Saturday, September 4, 2010
Eat Berries for Brain Health
Berries beneficial for brains
If humans are anything like rats, scientists at Tufts University in Boston may be on the road to discovering the fountain of youth for the human brain.
Eating Berries Helps With Brain's Natural Housekeeping
Eating berries may activate the brain's natural housekeeper for healthy aging
Scientists today reported the first evidence that eating blueberries, strawberries, and acai berries may help the aging brain stay healthy in a crucial but previously unrecognized way. Their study, presented at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), concluded that berries, and possibly walnuts, activate the brain's natural "housekeeper" mechanism, which cleans up and recycles toxic proteins linked to age-related memory loss and other mental decline.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Genome-Wide Study Identifies Factors That May Affect Vit D Levels
Genome-wide study identifies factors that may affect vitamin D levels
An international research consortium has identified four common gene variants that are associated with blood levels of vitamin D and with an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. The report from the SUNLIGHT consortium - involving investigators from six countries - will appear in The Lancet and is receiving early online release.
Vitamin D Found to Influence Over 200 Genes
Vitamin D found to influence over 200 genes, highlighting links to disease
The extent to which vitamin D deficiency may increase susceptibility to a wide range of diseases is dramatically highlighted in research published today. Scientists have mapped the points at which vitamin D interacts with our DNA - and identified over two hundred genes that it directly influences. The results are published today in the journal Genome Research.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Mouse Virus Link to Chronic Fatigue
Mouse virus link to chronic fatigue is studied
A U.S. government study has uncovered a family of mouse viruses in some people with chronic fatigue syndrome, raising still more questions about whether an infection may play a role in the complicated illness.
Tai Chi beats stretching in fibromyalgia study
By Gene Emery
BOSTON
Wed Aug 18, 2010 5:33pm EDT
BOSTON (Reuters) - The slow, flowing movements of tai chi are better for relieving pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia than conventional stretching exercises, doctors reported on Wednesday.
The improvements continued throughout the three months of lessons for 33 volunteers receiving the movement and breathing exercises, study leader Dr. Chenchen Wang of the Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston said in a telephone interview.
"Week by week they changed. The pain and depression improved, and a lot of people were depressed," said Wang, whose study is published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
"They feel better. People said it changed their life. Only two or three feel it didn't help."
To read the rest of this article click here.
BOSTON
Wed Aug 18, 2010 5:33pm EDT
BOSTON (Reuters) - The slow, flowing movements of tai chi are better for relieving pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia than conventional stretching exercises, doctors reported on Wednesday.
The improvements continued throughout the three months of lessons for 33 volunteers receiving the movement and breathing exercises, study leader Dr. Chenchen Wang of the Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston said in a telephone interview.
"Week by week they changed. The pain and depression improved, and a lot of people were depressed," said Wang, whose study is published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
"They feel better. People said it changed their life. Only two or three feel it didn't help."
To read the rest of this article click here.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
More Drugs Going Generic Over Next Five Years
Americans spend $275 billion a year on prescription medications and most of that is on expensive, brand name drugs.
But in the next five years, 63 of the most popular drugs will be available in a generic version, as patents on some of the most popular medications are set to expire and bring big savings to consumers.
"There's a tidal wave of generic drugs … and we are just in the beginning of that tidal wave," said Laizer Kornwasser of Medco Health Solutions.
Generic alternatives are on average 50 percent cheaper than brand name drugs, and in some cases can be 70 percent cheaper than the brand name version.
Take, for exampl,e the sleeping aid Ambien, which costs $125 for a 30-day supply -- insurance companies typically pay $85, leaving the patient left with a $40 co-pay.
The new generic version goes for $45, insurance companies pay $30 and the patient co-pay is reduced to $15 with a big savings for the patient without a compromise on quality.
The following is a list of some of the most popular drugs which will be available in a generic form by 2012.
