priority to CKD as compared to other non-communicable diseases. So, far more less attention is being given to CKD and its management,Ó the nephrologist says, adding Òthere is huge gap between demand and supply and it needs government sincere efforts to bridge this gapÓ. He says, Òprevention of kidney diseases and particularly CKD in India is the only option if we want to reduce the cost of therapy related to kidney diseases. Thus a coordinated approach to the problem is needed.Ó ÒA pertinent education and public awareness and community education strategy, is imperative in order to prepare students and health professionals to cope with the growing burden of kidney diseases. This is the major challenge to medical fraternity and practice in the 21st century,Ó he adds. Talking about the status of medical facilities available to patients with ESRF, Aseem Garg, founder Deep Chand Dialysis Centre and Kidney Clinic (DCDC) says, ÒAbout 90 per cent patients in India suffering from ESRF do not have access to dialysis and better medical facilities. ÒESRF is a stage where kidney stops functioning altogether and patient has to be put on dialysis or it has to go for a transplant. Normally, transplant procedure takes time to find the right donor and get the approvals. So dialysis is basically a process of arrangement taken to ensure that the patient survives long enough to get a transplant,Ó he elaborates. DCDC, specialises in providing quality dialysis care to patients suffering from end stage renal disease (ESRD). The centre was started in 2009 with its first Stand Alone Dialysis Centre, one of the first ones for India, in West Delhi. With emergence of chains of dialysis centres across India, the quality of service in this particular segment has improved drastically, says Garg. ÒIn terms of development of dialysis industry in the country, accesses to services part is increasing. Services are becoming more affordable. There are indicators from regulatory fund also as insurances have started covering dialysis and once the insurance rate increases more and more people would be able to go for dialysis under insurance plans,Ó he says. Taking about maintaining and following the best standards in dialysis industry, he says, Òwe need more and more dialysis professionals in this particular segment so that the ward boys and compounder are not found taking places of doctors in any of the health institutes.

Tiny implants signal new way to treat cancer

London, Mar 14 - Cancer patients can be treated more effectively in future with tiny sensory implants that will monitor and treat tumours with great precision, a team of scientists says. The devices, about the size of an eyelash, will be planted into a patient's tumours and will allow doctors to conduct radiotherapy, and ultimately chemotherapy, where and when it is most needed, improving the patient's chances of recovery. A team led by the University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with Heriot-Watt University, will develop the miniature chips in a five-year project, which will be followed by clinical trials. Eventually, the team hopes to develop chips that are capable of delivering doses of chemotherapy directly to a tumour. The 5.2 million pound-project, Implantable Microsystems for Personalised Anti-Cancer Therapy (IMPACT), is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. ÒExperts will be working to target cancer, one of the biggest health concerns of today, in an entirely new way. Our aim is, in the long term, help to alleviate suffering and to improve the outlook for very many cancer patients,Ó said Professor Alan Murray of the University of Edinburgh, who is leading the study. The devices will be designed to measure vital factors about tumours, such as their levels of blood oxygen and key biological molecules, transmitting the information wireless to medical staff. These readings would enable doctors to identify and target tumours that are found to be resistant to radiotherapy and drug treatment. Sensors would also take measurements to indicate how effective the treatment is in killing cancer cells, enabling therapy to be personalised for each patient.

