Archive for July, 2009

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Medtronic recalls diabetes devices

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal – by Chris Newmarker Staff Writer

Medtronic Inc. on Friday said it has initiated a recall of infusion sets – thin tubes that deliver insulin from insulin pumps to diabetes patients – because the tubes may not deliver insulin properly.

Fridley-based Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) said the Quick-set infusion sets may not allow insulin pumps to properly vent air pressure, and that could result in diabetics getting too much or too little insulin, a situation that could cause serious injury or death.

About 60,000 of the estimated 3 million infusion sets presently with customers are affected.

The affected infusion sets, sold mostly in the U.S., have reference numbers MMT-396, MMT-397, MMT-398 and MMT-399 with lot numbers starting with the number “8.” Customers with those sets are being told to stop using “Lot 8″ sets. (more…)

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$5.4M Paid to Settle Drug Cover-up Claims

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Merck and Schering-Plough Accused of Covering up Test Results that Cast Doubt on Cholesterol Drugs

(AP) Drugmakers Merck & Co. and Schering-Plough Corp. said Wednesday they will pay $5.4 million to settle civil claims that the companies covered up test results that cast doubt on the effectiveness of two blockbuster cholesterol drugs.

The companies settled with attorneys general from 35 states and the District of Columbia. The investigation centered on claims the companies kept the results from unfavorable studies quiet, violating consumer protection laws. Merck, Whitehouse Station, N.J., and Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, N.J., will pay back the costs of the investigation, but don’t have to make other payments or admit wrongdoing or liability.

In January 2008, the companies released studies showing Vytorin and Zetia, sold by the Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals joint venture, were not more effective than an older drug at reducing plaque buildup in the blood vessels of the neck. The testing was finished in 2006 and the companies faced criticism for not releasing the results sooner.

The testing compared Zetia and Vytorin to Zocor, a drug that is one of Vytorin’s ingredients. Zocor is now available as a low-cost generic drug. Later studies raised additional concerns about safety and effectiveness.

Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway said the companies agreed to get advance FDA approval for all TV advertisements aimed at consumers and comply with FDA suggestions to modify that advertising. Additionally, the companies will register clinical trials and report results and agreed to comply with rules barring the deceptive use of those trials, avoid ghost writing of articles by physicians, and reduce conflicts of interest on boards monitoring clinical trials. (more…)

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Study Links a Protein with a Diabetes Risk

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

Connection Seen between Adiponectin and Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes
(WebMD) Higher levels of a protein made by fat cells is linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.A new review of research shows people with higher levels of the protein adiponectin consistently have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Adiponectin is a protein produced by fat cells that has anti-inflammatory properties. It also makes the body more sensitive to insulin. Reduced insulin sensitivity is a key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. (more…)

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Safer Bug Spray: Natural Bug Repellents

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

A Look at Safe Options To Keep Mosquitoes at Bay This Summer(WebMD) With summer come the mosquito bites. And with the bug bites come the bug-borne diseases. But while the threat of West Nile virus or Lyme disease might make you uneasy, so might slathering your kids with a chemical bug repellent every day.

So how do you weigh the risks of the insects with the risks of the chemicals engineered to keep them away? Is there a natural bug repellent that works?

This is a hard issue, says Sonya Lunder, MPH, a senior analyst at the Environmental Working Group in Washington D.C. It’s one that I’ve gone through many times before, both as an expert in toxics and as a parent.

The good news is that there are some all-natural bug killers that can keep insects off you, your kids, your pets, and your garden.

Natural Bug Repellents: What Are the Options?

The bug sprays on the marke – including ones with DEET – have been deemed safe by the Environmental Protection Agency, at least when used as directed. Still, many parents want to limit their kids’ exposure to potentially toxic chemicals. So what are some natural bug repellent alternatives?
Soy-based products. A 2002 study of mosquito repellents found that the soy-based Bite Blocker for Kids was the most effective natural alternative to DEET. This natural bug repellent offered more than 90 minutes of protection, better than some low-concentration DEET products.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD). This natural oil, which comes from the lemon eucalyptus tree, is recommended by the CDC as an alternative to DEET. It seems to work really well, but hasn’t got a lot of attention, says Lunder. Several studies have found this natural bug repellent as effective as DEET in repelling mosquitoes. It may also work well against ticks. Oil of lemon eucalyptus may be poisonous if ingested in high quantities. According to the CDC it should not be used on kids under 3.
Other products. Researchers have tested many other so-called natural bug repellents like citronella, peppermint oil, and other plant-based oils. Unfortunately, studies have not found them particularly effective.

For instance, while catnip seemed promising, a 2005 study showed it significantly less effective than DEET in preventing mosquito bites. The 2002 study showed that various formulations of citronella could keep mosquitoes at bay, but only for up to an hour. Avon’s Skin-So-Soft Bath Oil – long rumored to be an effective bug repellent – only kept mosquitoes away for 30 minutes or less.

Should I Use DEET?

Given that natural bug repellents like oil of lemon eucalyptus work, should you swear off products with DEET? Lunder says it depends on your situation.

