Since the introduction of he back to sleep campaign (infants sleeping on their backs) there has been a more than a 50% decrease in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, accidental suffocation has not changed.
In an analysis of infant deaths, researchers found that there was a significantly higher risk in infants sleeping on sofas. Some of the causes probably include the baby rolling into the corner, and the softness of the pillows.
One of the theories of SIDS is that when a baby is on their stomach, especially on a softer surface, their nose and face forms a small indentation. When we breath we breath out carbon dioxide; this gas is heavier than air. With a baby, who moves much less and has a less powerful breath, the carbon dioxide gas may remain around their face. Their reflexes and motion can then lead to suffocation.
So don't let your babies sleep on the couch! Leave that for Grandpa!
There have been some questions about the use of cows milk in adults. Many state that cows milk is for calves, not humans, but the protein, vitamins and calcium in milk do have a high nutritive value.However there are some compounds in milk that could produce adverse effects. D-galactose, found in milk, has been shown to induce oxidative stress damage and chronic inflammation in animals, and such changes have been associated with cardiovascular disease, cancer, bone loss, and sarcopenia in humans.
Researchers in Sweden followed almost 100,000 patients for almost 20 years. They found that in the higher consumption groups (3 glasses per day) had almost double the risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as an increased risk of fractures as compared to those that drank less than one glass a day.
As usual, moderation is the key!
Eczema in children is treated by use of moisturizing creams to help restore the normal skin barrier. But can the use of these creams actually prevent the development of this rash?In a study in Great Britain parents were randomized to using one of three creams (sunflower oil, Cetaphil cream, or Aquaphor Healing Ointment, their choice) daily even the absence of a rash in infants. They started at 6 weeks and were evaluated after 6 months. The group was higher risk; having a first degree relative with atopic dermatitis.
The study discovered a 50% reduction in eczema. This is significant.
My daughter uses coconut oil on her baby; this child has had beautiful skin and no diaper rash! I would recommend it to everyone.
I recently reported that many dietary supplements included dangerous and unapproved compounds, in varying and sometimes dangerous concentrations. These included anabolic steroids, Prozac and Viagra. Some have been associated with fatal liver disease.
In response to the earlier report the FDA recalled many of the supplements.
In this follow up study, researchers found that 27 products recalled between 2009 and 2012 still contained the substances that were banned by the FDA. And 20% of these products contained an additional banned product.
The FDA needs more teeth to enforce their rules. And all of us have to continue to be more careful about using supplements. As you know I am against virtually all of these.
As many of you have probably heard, the study that purportedly showed the use of green coffee beans causing weight loss was false. The "researcher" changed weight numbers and results intentionally in order to show its efficacy.
Then the manufacturers paid Dr Oz for his endorsement, and undoubtedly made millions of dollars. We need to be more careful with these "fringe" treatments before accepting them.
Incidentally, in most coffee plantations the beans are picked both green and red. The red ones go to premium coffee, and the green to regular brands.
Diabetes is caused by either inadequate production or no production of insulin. This is related to either a decrease (Type 2), or total destruction (type 1) of Beta cells. These cells in the pancreas respond to high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood by releasing appropriate amounts of insulin.
Now a team from the Harvard Stem Cell Institute have developed a technique to convert stem cells (which are now relatively easy to find) into working Beta cells. If these can be re-introduced into diabetic it may be a way to cure them.
The caveat, of course, especially in Type 1 diabetics is the initial cause of the loss of the beta cells. If it was an autoimmune process it is possible these new cells will also be destroyed. However we may be able to suppress this reaction.
We hope for a time that this treatment will really cure diabetes. Of course I wonder what the multi-billion dollar diabetic drug industry would do if this became close to being a reality!
Some good news has finally appeared in this terrifying epidemic. It seems that no one else has developed the disease from Mr Duncan in Texas; and Nigeria announced that they have had no cases in the past 21 days; meaning it is likely gone form that country. As well, some evidence has arisen that intensive re-hydration may decrease the mortality by a significant factor.
In terms of treatment, the experimental antibodies ZMapp seems to be very effective in monkeys. Unfortunately these are grown in modified tobacco plants and take several months to produce. They work by decreasing the total virus count and allowing the body to fight the infection.
People who have been cured develop antibodies which can last 10 years (hence the transfusions of their serum into sick patients). The NIH was close to finding an effective vaccine in 2001 when funding to this (and many other medical projects) was drastically cut in order for us to pay lower taxes. I'm sure Mr Duncan would have been happy to pay a few extra dollars.
In any case, researchers are now close to being able to create an effective vaccine. Accelerated animal testing has been successful and we should hopefully have a working vaccine within a year.
