But it's too soon to recommend supplements just to improve breathing, experts say
By Kathleen Doheny
HealthDay Reporter
(HealthDay News) -- The more vitamin D you have in your bloodstream, the healthier your lungs may be, a new study suggests.
Low vitamin D levels have already been linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. Now, researchers from New Zealand, using data from the United States, have found an association between vitamin D levels and how well the lungs work.
"As far as we are aware, this is the first time that anyone has identified this association between lung function and vitamin D," said Peter Black, lead author of the study, which appears in the December issue of Chest. He is a researcher at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.
Black used data from the U.S. Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), carried out from 1988 to 1994. In the study, he looked at more than 14,000 persons, all aged 20 and above, who were interviewed at mobile exam centers. They had lung function tests performed and had their blood levels of vitamin D measured.
Then Black's team divided the vitamin D results into five groups, or quintiles. The higher the vitamin D levels, the better the results on the two lung function tests, they found. The two tests were the FEV1 (forced expiratory volume; the amount of air blown out in the first second during a maximum exhalation) and FVC (forced vital capacity; the total amount of air blown out during a maximum exhalation).
"The difference between the lowest and highest quintile of vitamin D levels [on the lung function tests] was 4 percent for both FEV1 and for FVC," Black said. "This sounds small, but the changes seen in this study are large compared with most environmental factors that affect lung function."
The association between vitamin D levels and FEV1 test results was greater for those over age 60 and for current or former smokers.
"We don't know what the mechanism is," Black said. "The effect of vitamin D on bones is well recognized, but vitamin D can also influence the growth of other types of cells in the body and the formation of connective tissue by other types of cells in the body. The tissues in the lung undergo a process of renewal and remodeling throughout life, and it is conceivable that vitamin D may influence this, but further work is necessary to find out if this is the case."
Vitamin D is found in foods such as fortified milk, salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines. There is no recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin D, although an adequate intake for healthy people is 200 international units (IUs) for adults aged 50 and under, 400 IUs for those aged 51 to 70, and 600 IUs for those aged 71 and older. The body also makes vitamin D after exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun.
Dr. Norman Edelman, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association, called the new research an interesting observation. "I am surprised about the magnitude of the effect [of vitamin D], which is relatively large," he said.
However, he added a caveat: "You can't really infer a causal relationship. It's an association. It's still not accepted as clinical fact."
Edelman continued, "The other thing I really worry about is people will read these things, and will find what they want to in it." For instance, a smoker may think he just has to take extra vitamin D to undo the damaged caused by cigarettes.
The study doesn't warrant a suggestion to take extra vitamin D, he cautioned.
Black agreed. "I don't think we have enough information based on this study alone to justify that sort of recommendation," he said. "I think the take-away message is that low vitamin D levels are not desirable. This doesn't just relate to lung function. A low vitamin D level is linked to bone disease, and an association has been suggested between low vitamin D levels and other diseases such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. The commonest reason for having a low vitamin D level is avoidance of sun exposure. While excessive sun exposure can cause damage to the skin, it is not desirable to completely avoid sun exposure if one is to maintain normal vitamin D levels."
The study will hopefully trigger other research, Black said. "Lung function declines with age. It would be of interest to see if long-term supplementation with vitamin D modifies this decline in lung function."
More information
To learn more about vitamin D, see U.S. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Friday, December 30, 2005
Fish Oil Fights Pollution-Linked Heart Trouble
Study in elderly finds it helps stabilize cardiac regulation
(HealthDay News) -- Fish oil may help counter air pollution-linked changes in heart function, a new study suggests.
Pollution exposure can affect heart rate variability, a measure of the autonomic nervous system's regulation of the heart. Heart rate variability is an independent risk factor for cardiac arrhythmias, heart attack and sudden death.
But a study in the December issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine has found that a daily two-gram fish oil supplement prevented a decline in heart rate variability in 26 elderly people, aged 81 to 83.
The study participants, all residents of a Mexico City nursing home, took the fish oil supplements for six months. A control group of 24 nursing home residents took soy oil supplements.
"In this randomized, controlled trial, fish oil supplementation prevented the reduction in heart rate variability associated with the same-day exposure to indoor particulate matter," researcher Dr. Fernando Holguin of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a prepared statement.
