Dr. Howard Smith Reports

VidCast: https://youtu.be/Xue5gu5TAe8

Everyone assumes that Vitamin supplements in reasonable quantities are safe and beneficial.  Investigators at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital now show that for Vitamin E and cancer that assumption is dead wrong.  The word dead is significant.

The enzyme that controls how the body uses Vitamin E comes in 3 genetic variants.  It turns out that women with the met-met variant who taking Vitamin E had a 14% lower cancer incidence while those with the val-val variant and taking the Vitamin E had a 15% higher incidence of cancer.

We’re only beginning to understand human genetics, and most of us do not know which specific gene variants we have.  Until we do, we should all be cautious about taking any supplements except to correct deficiencies.  The smart money remains on eating a balanced, healthy diet and avoiding supplements.

#Vitamin E #women #cancer #healthnews #healthtips

Hall, K et al. COMT modifies alpha-tocopherol effects in cancer prevention: gene-supplement interactions in two randomized clinical trials. JNCI, 2019 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djy204

VidCast: https://youtu.be/Xue5gu5TAe8

Everyone assumes that Vitamin supplements in reasonable quantities are safe and beneficial.  Investigators at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital now show that for Vitamin E and cancer that assumption is dead wrong.  The word dead is significant.

The enzyme that controls how the body uses Vitamin E comes in 3 genetic variants.  It turns out that women with the met-met variant who taking Vitamin E had a 14% lower cancer incidence while those with the val-val variant and taking the Vitamin E had a 15% higher incidence of cancer.

We’re only beginning to understand human genetics, and most of us do not know which specific gene variants we have.  Until we do, we should all be cautious about taking any supplements except to correct deficiencies.  The smart money remains on eating a balanced, healthy diet and avoiding supplements.

#Vitamin E #women #cancer #healthnews #healthtips

Hall, K et al. COMT modifies alpha-tocopherol effects in cancer prevention: gene-supplement interactions in two randomized clinical trials. JNCI, 2019 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djy204

VidCast: https://youtu.be/WIVM5wcPtQA

Fasting intermittently while on restricted intake was the most effective path to weight loss for the obese.  That’s the result of Australia’s Adelaide University’s study of 88 overweight or obese women on controlled diets over a 10 week period.  

The data showed that those who ate only 70% of their normal caloric requirement and fasted for 3 non-consecutive days a week lost more weight than those who either ate only the restricted-calorie diet or those who only fasted.

Dieting for weight reduction must be done carefully.  Fasting without proper supervision can be dangerous.

#dieting #obesity #fasting #healthnews #healthtips

Amy T. Hutchison, Bo Liu, Rachel E. Wood, Andrew D. Vincent, Campbell H. Thompson, Nathan J. O’Callaghan, Gary A. Wittert, Leonie K. Heilbronn. Effects of Intermittent Versus Continuous Energy Intakes on Insulin Sensitivity and Metabolic Risk in Women with Overweight. Obesity, 2019; 27 (1): 50 DOI: 10.1002/oby.22345

VidCast: https://youtu.be/WIVM5wcPtQA

Fasting intermittently while on restricted intake was the most effective path to weight loss for the obese.  That’s the result of Australia’s Adelaide University’s study of 88 overweight or obese women on controlled diets over a 10 week period.  

The data showed that those who ate only 70% of their normal caloric requirement and fasted for 3 non-consecutive days a week lost more weight than those who either ate only the restricted-calorie diet or those who only fasted.

Dieting for weight reduction must be done carefully.  Fasting without proper supervision can be dangerous.

#dieting #obesity #fasting #healthnews #healthtips

Amy T. Hutchison, Bo Liu, Rachel E. Wood, Andrew D. Vincent, Campbell H. Thompson, Nathan J. O’Callaghan, Gary A. Wittert, Leonie K. Heilbronn. Effects of Intermittent Versus Continuous Energy Intakes on Insulin Sensitivity and Metabolic Risk in Women with Overweight. Obesity, 2019; 27 (1): 50 DOI: 10.1002/oby.22345

VidCast: https://youtu.be/aoeVuKJMH8U

Doctors who regularly prescribe marijuana have some practical advice for you, and I’ll pass it on.  The Annals of Internal Medicine solicited this information and here are the pearls:

AS A PAIN MED: 

• not the first thing to try; 
• if you try begin with low doses, avoid smoking it in favor of edibles and topicals;
• begin with CBD (cannabidiol) rather than the psychoactive THC (tetrahydrocannabinol); 
• choose tested compounds; 
• listen to your body.

AS A DANGEROUS DRUG: 

• still a controlled substance and not covered by insurance; 
• not standardized; 
• off-limits during pregnancy and lactation;
• should be avoided by cardiac patients; 
• should be removed from dangerous drug list.

