Obese Teens at Increased Risk for Multiple Sclerosis

November 12, 2009 — Young people with excess body weight may be at heightened risk for more than type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Researchers are now reporting that overweight teens may also be at risk for multiple sclerosis later in life. Their work appears in the November 10 issue of Neurology.

"We initially undertook this study because our previous work suggests that insufficient vitamin D nutrition is associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis, and other studies have shown overweight and obese individuals have lower vitamin D levels than normal weight individuals," lead investigator Kassandra Munger, ScD, from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts, told Medscape Neurology.

Those who were already obese by age 18 had double the risk for MS. These illustrations represent a BMI of 30 or more.

"Our hypothesis was that obesity would be associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis," Dr. Munger explained. "That adolescent obesity rather than childhood or adulthood obesity was associated with disease is consistent with the body of literature suggesting that exposures during adolescence may be particularly important in determining multiple sclerosis risk."

The mechanism relating obesity to multiple sclerosis is not known. Low vitamin D is one theory. Another hypothesis is that the effects of obesity are mediated by a low-grade chronic inflammatory state. Adipose tissue secretes numerous adipokines and cytokines that influence immune system function, including leptin and interleukin 6, both of which have been shown to reduce regulatory T-cell activity.

Investigators studied more than 238,000 women from the Nurses' Health Study. During 40 years of follow-up, researchers confirmed 593 cases of multiple sclerosis.

Participants provided information on weight at the age of 18 years and height and weight at baseline. They also selected illustrated silhouettes that represented their body size at the ages of 5, 10, and 20 years.

In age-adjusted analyses, women with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher at the age of 18 years had a much greater risk of developing multiple sclerosis. This association persisted after further adjusting for smoking, latitude of residence at the age of 15 years, and ethnicity.

Multiple sclerosis risk among women who were overweight, but not obese, at the age of 18 years was only moderately increased.

Relative Risk of Multiple Sclerosis for Body Mass Index at Age 18 Years

Body Mass Index, kg/m2	Multivariate-Adjusted Relative Risk (95% CI)
<18.5	0.96 (0.73 – 1.27)
18.5 – <21	1 [Reference]
21 – <23	1.13 (0.91 – 1.40)
23 – <25	0.97 (0.72 – 1.31)
25 – <27	1.44 (0.87 – 2.39)
27 – <30	1.40 (0.92 – 2.14)
>30	2.25 (1.50 – 3.37)

CI = confidence interval

Women who reported having a larger body size at the age of 20 years also had a 2-fold increased risk of multiple sclerosis compared with women who reported a thinner body.

There was also a suggestion of an increased risk associated with being heavier during childhood; however, the researchers note that reported body size at 5, 10, and 20 years of age was highly correlated.

"This is the first study to show an increased risk of multiple sclerosis among obese female adolescents," Dr. Munger said. "It will be important to replicate these findings. However, we know that obesity is associated with many poor health outcomes, and encouraging a healthy weight among all adolescents is very important to overall health."

Encourage a Healthy Weight

During a Medscape Medical News expert interview in April, Laura Hayman, PhD, from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, emphasized the importance of combating childhood obesity. "The cornerstone is, of course, therapeutic lifestyle change targeting dietary intake and physical activity with consideration of the child’s growth and developmental needs," said Dr. Hayman.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a staged approach, including members of a multidisciplinary team necessary for changing behaviors. Dr. Hayman says members often include nurses, behavioral scientists, dieticians, and exercise physiologists.

"Effective multidisciplinary weight management programs incorporate principles of behavior change and motivational interviewing to help the child lose weight. These programs ensure that the child feels comfortable with the principles of weight management and feels good about self and provide positive reinforcement so that the child can say, 'Yes, I can lose this weight.'"

Positive reinforcement is key, but another study published in this month's issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine suggests that the higher a patient's BMI, the less respect physicians had for them.

Lack of Respect for Heavier Patients

Mary Margaret Huizinga, MD, from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, and lead author of the study, says she came up with the idea for the research from her experiences working in a weight loss clinic.

She said that by the time patients left the clinic they would "be in tears, saying 'no other physician talked with me like this before'" and had failed to listen.

"Many patients felt like because they were overweight, they weren’t receiving the type of care other patients received," Dr. Huizinga said in a news release. Her team studied 238 patients and 40 physicians. The average BMI of patients was 32.9 kg/m².

This study was paid for by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Dr. Kassandra Munger reports that she received funding from the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Pain Control Recommeded for Newborns

November 11, 2009 — Feeding and breast-feeding newborns are found to be the most effective methods of pain relief during heel-lancing, according to the results of a prospective study reported in the November issue of Pediatrics.

