Jurriaan Plesman, BA (Psych) Post Grad Dip Cin Nutr
ADHD and Diet, AD Meds and lung infection of babies, Adiponectin hormone linked to Alzheimer’s, Allergies and Climate Change, Anemia during pregnancy, Aspirin linked to Macular Degeneration, Astaxanthin for ulcers, ATP and Cellular Activities, Autism & Gut Bacteria, Blogging may be relaxing to teenagers, Blood Pressure among Teenagers, Cancer: How to starve, Cataract Surgery may improve cognitive ability, Celiac Disease linked to depression, Cocoa Flavanols, Comfrey and Back Pain, Dizziness and Dementia, Drug abuse highest in richest countries, DSM System to be scrapped, Dual Diagnosis, Garlic and Cardiovascular Disease, Gluten Free Beer is not, Gray matter in schizophrenia, Heart Failure may lead to diabetes, Hospital noise interferes with sleeping, IBS linked to Gut Bacteria, Insomnia & Health Problems, Iced Tea & Kidney Stones, Insomnia & Type 1 Diabetes among children, Magnesium & Stroke, Mental decline starts at 45, Meth users more likely to suicide, Meth Users Poor Detox, Multiple Sclerosis & hypothalamus, Nicotine patch may help memory, Nicotine Patches not helpful, Omega-3&6 fatty acids and heart disease, Omega-3 side effects, Paying Medical Bills, Pregnancy & Alcohol, Prisoners and drug addiction, Prostate Cancer & Vit D, PTSD Curable?, Red Meat Linked to stroke, Sea salt or table salt?, Selenium, Q10 and Heart Disease, Soy isoflavones may benefit PMS, Sugar activates opioid receptors, Sugary drinks linked to kid’s weight, Trauma, Sleep and Memory, Treatment Protocol for Nutritional Psychotherapy, Turmeric & Alzheimer's Disease, Ulcer bacteria may protect against diarrhea, Vegans & Homocysteine levels, Vegetables and Non-gallstone Pancreatitis, Video Games addiction tied to depression, Vitamin B may boost memory, Vitamin D Excess linked to Heart disease, Vitamins keep brains from shrinking,
WASHINGTON -- One American in five reported having trouble paying medical bills in 2010, according to a study by the Center for Studying Health System Change. full story
Some 'Gluten-Free' Beers Really Aren't Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:00:00 -0600 Other 'low-gluten' beers contain high amounts of the celiac disease irritant
Ulcer Bacteria May Protect Against Diarrhea Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:32:52 -0600 People who harbor ulcer-causing bacteria in their stomachs may be protected against some diarrheal diseases, suggests a new study. Source: Reuters Health
Meth Users Much More Likely to Try Suicide Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:00:00 -0600 Study found 80 percent higher risk compared to users of other IV drugs
Vitamins, Omega-3s May Keep Brain from Shrinking Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:00:00 -0600 Healthy seniors with higher levels of certain nutrients did better on thinking tests, researchers say
Astaxanthin for ulcers: Extracted from marine algae, astaxanthin is what gives flamingos and salmon their pink coloring. Astaxanthin is a member of the carotenoid family, which includes beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and zeaxanthin, just to name a few -- but it's being recognized as one of the most potent and exciting antioxidants known to man, and is backed by extensive and compelling evidence indicating its potential therapeutic value in over 100 health conditions. The latest published study on astaxanthin revealed yet another remarkable benefit: its ability to prevent three major causes of gastric ulcer formation. Mercola
Health Problems causes of insomnia: By Diana Kohnle Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Related MedlinePlus Page
(HealthDay News) -- Insomnia is the general term used to mean waking too early, or having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says many factors can lead to insomnia, including:
Comments: Don't forget hypoglycemia as a common factor in insomnia.
