Garlic Oil May Protect Hearts After Surgery

November 28, 2011

A recent study revealed that a compound found in garlic oil may provide significant protection for hearts following surgery or attacks.

The compound, called allicin, has been linked to cardiovascular health in the past. It reacts with red blood cells, resulting in the relaxation of blood vessels and smooth blood flow.

Researchers have produced a garlic oil called diallyl trisulphide, or DATS, which may help “release protective compounds to the heart.”

Though potent-smelling, the oil has significant potential. A synthetic, highly purified version of the product was tested on mice with blocked coronary arteries. Study researchers hope the injection will be able to replace the unstable hydrogen sulphide gas.

“Interruption of oxygen and blood flow damages mitochondria, and loss of mitochondria integrity can lead to cell death,” lead researcher David Lefer said. “We see that diallyl sulphide can temporarily turn down the function of mitochondria, preserving them and lowering the production of reactive oxygen species.”

Sleep Disorders and Sleep Apnea

November 23, 2011

Steve Feinsilver, director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at Mount Sinai, specializes in treating sleep disorders. Nearly 1,500 patients see him each year.

The upcoming holiday season is especially stressful (think: family get-togethers and highly caloric dishes) and so the quality of your sleep is that much more important.

“The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) reports that between 50 and 70 million American adults have a sleep disorder,” Feinsilver said. “Studies show that good sleep hygiene is essential for your overall health- and that getting enough good sleep helps you eat less.”

In fact, sleep deprivation often leads to weight gain. Disorders like sleep apnea, which is characterized by poor breathing during sleep, can actually shorten your life span if left untreated.

“It’s normal to have a little irregular breathing during sleep, but an apnea event is a 10-second pause in your breathing that wakes you up very slightly,” Feinsilver explained. “To have the disease sleep apnea, you need to have 10 or more apnea events an hour.”

“It probably gets worse as you get older, it’s more common in men than women, and more common in people that are overweight,” Feinsilver continued. “Some people are more anatomically predisposed to this because they have what we call ‘crowded throats’- the muscles of the tongue and soft palate just don’t leave them as much room as the throat to breathe through.”

Congress Names Pizza A Vegetable

November 21, 2011

In an effort to discourage an Obama administration proposal to make school lunches healthier, Congress has named pizza and French fries vegetables.

The spending bill, released on Monday, will negate the standards set by the Agriculture Department earlier this year, which includes limiting the use of potatoes and salt, and boosting whole grains. The new bill also named tomato paste, which is used on pizzas, a vegetable.

The changes were pushed by frozen pizza producers, the salt industry and potato farmers. Some conservatives in Congress claim the federal government should not be telling children what to eat.

Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee said the changes will “prevent overly burdensome and costly regulations and to provide greater flexibility for local school districts to improve the nutritional quality of meals.”

Breakthrough for IntelliCell BioSciences, Inc with Dr. Steven Victor

November 16, 2011

In recent news, IntelliCell BioSciences, Inc. just announced a study they had published regarding the efficacy of IntelliCell’s proprietary SVF for treating gum recession. This company, a leader in regenerative medicine and the manufacturing of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) that contains adipose derived adult stem cells, just published this pilot study on the October 2011 edition of the Journal of Implant & Advanced Clinical Dentistry.

Authored by Nicholas Toscano, DDS, MS; Danny Holtzclaw, DDS, MS; and Steven Victor, MD, the pilot study included 7 females and one male. They showed that Mucograft ® collagen matrix in combination with SVF treatments might be a clear alternative to invasive harvesting of gum tissue for gum recession.

As IntelliCell Chairman and CEO Dr. Steven Victor explained, “This is a very encouraging study. Gingival recession is a significant issue in dentistry and IntelliCell is offering a new, potentially superior, non-invasive solution that minimizes patient discomfort and improves outcomes. Dentistry is one of numerous fields in which our SVF may show efficacy.”

Dr. Nicholas Toscano, the periodontist who ran the study said, “I am really excited about stromal vascular fracture stem cells and the impact on regenerative dentistry. Future research could prove this to be a major breakthrough in oral and maxillofacial reconstruction.”

Vitamin D Deficiency Common in Obese Teens

November 9, 2011

A recent study has revealed that obese teenagers need much more vitamin D than those who weigh significantly less. The National Institutes of Health in the U.S. have known for years that while vitamin D deficiency is common in all Americans, it is especially seen to affect overweight and obese adolescents.

