Red Flags - Unvarnished FACTS behind today's most important health issues

Rebelling Physicians Demand Restrictions On Sale Of Prescribing Data

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:50:42 -0400

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Rebelling Physicians Demand Restrictions On Sale Of Prescribing Data

Description:

“Since the early 1990s, health care information companies have bought electronic records of prescriptions from pharmacies and other sources and linked them with information about doctors that is licensed from the Physician Masterfile of the American Medical Association (AMA). These information companies have then compiled and sold individual physicians’ prescribing data to pharmaceutical manufacturers. The business is lucrative. But a growing number of physicians have rebelled after becoming aware that drug companies have access to their data — in some cases because zealous sales agents have confronted them with their prescribing histories.”

Is Medicare Part D Helping Employers Exit Retiree Health Care?

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:50:03 -0400

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Is Medicare Part D Helping Employers Exit Retiree Health Care?

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“Most U.S. employers are planning to further scale back health benefits offered to retirees, as companies struggle with the upward march in the cost of medical care and weigh increased contributions from the government’s Medicare program, a survey found.”

Chronic Job Stress Raises Blood Pressure

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:49:19 -0400

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Chronic Job Stress Raises Blood Pressure

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“White-collar workers should beware, say experts who have shown that chronic job stress can raise blood pressure. High job demands, tight deadlines and low support in the workplace appeared to be triggers, particularly in men. The Canadian team at Laval University, Quebec, followed 6,719 workers over more than seven years.”

Water-Soluble Cinnamon Extract May Lower Blood Sugar Levels

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:48:36 -0400

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Water-Soluble Cinnamon Extract May Lower Blood Sugar Levels

Description:

“A water-soluble, cinnamon extract has been shown to reduce fasting blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a new study from the University of Hannover in Hannover, Germany, published in a recent issue of the European Journal of Clinical Investigation.”

Both Frontal And Temporal Lobes Linked To Memory Loss

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:47:57 -0400

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Both Frontal And Temporal Lobes Linked To Memory Loss

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“Memory loss associated with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) may be linked to altered activity in several areas of the brain, according to a study in the July issue of Radiology.”

Chinese Hospitals Over-Prescribe Antibiotics To Generate Income

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:46:36 -0400

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Chinese Hospitals Over-Prescribe Antibiotics To Generate Income

Description:

“Health experts have called for more attention to be paid to the proper prescription of medicines, in particular the use of antibiotics.

‘China has a very serious problem of antibiotics abuse, especially antibacterial injection,’ said Professor Yang Yonghong of Beijing Children’s Hospital, during the International Pediatric Pharmacology Symposium currently being held in Shanghai.”

E-Coli Bacteria Loves The Beach — All Year Round!

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:45:51 -0400

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E-Coli Bacteria Loves The Beach — All Year Round!

Description:

“The bacteria that has forced the closure of many Great Lakes beaches in recent years may not be coming from people, geese, diapers or sewage spills after all. It may be from the sand.”

New Enzyme Could Help Celiac Sufferers

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:44:50 -0400

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New Enzyme Could Help Celiac Sufferers

Description:

“A new enzyme originally developed for commercial food processing turns out to also quickly and nearly completely break down whole gluten molecules as well as the T cell stimulatory peptides that cause celiac disease, a digestive disease with no current effective treatment other than avoiding wheat, barley or rye products.”

Fiber And Variety Key To Healthy Weight Loss Insists Cardiologist

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:43:24 -0400

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Fiber And Variety Key To Healthy Weight Loss Insists Cardiologist

Description:

“Waffles for breakfast. Ham and avocado wrap for lunch. Stir-fried rice for dinner. Blueberry-vanilla custard for dessert. Sounds like a day of bliss for non-calorie counters.

Actually, it’s a typical day’s menu from The Reality Diet (Avery, $24.95), a new book by Dr. Steven Schnur, CEO of South Florida Cardiology Associates in Miami Beach. Its 200-plus recipes cover an eight-week period — though you can stick with the plan the rest of your life.”

Exercise Lowers Blood Pressure, Study Confirms

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:42:34 -0400

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Exercise Lowers Blood Pressure, Study Confirms

Description:

“Findings from a new study using 24-hour blood pressure monitoring confirm that physical activity reduces blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure, even when they’re taking medications to address this problem.”

Insulin Resistance Linked to Endometrial Cancer

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:17:40 -0400

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Insulin Resistance Linked to Endometrial Cancer

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“Resistance to the effects of the blood-sugar-regulating hormone insulin could boost a woman’s risk of endometrial cancer, a new study suggests.”

When It Comes To AIDS, The Media Is Redundant

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:14:44 -0400

It's a point I've made often in these letters — South Africa is a small country. Little happens that is not nationally known. Any news is national news. No matter the field, few experts exist and they are incessantly quoted.

Would an itemized list of chemical residues (pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, etc.) influence your choices when buying food?

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 23:05:00 -0400

No, price is always most important.

4% (2 votes)

No, I already know residues exist and choose accordingly.

8% (4 votes)

Yes, if the list was in front of me, it would affect my decision.

75% (40 votes)

Yes, I count on information from health regulators.

13% (7 votes)

Total votes: 53

The FDA’s acceptance of Brachman’s 1950s anthrax research: Good politics? Maybe. Good science? No.

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 21:57:51 -0400

In December 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its Final Order on anthrax vaccine, declaring it to be 92.5 percent effective for preventing both inhalation and cutaneous anthrax infections.

Interview with Boyd E. Haley: Biomarkers supporting mercury toxicity as the major exacerbator of neurological illness, recent evidence via the urinary porphyrin tests

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 22:18:27 -0400

In the recent past, several biological finds have supported the hypothesis that early exposure of infants to Thimerosal was the major exacerbation factor in the increase in autism-related disorders since the advent of the mandated vaccine program. These initially included the observations of a genetic susceptibility impairing the excretion of mercury and the increased retention of mercury by autistic children.