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

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

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

Test can aid in identifying and containing norovirus outbreaks

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed marketing of the first test for the preliminary identification of norovirus.

The Ridascreen Norovirus 3rd Generation EIA assay is for use when a number of people have simultaneously contracted gastroenteritis and there is a clear avenue for virus transmission, such as a shared location or food.

Norovirus is a leading cause of food-borne disease outbreaks in the United States.

Acute gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestine that can cause diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain. Norovirus contamination usually occurs in settings where there is close group contact, such as cruise ships, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and schools or child-care centers. It is a highly contagious virus that spreads rapidly through direct person-to-person contact, contaminated food or water, and by touching contaminated surfaces.

“This test provides an avenue for early identification of norovirus,” said Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Early intervention can halt the spread of an outbreak.”

The test is not sensitive enough for use when only a single person has symptoms and should not be used for diagnosing individual patients.

The manufacturer demonstrated the performance of the Ridascreen test by comparing results of it to the results of a norovirus reference standard for 609 fecal samples. When the fecal samples were tested with Ridascreen, overall results on average were less sensitive than those of standard reference tests, detecting norovirus across samples about 2/3 of the time it was present.

The FDA reviewed data for Ridascreen via the de novo pathway, an alternative path to market for devices that are lower risk and may not require premarket approval (PMA), but are of a new type, and therefore may not be able to be cleared in a ’510(k)’ premarket notification.

In March, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be updating management and disease prevention guidelines for norovirus outbreaks. These guidelines will likely reflect substantial advances made in norovirus epidemiology, immunology, diagnostic methods and infection control.

Ridascreen is made by R-Biopharm AG, located in Darmstadt, Germany.

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm244331.htm

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Do you have a head cold, cough, body aches and it body aches all over- does this sound familiar?

Do you have a bad cough that is leading to vomiting?  if so, you may have whooping cough (read more about this here).

This is influenza season and virus season. Some become dehydrated and may need intravenous fluids.  Even though   you may have had your flu shot, you can still get flu-like illnesses. No one is 100% protected against infections.

I have seen many patients with stuffy noses, post nasal drip (you know you have this if your are clearing your throat all the time), sore throat, cough, body aches and a few with  vomiting and diarrhea.   A visit to your doctor may be of benefit.

Fortunately, only a few will  develop bacterial sinus infections, bacterial bronchitis or even pneumonia.  For some, this virus may prove fatal.

Generally, less than 10% of those with a viral infection will need antibiotics, most just need time and fluids.

Also, its real important to note that the only  throat infection that needs antibiotics is strept throat.  No matter how bad your throat hurts, antibiotics won’t help unless you test positive for strept. See your doctor  if you are not sure.

If my patient does not have a bacterial infection, I simply recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil).

How can you prevent these from occurring in the first place? First, make sure your vitamin D levels are adequate. Most people need to take 2,000-4,000 IU of Vitamin D3 daily. Ask your doctor to check your vitamin D blood levels before taking in excess of 2,000 IU daily. To learn more about vitamin D and how it can strengthen you immune system, read Vitamin D Prescription on Kindle.

Also, consider zinc supplementation which has been shown to be beneficial according to recent studies.

Also, consider influenza vaccination, which may also decrease risk.   However, the studies are not as clear cut as one thinks.

Cochrane reviewers, an independent research group concluded this when asked whether vaccines were helpful in preventing the flu for healthy people. “Influenza vaccines have a modest effect in reducing influenza symptoms and working days lost. There is no evidence that they affect complications, such as pneumonia, or transmission.”(cochrane). Ask  your doctor if the flu shot is right for you.

FYI: The above  symptoms are generally caused by a virus called, adenovirus. In addition to the above symptoms, adenovirus can cause gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis (pink eye), rash and whole body aches.  Another type of virus that can cause infection and common cold symptoms are known as the corona virus (no relation to the beer).

* Always consult your physician if you have a medical problem, the above it not my medical advice..

From the CDC website: Adenoviruses are medium-sized (90-100 nm), nonenveloped icosohedral viruses containing double-stranded DNA. There are 49 immunologically distinct types (6 subgenera: A through F) that can cause human infections. Adenoviruses are unusually stable to chemical or physical agents and adverse pH conditions, allowing for prolonged survival outside of the body.