“If obese adolescents only consumed the recommended 600 IUs (International Units), they would be in trouble,” Catherine Peterson, a study author, said in a statement. “It takes 4,000 IUs to raise their vitamin D status within a sufficient range… This indicates that physicians need to carefully evaluate the vitamin D status as their overweight and obese patients.”

The Common Cold and the Flu

November 7, 2011
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrYh0bQCPgE&w=420&h=315]

The season is changing, and with the winter come the flu and the common cold. Though these ailments are inconvenient and uncomfortable, they often pass on their own in less than a week. Learn which symptoms may indicate a more serious infection and when a visit to the doctor is advised.

13-Year Old Finds Kidney Donor On The Web

October 31, 2011

Sofia Manfredi, a Brooklyn teen, is getting a new kidney this week thanks to an online kidney matchmaker and a New Jersey teacher.

With severe damage to both kidneys from complications during her birth, 13-year old Sofia has been relying on medication throughout her life. Now, her undersized kidneys are unable to cope with her growing body.

Last summer, the Manfredi family sought the help of Chaya Lipschutz, who runs an online kidney matchmaking agency, SaveALife-DonateAKidney.com. When she sent out an alert, she immediately got a response from Cherry Hill teacher Jennifer Rothstein, 39, who volunteered to donate one of her kidneys. After a few months of tests, doctors found Rothstein to be a perfect match for Sofia. The transplant surgery is scheduled for this coming Tuesday at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

“It just felt like it was the right thing to do,” Rothstein said. “I was blessed with good health. There was no reason not to.”

“I feel like I won the lottery,” Rothstein added. “It’s like giving birth. It’s giving life.”

Sofia’s mom, Tami Manfredi, said “It’s amazing that someone I’d never met before could be so giving. She is giving my daughter a second chance.”

New York Health Comissioner Dr. Thomas Farley Launches Ad Campaign

October 26, 2011

According to the New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley, a new ad campaign will be hitting the streets of the Big Apple within the month. The ad aims to expose people to the dangers of drinking soda and other sugary drinks on a regular basis. Drinking one soda every day is like consuming a fifty pound bag of sugar annually. Drinks such as these can lead to diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, arthritis and even some forms of cancer.

According to Farley, sugary drinks are the most common source of added sugar to a child’s diet, increasing the obesity risk dramatically with each serving. The New York ad campaign will include a YouTube video showing how far a person would need to walk to burn off the calories from a single drink, as well as bilingual posters which will strengthen the message.

Ex-Vivo Lung Transplant Procedure Opens New Opportunities

October 24, 2011

Manhattan’s NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center is conducting a groundbreaking lung transplant trial. The new method differs from traditional transplants in that it is conducted “ex-vivo,” or, outside the body. Instead of making a quick decision regarding whether an organ is suitable for transplant, the ex vivo procedure allows doctors to revive the lung and determine its potential by pumping it with oxygen and a nourishing solution.

“These would have been lungs we would have turned down because of poor quality. This provides the opportunity to increase lung transplants performed,” explained Frank D’Ovidio, the head doctor on the FDA trial.

New Study Links Alcoholism to Poor Diet

October 10, 2011

A recent study was published by HealthDay News which linked alcoholism and poor diets. The study analyzed the drinking and eating habits of 12,000 adults, aged 18 to 64. Those who drank heavily before, after and during meals were found to have bad nutrition.

One of the study authors explained that “Drinking alcohol may reduce maintaining a healthy diet…. And may indirectly contribute to several chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, mellitus, cardiovascular disease or cancer.” The research also indicated that alcoholism may reduce fruit and vegetable intake, while increasing that of fast foods and animal proteins.

“If your alcohol consumption is excessive or if you find it results in poor dietary choices, you need to reduce or stop your drinking,” says author Tom Griesel. “This may seem a little radical, but if alcohol or anything else is affecting your health or keeping you from experiencing optimal health, you need to do something about it right away.”

Griesel added that alcohol consumption has an effect on sleep cycles, as well. His sister, Dian Grisel, Ph.D., explained “When reviewing your health habits, closely examine your alcohol consumption. Alcohol is empty calories and difficult for your body to process. Your body primarily treats alcohol as a toxic substance. It is not a necessary nutrient. Although we feel red wine is probably the best choice when it comes to alcohol, it can still be a serious health hazard if it results in poor diet choices or is consumed excessively.”