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Study on mice reveals psoriasis drug slows Alzheimer’s, dementia

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Posted by Health News Watch on November 26, 2012 at 11:53 am

dermatologist in greenwich ctIn what could be called an accidental discovery, researchers in Switzerland have found drugs commonly used to reduce inflammation related to psoriasis may also help to combat the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

To the surprise of dermatologist in Greenwich CT, laboratory trials on mice showed improvements in short-term memory and a reduction in proteins that destroy brain cells when given psoriasis drugs, according to a study published in the journal Nature Medicine.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease caused when the immune system attacks healthy skin cells, stimulating the production of new skin. The immune system, which controls levels of inflammation, has been implicated in both Alzheimer’s disease and psoriasis.

However, the exact cause of the gradual destruction of the tissues of the brain during Alzheimer’s disease is still unknown. Researchers at the University of Zurich, in Switzerland, and the Charite university hospital, Germany, targeted two components of the immune system known to boost inflammation in mice genetically programmed to develop Alzheimer’s.

Similar tests on older mice, which had already developed symptoms, showed “the significant deficit in short-term memory” was reduced “substantially”, the report said.

Drugs which target the same system have already been tested on people with psoriasis.

“Based on the safety data in patients, clinical studies could now be implemented without delay. Now, the goal is to bring the new therapeutic approach to Alzheimer patients quickly,” researchers said.

“There is increasing evidence that inflammation is a key player in Alzheimer’s and it is an exciting area for researchers working to defeat this devastating disease,” added Dr Simon Ridley, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK.

This promising research adds further support for the role of the immune system in Alzheimer’s, linking two inflammatory proteins to the disease in mice.

“Early studies like these are crucial to help highlight new targets for drug development, but we need to be careful not to assume that what is true for mice is true for men. Before any new Alzheimer’s drug can reach patients, first it must be rigorously tested in clinical trials, ” Ridley said.

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Eating watermelon and grape seeds can boost heart health, delay aging and trim fat

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Posted by Health News Watch on October 9, 2012 at 2:40 pm

cardiologists floridaTwo new studies have reinforced the notion that doctors in western nations need to adapt a view of food as medicine and of prescriptions as food. Researchers have found strong health properties in grape seeds and watermelon that boost heart health, delay aging and trim fat.

Scientists at Purdue University found a compound called citrulline, found naturally in watermelon, plays a key role in heart health. It was also reported that grape seeds have shown wide range of health benefits, most markedly for their role as a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger and for reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol, findings that have been highly regarded by Florida cardiologists.

“As an antioxidant, proanthocyanidins [found in grape seeds] have been shown to be 20 times more potent than vitamin C, and 50 times more potent than vitamin E,” said Phil Lempert, a food industry analyst, trend watcher and creator of supermarketguru.com, in a statement.”

Proanthocyanidins are also beneficial to the vascular system because they strengthen the walls of the blood vessels. Watermelon, on the other hand, has also been shown to lower blood pressure.

“Because of their anti-inflammatory action, proanthocyanidins might be used in treating asthma and emphysema, arthritis, joint damage and swelling, and may even reduce the severity of allergies.”

Researchers at the University of Kentucky also found that incorporating watermelon in a diet can help lower the risk of atherosclerosis.

Eating watermelon may significantly help boost heart health and reduce weight, according to a new study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. The findings suggest the compound citrulline, found naturally in watermelon, plays a key role in heart health.

For the study, the researchers fed two groups of mice diets high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Half the mice received water containing 2 percent watermelon juice, while the others received the same amount of water supplemented with a solution that matched the carbohydrate content of the watermelon juice.

The mice that consumed watermelon juice gained about 30 percent less weight than the control group and had about 50 percent less low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The experimental group also had about a 50 percent reduction in plaque in their arteries, as well as elevated levels of citrulline.

The researchers plan to continue to look at how concentrations of citrulline and lycopene, another compound found in watermelon, affect health. They also will test other varieties to determine whether particular watermelons have more health benefits.

For the best results, experts recommend eating watermelon and seeded grapes or consuming grape seed oil.

