Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps prevent rickets in children and severe bone loss in adults, and researchers believe it has the potential to lower the risk of a host of diseases including cancer and diabetes.

Sunlight is generally the greatest source, but synthesizing vitamin D from the sun gets more difficult as we age, Kojima said, so older people are advised to eat more foods rich in vitamin D or take supplements. Good sources include fortified milk and breakfast cereals, fatty fish and egg yolks.

Study participants included 7,385 Japanese-American men living on Oahu, Hawaii. All were participants of the Kuakini Honolulu Heart Program, a study of stroke and coronary heart disease in Japanese-American men that began in 1965 which was conducted at the Kuakini Medical Center.

Participants were 45 to 68 years old in the mid- to late-1960s when they were first examined and interviewed about what they had eaten in the previous 24 hours. Food models and serving utensils were used to help participants determine their portions accurately.

Researchers separated the participants into four groups of approximately 1,845 each depending on how much vitamin D they had consumed. They then analyzed their records through 1999, roughly 34 years after the initial exams, to determine the incidence of stroke. New strokes occurred in 960 men during the follow up period.

Researchers calculated risk while adjusting for age, total calorie intake, body-mass index, hypertension, diabetes, cigarette smoking, physical activity, cholesterol levels and alcohol intake. Men who consumed the least dietary vitamin D had a 22 percent higher risk of stroke and a 27 percent increase risk of ischemic (blood-clot related) stroke compared to those consuming the highest levels of vitamin D. There was no difference for hemorrhagic stroke.

Stroke ranks fourth among the leading causes of death in the United States. New or recurrent strokes strike about 795,000 Americans annually. Ischemic strokes account for 87 percent of all strokes, and 10 percent are from an intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain). The remaining 3 percent result from bleeding in the subarachnoid space between the brain and the tissues covering it.

Kojima said it is unclear whether the study results could be applied to different ethnic groups or to women.

While previous studies focused on blood concentrations of vitamin D, this investigation used dietary intake.

Co-authors are Christina Bell, M.D.; Robert D. Abbott, Ph.D.; Lenore J. Launer, Ph.D.; Randi Chen, M.S.; Heather Motonaga, M.D.; G. Webster Ross, M.D.; J. David Curb, M.D.; and Kamal Masaki, M.D. Author disclosures are on the manuscript.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institute on Aging funded the study.

The American Heart Association offers information on Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations. For information on stroke visit strokeassociation.org.
Statements and conclusions of study authors published in American Heart Association scientific journals are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the association’s policy or position. The association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at www.heart.org/corporatefunding.

Currently, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Gate Pharmaceuticals, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, and Teva Pharmaceuticals have gained FDA approval for 300mg clopidogrel tablets. Apotex Corporation, Aurobindo Pharma, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Roxane Laboratories, Sun Pharma, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Torrent Pharmaceuticals have received approval for 75mg clopidogrel tablets.

Plavix is a platelet aggregation inhibitor indicated in reduction of atherosclerotic events in: recent myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke, established peripheral arterial disease; non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina/non-ST-elevation MI) or ST-elevation MI.

For more information visit here

http://www.addcoach4u.com

Positive Characteristics of People with Attention Deficit Disorder according to Pete Quily.