Diabetes type 1 & sleeping patterns TUESDAY, Jan. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Poor sleep may be undermining the efforts of children with type 1 diabetes when it comes to controlling their blood sugar, new research indicates. In the study, researchers tracked sleep patterns among 50 kids with type 1 diabetes aged 10 to 16. Compared with similarly aged kids, the children with diabetes were found to be spending more time in a lighter stage of sleep. In addition, experiencing this form of sleep deficit was linked to poorer performance in school as well as higher blood sugar levels, according to the report published in the January issue of the journal Sleep. MedlinePLus 3 Jan 2012
Multiple Sclerosis May Cause Changes in Thalamus Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:00:00 -0600 Small study finds that MS might reduce volume in area of brain affecting thought process
Celiac Disease linked to depression: WEDNESDAY, Jan. 4 (HealthDay News) -- New research shows that women with celiac disease face a higher risk for also suffering from depression and so-called "disordered eating," regardless of whether they stick to a gluten-free diet. MedlinePLus 4 Jan 2012
Celiac Disease in Women Linked to Depression Risk Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:00:00 -0600 But sticking to gluten-free diets helped improve their well-being in study
Study Links Daily Aspirin Use to Increased Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:32:42 -0600 Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology
Mood, Cognitive Ability and Sleep Patterns Improve in Alzheimer's Patients after Cataract Surgery Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:25:45 -0600 Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology
Insulin-Linked Hormone May Also Raise Alzheimer's Risk Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:00:00 -0600 In surprise finding, women who had higher levels of adiponectin were more likely to develop dementia.
Mental Decline start at 45: THURSDAY, Jan. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Sorry, Boomers, but a new study suggests that memory, reasoning and comprehension can start to slip as early as age 45. This finding runs counter to conventional wisdom that mental decline doesn't begin before 60, the researchers added. "Cognitive function in normal, healthy adults begins to decline earlier than previously thought," said study author Archana Singh-Manoux. "It is widely believed that cognitive ability does not decline before the age of 60. We were able to show robust cognitive decline even in individuals aged 45 to 49 years," added Singh-Manoux, research director at INSERM's Center for Research in Epidemiology & Population Health at the Paul-Brousse Hospital in Paris. MedlinePlus6 Jan 2012
Heart failure may lead to diabetes: THURSDAY, Jan. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers may have pinpointed how heart disease can lead to diabetes, a finding that could lead to new preventive treatments. The team at Chiba University in Japan found that the stress of heart failure activates a protein called p53, resulting in inflammation in fat tissue, systemic insulin resistance and worsening heart function. MedlinePLus 5 jan 2012
MRI Scans Show Brain Changes in Kids with Schizophrenia Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0600 Progressive loss of gray matter linked to worse prognosis for young patients, researchers say
Women and Anemia: Increased Need for Iron during Pregnancy Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:23:37 -0600 Source: National Anemia Action Council
Sea Salt vs. Table Salt: Which Is Healthier? Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:12:04 -0600 Source: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
B Vitamins May Modestly Boost Memory Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:15:15 -0600 Older adults who took vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements for two years had greater improvements on short- and long-term memory tests than adults who did not take the vitamins, according to the results of a new study from Australia. Source: Reuters Health
Diet Might Have Some Effect on ADHD Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:00:00 -0600 Review found omega-3 fatty acids may help kids with disorder, while Western diet could hurt
Sugary Drinks Tied to Breastfed Kids' Weight Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:51:26 -0600 Babies who were breastfed longest and drank few or no sugary beverages were about half as likely to be obese as kids who weren't breastfed or who consumed the most sugary drinks, in a new study of Hispanic children in southern California.
Omega-3 fatty acid may have side effects: Significant amounts of methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, and other environmental contaminants may be concentrated in certain species of fish, such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish (also known as golden bass or golden snapper).29 In March 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency issued a new statement 29 advising women who may become pregnant, women who are pregnant, breastfeeding mothers, and young children to avoid eating some types of fish and to eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury. These recommendations 29 are summarized in Table 3 . According to a recent survey,30 farmed salmon have significantly higher levels of polychlorinated biphenyls and other organochlorine contaminants than wild salmon. There is disagreement among researchers, however, about the amount of farmed salmon that is safe to eat. High-quality fish oil supplements usually do not contain these contaminants. American Family Physician
People with either diabetes or schizophrenia may lack the ability to convert alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the forms more readily used in the body. People with these conditions should be sure to get enough EPA and DHA from their diets. Also, people with type 2 diabetes may experience increases in fasting blood sugar levels while taking fish oil supplements. If you have type 2 diabetes, use fish oil supplements only under the supervision of a health care provider. Read more: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm#ixzz1j7dwLLea
"PTSD can be either acute or chronic; the acute phase occurring directly after the trauma, while the chronic phase can come along much later. In the acute phase, PTSD is said to be treatable and curable. In its chronic phase, it is only treatable. One must learn to live with it and to cope with it."
"Chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is treatable but not curable (though this is debatable). One learns to cope with it, learns what stimulates and exacerbates the symptoms, and learns what to do when the symptoms get out of check, hopefully before they get out of check." Wellness Directory of Minnesota See also: "Revolving door of multiple tours linked to PTSD" by Sharon Cohen
A number of prominent psychiatrists have criticized both the process and content of the still-developing DSM-5.
A nicotine patch may slow additional memory loss among seniors with mild cognitive impairment.
Video game Addiction: In 2007 stats in a Harris Poll reported on youths addicted to video games. The poll showed 8.5% of youths (between the ages of 8 - 18) in the US could be classified as video game addicts. While another 23% of youths would say that they are addicted to videogames .Source
"Game addiction is such a strong behavioral influence that the addict resists blinking, eating, using the restroom, and taking care of personal hygiene, and sometimes may lead to death due to cardiac arrhythmias associated with poor nutrition and electrolyte imbalance due to lack of nutrition during gaming binges (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4137782.stm)."
Hence may indicate hypoglycemia.
Nicotine Patches, Gums Won't Help Smokers Quit Long-Term Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:00:00 -0600 Researchers say finding underscores real-world challenges facing those looking to quit Source: HealthDay
Loud Hospital Rooms Linked to Poor Patient Sleep Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:19:21 -0600 Hospitals are too loud, and patients' sleep could be suffering because of it, suggests a new study.
Global Study Finds Drug Abuse Highest in Richer Nations Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:00:00 -0600 The U.S. can do its part to reduce the damage of addiction, experts say Source: HealthDay
Two Ingredients in Marijuana may affect neurology: FRIDAY, Jan. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Smoking marijuana can mean different things to different people -- for some, anxiety and paranoia can set in, while others mellow out. Now, a unique brain scan study suggests two ingredients in pot may work independently to achieve these effects. British scientists who watched the effects of the two marijuana ingredients -- Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) -- on the brains of 15 young men say the research shows how the drug can either ease or agitate the mind. MedlinePlus 6 Jan 2012
Omega-6 & -3 fatty acids: An article in the British Journal of Nutrition reports the results of an extensive search of the available scientific literature regarding the role of omega-6 fats, omega-3 fats, and trans fats in the diet.
They found that for both non-fatal myocardial infarction and death from heart disease, the risk reduction for a mixed diet of both omega-3 and omega-6 fats was 22 percent. On the other hand, diets higher in omega-6 fats and lower in omega-3s resulted in a 13 percent increase in the risk. Mercola 12 Jan 2012
How to Starve Cancer By Nutrition By Dr. Mercola Video Interview
Dr. Christine Horner began her career as a board certified general- and plastic surgeon, performing breast reconstructive surgeries on women who'd had full mastectomies due to breast cancer.
In this interview, she shares her extensive knowledge about breast cancer—its causes and its cures, and the pro's and con's of various screening methods.
Her interest in breast cancer began while she was still in college, when her mother developed the disease.
Thirteen years later, when her mother's cancer returned, Dr. Horner became very active with the American Cancer Society.
For a time, she was a vice-president and the Kentucky state spokesperson for the American Cancer Society on breast cancer issues.
"We were trained to say that we don't know what causes breast cancer and we have no known cures; the best things that women can do are breast exams and mammograms," she says.
"… In my practice, I was watching women get younger and younger when I was doing breast reconstruction on them.
Finally, I was doing women in their 20s. I thought something is way wrong with this picture." I thought why don't we just look through the medical literature and see if there's anything that research shows that women can do, that's within our control that will lower our risks. I had no idea what I was going to find… But when I looked, I instantly found thousands of studies that show exactly why we have a cancer epidemic…"
Red Meat linked to stroke: NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A high-protein diet might benefit health in some ways, but depending on what kind of protein a person consumes, it could raise their stroke risk too, suggests a large new study that finds eating lots of red meat ups the likelihood of having a stroke while poultry lowers it. "The main message from this paper is that the type of protein or the protein package is really important for the risk of stroke. We have to consider protein in the context of the foods," said Dr. Frank Hu, a professor at the Harvard School of Public Health and one of the authors of the study. MedlinePlus 11 Jan 2011 See also here. See also Red Meat, Colon Cancer and Yoghurt by Anne B Gould ---> page 5.