#marijuana #pain #opiods #CBD #THC #pregnancy #healthnews #healthtips

https://www.mdlinx.com/internal-medicine/top-medical-news/article/2019/01/08/7552735/

VidCast: https://youtu.be/aoeVuKJMH8U

Doctors who regularly prescribe marijuana have some practical advice for you, and I’ll pass it on.  The Annals of Internal Medicine solicited this information and here are the pearls:

AS A PAIN MED: 

• not the first thing to try; 
• if you try begin with low doses, avoid smoking it in favor of edibles and topicals;
• begin with CBD (cannabidiol) rather than the psychoactive THC (tetrahydrocannabinol); 
• choose tested compounds; 
• listen to your body.

AS A DANGEROUS DRUG: 

• still a controlled substance and not covered by insurance; 
• not standardized; 
• off-limits during pregnancy and lactation;
• should be avoided by cardiac patients; 
• should be removed from dangerous drug list.

#marijuana #pain #opiods #CBD #THC #pregnancy #healthnews #healthtips

https://www.mdlinx.com/internal-medicine/top-medical-news/article/2019/01/08/7552735/

VidCast: https://youtu.be/yRHTi8fPcow

To remain happy in the mainstream of life, check your hearing.  Researchers in Columbia’s ENT department studied over 5,000 New Yorkers with hearing tests but also screening for depression.  They found that even a mild hearing loss doubles your chances for depression. If you have a severe hearing loss, you are 4 times more likely to be depressed.

Almost everyone over 70 has at least a mild loss.  It is easily diagnosed and treated with amplification or surgery.  If you or someone you know is missing conversations and instructions, drag them to get a hearing test.  I say drag, because most of us resist the idea of a personal hearing loss as a sign of aging.

Here’s good news: you can test the benefit of amplification by using your smartphone with an earphone as an amplifier.  Also be aware that hearing aids will soon be available over-the-counter at reasonable prices.

#hearing loss #depression #hearingaids #healthnews #healthtips

Justin S. Golub, Katharine K. Brewster, Adam M. Brickman, Adam J. Ciarleglio, Ana H. Kim, José A. Luchsinger, Bret R. Rutherford. Association of Audiometric Age-Related Hearing Loss With Depressive Symptoms Among Hispanic Individuals. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 2018; DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2018.3270

VidCast: https://youtu.be/yRHTi8fPcow

To remain happy in the mainstream of life, check your hearing.  Researchers in Columbia’s ENT department studied over 5,000 New Yorkers with hearing tests but also screening for depression.  They found that even a mild hearing loss doubles your chances for depression. If you have a severe hearing loss, you are 4 times more likely to be depressed.

Almost everyone over 70 has at least a mild loss.  It is easily diagnosed and treated with amplification or surgery.  If you or someone you know is missing conversations and instructions, drag them to get a hearing test.  I say drag, because most of us resist the idea of a personal hearing loss as a sign of aging.

Here’s good news: you can test the benefit of amplification by using your smartphone with an earphone as an amplifier.  Also be aware that hearing aids will soon be available over-the-counter at reasonable prices.

#hearing loss #depression #hearingaids #healthnews #healthtips

Justin S. Golub, Katharine K. Brewster, Adam M. Brickman, Adam J. Ciarleglio, Ana H. Kim, José A. Luchsinger, Bret R. Rutherford. Association of Audiometric Age-Related Hearing Loss With Depressive Symptoms Among Hispanic Individuals. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 2018; DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2018.3270

Hearing Loss Fuels Depression

10 Things To Know About Marijuana

Starve Your Appetite For Better Weight Loss

This Vitamin Can Kill You…Or Save You

Which Video Game Cancels Post-Traumatic Stress

Safest Medicine For Menopausal Hormone Replacement

Bad Eating Shrinks Your Brain

Monkey See Monkey Do When It Comes To Screen Time

Eating Good Carbs is Lifesaving

The Wrong Sleeping Pill Can Burn You

TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS: Teens return disabled Veteran’s Lost Wallet.

Entire Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/p3rnvkcPUM0

Hearing Loss Fuels Depression

10 Things To Know About Marijuana

Starve Your Appetite For Better Weight Loss

This Vitamin Can Kill You…Or Save You

Which Video Game Cancels Post-Traumatic Stress

Safest Medicine For Menopausal Hormone Replacement

Bad Eating Shrinks Your Brain

Monkey See Monkey Do When It Comes To Screen Time

Eating Good Carbs is Lifesaving

The Wrong Sleeping Pill Can Burn You

TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS: Teens return disabled Veteran’s Lost Wallet.

Entire Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/p3rnvkcPUM0