151 Positives.

Ability to find alternate paths to overcome obstacles
Able to take on large situations
Adaptive/collaborative
Adventurous, courageous, lives outside of boundaries
Always finding alternate routes to any given location.
Always willing to help others
Ambitious – you want to be everything when “you grow up”
Artistic
Attractive personality – magnetic due to high energy
Being able to see the big picture
Being able to see the patterns in the chaos.
Being intuitive towards others’ difficulties
Broad focus – can see more, notice things more
Can create order from chaos
Can do many projects at once
Can make people feel they are heard
Can see the big picture
Can talk about several things at one time
Can think on my feet
Career variety
Centre of attention
Comfortable talking in front of groups
Comfortable with change and chaos
Compassion for others and for themselves
Conceptualizes well
Confidence
Constantly evolving
Courageous
Creates connections easily
Creative
Creative writing
Creative – musical, artistic, “dramatic”
Good in a crisis
Good at customer relations
Dedicated
Detail-oriented
Determined to gain more control
Eager to make friends
Eager to try new things
Empathetic, sensitive
Energetic
Entrepreneurial
Excellent organizers using journals and reminders (notes etc.)
Flexible – changes as the situation requires
Fun guy to be around
Goal-oriented
Good at conceptualizing
Good at motivating self and others
Good at multitasking
Good at problem solving
Good at public speaking
Good at understanding others/mind reading – empathetic
Good conversationalist
Good delegator and good at organizing others
Good in emergency situations
Good listener
Good looking and aware of it
Good people skills
Good self esteem, energetic
Great brain-stormer
Great multitasker
Great self-company
Great sense of humour
Great storyteller
Great with kids (central figure around kids)
Hands-on workers
Hard worker
Has friendly relations with their family
Has the gift of gab
Helpful
Helps others who are also in trouble
High energy – go, go, go
Humour, very healthy, quick picking up ideas
Hyper focus !!
Hypersensitive – very empathetic and good at non-verbal communications
Idea generator
Imaginative
Impulsive (in a good way) not afraid to act
Initiators
Intelligent
Intuitive
It’s ok to not finish everything
Learning as much as I can to help children and others with adhd
Less sleep is good (midnight to 6 am)
Like to talk a lot
Likes learning new things
Look at multidimensional sides to a situation
Lots of interests
Loves to cook and be creative
Magnetic
Master idea generator
Mentoring others/helpful
Mentoring people with low self esteem
Modesty
Move on fast – never hold a grudge
Multitasks well
Never bored and rarely boring
Never intimidated to try new things
Non-linear, multi-dimensional/edge of chaos
Not afraid to speak mind
Not contained by boundaries.
On stage and ready
Optimistic
Outgoing
Passionate
Persistent
Philosophical
Holistic thinking
Playful
Pragmatic
Problem solver
Profound
Quick thinking
Quick witted
Relates to people easily
Resistant
Resourceful
Saves money in the short term by forgetting to file tax returns
See and remember details – recount them later
Sees the big picture
Socially adaptive and flexible.
Spontaneous
Stabilizer during difficult situations
Stable
Successful
Takes initiative
Tenacious
Theoretical
Think outside the box
Thinks 2 meters ahead of the world
Thinks big, dreams big
Thorough
Tolerant
Unconventional
Unlimited energy
Unorthodox
Versatile
Very creative, able to generate a lot of ideas
Very hard working to compensate – workaholic
Very intuitive
Very resourceful
Very successful
Visionary
Visual learner
Willing to explore
Willing to take risks
Willingness to help others
Witty
Won’t tolerate boredom
Works well under pressure
Worldly

Realize, high fructose corn syrup is not on the list since it is not added by consumers, but by manufacturers. Avoid this if you can as it can lead to excess weight gain.

Sugar is the most natural sweetener on the market.  1 teaspoon has only 15 calories.  Processed sugar comes from either sugar cane or sugar beet.  It can be used  to help sweeten foods and drinks.  Unbleached sugar is a good option, this is raw sugar  marketed under the name “sugar in the raw”.  When used in  moderation, this is a good option. If one needs to limit sugar intake due to medical reasons, stevia should be considered.

Stevia  (Truvia) is a natural sweetener found many products.   comes from plant leaves from the genus  Stevia rebaudiana.  It is also known as sweet leaf.  Stevia  has  0 calories per serving and can be used in coffee, tea and baking. It does not raise blood sugar so is a great option for those with diabetes or those wanting a more natural option.  Stevia  is available in most stores nationwide.

Sucralose (Splenda) comes in a yellow packet. Sucralose is created when a chlorine molecule is added to sugar (glucose).  When ingested, Sucralose does not get absorbed into the bloodstream, so those with diabetes tend to do well with it  since it will not raise blood sugar.  Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than table sugar.  However, for some, it may cause intestinal upset as it can kill good bacteria in the intestines.

Saccharin is sold in the pink packet and  has been on the market for many years. The label used to state that consumption increased the risk of cancer in humans, but this was removed from the labels in 2000.  In 2010,  the EPA removed this product from  their list of hazardous  products stating  that saccharin is no longer considered a potential hazard to human health.

-Fox news even recommended avoiding aspartame due to the concerns regarding it’s safety-

Aspartame (Nutra-sweet, Equal) is marketed in a blue packet.  This is probably one of the most controversial sweeteners on the market. The FDA states it is safe while others, such as neurosurgeon Dr. Russell Blaylock ( Author of Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills) ,  have called for its removal from the market due to safety concerns.  It is 200 times sweeter than sugar.  Some people who consume this sweetener report migraines, memory loss and weight gain as it increases appetite.  It is present in over 6,000 diet and sugar free products, including chewing gum and diet sodas (Read about the dangers of diet coke, pepsi and other sodas).

Consuming foods which nature intended is always the safest way to go.  Minimizing artificial sweeteners is prudent. Consuming more fruits is a great way to get your sugar fix for the day. when needed.

A study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis showed that patients with sinusitis who were given Amoxicillin vs a placebo (sugar pill) were no better at day 3 or day 10.  In other words, antibiotics did not improve the situation. (JAMA)

Most sinus infections start as a viral infection.  Antibiotics do NOT kill viruses, they only kill bacteria.   About 10% of people may ultimately develop a bacterial sinus infection,  this occurs  7 to 10 days after the symptoms start. This  occurs as a secondary infection, that is  if the viral sinusitis does not clear up.

90% of people with a sinus infection will improve by day 7 to 10.  If they happened to be given an antibiotic, they will assume this is the reason they improved.  However, this is not the case. They would have become better anyway.