Autism Gastro Problems May Be Linked to Gut Bacteria Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:00:00 -0600 Study found children with the disorder have different type of microbes in stomach than other kids
Vitamin D Doesn't Ease Lung Disease Symptoms Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:34:39 -0600 In a new study of people with moderate or severe lung disease, taking large amounts of vitamin D was not linked to any symptom relief, researchers from Belgium report.
Source: Reuters Health
Vitamin D Excess may be linked to heart disease: In conducting the study, published in the Jan. 15 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology, researchers examined five years of data from a national survey of more than 15,000 adults. They found that people with a normal levels of vitamin D had lower levels of a c-reactive protein (CRP), a marker for inflammation of the heart and blood vessels. On the other hand, when vitamin D levels rose beyond the low end of normal, CRP also increased, resulting in a greater risk for heart problems MedlinePlus 10 Jan 2011
Blogging Can Help Calm Anxious Teens Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:00:00 -0600 Responses were positive, supportive when adolescents went online with social problems
Magnesium-Rich Diet May Lower Stroke Risk Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:40:29 -0600 People who eat lots of magnesium-rich foods such as leafy green vegetables, nuts and beans have fewer strokes, according to an international analysis covering some 250,000 people.
Antidepressants While Pregnant Linked to Slight Risk of Lung Problem in Babies Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600 Study found women who took SSRIs a bit more likely to have infants with high blood pressure in the lungs
I use a protocol in treatment of mood disorders based on my experience and summarized as follows;
Drinking Late in First Trimester May Be Most Hazardous Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:00:00 -0600 But no alcohol use is safe during pregnancy, study finds
Sleep Might Help Deepen Traumatic Memories Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:00:00 -0600 Staying awake after disturbing event weakened emotional response upon recall, study found
Soy isoflavones may benefit PMS The present study showed that isolated soya protein (ISP) containing isoflavones (IF) may have potential to reduce specific premenstrual symptoms via non-classical actions. PMID: 15975174
Dizziness and dementia: “Dementia can cause dizziness, particularly if it is vascular dementia, but I do not see dizziness caused by Alzheimer’s very often. Dizziness is more commonly associated with vascular dementia because blood flow to the brain is restricted.” Caring.Com
07/31/2012 08:00 PM EDT Many methamphetamine users who joined a residential rehabilitation program to quit their drug use succeeded initially - but after three years, all but a few had gone back to using, according to a new study from Australia.
Source: Reuters Health
Drug rehabilitation in prison. Nothing works in prison DR Gerstein et als. ,92
70-80 percent of the nation's prisoners in the US used drugs prior to incarceration
DR Gerstein et als.p96 on average a heroin addict commits 423 crimes per arrest
In her 1998 book, author Kathleen DesMaisons outlined the concept of sugar addiction as a measurable physiological state caused by activation of opioid receptors in the brain and hypothesized that dependence on sugar followed the same track outlined in the DSM IV for other drugs of abuse.
Summary: Vegetarians who do not supplement their diet with vitamin B12 tend to have elevated homocysteine levels. Elevated homocysteine is associated with early mortality, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and birth defects. There is evidence that lowering homocysteine levels in otherwise healthy people can prevent death from stroke. A 2012 study found that vitamin B12 supplements improved cardiovascular function in vegetarians independently of lowering homocysteine levels. Vegetarians who follow B12 recommendations will minimize any elevated homocysteine problems due to a low B12 intake. VeganHealth. Org
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale L) root has been known for its anti-inflammatory properties and prior studies have suggested that the root may help relieve various joint and muscle pains. Jane hart MD . "The results suggest that the comfrey root extract ointment is well suited for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Pain is reduced, mobility of the knee improved and quality of life increased." Grube B, et als (2006)
Turmeric: The findings reveal that the optimized turmeric extract HSS-888 represents an important step in botanical based therapies for Alzheimer’s disease by inhibiting or improving plaque burden, Tau phosphorylation, and microglial inflammation leading to neuronal toxicity. R. Douglas Shytlea- ets als Current Alzheimer Research, 2012, 9, 500-506
Prostate Cancer: THURSDAY, Aug. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Although they're standard treatment for men with prostate cancer who are taking hormonal therapy, calcium and vitamin D supplements may do more harm than good, according to a new study. Men who undergo hormone-depletion therapy for prostate cancer are at risk for osteoporosis, but the supplements do not prevent this bone loss and may actually boost patients' odds for heart disease and aggressive prostate cancer, research from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center suggests. MedlinePlus, 9.8.12
What is dual diagnosis? Dual diagnosis is the term used when a person has a mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) and a problem with alcohol or drugs. A person who has a dual diagnosis has two separate illnesses, and each illness needs its own treatment plan. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance 08/09/2012 08:00 PM EDT Comments: But the two “illnesses” could be symptoms of the same underlying metabolic disorder, so that treatment of one may treat the other.
