Dr. Howard Smith Reports

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/z_dp6Ogts8c

An effective but reversible male contraceptive has been an elusive goal for the past century since Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger coined the term “birth control.”  Chinese bioengineers using the latest nanotechnology report a unique sperm tube blocking parfait that may just do the trick.  They tested the concept in a rat model.

To prevent sperm from traveling down from the testes, the researchers injected four layers into the vas deferens, the sperm tube.  A layer of hydrogel formed a barrier to sperm travel, a layer of gold nanoparticles which heat up and will dissolve the hydrogel when exposed to near infrared light, EDTA, a chemical that helps to break down the hydrogel but also kills sperm, and finally another layer of gold nanoparticles.

This blocking parfait prevented sperm passage for about 2 months, but application of near infrared light can immediately opened the vas deferens tubes to permit sperm flow when desired.  More work will need to be done before this method hits the men’s clinic.   The blockage will need to last longer, and the injected materials must be proven safe for humans.

Parts of this method are not new.  Gel injections to produce vas deferens tube blockage have been proposed before, but a second injection of a flushing chemical was needed to clear the tube.  The gold nanoparticles do the job on command without another needle.

#malecontraception #spermacide #vasblockage #nanotechnology #nanoparticles #hydrogel #healthnews #healthtips

Weiwei Bao, Lin Xie, Xuhui Zeng, Hang Kang, Shiqi Wen, Ben Cui, Wenting Li, Yisong Qian, Jie Wu, Ting Li, Keyu Deng, Hong-Bo Xin, Xiaolei Wang. A Cocktail-Inspired Male Birth Control Strategy with Physical/Chemical Dual Contraceptive Effects and Remote Self-Cleared Properties. ACS Nano, 2019; DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b06683

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/z_dp6Ogts8c

An effective but reversible male contraceptive has been an elusive goal for the past century since Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger coined the term “birth control.”  Chinese bioengineers using the latest nanotechnology report a unique sperm tube blocking parfait that may just do the trick.  They tested the concept in a rat model.

To prevent sperm from traveling down from the testes, the researchers injected four layers into the vas deferens, the sperm tube.  A layer of hydrogel formed a barrier to sperm travel, a layer of gold nanoparticles which heat up and will dissolve the hydrogel when exposed to near infrared light, EDTA, a chemical that helps to break down the hydrogel but also kills sperm, and finally another layer of gold nanoparticles.

This blocking parfait prevented sperm passage for about 2 months, but application of near infrared light can immediately opened the vas deferens tubes to permit sperm flow when desired.  More work will need to be done before this method hits the men’s clinic.   The blockage will need to last longer, and the injected materials must be proven safe for humans.

Parts of this method are not new.  Gel injections to produce vas deferens tube blockage have been proposed before, but a second injection of a flushing chemical was needed to clear the tube.  The gold nanoparticles do the job on command without another needle.

#malecontraception #spermacide #vasblockage #nanotechnology #nanoparticles #hydrogel #healthnews #healthtips

Weiwei Bao, Lin Xie, Xuhui Zeng, Hang Kang, Shiqi Wen, Ben Cui, Wenting Li, Yisong Qian, Jie Wu, Ting Li, Keyu Deng, Hong-Bo Xin, Xiaolei Wang. A Cocktail-Inspired Male Birth Control Strategy with Physical/Chemical Dual Contraceptive Effects and Remote Self-Cleared Properties. ACS Nano, 2019; DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b06683

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/gnwupAEH4h8

A new Brazilian study shows that Vitamin D is key in promoting insulin sensitivity and lowering blood glucose.  Normal blood sugar levels prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes, the type controllable by diet and medication rather than insulin.

Now here’s the “rest of the story” as the great Paul Harvey once intoned.  Although the US Preventive Services counsels against routine Vitamin D testing, a review from the University of Michigan published this year shows that Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are epidemic in the US population.  

The latest estimate reveals that at least 30% of Americans have an outright Vitamin D deficiency while 40% have a vitamin D insufficiency.  Vitamin D deficiency is brought on by: eating few fruits and veggies; bowel diseases including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease; physical inactivity; excessive alcohol consumption; lack of dairy product ingestion; and, most importantly, by lack of sun exposure.

If you fall into one or more of these categories, ask your doctor to determine your Vitamin D level.  If you are deficient, get into the sun more or consider taking a daily maintenance dose of 2,000 IU using supplements.

