Dr. Howard Smith Reports

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/RVam3gGQvYI

Broccoli and its cruciferous vegetable cousins can inactivate a gene that cancers use to overwhelm our immune systems and our bodies.  This latest finding comes from Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center’s Cancer Research Institute.

We know that eating broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, collard greens, Brussel sprouts, and kale seems to reduce the risk of cancer.  The Harvard researchers report that a tiny molecule in these vegetables, indole 3 carbinol or I3C, blocks one gene, WWP1, and releases a second gene, PTEN that is a potent human cancer cell suppressor.  By this round about mechanism, these veggies metabolically disable tumor cells.

So all we have so do is eat some broccoli, cauliflower, or cabbage to cure cancer.  No so fast.  Only tiny amounts of the magic I3C are in the usual servings of these vegetables, so you’d have to consume whopping quantities to consistently have an effect.  

Nonetheless, eating them regularly is beneficial while researchers find a way to produce or extract larger quantities of this cancer Achille’s heel.

Yu-Ru Lee, Ming Chen, Jonathan D. Lee, etal. Reactivation of PTEN tumor suppressor for cancer treatment through inhibition of a MYC-WWP1 inhibitory pathway. Science, 2019; 364 (6441): eaau0159 DOI: 10.1126/science.aau0159

#Broccoli #cancer #cauliflower #cabbage collard greens #Brussel sprouts #kale #WWPI #PTEN #indole3carbinol

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/RVam3gGQvYI

Broccoli and its cruciferous vegetable cousins can inactivate a gene that cancers use to overwhelm our immune systems and our bodies.  This latest finding comes from Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center’s Cancer Research Institute.

We know that eating broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, collard greens, Brussel sprouts, and kale seems to reduce the risk of cancer.  The Harvard researchers report that a tiny molecule in these vegetables, indole 3 carbinol or I3C, blocks one gene, WWP1, and releases a second gene, PTEN that is a potent human cancer cell suppressor.  By this round about mechanism, these veggies metabolically disable tumor cells.

So all we have so do is eat some broccoli, cauliflower, or cabbage to cure cancer.  No so fast.  Only tiny amounts of the magic I3C are in the usual servings of these vegetables, so you’d have to consume whopping quantities to consistently have an effect.  

Nonetheless, eating them regularly is beneficial while researchers find a way to produce or extract larger quantities of this cancer Achille’s heel.

Yu-Ru Lee, Ming Chen, Jonathan D. Lee, etal. Reactivation of PTEN tumor suppressor for cancer treatment through inhibition of a MYC-WWP1 inhibitory pathway. Science, 2019; 364 (6441): eaau0159 DOI: 10.1126/science.aau0159

#Broccoli #cancer #cauliflower #cabbage collard greens #Brussel sprouts #kale #WWPI #PTEN #indole3carbinol

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/frbow4n-VoM

This is a wake up call for the US, Britain, Ireland, Italy, and Australia that comes from Italy’s Bocconi University and Bruno Kessler Foundation.  Researchers there crunched the numbers using a computer model and simulated the characteristics of measles immunity between 2018 and 2050 in these countries as well as in South Korea and Singapore.

The study projections show that by 2050, only South Korea and Singapore would have the required 7.5% of their populations immune to measles and thereby escape a string of measles epidemics.  At the current rates of vaccination in the other countries, none of them would reach the 7.5% target.

The CDC is webcasting a seminar this week for clinicians to help them cope with this year’s measles outbreak.  Although 95% of Americans have immunity to measles either by having had the disease or by vaccination, 1 in every 12 children in the US fail to receive their first dose of MMR vaccine on time.  Most of the cases of measles that enter the US occur in unvaccinated Americans who have been traveling abroad.

Public health officials and practicing clinicians know the answer to this problem.  It is time to develop some political courage and make measles vaccinations mandatory.   Those who oppose vaccination have only pseudo-science and discredited research to back up their position.

Let’s move to protect our children and ourselves by demanding that our local, state, and federal politicians act to insure 100% immunity in the USA to measles and other dread diseases.

Filippo Trentini, Piero Poletti, Alessia Melegaro, Stefano Merler. The introduction of ‘No jab, No school’ policy and the refinement of measles immunisation strategies in high-income countries. BMC Medicine, 2019; 17 (1) DOI: 10.1186/s12916-019-1318-5

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USCDC/bulletins/2452548

#Measles #MMR #vaccination #antivaxx

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/frbow4n-VoM

This is a wake up call for the US, Britain, Ireland, Italy, and Australia that comes from Italy’s Bocconi University and Bruno Kessler Foundation.  Researchers there crunched the numbers using a computer model and simulated the characteristics of measles immunity between 2018 and 2050 in these countries as well as in South Korea and Singapore.

The study projections show that by 2050, only South Korea and Singapore would have the required 7.5% of their populations immune to measles and thereby escape a string of measles epidemics.  At the current rates of vaccination in the other countries, none of them would reach the 7.5% target.