Iced Tea: TUESDAY, Aug. 7 (HealthDay News) -- People who drink iced tea may be putting themselves at greater risk for developing painful kidney stones, a new study indicates. Researchers from Loyola University Medical Center explained that the popular summertime drink contains high levels of oxalate, a chemical that leads to the formation of small crystals made of minerals and salt found in urine. Although these crystals are usually harmless, the researchers cautioned they can grow large enough to become lodged in the small tubes that drain urine from the kidney to the bladder. MedlinePlus 7/8/2012
Cocoa Flavonols: Consuming cocoa flavanols as a part of a calorie-controlled and nutritionally balanced diet could improve brain function. Insulin resistance and blood glucose levels also significantly improved in study participants who drank mid- to high levels of cocoa flavanols, but not in those drinking low levels. Flavanols can be found in tea, grapes, red wine, apples and cocoa products and have been associated with a decreased risk of dementia. AHA 13 August 2012
ATP & Cellular activity: Essentially, sugar (C6H12O6) is burned, or oxidized, down to CO2 and H2O, releasing energy (ATP) in the process. Why do cells need ATP? ALL cellular work -all the activities of life - requires energy, either from ATP or from related molecules. A lot of oxygen is required for this process! The sugar AND the oxygen are delivered to your cells via your bloodstream. UPUI Department of Biology, 16 Feb 2004
Irritable Bowel Syndrome clearly linked to Gut Bacteria
ScienceDaily (May 25, 2012) — An overgrowth of bacteria in the gut has been definitively linked to Irritable Bowel Syndrome in the results of a new Cedars-Sinai study which used cultures from the small intestine. Science Daily
Allergies and Climate Change: RISING temperatures could be driving an increase in allergies, among other health and occupational impacts, according to Australian scientists. “There is no doubt that springtime is getting earlier each year and that includes the release of pollen into the atmosphere,” Associate Professor Paul Beggs, deputy head of the Department of Environment and Geography at Macquarie University, said ahead of this week’s National Climate Change Adaptation Conference in Melbourne. Observer Marina Kamenev 26-7-20012
Vegetables may reduce risk of non-gallstone related pancreatitis. Conclusions Vegetable consumption, but not fruit consumption, may play a role in the prevention of non-gallstone-related acute pancreatitis. Gut doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2012-302521
Selenium & Q10 supplements reduced cardiovascular mortality: A 5-year prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial among Swedish citizens aged 70 to 88 was performed in 443 participants given combined supplementation of selenium and coenzyme Q10 or a placebo. Clinical examinations, echocardiography and biomarker measurements were performed. Participants were monitored every 6th month throughout the intervention. Conclusion: Long-term supplementation of selenium/coenzyme Q10 reduces cardiovascular mortality. The positive effects could also be seen in NT-proBNP levels and on echocardiography. International Journal of Cardiology 28 April 2012.
Garlic & Serum Lipid Levels:Inconsistent results were obtained for the lipid-regulating effects of garlic in clinical trials. With increasing interest in complementary medicine for hyperlipidemia, it is important to explore the real effects of garlic. This meta- analysis was performed to investigate the influence of garlic on serum lipid parameters. Garlic could reduce serum TC and TG levels, and garlic therapy should benefit patients with risk of cardiovascular diseases. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry PMID: 22234974 [PubMed - in process]
Blood pressure among teenagers, Alcohol and the pill: Among 17-year-olds, oral contraceptive use by girls and alcohol consumption by boys were associated with increases in blood pressure, an Australian study showed. In addition, although increasing body mass index (BMI) was related to higher systolic BP in both sexes, the slope was steeper among boys, Chi Le-Ha, of Royal Perth Hospital in Australia, and colleagues reported online in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. Medpage 12/7/2012 C Comments: Increased BMI is related to Insulin Resistance -> Hypoglycemia. See Obesity Controversy