"In contrast, soy oil, our comparison supplementation of plant-derived polyunsaturated fatty acids, was associated with a marginal, nonsignificant protection from the effects of particulate matter on heart rate variability," Holguin said.
He and his colleagues said larger studies are needed to confirm their results.
"Fish oil as a source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could be considered as a potential form of preventive measure to reduce the risk of arrhythmia and sudden death in elderly subjects exposed to ambient air pollution," Holguin said.
More Information: The Heart Rhythm Society has more about arrhythmias.
-- Robert Preidt
(HealthDay News) -- Fish oil may help counter air pollution-linked changes in heart function, a new study suggests.
Pollution exposure can affect heart rate variability, a measure of the autonomic nervous system's regulation of the heart. Heart rate variability is an independent risk factor for cardiac arrhythmias, heart attack and sudden death.
But a study in the December issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine has found that a daily two-gram fish oil supplement prevented a decline in heart rate variability in 26 elderly people, aged 81 to 83.
The study participants, all residents of a Mexico City nursing home, took the fish oil supplements for six months. A control group of 24 nursing home residents took soy oil supplements.
"In this randomized, controlled trial, fish oil supplementation prevented the reduction in heart rate variability associated with the same-day exposure to indoor particulate matter," researcher Dr. Fernando Holguin of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a prepared statement.
"In contrast, soy oil, our comparison supplementation of plant-derived polyunsaturated fatty acids, was associated with a marginal, nonsignificant protection from the effects of particulate matter on heart rate variability," Holguin said.
He and his colleagues said larger studies are needed to confirm their results.
"Fish oil as a source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could be considered as a potential form of preventive measure to reduce the risk of arrhythmia and sudden death in elderly subjects exposed to ambient air pollution," Holguin said.
More Information: The Heart Rhythm Society has more about arrhythmias.
-- Robert Preidt
Monday, December 26, 2005
Squinting Computer Users Run Risk of Dry Eyes
The condition can lead to burning, aching sensations, researchers report
(HealthDay News) -- If you squint your eyes too much while looking at your computer screen, you could end up with a painful condition called dry eye, Ohio State University researchers warn.
Their study of 10 college students found that just a slight amount of squinting at the computer screen reduced blink rates by a half -- from 15 blinks a minute to 7.5 blinks a minute. The more the students squinted, the less they blinked. The less the students blinked, the more their eyes ached or burned, and the more they reported sensations of dryness, irritation and tearing in their eyes.
"People tend to squint when they read a book or a computer display, and that squinting makes the blink rate go way down," study lead author James Sheedy, a professor of optometry, said in a prepared statement.
"Blinking rewets the eyes. So if your job requires a lot of reading or other visually intense work, you may be blinking far less than normal, which may cause eye strain and dry eye," Sheedy said.
While it can be painful and irritating, dry eye is rarely a debilitating condition. It's usually treatable with over-the-counter eye drops, the researchers said.
The study was published in a recent issue of the journal Optometry and Vision Science.
-- Robert Preidt
About Dry Eye (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
(HealthDay News) -- If you squint your eyes too much while looking at your computer screen, you could end up with a painful condition called dry eye, Ohio State University researchers warn.
Their study of 10 college students found that just a slight amount of squinting at the computer screen reduced blink rates by a half -- from 15 blinks a minute to 7.5 blinks a minute. The more the students squinted, the less they blinked. The less the students blinked, the more their eyes ached or burned, and the more they reported sensations of dryness, irritation and tearing in their eyes.
"People tend to squint when they read a book or a computer display, and that squinting makes the blink rate go way down," study lead author James Sheedy, a professor of optometry, said in a prepared statement.
"Blinking rewets the eyes. So if your job requires a lot of reading or other visually intense work, you may be blinking far less than normal, which may cause eye strain and dry eye," Sheedy said.
While it can be painful and irritating, dry eye is rarely a debilitating condition. It's usually treatable with over-the-counter eye drops, the researchers said.
The study was published in a recent issue of the journal Optometry and Vision Science.
-- Robert Preidt
About Dry Eye (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Coffee, Tea May Help Keep Liver Failure at Bay
Two or more cups per day could protect at-risk patients, researchers say
(HealthDay News) -- Drinking more than two cups of coffee or tea a day may help reduce the risk of chronic liver disease in people at high risk for liver injury, a new study suggests.