#Vitamin D #vitamin D deficiency #diabetes #glucose #sugar #obesity #IBD #ulcerative colitis #Crohn’s #celiac #health news #health tips

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). "Vitamin D could lower the risk of developing diabetes: Study demonstrates role of vitamin D in controlling glycemia." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 30 January 2019. .

https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/RecommendationStatementFinal/vitamin-d-deficiency-screening

Liu X, Baylin A, Levy PD. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among US adults: prevalence, predictors and clinical implications.  Br J Nutr. 2018 Apr;119(8):928-936. doi: 10.1017/S0007114518000491.

Vitamin D Supplementation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. June 17, 2015.

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/gnwupAEH4h8

A new Brazilian study shows that Vitamin D is key in promoting insulin sensitivity and lowering blood glucose.  Normal blood sugar levels prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes, the type controllable by diet and medication rather than insulin.

Now here’s the “rest of the story” as the great Paul Harvey once intoned.  Although the US Preventive Services counsels against routine Vitamin D testing, a review from the University of Michigan published this year shows that Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are epidemic in the US population.  

The latest estimate reveals that at least 30% of Americans have an outright Vitamin D deficiency while 40% have a vitamin D insufficiency.  Vitamin D deficiency is brought on by: eating few fruits and veggies; bowel diseases including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease; physical inactivity; excessive alcohol consumption; lack of dairy product ingestion; and, most importantly, by lack of sun exposure.

If you fall into one or more of these categories, ask your doctor to determine your Vitamin D level.  If you are deficient, get into the sun more or consider taking a daily maintenance dose of 2,000 IU using supplements.

#Vitamin D #vitamin D deficiency #diabetes #glucose #sugar #obesity #IBD #ulcerative colitis #Crohn’s #celiac #health news #health tips

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). "Vitamin D could lower the risk of developing diabetes: Study demonstrates role of vitamin D in controlling glycemia." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 30 January 2019. .

https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/RecommendationStatementFinal/vitamin-d-deficiency-screening

Liu X, Baylin A, Levy PD. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among US adults: prevalence, predictors and clinical implications.  Br J Nutr. 2018 Apr;119(8):928-936. doi: 10.1017/S0007114518000491.

Vitamin D Supplementation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. June 17, 2015.

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/OPm5-Fb5wRU

Exercising regularly not only tones your muscles but also the executive control center in your brain.  This is the conclusion of a study by Columbia University neurologists.

They studied 132 couch potatos of all ages and split them into two groups each with an identical age profile, gender distribution, educational background, and test scores on cognitive exams.  One group started regular aerobic exercise while the other group pursued non-strenuous stretching and toning.

The subjects who were aerobically exercising by either treadmill walking, stationery cycling, or using an ellipical machine scored twice as high on problem-solving tests as those only stretching.  Those aerobic exercisers who were middle-aged tested as though they had the executive brain powers of those 10 years younger while elder exercisers performed as though they were a whopping 20 years younger.

Aerobic exercise is good at any age, but it really pays off as you get older.

#aerobics #executivefunction #cognitiveimprovement #healthnews #healthtips

Yaakov Stern, Anna MacKay-Brandt, Seonjoo Lee, Paula McKinley, Kathleen McIntyre, Qolamreza Razlighi, Emil Agarunov, Matthew Bartels, Richard P. Sloan. Effect of aerobic exercise on cognition in younger adults A randomized clinical trial. Neurology, 2019 DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000007003

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/OPm5-Fb5wRU

Exercising regularly not only tones your muscles but also the executive control center in your brain.  This is the conclusion of a study by Columbia University neurologists.

They studied 132 couch potatos of all ages and split them into two groups each with an identical age profile, gender distribution, educational background, and test scores on cognitive exams.  One group started regular aerobic exercise while the other group pursued non-strenuous stretching and toning.

The subjects who were aerobically exercising by either treadmill walking, stationery cycling, or using an ellipical machine scored twice as high on problem-solving tests as those only stretching.  Those aerobic exercisers who were middle-aged tested as though they had the executive brain powers of those 10 years younger while elder exercisers performed as though they were a whopping 20 years younger.

Aerobic exercise is good at any age, but it really pays off as you get older.