Treating the symptoms may be the best therapy during the first week.  Using a saline sinus rinse netipot, such as those made by SinuCleanse can help prevent and treat sinus infections by rinsing away mucous buildup. Consider  antihistamine medications (Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec or the generic equivalent) or nasal steroids (Flonase, Nasonex, etc.) or even Sudafed to help control your symptoms.  Only if the pain persists or if a fever starts after 7-10 days should an antibiotic be taken.

To those patients who come into my office within 48 hours of an infection, I frequently will provide them with a prescription,  recommending they wait a week until taking it to their pharmacy.  This saves my patient a return trip back to my office.

First, eating a diet high  in fruits and vegetables will help optimize your immunity.  Consuming plant based foods which vary in color, such as red tomatoes, purple grapes or  orange carrots,  can  ensure a diverse intake of antioxidants.  A healthy diet  will give the body the tools necessary to fight off  bacteria and viruses.

Sleeping  at least 7 to 8 hours of each night is crucial  for a healthy immune system.   It is during the sleeping hours that the body repairs and heals itself from the damage done on a daily basis.  Poor sleep contributes  to poor health.

Keeping stress under control is also very important. When our body is mentally and physically stressed, cortisol, the primary stress hormone, is released in excess into the bloodstream.  Cortisol, a natural steroid,  suppresses the immune system  making one more susceptible to infection.

Studies show vitamin C  can reduce the duration of the common cold by up to 12% in adults and  21% in children.  Supplementing with 500 mg to 1000 mg of vitamin C  daily should be considered.

The Cochrane Collaboration, an independent research group,  has shown that  the mineral  zinc reduces risk of contracting a cold when taken within 24 hours of exposure.  Daily supplementation also appears to help prevent the need of  developing an  infection requiring antibiotic treatment.

Vitamin D supplementation also helps reduce the risk of developing influenza according to scientists.  The lack of sunshine, and ultimately blood levels of vitamin D,  likely accounts for the higher  incidence of upper respiratory infections during the winter months.  Ask your doctor to check your vitamin D levels before supplementing with doses higher than 2,000 IU per day.

Lastly, some people may also benefit from the influenza vaccine. Interestingly, the studies are not as overwhelmingly favorable as expected.   However, the best evidence reports that between 33 to 100 people need to be vaccinated  against the seasonal flu in order to prevent one extra infection with the virus. Even when vaccinated, one is never 100% protected from developing the flu.

As always, prevention is always the best medicine. Please talk with your healthcare provider before making and changes to your healthcare regimen.

This result was seen in a study which compared rates of heart attacks in smokers who took either Chantix or a placebo.

Ironically, smoking in itself is a big risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.  Tobacco related deaths in the USA alone are about 500,000 each year, ten times more than the US deaths in Vietnam.

For more information, talk to your doctor or visit the FDA

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and worldwide.   In the USA, lung cancer accounts for 31% of all cancer deaths in men and  26% of all cancer deaths in women.

So what are your chances of developing lung cancer?   The answer may surprise you.   Believe it or not, 1 in 13 men and 1 in 16 women will  be affected by lung cancer- in which tobacco use accounts for 80% to 90% of all the cases.

Smoking, which causes oxidative damage to the body, overwhelms the DNA of our cells transforming them from normal healthy cells to unhealthy and unregulated cells which begin to grow uncontrollably, evading the body’s immune system which is supposed to “kill them”.

While having access to quality healthcare is crucial, having an optimistic attitude is also very important, especially when you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer.

The study evaluated  534 people who were diagnosed with lung cancer. 48% women, 52% were men. Their average age was 67.   85% percent of the participants had non-small cell lung cancer while the other 15% has small cell lung cancer.

The study showed that those who were more optimistic had a 6 month survival advantage when compared to those who were less optimistic.  However, this study showed the benefit of optimism only in people who were diagnosed with an early stage of the lung cancer (Stage 1 and 2). Those diagnosed with an advanced stage of lung cancer (Stage 3 & 4) did not have the same survival benefit.

After five years,  33% of those with optimistic attitudes were still alive while only 21% of those with negative attitudes survived. The study’s author stated that more research still needs to be done to evaluate the connection more thoroughly.

Source: Journal of Thoracic Oncology: March 2010 – Volume 5 – Issue 3 – pp 326-332

In this randomized trial of 126 people, 62 received the vitamin D  + antibiotic while the remaining received the antibiotic + placebo.

Further analysis showed that individuals with the TT genotype of the Taq1 vitamin D receptor polymoprhism had the best response and their sputum cultures converted from positive to negative more rapidly when compared to the others in the study.  There were no reported side effects from the vitamin D.

While at this time, this type of genetic testing is not carried out due to cost, treatment of all tuberculosis (TB) patients with high dose vitamin D  would be prudent.   The overall safety profile and low cost of vitamin D would make this a reasonable approach.

Read more about the health benefits of Vitamin D.

Source:  Martineau AR et al. Lancet. 2011, January 15;377[9761]: 242-50