The CDC is webcasting a seminar this week for clinicians to help them cope with this year’s measles outbreak.  Although 95% of Americans have immunity to measles either by having had the disease or by vaccination, 1 in every 12 children in the US fail to receive their first dose of MMR vaccine on time.  Most of the cases of measles that enter the US occur in unvaccinated Americans who have been traveling abroad.

Public health officials and practicing clinicians know the answer to this problem.  It is time to develop some political courage and make measles vaccinations mandatory.   Those who oppose vaccination have only pseudo-science and discredited research to back up their position.

Let’s move to protect our children and ourselves by demanding that our local, state, and federal politicians act to insure 100% immunity in the USA to measles and other dread diseases.

Filippo Trentini, Piero Poletti, Alessia Melegaro, Stefano Merler. The introduction of ‘No jab, No school’ policy and the refinement of measles immunisation strategies in high-income countries. BMC Medicine, 2019; 17 (1) DOI: 10.1186/s12916-019-1318-5

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USCDC/bulletins/2452548

#Measles #MMR #vaccination #antivaxx

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/V6FqGGLJLo8

While the incidence of bowel cancer dropped in middle-aged adults 50+ over the decade ending in 2014, colon and rectal cancer is on the rise for younger adults.  This result is now reported in the journal The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, and it is derived from a tabulation of cancer registry data from the westernized countries Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Britain, Ireland, Denmark, and Norway.

The numbers are small but significant.  While the bowel cancer incidence was dropping by 2% on average in older persons, it was rising 2.5% in the younger adults.  The rise is particularly significant for rectal cancer.

The study authors speculate that better screening for young adults should be considered, since most surveillance doesn’t begin before the ages of 45-50 except in those with a strong family history of bowel disease.  With the advent of cheap at-home fecal immune test or FIT kits, it may be prudent to begin that type of screening on a periodic basis in the 20s.

How can you prevent colon cancer? One giant step is to cut out those fast food meals with red meat, low fiber, and high fat. 

Marzieh Araghi, Isabelle Soerjomataram, Aude Bardot, etal. Changes in colorectal cancer incidence in seven high-income countries: a population-based study. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2019; DOI: 10.1016/S2468-1253(19)30147-5

#Bowelcancer #colorectal cancer #fecaltestkits #colonoscopy #fat #fiber

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/V6FqGGLJLo8

While the incidence of bowel cancer dropped in middle-aged adults 50+ over the decade ending in 2014, colon and rectal cancer is on the rise for younger adults.  This result is now reported in the journal The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, and it is derived from a tabulation of cancer registry data from the westernized countries Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Britain, Ireland, Denmark, and Norway.

The numbers are small but significant.  While the bowel cancer incidence was dropping by 2% on average in older persons, it was rising 2.5% in the younger adults.  The rise is particularly significant for rectal cancer.

The study authors speculate that better screening for young adults should be considered, since most surveillance doesn’t begin before the ages of 45-50 except in those with a strong family history of bowel disease.  With the advent of cheap at-home fecal immune test or FIT kits, it may be prudent to begin that type of screening on a periodic basis in the 20s.

How can you prevent colon cancer? One giant step is to cut out those fast food meals with red meat, low fiber, and high fat. 

Marzieh Araghi, Isabelle Soerjomataram, Aude Bardot, etal. Changes in colorectal cancer incidence in seven high-income countries: a population-based study. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2019; DOI: 10.1016/S2468-1253(19)30147-5

#Bowelcancer #colorectal cancer #fecaltestkits #colonoscopy #fat #fiber

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/wvab4Bj4SIc

We’ve known for years that coffee can be good for your digestion as it helps keep you regular,  reduces risk of gallstones, and keeps your liver humming along.  A new study from the University of Texas at Galveston explores that reasons for this conclusion.  Their studies were carried out in a rat model.

These investigators found that, when exposed to coffee for three successive days, the small and large intestines of the tests animals showed more forceful muscular activity than seen in animals on a coffee-free diet..  In addition, the bacteria within the guts of the experimental animals showed slower growth in the coffee-fed animals.  Most interesting was the observation that gut contractions increased and bacterial proliferation decreased whether or not the coffee was caffeinated or decaf.

Healthline.com summarizes the known benefits of coffee:

• Boost energy.
• Burns fat.
• Improves physical performance.
• Contains essential B vitamins and minerals.
• May lower diabetes risk.
• May protect against dementia.
• May lower Parkinson’s risk
• May protect the liver.
• Fight depression
• Fights cancer with antioxidants.
• May lower stroke risk.
• May extend your life.

Added to this list is a better functioning gastrointestinal tract, and now you know the reasons why.

Digestive Disease Week. "Researchers document impact of coffee on bowels: Rat study shows coffee changes gut microbiome and improves ability of intestines to contract." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 May 2019. .