This protective effect was observed in people at higher risk for liver injury due to heavy drinking, being overweight, diabetes, or iron overload.
"While it is too soon to encourage patients to increase their coffee and tea intake, the findings of our study potentially offer people at high-risk for developing chronic liver disease a practical way to decrease that risk," researcher Dr. Constance E. Ruhl said in a prepared statement. "In addition, we hope the findings will offer guidance to researchers who are studying liver disease progression."
The study was conducted by researchers from the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and from Social Scientific Systems, Inc. They analyzed 19 years of data on nearly 10,000 people whose coffee and tea intake had been evaluated over time.
Reporting in the December issue of the journal Gastroenterology, the researchers found that people who drank more than two cups of coffee or tea a day developed chronic liver disease half as often as people who consumed less than a cup of tea or coffee a day.
"In the analysis, we determined that caffeine was partly responsible for the protective effect found. We believe that investigations into the mechanism of action of caffeine for protecting the liver and its clinical application are needed," Ruhl said.
-- Robert Preidt
American Liver Foundation
(HealthDay News) -- Drinking more than two cups of coffee or tea a day may help reduce the risk of chronic liver disease in people at high risk for liver injury, a new study suggests.
This protective effect was observed in people at higher risk for liver injury due to heavy drinking, being overweight, diabetes, or iron overload.
"While it is too soon to encourage patients to increase their coffee and tea intake, the findings of our study potentially offer people at high-risk for developing chronic liver disease a practical way to decrease that risk," researcher Dr. Constance E. Ruhl said in a prepared statement. "In addition, we hope the findings will offer guidance to researchers who are studying liver disease progression."
The study was conducted by researchers from the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and from Social Scientific Systems, Inc. They analyzed 19 years of data on nearly 10,000 people whose coffee and tea intake had been evaluated over time.
Reporting in the December issue of the journal Gastroenterology, the researchers found that people who drank more than two cups of coffee or tea a day developed chronic liver disease half as often as people who consumed less than a cup of tea or coffee a day.
"In the analysis, we determined that caffeine was partly responsible for the protective effect found. We believe that investigations into the mechanism of action of caffeine for protecting the liver and its clinical application are needed," Ruhl said.
-- Robert Preidt
American Liver Foundation
Friday, December 16, 2005
Want Those Pearly Whites Brighter?
Be careful in choosing a dental whitening system
(HealthDay News) -- Everyone wants a brighter smile, but with all the new teeth whitening products on the market, it's hard to know your options.
The American Dental Association (ADA) says some approaches to teeth whitening include in-office bleaching, at-home bleaching and whitening toothpastes.
Your dentist may suggest in-office bleaching, which may require more than one visit taking 30 minutes to an hour. During this procedure, the dentist will apply a bleaching agent to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent.
Bleaching solutions that you can use at home include peroxide that bleaches your tooth enamel. These kits usually come in gel form, but usage regimens vary.
Toothpastes are also effective for removing surface stains, but whitening toothpastes have special chemical agents that provide additional stain removal. These products do not alter the intrinsic color of teeth.
Regardless of the procedure you use, it is recommended you speak with your dentist beforehand, and be sure to look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
-- Kimberly Sferruzzo
(HealthDay News) -- Everyone wants a brighter smile, but with all the new teeth whitening products on the market, it's hard to know your options.
The American Dental Association (ADA) says some approaches to teeth whitening include in-office bleaching, at-home bleaching and whitening toothpastes.
Your dentist may suggest in-office bleaching, which may require more than one visit taking 30 minutes to an hour. During this procedure, the dentist will apply a bleaching agent to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent.
Bleaching solutions that you can use at home include peroxide that bleaches your tooth enamel. These kits usually come in gel form, but usage regimens vary.
Toothpastes are also effective for removing surface stains, but whitening toothpastes have special chemical agents that provide additional stain removal. These products do not alter the intrinsic color of teeth.