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Study Finds Red Wine Improves Mobility, Reduces Falls for Elderly

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Posted by Health News Watch on August 20, 2012 at 12:34 pm

herniated disc bergen countyThe Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates nearly $28 billion is spent every year on treating injuries related to falls in older adults in the U.S. To find a cure for elderly falls, researchers have been studying a compound found in red wine that can help improve mobility among seniors and prevent them from losing control and possibly getting a herniated disc New Jersey.

The study found a natural compound similar to resveratrol can be found in red wine and it can help decrease motor deficiencies that are seen in our aging population. To prove the theory, researchers fed young and old mice a diet rich in resveratrol for eight weeks. The mobility of the mice was tested by making them walk on a steel mesh balance beam and researchers noted the number of times the mice fell.

The results showed older mice had more problems while navigating the course in the beginning of the study, but they were able to navigate better and with the speed of the young mice by the fourth week of the study.

Researchers also tested resveratrol’s effects on the brain. They exposed the brain cells of mice to life-threatening levels of dopamine, and found brain cells treated with resveratrol could withstand higher levels of dopamine than regular brain cells. Resveratrol, they found, absorbs the free radicals generated when dopamine breaks down, thus preventing cell damage.

The reuslts seem to promise fewer cases of herniated disc Bergen County amoung old people. However, there is a catch that the body doesn’t readily absorb resveratrol. To get the required amount of resveratrol that could help mobility, a person has to drink 700 four-ounce glasses of red wine per day. This is why researchers are now focusing their attention on man-made compounds containing resveratrol that can be absorbed by the body.

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Cynosure Receives Clearance for At-Home Wrinkle Treatment Device

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Posted by Health News Watch on August 13, 2012 at 11:44 am

dermatologist greenwich ctCynosure Inc. said it received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market a its over the counter device that treats facial wrinkles. Cynosure develops and markets aesthetic treatment systems used by physicians and dermatologist Greenwich CT to perform procedures including hair removal, laser fat removal and reduction in cellulite appearance.

The device was developed in partnership with Unilever and is expected to be commercially available in 2013. Consumers will be able to treat both periorbital and perioral wrinkles with the new device.

“FDA clearance of this device marks a significant milestone in our alliance with Unilever to develop light-based devices for the consumer market,” said Michael Davin, Cynosure’s President and Chief Executive Officer.  “Our strategic partnership with Unilever blends our expertise in developing market leading light-based technology that emphasizes patient safety and clinical results, with Unilever’s unparalleled innovation, branded marketing and distribution.”

According to the research firm Medical Insight, worldwide sales of home-use aesthetic devices are expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 12.3 percent from $740.4 million in 2011 to more than $1.3 billion in 2016.  In North America, Medical Insight estimates the home-use category is expected to grow by a compound annual rate of 12.1 percent from $451.6 million in 2011 to approximately $800 million by 2016.

Cynosure signed a multi-year funded cooperative development agreement with Unilever in June 2009 to develop and commercialize light-based devices targeting the home use personal care market.

Cynosure’s other products include a broad range of laser and other light-based energy sources, including Alexandrite, pulse dye, Q-switched, Nd:YAG and diode lasers, as well as intense pulsed light. The company’s technologies help medical practitioners and dermatologist Fairfield CT perform non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures to remove hair, treat vascular and pigmented lesions, rejuvenate the skin, liquefy and remove unwanted fat through laser lipolysis, reduce the appearance of cellulite and treat Onychomycosis.

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Long-Term City Dwellers Affected by Air Pollution

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Posted by Heather Aarons on April 19, 2012 at 4:07 pm

Being exposed to fine-particular air pollution for a long period of time puts older adults at an increased risk of being hospitalized for lung and heart disease, stroke, and diabetes according to a new study conducted by researchers at Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH).

Cardiologists in Detroit and other big cities where pollution is a problem may have to take this into account when treating patients for heart disease and who are at risk of having a stroke.

This HSPH study was the first that examined the long-term health effects of exposure to fine particles present in air pollution. Past studies have revealed a link between short-term exposure to pollution and hospitalization.

Lead author Itai Kloog and senior author Joel Schwartz, professor of environmental epidemiology at HSPH and director of the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, used satellite, emissions, traffic, and weather data to determine levels of fine air particles throughout New England in order to create prediction models. Rural and suburban areas were also included. The data models were compared against hospital admissions records on Medicare patients that were 65 years old and over from 2000- 2006. They found that for every 10-micogram/m3 increase in long-term PM2.5 exposure there was a 4.22 percent increase in respiratory admissions.