"Pain experience can alter clinical outcome, brain development, and subsequent behavior in newborns, primarily in preterm infants," write Amir Weissman, MD, from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel, and colleagues. "The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate several simple, commonly used methods for pain control in newborns and (2) to evaluate the concordance between behavioral and autonomic cardiac reactivity to pain in term neonates during heel-lancing."

During heel-lancing for routine neonatal screening of phenylketonuria and hypothyroidism, 180 term newborn infants were randomly selected to 1 of 6 groups: (1) control (no intervention for pain relief); (2) sucking without feeding; (3) holding by mother; (4) ingestion of oral glucose solution; (5) feeding with oral formula; or (6) breast-feeding. Response to pain was assessed with the Neonatal Facial Coding System score; duration of crying; and autonomic variables determined from spectral analysis of heart rate variability before, during, and after heel-lancing.

Compared with newborns in any of the 5 intervention groups, those in the control group with no pain intervention had the greatest levels of pain manifestation. Breast-feeding or feeding with oral formula appeared to be most effective vs all other groups, based on the lowest increase in heart rate (21 and 23 beats per minute, respectively, vs 36 beats per minute; P < .01), neonatal facial score (2.3 and 2.9, respectively, vs 7.1; P < .001), cry duration (5 and 13 seconds, respectively, vs 49 seconds; P < .001), and the lowest decrease in parasympathetic tone (–2 and –2.4, respectively, vs 1.2; P < .02).

"Any method of pain control is better than none," the study authors write. "Feeding and breast-feeding during heel-lancing were found to be the most effective methods of pain relief."

Limitations of this study include low sensitivity of the pain assessment methods, large variability of newborn response to painful stimuli, and the subjective nature of interpreting these data.

"Neonatal pain prevention is the expectation of the parents and should be the goal of the medical staff; therefore, family members or staff may be recruited to help during these procedures, and nursing mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed during the procedure," the study authors conclude. "If family members believe that they cannot withstand the procedure, hear their infant crying, or see the heel-lancing, then bottle-feeding seems to be a good alternative."

The study authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Pediatrics. 2009;124:e921-e926.

How to Protect Yourself without Dangerous Drugs and Vaccinations

There will always be threats of flu pandemics, real or created, and potentially toxic vaccines will continue to be peddled as the solution until enough people realize there’s a better, safer, saner way.

You can break free of the drug-solution trap right now by following these natural health principles. I have not caught a flu in over two decades, and you can avoid it too, without getting vaccinated, by following these simple guidelines, which will keep your immune system in optimal working order so that you're far less likely to acquire the infection to begin with.

• Optimize your vitamin D levels. As I've previously reported, optimizing your vitamin D levels is one of the absolute best strategies for avoiding infections of ALL kinds, and vitamin D deficiency is likely the TRUE culprit behind the seasonality of the flu -- not the flu virus itself.
  
  This is probably the single most important and least expensive action you can take.
  
  I would STRONGLY urge you to have your vitamin D level monitored to confirm your levels are at a therapeutic level, which is between 50-65 ng/ml. I also recommend using a reliable vitamin D lab like Lab Corp, if you’re in the U.S. Sometime this fall, we hope to launch a vitamin D testing service through Lab Corp that will allow you to have your vitamin D levels checked at your local blood drawing facility, and relatively inexpensively.
  
  If you are coming down with flu like symptoms and have not been on vitamin D you can take doses of 50,000 units a day for three days to treat the acute infection. Some researchers like Dr. Cannell, believe the dose could even be as high as 1,000 units per pound of body weight for three days.
  
  However, most of Dr. Cannell's work was with seasonal and not pandemic flu. If your body has never been exposed to the antigens there is chance that the vitamin D might not work. However the best bet is to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D around 60 ng/ml.

• Avoid sugar and processed foods. Sugar decreases the function of your immune system almost immediately, and as you likely know, a strong immune system is key to fighting off viruses and other illness. Be aware that sugar is present in foods you may not suspect, like ketchup and fruit juice.

• Get enough rest. Just like it becomes harder for you to get your daily tasks done if you're tired, if your body is overly fatigued it will be harder for it to fight the flu. Be sure to check out my article Guide to a Good Night's Sleep for some great tips to help you get quality rest.

• Have effective tools to address your stress. We all face some stress every day, but if stress becomes overwhelming then your body will be less able to fight off the flu and other illness.
  