Regardless of the procedure you use, it is recommended you speak with your dentist beforehand, and be sure to look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
-- Kimberly Sferruzzo
Nutrients in the News: Selenium, Tea , Omega-3
I would like to start off with one of my favorite trace minerals: selenium. A study was recently published in the journal Clinical Chemistry regarding a nine-year longitudinal examining the association between plasma selenium levels and increased risk of mortality in an elderly population involving almost 1400 subjects between the ages of 73 and 83. After controlling for other factors, a significant association was found between those individuals with low plasma selenium levels and increased mortality rates by an amazing 54 percent. The results of this study were totally consistent with findings from other large interventional studies including randomized trials suggesting that selenium may play a role in helping to maintain health.
In another study just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, it was noted that women who drank two or more cups of tea every day may cut their risk of ovarian cancer in half. In the study, approximately 61,000 women were followed, on average about 15 years, via questionnaires regarding information on diet, education and other factors. Compared with women who never drank tea, those who drank less than a cup a day had an 18 percent lower risk of developing ovarian cancer. By drinking one cup a day, their risk was cut by 24 percent while two or more cups decreased their risk by 46 percent.
For those of you who thought that vitamin D was just good for bones, think again. In a study published in the December 2005 edition of the journal Chest, it was found people who had higher vitamin D levels in their blood were felt to have fewer respiratory problems. The researchers based their findings on data involving over 14,000 Americans 20 years and older. These participants were interviewed about their diet and lifestyle changes and underwent pulmonary function tests as well as had blood levels of vitamin D and other nutrients measured. The researchers found that those with the highest levels of vitamin D in their blood scored significantly better on lung function tests than those with the lowest concentrations of vitamin D. I have previously written other newsletters about this versatile vitamin. Aside from the obvious benefits for osteoporosis and bone health, it can also help promote healthy blood pressure, heart function and even immunity. There have even been studies indicating that vitamin D can help with balance in the elderly.
Finally, I would like to mention two studies regarding omega-3 fatty acids. There was another study published in the December 2005 edition of Chest regarding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study involved 64 patients who were randomly assigned to receive either a liquid supplement rich in omega-3 fats each day or a liquid supplement containing omega-6 fats. After two years, those patients in the omega-3 supplement group showed an overall improvement in lung function tests. The researchers were planning to do another study with a larger group of patients to determine how omega-3 fatty acids could affect long-term prognosis in patients with COPD. There was another study just released, although not published to date, regarding the use of omega-3 fatty acids for children's behavior and learning. The study involved 65 children who were given a daily supplement of omega-3 fish oil in combination with evening primrose oil (omega-6) for five months. The children in the study had a seven-month delay in language skill development. During the five-month study, those children taking the supplement made an average seven-month improvement in receptive language ability and a nearly nine-month improvement in expressive language ability. Amazingly, the supplement also appeared to have a positive effect on parent/child relationship.
It never fails to amaze me how powerful nutrients that are found in nature can help restore and maintain health. We at Vitacost.com do understand this and provide our over one million monthly visitors with a tremendous selection of products at the best prices available. I always like to highlight our flagship proprietary brand, Nutraceutical Sciences Institute (NSI), not only for the quality, but also for the value. Having read these above-noted studies, I assume you are more encouraged than ever to take and provide to your family proper nutritional supplementation. The Synergy brand multi-vitamins from NSI offers you a wide selection of formulas from a one-a-day multi-vitamin up to Synergy Platinum which includes a daily dose of 28 capsules, 6 soft gels and 2 chewtabs. No matter which Synergy brand you select, you will be getting a superior product at superior value.
Don't shortchange your health or the health of your family.
By Allen S. Josephs, M.D.
President, Vitacost.com
In another study just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, it was noted that women who drank two or more cups of tea every day may cut their risk of ovarian cancer in half. In the study, approximately 61,000 women were followed, on average about 15 years, via questionnaires regarding information on diet, education and other factors. Compared with women who never drank tea, those who drank less than a cup a day had an 18 percent lower risk of developing ovarian cancer. By drinking one cup a day, their risk was cut by 24 percent while two or more cups decreased their risk by 46 percent.