Allergies/Asthma
Singulair (2012)
Bipolar Disorder
Depakote (2008)
Lamictal (2009)
Zyprexa (2011)
Seroquel (2012)
Depression
Effexor XR (2011)
Lexapro (2012)
Diabetes (Type 2)
Actos (2011)
Avandia (2012)
Enlarged Prostate
Flomax (2010)
For the rest of the list click here
But in the next five years, 63 of the most popular drugs will be available in a generic version, as patents on some of the most popular medications are set to expire and bring big savings to consumers.
"There's a tidal wave of generic drugs … and we are just in the beginning of that tidal wave," said Laizer Kornwasser of Medco Health Solutions.
Generic alternatives are on average 50 percent cheaper than brand name drugs, and in some cases can be 70 percent cheaper than the brand name version.
Take, for exampl,e the sleeping aid Ambien, which costs $125 for a 30-day supply -- insurance companies typically pay $85, leaving the patient left with a $40 co-pay.
The new generic version goes for $45, insurance companies pay $30 and the patient co-pay is reduced to $15 with a big savings for the patient without a compromise on quality.
The following is a list of some of the most popular drugs which will be available in a generic form by 2012.
Allergies/Asthma
Singulair (2012)
Bipolar Disorder
Depakote (2008)
Lamictal (2009)
Zyprexa (2011)
Seroquel (2012)
Depression
Effexor XR (2011)
Lexapro (2012)
Diabetes (Type 2)
Actos (2011)
Avandia (2012)
Enlarged Prostate
Flomax (2010)
For the rest of the list click here
Vitamin D Really Does Prevent Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases
(NaturalNews) A new study out of Oxford University pinpoints vitamin D deficiency as a culprit in serious illnesses like cancer and autoimmune disorders. According to the report, which was recently published online in the journal Genome Research, genetic receptors throughout the body need adequate vitamin D levels to prevent these and other serious illnesses from developing. http://www.naturalnews.com/029605_vitamin_d_prevention.html
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
The Power of Birdsong to Calm Children In Hospital
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Index Birdsong: the cure for all ills?Recordings of the dawn chorus are being used to calm children in hospital
(40)Tweet this (92)
Stephen Moss guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 24 August 2010 20.00 BST Article history
The greenfinch is noted for its twittering and wheezing song. Photograph: Alamy
Keats and Shelley certainly knew the power of birdsong, as in their respective odes to a nightingale and skylark. Now medical science has woken up to the therapeutic powers of the dawn chorus. An art project at Liverpool's Alder Hey hospital, using recordings made by children, is being used to calm young patients as they receive injections and other treatments.
The project is the brainchild of Chris Watson. Calling Chris a sound recordist is a bit like saying George Best could kick a ball about, or Michelangelo was handy with a paintbrush. This former stalwart of 80s prog-rock combo Cabaret Voltaire is famous for putting microphones where our ears cannot go: inside a glacier, under the waves, and inside a zebra carcass being eaten by vultures. Click here to read the rest of the story
Next
Index Birdsong: the cure for all ills?Recordings of the dawn chorus are being used to calm children in hospital
(40)Tweet this (92)
Stephen Moss guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 24 August 2010 20.00 BST Article history
The greenfinch is noted for its twittering and wheezing song. Photograph: Alamy
Keats and Shelley certainly knew the power of birdsong, as in their respective odes to a nightingale and skylark. Now medical science has woken up to the therapeutic powers of the dawn chorus. An art project at Liverpool's Alder Hey hospital, using recordings made by children, is being used to calm young patients as they receive injections and other treatments.
The project is the brainchild of Chris Watson. Calling Chris a sound recordist is a bit like saying George Best could kick a ball about, or Michelangelo was handy with a paintbrush. This former stalwart of 80s prog-rock combo Cabaret Voltaire is famous for putting microphones where our ears cannot go: inside a glacier, under the waves, and inside a zebra carcass being eaten by vultures. Click here to read the rest of the story
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