According to Schwartz, particulate air pollution is something that can be avoided in order to promote health and well-being in the United States. While cardiologists in Michigan can do little about preventing air pollution to fight heart disease and stroke, cities as a whole can stand up against air pollution to protect the health of their residents.

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Plan Your Dream Vacation and Make a Difference While Away

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Posted by Heather Aarons on April 18, 2012 at 12:23 pm

My grandmother is 77 years old and trotting the globe either volunteering or seeing a new place that she has always wanted to visit. About five years ago she gave me a book called Volunteer Vacations that lists non-profit organization working towards a good cause either in developing countries or with projects that promote cultural exchange. A few years ago she taught English in Spain and on a recent trip to Argentina she visited numerous English classes and also an indigenous reserve on the border of Paraguay. While most volunteers are not from a primary care doctor Houston practice trained to save lives, for example, traveling to other countries and even making an appearance in a good fashion goes a long way. People from the United States are going all over the world, so it’s important that while we travel, we find ways to contribute.

That being said, there are so many places to visit and explore and activities to get involved in. Costa Rica, for example, is a very tourist-friendly country that is breathtakingly beautiful, and is not to be missed.  Highly bio-diverse, it is home to a number of endangered species, including several species of sea turtles that come to lay their eggs on the beaches. If you decide to venture to visit the amazing sites when the beaches are packed with egg-laying turtles you may hear and witness that their main threats are poachers, who are so abundant because the turtle eggs could easily be sold at town restaurants. Organizations, such as Friends of the Osa, have volunteer groups that patrol the beaches and keep poachers from pillaging the nests of the most endangered species.

To learn more about family practice Houston care visit IMC’s weight loss clinic Houston website.

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Are Mortgage Payments Still a Priority?

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Posted by Amanda Rahi on April 2, 2012 at 10:33 am

While are mailboxes are inboxes are filled each day with account statements, bill reminders, and the actual bills to pay, we often give more attention to certain payment obligations than others. According to a recent TransUnion study, consumers are more likely to pay their auto loans before paying their credit cards and mortgages. Credit card, mortgage, and medical collections training companies all pay close attention to these trends to figure out how to maximize their business operations.

It is common to worry about our payments and even have them run our lives. However, which financial obligations that are most pressing can changes over the years, according to this new TransUnion study. The results show that this trend has continued for four consecutive years. Specifically what they found was that almost 40% of consumers were delinquent on a mortgage but continued to pay auto loans and credit cards.

While a house payment may seem more pertinent than car and credits card, there may be good reasons behind this trend. Firstly, unemployment in the United States has been stagnant or worsening and real estate values continue to decline. Such trends could have people worry less about mortgages since their property continues to depreciate.  If the housing marketing begins to pick up again, TransUnion and accounts receivable training experts believe that payment trends will as a result begin to prioritize mortgage payments.

This Transunion study examined a sample of approximately 4 million consumers in each quarter of 2011 that held one open auto loan, one open bankcard, and one open mortgage. There was a significant preference to remain in good standings with auto loans, ahead of credit cards, and mortgages. There was also a preference to remain current on credit cards over mortgages. Medical bill collections, were not taken into account in this study, but the results implied that consumers are thinking more short them than long-term in their payment preferences.

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What is PHR and What Are its Benefits?

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Posted by Amanda Rahi on December 30, 2011 at 12:16 pm

It is now possible to store your health information electronically in one place in what is called a personal health record. Online portals make it easy for you to access your health information anywhere you have access to the internet.

Having a personal health record makes it easier for patients and doctors to find information about recent health conditions and past history.  They are offered by providers, health plans, and private companies. Some services are frees while others have fees. Your information is shared with doctors only if you give permission to do so.

It is even allowing family members to get more involved in the health of loved ones.  By submitting a written authorization to doctors and healthcare facilities, family members or caregivers can access a PHR of a loved one to better manage important health issues.

Many patients still asking what is PHR, do not know what they are missing out on. Especially elderly patients who need others to take care of their health. In these cases, it is especially useful for a loved one to manage their information online and store all the information in one place. It can save time by making sure that important tasks, like doctors’ visits, medications, and treatments are scheduled and don’t go overlooked.

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