For those of you who thought that vitamin D was just good for bones, think again. In a study published in the December 2005 edition of the journal Chest, it was found people who had higher vitamin D levels in their blood were felt to have fewer respiratory problems. The researchers based their findings on data involving over 14,000 Americans 20 years and older. These participants were interviewed about their diet and lifestyle changes and underwent pulmonary function tests as well as had blood levels of vitamin D and other nutrients measured. The researchers found that those with the highest levels of vitamin D in their blood scored significantly better on lung function tests than those with the lowest concentrations of vitamin D. I have previously written other newsletters about this versatile vitamin. Aside from the obvious benefits for osteoporosis and bone health, it can also help promote healthy blood pressure, heart function and even immunity. There have even been studies indicating that vitamin D can help with balance in the elderly.
Finally, I would like to mention two studies regarding omega-3 fatty acids. There was another study published in the December 2005 edition of Chest regarding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study involved 64 patients who were randomly assigned to receive either a liquid supplement rich in omega-3 fats each day or a liquid supplement containing omega-6 fats. After two years, those patients in the omega-3 supplement group showed an overall improvement in lung function tests. The researchers were planning to do another study with a larger group of patients to determine how omega-3 fatty acids could affect long-term prognosis in patients with COPD. There was another study just released, although not published to date, regarding the use of omega-3 fatty acids for children's behavior and learning. The study involved 65 children who were given a daily supplement of omega-3 fish oil in combination with evening primrose oil (omega-6) for five months. The children in the study had a seven-month delay in language skill development. During the five-month study, those children taking the supplement made an average seven-month improvement in receptive language ability and a nearly nine-month improvement in expressive language ability. Amazingly, the supplement also appeared to have a positive effect on parent/child relationship.
It never fails to amaze me how powerful nutrients that are found in nature can help restore and maintain health. We at Vitacost.com do understand this and provide our over one million monthly visitors with a tremendous selection of products at the best prices available. I always like to highlight our flagship proprietary brand, Nutraceutical Sciences Institute (NSI), not only for the quality, but also for the value. Having read these above-noted studies, I assume you are more encouraged than ever to take and provide to your family proper nutritional supplementation. The Synergy brand multi-vitamins from NSI offers you a wide selection of formulas from a one-a-day multi-vitamin up to Synergy Platinum which includes a daily dose of 28 capsules, 6 soft gels and 2 chewtabs. No matter which Synergy brand you select, you will be getting a superior product at superior value.
Don't shortchange your health or the health of your family.
By Allen S. Josephs, M.D.
President, Vitacost.com
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Got Gum Trouble? Your Heart Might Be Next
Infected gums can contribute to clogged arteries, experts say
(HealthDay News) -- There's mounting evidence that brushing, flossing and regular dental checkups may be at the heart of good cardiovascular health.
"People who have chronic infections -- and gum disease is one of the major chronic infections -- are at increased risk later in life for atherosclerosis [hardening of the arteries] and coronary heart disease," said American Heart Association spokesman Dr. Richard Stein, who is also director of preventive cardiology at Beth Israel Medical Center, in New York City.
Stein said he regularly counsels patients worried about their risk for heart attack or stroke to incorporate good periodontal care in their preventive strategies, just as they would include exercise, healthy diets and appropriate medications.
The reason: Chronic periodontal disease -- which is caused by a number of oral bacteria -- appears to set off an inflammatory process that exacerbates and contributes to the build-up of cholesterol-rich plaque on artery walls.
"The presence of a chronic infection in the mouth is very similar to a chronic infection anywhere else in the body, in that it puts stress on our body's response system," explained Dr. Ronald Inge, associate executive director of the division of dental practice at the American Dental Association in Chicago. "The way the body responds [to that stress] is by sending different elements through the bloodstream, and these elements create the plaque."
In fact, one study published earlier this year in the journal Circulation found that patients with high levels of gum disease bacteria were also at high risk for atherosclerosis.
"This demonstrates that the [health of] the mouth isn't isolated from the rest of the body," Inge said.
According to Stein, experts have known about the periodontal-cardiovascular link for about a decade. "It's become a bigger problem in general because we're having fewer cavities due to fluoride and we're living longer," he said. "So, more and more, what's making us lose our teeth is periodontal disease."
But there's lots you can do to keep bacteria from setting up house in your gums. Some tips, according to Inge:
* Get checked. A thorough oral exam will allow a dentist to detect and diagnosis gum disease, gauge its severity, and order appropriate treatment. Treatments include bacterial removal via scaling and root-planing, and the use of antibiotics.