  If you feel that stress is taking a toll on your health, consider using an energy psychology tool such as Meridian Tapping Techniques, which is remarkably effective in relieving stress associated with all kinds of events, from work to family to trauma.

• Exercise. When you exercise, you increase your circulation and your blood flow throughout your body. The components of your immune system are also better circulated, which means your immune system has a better chance of finding an illness before it spreads. You can review my exercise guidelines for some great tips on how to get started.

• Take a good source of animal based omega-3 fats like krill oil. Increase your intake of healthy and essential fats like the omega-3 found in krill oil, which is crucial for maintaining health. It is also vitally important to avoid damaged omega-6 oils like trans fats found in most processed foods, as it will seriously damage your immune response.

• Wash your hands. Washing your hands will decrease your likelihood of spreading a virus to your nose, mouth or other people. Be sure you don't use antibacterial soap for this -- antibacterial soaps are completely unnecessary, and they cause far more harm than good. Instead, identify a simple chemical-free soap that you can switch your family to.

• Eat garlic regularly. Garlic works like a broad-spectrum antibiotic against bacteria, virus, and protozoa in the body. And unlike with antibiotics, no resistance can be built up so it is an absolutely safe product to use. However, if you are allergic or don't enjoy garlic it would be best to avoid as it will likely cause more harm than good.

• Avoid hospitals and vaccines. In this particular case, I'd also recommend you stay away from hospitals unless you're having an emergency, as hospitals are prime breeding grounds for infections of all kinds, and could be one of the likeliest places you could be exposed to flu bugs of all kinds.
  
  As a side note, please beware that 21 different pediatric Tylenol products have been recently recalled due to the possibility of bacterial contamination. So, if your child comes down with cold or flu symptoms, make sure you do not give him or her a potentially contaminated product.
  
  Better yet, help your child recover using more traditional cold and flu remedies, such as, hydrogen peroxide solution in the ear, zinc lozenges, high quality raw honey, or a homemade cough syrup. For more information and instructions, please see this previous article: Is Honey More Effective Than Cough Medicine?

Last but not least, if you do end up being coerced to take the swine flu shot, I strongly recommend you review Dr. Blaylock’s recommendations, which may alleviate some of the associated health risks.

Posted by: Dr. Mercola
October 06 2009

Do NOT Let Your Child Get Flu Vaccine -- 9 Reasons Why

This year it is more important that you protect your children and loved ones from the flu vaccines than influenza itself.

In his article published on LewRockwell.com, Bill Sardi details 18 reasons why you should not vaccinate your children against the flu this season. Here are nine of them:

1. The swine flu is simply another flu. It is not unusually deadly.

2. This is the first time both seasonal and pandemic flu vaccines will be administered. Both seasonal flu and swine flu vaccines will require two inoculations. This is because single inoculations have failed to produce sufficient antibodies. This is an admission that prior flu vaccines were virtually useless. Can you trust them this time?

3. Adjuvants are added to vaccines to boost production of antibodies but may trigger autoimmune reactions. Some adjuvants are mercury (thimerosal), aluminum and squalene. Why would you sign a consent form for your children to be injected with mercury, which is even more brain-toxic than lead?

4. This is the first year mock vaccines have been used to gain FDA approval. The vaccines that have been tested are not the same vaccines your children will be given.

5. Over-vaccination is a common practice now in America. American children are subjected to 29 vaccines by the age of two. Meanwhile, veterinarians have backed off of repeat vaccination in dogs because of observed side effects.

6. Modern medicine has no explanation for autism, despite its continued rise in prevalence. Yet autism is not reported among Amish children who go unvaccinated.

7. Researchers are warning that over-use of the flu vaccine and anti-flu drugs like Tamiflu and Relenza can apply genetic pressure on flu viruses and then they are more likely to mutate into a more deadly strain.

8. Most seasonal influenza A (H1N1) virus strains tested from the United States and other countries are now resistant to Tamiflu (oseltamivir). Tamiflu has become a nearly worthless drug against seasonal flu.

9. Public health officials are irresponsible in their omission of any ways to strengthen immunity against the flu. No options outside of problematic vaccines and anti-flu drugs are offered, despite the fact there is strong evidence that vitamins C and D activate the immune system and the trace mineral selenium prevents the worst form of the disease.

For even more reasons -- 18 in all -- please review the full article on LewRockwell.com.