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-13-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffee#section1

#Coffee #gimotility #bowelcontraction #microbiome

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/wvab4Bj4SIc

We’ve known for years that coffee can be good for your digestion as it helps keep you regular,  reduces risk of gallstones, and keeps your liver humming along.  A new study from the University of Texas at Galveston explores that reasons for this conclusion.  Their studies were carried out in a rat model.

These investigators found that, when exposed to coffee for three successive days, the small and large intestines of the tests animals showed more forceful muscular activity than seen in animals on a coffee-free diet..  In addition, the bacteria within the guts of the experimental animals showed slower growth in the coffee-fed animals.  Most interesting was the observation that gut contractions increased and bacterial proliferation decreased whether or not the coffee was caffeinated or decaf.

Healthline.com summarizes the known benefits of coffee:

• Boost energy.
• Burns fat.
• Improves physical performance.
• Contains essential B vitamins and minerals.
• May lower diabetes risk.
• May protect against dementia.
• May lower Parkinson’s risk
• May protect the liver.
• Fight depression
• Fights cancer with antioxidants.
• May lower stroke risk.
• May extend your life.

Added to this list is a better functioning gastrointestinal tract, and now you know the reasons why.

Digestive Disease Week. "Researchers document impact of coffee on bowels: Rat study shows coffee changes gut microbiome and improves ability of intestines to contract." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 May 2019. .

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-13-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffee#section1

#Coffee #gimotility #bowelcontraction #microbiome

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/n-VPKjhnrRU

If a child swallows a button battery that has passed into the stomach, a study to be presented to the Digestive Disease Week annual meeting concludes that the ingested object must be removed quickly to prevent damage to the gastrointestinal tract linings.  Current recommendations suggest wait and see to allow the battery to pass through the gastrointestinal system. 

These tiny coin-shaped batteries are found in small electronic devices including toys, key fobs, talking greeting cards, watches, and hearing aids.

A study by the Children’s Hospital Colorado that presents data from 68 kids treated at children’s hospitals in that state, Florida, and Ohio.  The findings indicate that acid released by these ingested batteries leads to corrosive stomach lining injuries 60% of the time.

Because of this damage, the authors’ recommendation for immediate removal of the coin battery is far more aggressive and proactive than the current wait and see guidelines issued by the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology and the National Capital Poison Center.  These authorities have suggested allowing passage through the gastrointestinal tract for those batteries that have traversed through the esophagus into the stomach.  In contrast, most guidelines from a variety of panels do recommend immediate endoscopic removal if the battery has lodged in the esophagus.

One problem is that parents and other caregivers are not always certain about the type of coin-shaped object that a child has swallowed.  While coins can usually pass safely through the gastrointestinal tract, we can’t always be certain that the circular foreign body seen on x-ray is not a battery. 

The safe money is on immediate removal of all circular ingested foreign bodies detected in the esophagus or stomach.

Digestive Disease Week. "Button batteries can rapidly damage stomach lining before symptoms appear: Experts recommend changing current practice of watchful waiting." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 18 May 2019. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190518172524.htm.

#Ingestions #buttonbatteries #coinbatteries #parenting

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/n-VPKjhnrRU

If a child swallows a button battery that has passed into the stomach, a study to be presented to the Digestive Disease Week annual meeting concludes that the ingested object must be removed quickly to prevent damage to the gastrointestinal tract linings.  Current recommendations suggest wait and see to allow the battery to pass through the gastrointestinal system. 

These tiny coin-shaped batteries are found in small electronic devices including toys, key fobs, talking greeting cards, watches, and hearing aids.

A study by the Children’s Hospital Colorado that presents data from 68 kids treated at children’s hospitals in that state, Florida, and Ohio.  The findings indicate that acid released by these ingested batteries leads to corrosive stomach lining injuries 60% of the time.

Because of this damage, the authors’ recommendation for immediate removal of the coin battery is far more aggressive and proactive than the current wait and see guidelines issued by the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology and the National Capital Poison Center.  These authorities have suggested allowing passage through the gastrointestinal tract for those batteries that have traversed through the esophagus into the stomach.  In contrast, most guidelines from a variety of panels do recommend immediate endoscopic removal if the battery has lodged in the esophagus.

One problem is that parents and other caregivers are not always certain about the type of coin-shaped object that a child has swallowed.  While coins can usually pass safely through the gastrointestinal tract, we can’t always be certain that the circular foreign body seen on x-ray is not a battery. 

The safe money is on immediate removal of all circular ingested foreign bodies detected in the esophagus or stomach.

Digestive Disease Week. "Button batteries can rapidly damage stomach lining before symptoms appear: Experts recommend changing current practice of watchful waiting." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 18 May 2019. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190518172524.htm.

#Ingestions #buttonbatteries #coinbatteries #parenting