* Brush and floss regularly. The more frequently food is kept away from teeth, the better, since regular cleaning robs oral bacteria of the nutrients they crave.
* Don't snack. Every snack delivers a fresh meal to germs that are hard at work destroying teeth and gums. If snacking is unavoidable, Inge recommends less-sticky foods that won't adhere to tooth structure.
Stein noted that there's one group of adults that may not have to worry about periodontal troubles: those with dentures. "In order to have an infection of your gums, you need to have teeth," he said.
Most Americans would rather keep their teeth, however -- and keep their hearts and arteries healthy. According to Stein, good oral health care may help accomplish both goals.
"Taking care of your teeth is part of general good health and quality of life," he said, "and it may also have a protective role for your heart."
By E.J. Mundell
HealthDay Reporter
American Dental Association
(HealthDay News) -- There's mounting evidence that brushing, flossing and regular dental checkups may be at the heart of good cardiovascular health.
"People who have chronic infections -- and gum disease is one of the major chronic infections -- are at increased risk later in life for atherosclerosis [hardening of the arteries] and coronary heart disease," said American Heart Association spokesman Dr. Richard Stein, who is also director of preventive cardiology at Beth Israel Medical Center, in New York City.
Stein said he regularly counsels patients worried about their risk for heart attack or stroke to incorporate good periodontal care in their preventive strategies, just as they would include exercise, healthy diets and appropriate medications.
The reason: Chronic periodontal disease -- which is caused by a number of oral bacteria -- appears to set off an inflammatory process that exacerbates and contributes to the build-up of cholesterol-rich plaque on artery walls.
"The presence of a chronic infection in the mouth is very similar to a chronic infection anywhere else in the body, in that it puts stress on our body's response system," explained Dr. Ronald Inge, associate executive director of the division of dental practice at the American Dental Association in Chicago. "The way the body responds [to that stress] is by sending different elements through the bloodstream, and these elements create the plaque."
In fact, one study published earlier this year in the journal Circulation found that patients with high levels of gum disease bacteria were also at high risk for atherosclerosis.
"This demonstrates that the [health of] the mouth isn't isolated from the rest of the body," Inge said.
According to Stein, experts have known about the periodontal-cardiovascular link for about a decade. "It's become a bigger problem in general because we're having fewer cavities due to fluoride and we're living longer," he said. "So, more and more, what's making us lose our teeth is periodontal disease."
But there's lots you can do to keep bacteria from setting up house in your gums. Some tips, according to Inge:
* Get checked. A thorough oral exam will allow a dentist to detect and diagnosis gum disease, gauge its severity, and order appropriate treatment. Treatments include bacterial removal via scaling and root-planing, and the use of antibiotics.
* Brush and floss regularly. The more frequently food is kept away from teeth, the better, since regular cleaning robs oral bacteria of the nutrients they crave.
* Don't snack. Every snack delivers a fresh meal to germs that are hard at work destroying teeth and gums. If snacking is unavoidable, Inge recommends less-sticky foods that won't adhere to tooth structure.
Stein noted that there's one group of adults that may not have to worry about periodontal troubles: those with dentures. "In order to have an infection of your gums, you need to have teeth," he said.
Most Americans would rather keep their teeth, however -- and keep their hearts and arteries healthy. According to Stein, good oral health care may help accomplish both goals.
"Taking care of your teeth is part of general good health and quality of life," he said, "and it may also have a protective role for your heart."
By E.J. Mundell
HealthDay Reporter
American Dental Association
Friday, December 09, 2005
Coffee Perks Up Short-Term Memory
Study finds equivalent of two cups of java boosts brain activity
(HealthDay News) -- Those morning cups of java might sharpen your memory so you can better tackle the tasks of the day, a new Austrian study suggests.
Scientists at the Innsbruck Medical University discovered that 100 milligrams of caffeine, the equivalent of two cups of coffee, increased activity in the part of the brain that is responsible for short-term memory, and improved performance on a test that measures memory function.
"We found modulation of a distinct brain area within the working memory network was more activated under caffeine compared to the placebo condition. This is the specific brain region which would be used for short-term memory function," said study author Dr. Florian Koppelstatter, a radiology fellow at the university.