#aerobics #executivefunction #cognitiveimprovement #healthnews #healthtips

Yaakov Stern, Anna MacKay-Brandt, Seonjoo Lee, Paula McKinley, Kathleen McIntyre, Qolamreza Razlighi, Emil Agarunov, Matthew Bartels, Richard P. Sloan. Effect of aerobic exercise on cognition in younger adults A randomized clinical trial. Neurology, 2019 DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000007003

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/V0dPokY1Bxs

If you get a rotten night’s sleep, your brain will be primed for a painful day after.  Neuroscientists from UC-Berkeley now prove this fact with two studies: one in the laboratory with sophisticated studies of the next day’s brain electrical activity and the other via crowdsourcing with subjects reporting their feelings after a restless night.

In the first study, the young adults kept awake in the lab showed greater than normal brainwave activity in the somatosensory pain-sensing part of the brain while experiencing a painful stimulus.  In the second experiment, the online crowdsource participants rated their pain significantly greater after each had a terrible night’s sleep.

Knowing this fact can help you, a work-obsessed student or a young professional swamped with projects, prepare for the day after an all-nighter.  To those of us in the healthcare professions, it’s also a call to keep hospital rooms quiet and to minimize patient’ sleep interruptions.  After all, a good night’s sleep for a patient will mean fewer pain medications the next day.

#sleep #pain #hospitalnoise #painmedication #healthnews #healthtips

Adam J. Krause, Aric A. Prather, Tor D. Wager, Martin A. Lindquist, Matthew P. Walker. The pain of sleep loss: A brain characterization in humans. The Journal of Neuroscience, 2019; 2408-18 DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2408-18.2018

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/V0dPokY1Bxs

If you get a rotten night’s sleep, your brain will be primed for a painful day after.  Neuroscientists from UC-Berkeley now prove this fact with two studies: one in the laboratory with sophisticated studies of the next day’s brain electrical activity and the other via crowdsourcing with subjects reporting their feelings after a restless night.

In the first study, the young adults kept awake in the lab showed greater than normal brainwave activity in the somatosensory pain-sensing part of the brain while experiencing a painful stimulus.  In the second experiment, the online crowdsource participants rated their pain significantly greater after each had a terrible night’s sleep.

Knowing this fact can help you, a work-obsessed student or a young professional swamped with projects, prepare for the day after an all-nighter.  To those of us in the healthcare professions, it’s also a call to keep hospital rooms quiet and to minimize patient’ sleep interruptions.  After all, a good night’s sleep for a patient will mean fewer pain medications the next day.

#sleep #pain #hospitalnoise #painmedication #healthnews #healthtips

Adam J. Krause, Aric A. Prather, Tor D. Wager, Martin A. Lindquist, Matthew P. Walker. The pain of sleep loss: A brain characterization in humans. The Journal of Neuroscience, 2019; 2408-18 DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2408-18.2018

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/3nvp1LiIzso

Looking for a little warmth this winter.  Finnish and British scientists urge you to spend some time in the sauna and not only warm up but enjoy substantial health benefits.

Their report in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings demonstrates that regular sauna use reduces your blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease, improves lung function, energizes your immune system, helps control skin problems and arthritis, reduces headache, relaxes you, and improves your overall quality of life.

During these dark days of winter, seek out a nice cozy sauna, and visit it often.  A surprisingly large number of health clubs have them.

#sauna #warmth #heartdisease #highbloodpressure #immunity #lungfunction #arthritis #headache #relaxation #healthnews #healthtips

Jari A. Laukkanen, Tanjaniina Laukkanen, Setor K. Kunutsor. Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2018; 93 (8): 1111 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.04.008

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/3nvp1LiIzso

Looking for a little warmth this winter.  Finnish and British scientists urge you to spend some time in the sauna and not only warm up but enjoy substantial health benefits.

Their report in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings demonstrates that regular sauna use reduces your blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease, improves lung function, energizes your immune system, helps control skin problems and arthritis, reduces headache, relaxes you, and improves your overall quality of life.

During these dark days of winter, seek out a nice cozy sauna, and visit it often.  A surprisingly large number of health clubs have them.

#sauna #warmth #heartdisease #highbloodpressure #immunity #lungfunction #arthritis #headache #relaxation #healthnews #healthtips

Jari A. Laukkanen, Tanjaniina Laukkanen, Setor K. Kunutsor. Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2018; 93 (8): 1111 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.04.008