Cutting-Edge "Anti-Aging" Research

NEW YORK, March 14, 2013 -Just how much does daytime television play a role in spurring "anti-aging" research? Experts have been paying close attention to this link, and many are beginning to think the interest created by popular shows may be more instrumental in causing research to be conducted and new products to eventually be brought to market than most people realize. For example, a revolutionary new product called SeroVital™-hgh that's capable of boosting human growth hormone (hGH) levels naturally by promoting pituitary health (the gland that manufactures hGH in the body) hit store shelves in September of 2012. But the idea of increasing hGH levels naturally was introduced clear back in 2009 on an episode of The Doctors. The show synopsis reads, "Human growth hormone (HGH) is purported to build muscle and slow the aging process. Men have been using the substance to bulk up muscle mass and women have been using it as a weapon in the war against age… and everyone from soccer moms to athletes have been clamoring for it." Dr. Andrew Ordon, The Doctor's acclaimed surgeon, explained that if you're using synthetic HGH injections, "you're shutting down your own production of HGH," adding, "We don't know the ramifications of that." And then Dr. Ordon recommended using something that will "help you form your own natural HGH." Since that episode first aired, it seems everyone's begun talking about growth hormone. It's been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Fox News, The Dr. Oz Show, and in Vanity Fair and Shape. Why? Because human growth hormone has been touted to reduce wrinkles, boost energy, increase lean muscle mass, decrease body fat, recharge sex drive and make people look and feel decades — not years, but decades — younger. So the release of SeroVital-hgh during the midst of this frenzy may not involve as much "dumb luck" as strategic, TV-spurred product development. "Companies tend to put their money into projects that show a lot of interest," says Gina Daines, spokesperson for SanMedica International™, SeroVital's distributor. "And when you see repeated stories about the rich and famous spending up to $15,000 a year on something like hGH injections, companies are willing to put research dollars into an alternative that can reach the general masses and provide a far less expensive solution." In the case of SeroVital, this formula seems to have worked. "We spent lots of time and lots of money on research," Ms. Daines continues, "and it culminated with a study that was presented at the prestigious Obesity Society's 30th Annual Scientific Meeting and a product that's been clinically proven to increase mean, serum (blood) growth hormone levels… by an astounding 682%. Now our investment is really paying off. SeroVital is the hottest 'anti-aging' product to hit the market in years. Everybody wants this stuff!" It's almost certain that the high demand for SeroVital is at least partially related to all the television and popular magazine features that have been done on the importance of increased growth hormone levels. SeroVital itself has broken records in Parade magazine, been featured in Shape, on Radar Online, and on New York Live, and been touted by makeup artists in magazines like Star and OK! The prestige store chain Ulta has already sold out of SeroVital three times, and even SanMedica has had trouble keeping it in stock. This popularity is also likely due to the compelling research that backs SeroVital. After all, researchers have been looking for a way to increase human growth hormone levels naturally for 30 years. Synthetic hGH injections can raise growth hormone levels, of course, but the problem is that they're highly controversial, because some experts fear that introducing synthetic HGH into the body may upset the natural production of HGH. Plus they're extremely expensive — costs can run as high as $1500 a month. SeroVital is completely different. Rather than using a synthetic form of HGH like the injections, SeroVital increases growth hormone levels naturally by nourishing the pituitary gland. Despite the skyrocketing demand for SeroVital, some skeptics are saying it sounds too good to be true. So is there a catch? Well, there are three. First, as with HGH injections, SeroVital-hgh is not a "magic bullet" but one part of a healthy lifestyle choice including a sensible diet and exercise regimen. And, just like HGH injections, you have to remember to renew your monthly supply. Second, you have to take SeroVital-hgh on an empty stomach. That means you either have to take it first thing in the morning and then not eat anything for two hours, or take it at night, at least two hours after your last meal... before you go to bed. And last but not least, while SeroVital is far less expensive than prescription HGH injections, it's still not cheap… SeroVital will cost you about $100 a month. But is it worth it? To most people, reducing wrinkles, decreasing body fat, increasing lean muscle mass, strengthening bones, boosting mood, while giving you plenty of energy and improving sex drive is a no brainer. However, make no mistake about it, the "established" medical community would say its benefits are largely anecdotal, with research that's preliminary. But there's no denying that something that has a chance of making you look and feel decades, not years, but DECADES younger, is... at the very least... irresistible. SOURCE SeroVital

Is the Person Exposing You to Radiation Qualified?

ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 27- Every day in the United States, tens of thousands of patients are exposed to ionizing radiation through radiation therapy, CT scans, x rays, mammograms, and other medical imaging and therapeutic procedures. Patients need to have confidence that the technologists caring for them have the credentials and qualifications to safely administer radiation, and that the equipment they are using is properly calibrated and maintained to deliver radiation safely and within the proper dose parameters.

These imaging procedures are key to making correct diagnoses of injuries and disease processes. Radiation therapy procedures are an important weapon in treating cancer. But, along with its life-saving capacity, ionizing radiation can cause harm to patients when used improperly. Too much radiation and the patient may suffer debilitating injury or death, as today's testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health has documented.

Responsibility for assuring balance between the amount of radiation used and the costs and benefits of its use lies with the physicians, the radiation oncologists, the equipment manufacturers, the radiation physicists, and the technologists who interact directly with the patients and who operate the equipment that delivers the radiation. Being fully qualified to perform their role in this team of professionals requires that the individuals have been appropriately educated in the fundamental concepts of radiation -- including its biological effects -- and how to achieve positive benefits and avoid or mitigate negative effects.

"For technologists, that means a formal educational program that covers both the underlying concepts of radiation physics and its application for medical uses," according to Michael DelVecchio, B.S., R.T.(R)(ARRT), president of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. "This includes both classroom work and hands-on education in clinical settings."

Completion of the educational program is followed by application for certification by a national organization specializing in medical imaging and/or radiation therapy, according to DelVecchio. Certification organizations evaluate the applicant's education (including successful completion of specified clinical competencies), compliance with ethics standards related to patient care, and passing a comprehensive examination that covers both principles of radiation and application to imaging or therapy.

"Initial certification alone, however, is not sufficient for assuring ongoing qualifications," DelVecchio notes. Although the concepts of radiation learned in the educational program may remain relevant for decades, the technology of how it is used changes rapidly. "This means that technologists must continue to update their qualifications on an ongoing basis," he adds. Continuing education relevant to their practice is an essential requirement for technologists and is a requirement for maintaining the registration of certification.

"While no medical error is acceptable," DelVecchio asserts, "they do occur. They can result from lack of knowledge and education in some cases. But errors may also result from behavior that lacks the appropriate ethical grounding, which is also essential to assuring ongoing qualifications. Measured by an appropriate standard of ethics, individuals can demonstrate that they have internalized a set of guidelines that reflect the best interests of the patient."

Answering the question -- Is the person exposing you to radiation qualified? -- is a matter of both initial and ongoing evaluation and monitoring of qualifications. Certification programs such as those administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists are important elements in providing the quality of care that all patients and their loved ones should expect.

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists promotes high standards of patient care by recognizing individuals qualified in medical imaging, interventional procedures, and radiation therapy. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., ARRT evaluates, certifies, and annually registers more than a quarter-of-a-million radiologic technologists across the United States.