These functions include being able to prioritize information to manage tasks efficiently, as well as plan new tasks and deal with stored information, he said. An example would be the process of looking up a number in a telephone book, and remembering it so you could dial the number.
Koppelstatter was to present the findings Wednesday at the Radiological Society of North America's annual meeting, in Chicago.
Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate, is the most widely used stimulant in the world, with a global, per-person average of 76 milligrams a day. Americans consume an average of 238 milligrams of caffeine daily, which is the equivalent of four-and-a-half cups of coffee. Scandinavians have the highest daily caffeine intake -- 400 milligrams daily, Koppelstatter said.
For the study, Koppelstatter and his colleagues recruited 15 males between the ages of 26 and 47. Over a two-day period that included fasting and no exposure to caffeine or nicotine, each man was given, on alternate days, 100 milligrams of caffeine dissolved in water and then just water. Twenty minutes after taking their drinks, they underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and then were tested to assess their working memory skills.
The fMRI showed that caffeine increased activity in a brain region in the front lobe, where a part of the working memory network is located, and in the anterior cingulate cortex, the part of the brain that controls attention. None of the men showed an increase in activity in this area of the brain when they drank the placebo.
In an accompanying test, the men were presented with a randomized sequence of capital letters, and they had to decide whether the current letter was the same as or different from the letter presented two letters before. They were asked to respond as quickly as possible by tapping response pads with their fingers.
After consuming caffeine, all the men showed a tendency toward improved reaction times on the test, compared to when they had no caffeine, Koppelstatter said.
"It doesn't mean that without caffeine you don't have activation in this part of the brain, but with caffeine you have modulation of the brain, which means there is more activation," he said.
Dr. Bruce Rubin, a neurologist at the University of Miami School of Medicine, said this study sheds new light on how caffeine works on the brain.
He added that previous research had shown caffeine improves attention, and that any improved memory function identified was assumed to be a result of better focus -- "You have to be attentive to remember."
"But this study showed that caffeine had a direct effect on the networks and processing of the memory," Rubin said.
Koppelstatter said the mechanism by which the caffeine acts on the brain is largely unknown, but is related to the way the substance reacts on the small blood vessels of the brain and on the nerve cells in the brain.
While two cups of coffee might improve your memory, don't think that drinking more will turn you into an intellectual, Koppelstatter noted.
"The positive effects of caffeine don't increase in a linear way," he said, and too much caffeine can make you more anxious, counteracting the positive effects the substance can provide.
By Janice Billingsley
HealthDay Reporter
(HealthDay News) -- Those morning cups of java might sharpen your memory so you can better tackle the tasks of the day, a new Austrian study suggests.
Scientists at the Innsbruck Medical University discovered that 100 milligrams of caffeine, the equivalent of two cups of coffee, increased activity in the part of the brain that is responsible for short-term memory, and improved performance on a test that measures memory function.
"We found modulation of a distinct brain area within the working memory network was more activated under caffeine compared to the placebo condition. This is the specific brain region which would be used for short-term memory function," said study author Dr. Florian Koppelstatter, a radiology fellow at the university.
These functions include being able to prioritize information to manage tasks efficiently, as well as plan new tasks and deal with stored information, he said. An example would be the process of looking up a number in a telephone book, and remembering it so you could dial the number.
Koppelstatter was to present the findings Wednesday at the Radiological Society of North America's annual meeting, in Chicago.
Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate, is the most widely used stimulant in the world, with a global, per-person average of 76 milligrams a day. Americans consume an average of 238 milligrams of caffeine daily, which is the equivalent of four-and-a-half cups of coffee. Scandinavians have the highest daily caffeine intake -- 400 milligrams daily, Koppelstatter said.
For the study, Koppelstatter and his colleagues recruited 15 males between the ages of 26 and 47. Over a two-day period that included fasting and no exposure to caffeine or nicotine, each man was given, on alternate days, 100 milligrams of caffeine dissolved in water and then just water. Twenty minutes after taking their drinks, they underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and then were tested to assess their working memory skills.
The fMRI showed that caffeine increased activity in a brain region in the front lobe, where a part of the working memory network is located, and in the anterior cingulate cortex, the part of the brain that controls attention. None of the men showed an increase in activity in this area of the brain when they drank the placebo.