Sources:

LewRockwell.com September 16, 2009

Living Wisdom E-Newsletter, September 2009

New York Times September 18, 2009

Posted by: Dr. Mercola
October 06 2009 | 485,762 views

Minor Pressure On Nerves Causes Problems

A paper published in the September 2001 issue of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research confirms what chiropractors have been saying for 106 years. The study's title is, "The Effects of Mild Compression on Spinal Nerve Roots With Implications for Models of Vertebral Subluxation and the Clinical Effects of Chiropractic Adjustment: A Review of the Literature." The author is George Muhs, D.C., Assistant Professor of Clinical Services at the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic and Scott Alderson D.C., a chiropractor in private practice.

This paper was a thorough review of scientific literature that dealt with research on nerve pressure at the spinal level. This is the nerve pressure seen in vertebral subluxations. Chiropractors have maintained that small amounts of nerve pressure can cause malfunction and ill-health. The results of this review helped further prove the chiropractic premise.

The research revealed that "as little as 10 mm Mercury pressure can alter the nerve root and dorsal root ganglion's ability to function normally". The authors concluded that "these alterations would therefore alter the quality and/or quantity of the message sent. At the tissue and cellular level, the message received would not be adequate for the function the body demands. The entire body could then theoretically be affected." The authors also noted "The concept that a vertebral subluxation can induce pressure increases at the level of the IVF (Intervertebral Foramen) is supported by the literature. This increase, though seemingly mild, is enough to alter nerve function." They continued "The chiropractic adjustment can effect a restoration of normal H-reflex (nerve function) in compressed nerve roots.

The bottom line, science proves what chiropractic patients have known for over 100 years.

5 Top Jobs Most Likely To Cause Back Pain

An article from the October 7, 2006 BBC News in the United Kingdom reports on a survey study listing the 5 top jobs most likely to cause back issues among workers in the United Kingdom. The list, compiled and published by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) has some surprising findings.

The study conducted by the BCA surveyed 2,374 people, found that 59% of the working population, in the top category at risk for back problems, sit down all day. Many of these people do not leave their desks even for a lunch break. This sedentary lifestyle coupled with positioning and long hours puts office workers at a higher risk than the excessive lifting and carrying done by those employed in manual jobs. The top five list as released by the British Chiropractic Association is as follows:

1. Office Worker - Long periods of time sitting in awkward positions, often slouched over computer keyboards, or maybe sitting at chairs not properly adjusted for their needs.
2. Nurse - Long shifts, often on their feet all day as well as lifting and carrying.
3. Driver - Hours a day spent at the wheel, sitting in a poor position, along with limited movement.
4. Laborer - Repeated strain from lifting heavy weights and often twisting in awkward positions.
5. Teacher & Nursery Staff - Continuously bending down to a child's height and lifting children can cause back problems

Dr. Tim Hutchful speaking for the BCA comments: “This survey has highlighted what we chiropractors have known for some time. Lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyle is taking its toll. It is assumed that those most at risk from back pain are the ones who have very physical jobs however, as this research has unveiled, whilst lifting and carrying are still common triggers for back pain, it is those with less physically demanding jobs and who are often seated for the majority of the day that could be most prone to back problems.”

According to the BCA, one third of UK citizens will suffer from some sort of back problem. Dr. Hutchful added: "For many who work in an office environment, it is the day-to-day, mundane routines that are at the root of most back problems. Hunching over computer keyboards and cradling the phone between the ear and shoulder can all contribute to lower back and neck stiffness, not to mention the fact that many office workers sit for hours at a time with very little movement."

New Review Endorses Benefits of Fish Oil

Hello everyone!

Check out this interesting article about the benefits of fish oil!

Lisa Nainggolan
August 10, 2009—

A new review concludes that there is extensive evidence from three decades of research that fish oils, or more specifically the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) contained in them, are beneficial for everyone [1].This includes healthy people as well as those with heart disease — including postmyocardial infarction (MI) patients and those with heart failure, atherosclerosis, or atrial fibrillation — say Dr Carl J Lavie (Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA) and colleagues in their paper published online August 3, 2009, in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology."We reviewed everything that was published on omega-3 that was clinically important, and the major finding is that there are a tremendous amount of data to support the benefits of omega-3, not just as a nutritional supplement — people have known that for years — but evidence that it prevents and treats many aspects of cardiovascular disease," Lavie told heartwire .He and his colleagues reiterate the advice of the American Heart Association (AHA): that those with known coronary heart disease (CHD) or HF eat four or five oily-fish meals per week or take the equivalent in omega-3 supplements; healthy people should consume around two fatty-fish meals per week or the same in supplements.Dr. Lavie has been a consultant and speaker for Reliant, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Sanofi-Aventis and is a speaker receiving honoraria from and on the speaker's bureau of GlaxoSmithKline, Abbott, and Solvay.

Disclosures for the coauthors are listed in the article.