In an accompanying test, the men were presented with a randomized sequence of capital letters, and they had to decide whether the current letter was the same as or different from the letter presented two letters before. They were asked to respond as quickly as possible by tapping response pads with their fingers.
After consuming caffeine, all the men showed a tendency toward improved reaction times on the test, compared to when they had no caffeine, Koppelstatter said.
"It doesn't mean that without caffeine you don't have activation in this part of the brain, but with caffeine you have modulation of the brain, which means there is more activation," he said.
Dr. Bruce Rubin, a neurologist at the University of Miami School of Medicine, said this study sheds new light on how caffeine works on the brain.
He added that previous research had shown caffeine improves attention, and that any improved memory function identified was assumed to be a result of better focus -- "You have to be attentive to remember."
"But this study showed that caffeine had a direct effect on the networks and processing of the memory," Rubin said.
Koppelstatter said the mechanism by which the caffeine acts on the brain is largely unknown, but is related to the way the substance reacts on the small blood vessels of the brain and on the nerve cells in the brain.
While two cups of coffee might improve your memory, don't think that drinking more will turn you into an intellectual, Koppelstatter noted.
"The positive effects of caffeine don't increase in a linear way," he said, and too much caffeine can make you more anxious, counteracting the positive effects the substance can provide.
By Janice Billingsley
HealthDay Reporter
Friday, December 02, 2005
Daily Walk Puts Heart a Step Ahead
Just 30 minutes a day can spur healthy changes, study finds
(HealthDay News) -- Thirty minutes of brisk walking each day can really pump up heart health, a new study finds.
The two-year study of 500 sedentary men and women aged 30 to 69 found that walking for 30 minutes a day five or more days a week at either a moderate or hard intensity, or walking at hard intensity three to four times a week, led to significant long-term improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness.
Frequent, fast-paced walking provided the largest fitness benefits as well as moderate, short-term improvements in cholesterol levels, the study found.
"The bottom line is that 30 minutes of walking on five to seven days a week provides substantial health benefits," Steven Blair, of the Cooper Institute, said in an accompanying editorial in the current issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
In a prepared statement, principal investigator Michael Perri, associate dean and a professor of clinical and health psychology at the University of Florida's College of Public Health and Health Professions, noted that, "(U.S.) National Guidelines for exercise are based largely on studies conducted in laboratory settings with close supervision of how much exercise is completed by the study participants."
But he said that in this latest study, "We were very interested in learning about the ways people respond to different exercise prescriptions when they are asked to complete the exercise on their own, in their home or work environments."
Perri's team found that high-frequency or hard-intensity exercise is crucial to achieving significant results.
"When exercising on their own, people generally complete only about 60 percent of the amount prescribed. As a result, an exercise prescription for moderate-intensity walking on three to four days a week may not generate a large enough amount of exercise to produce a change in fitness," Perri said.
Weight-control Information Network
(HealthDay News) -- Thirty minutes of brisk walking each day can really pump up heart health, a new study finds.
The two-year study of 500 sedentary men and women aged 30 to 69 found that walking for 30 minutes a day five or more days a week at either a moderate or hard intensity, or walking at hard intensity three to four times a week, led to significant long-term improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness.
Frequent, fast-paced walking provided the largest fitness benefits as well as moderate, short-term improvements in cholesterol levels, the study found.
"The bottom line is that 30 minutes of walking on five to seven days a week provides substantial health benefits," Steven Blair, of the Cooper Institute, said in an accompanying editorial in the current issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
In a prepared statement, principal investigator Michael Perri, associate dean and a professor of clinical and health psychology at the University of Florida's College of Public Health and Health Professions, noted that, "(U.S.) National Guidelines for exercise are based largely on studies conducted in laboratory settings with close supervision of how much exercise is completed by the study participants."
But he said that in this latest study, "We were very interested in learning about the ways people respond to different exercise prescriptions when they are asked to complete the exercise on their own, in their home or work environments."
Perri's team found that high-frequency or hard-intensity exercise is crucial to achieving significant results.
"When exercising on their own, people generally complete only about 60 percent of the amount prescribed. As a result, an exercise prescription for moderate-intensity walking on three to four days a week may not generate a large enough amount of exercise to produce a change in fitness," Perri said.
Weight-control Information Network
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