If you’re just dealing with mosquitoes that are a nuisance, natural repellants may be fine, although you may have to apply them more often, says Lunder. But if you’re in an area where mosquitoes are known to be carrying disease, you may want to go with something really strong like DEET. (more…)

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PTSD doubles dementia risk in older veterans

Monday, July 27th, 2009

Findings link disorder caused by wartime trauma with cognitive declineupdated 2:29 p.m. ET, Mon., July 13, 2009
CHICAGO – Older veterans who have had post-traumatic stress disorder have nearly double the risk of dementia than other veterans, U.S. researchers said on Monday.

The findings, presented at an Alzheimer’s Association meeting in Vienna, are the first to link PTSD – a debilitating anxiety disorder that can be caused by wartime trauma – with dementia.

“The million-dollar question is why,” said Dr. Ronald Petersen of the Alzheimer’s Association and an Alzheimer’s researcher at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Some studies have found PTSD was linked with diminished brain volume in the hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in memory and stress response. (more…)

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Fawcett’s death spotlights a rare cancer

Sunday, July 26th, 2009

Experts: High-profile case may erase one of few remaining medical stigmasupdated 6:58 p.m. ET, Wed., July 1, 2009
ATLANTA – In a perverse twist of medical fate, Farrah Fawcett has become the poster girl for anal cancer, a rare disease often linked to a sexually transmitted virus.

Before her death last week, at age 62, the actress had come to terms with the illness and agreed to have her suffering and treatment chronicled for a television documentary.

“She knew that she had the kind of anal cancer that she wasn’t going to ultimately overcome, and decided to leave as much of a legacy of awareness as she possibly could,” her physician, Dr. Lawrence Piro, said Tuesday before her funeral.

It is an unexpected legacy for Fawcett, whose feathered hair and electric smile once dominated TV screens. A sexy photo of her in a red swimsuit, taken in the 1970’s, was the top-selling pinup of all time. Despite her fame and work as an entertainer, friends say she was protective of her privacy.

But she was stricken by anal cancer, a rarely discussed affliction with symptoms that are sometimes mistaken for hemorrhoids. After tabloids began reporting on her illness, her family acknowledged it and a friend produced “Farrah’s Story,” a documentary aired in May that showed Fawcett’s treatment and suffering.

It was important new information for people unfamiliar with the disease or reluctant to even talk about it, some health officials said.

Celebrity diagnoses
Breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer were all once unmentionable diagnoses that gradually became commonly discussed, thanks in part to celebrity disclosures from people like First Lady Betty Ford, golfer Arnold Palmer and CBS news anchor Katie Couric, whose husband died of colon cancer.

But the anus is associated not only with defecation but also a taboo form of sex, observed Dr. Barron Lerner, a Columbia University physician who wrote “When Illness Goes Public: Celebrity Patients and How We Look at Medicine.”

Lerner, an internist, said he and his patients frequently have conversations about different cancers and their potential risk factors. But anal cancer? Anal sex? “I never talk about that with my patients. It’s something that might freak a lot of people out,” he said.

However, in the wake of Fawcett’s illness, it’s likely that some patients will ask about her case and those topics will be discussed, he said.

To be sure, anal cancer is rare. Only about 5,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States, and there are only about 700 deaths, according to American Cancer Society statistics. (more…)

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Diabetic-Friendly Dinners

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

Thursday, July 02, 2009
By Noah ForrestBeing a diabetic, whether type-1 or type-2, doesn’t always mean that you can’t have some of your favorite meals. All it means is that you must be mindful of what you’re putting into your body, as well as the amounts that you consume. If you really have a craving for something, there is usually a way to medicate yourself properly so that you can partake. However, as any diabetic knows, the goal is to live your life in such a way that you require as little insulin as possible.

With all diabetics it’s all about carbs, since diabetics don’t produce enough insulin to counteract carbohydrates (which are turned into sugar in the bloodstream). While eating no carbs is an option that some diabetics consider, it would mean forgoing a lot of delicious foods. The important thing is to know how many carbs are in each meal so that you can take the appropriate amount of insulin to counteract it.

What follows are some man-friendly dinners that any diabetic can enjoy. Some might require a little more insulin, but overall there are dinners that are lighter on the carbs, heavy on the flavor and definitely filling. Having diabetes shouldn’t feel like you are shackled when you go out for dinner or when you’re having a barbecue. With a few smart choices and a little bit of thinking, you can enjoy a delicious meal that won’t make you feel like you’re missing out.

(Note: Each dinner is listed with an alcoholic beverage, and every diabetic reacts differently to alcohol. Some diabetics get high blood sugar from the carbs in the beverages while others get extreme lows from the alcohol content, so be mindful of this. Dry white wines and red wines are usually diabetic-friendly, but try to stay away from mixed drinks or dessert wines.)
Diabetic-Friendly Dinner: Steak Frites

As much rib-eye steak as you can eat, grilled to your desired doneness

5 ounces of sweet potato fries (25 grams of carbohydrates)

1 cup of string beans (6 grams of carbohydrates)

Red wine

Total carbs: Approximately 31 grams

The great thing about this meal is that every guy loves a good steak and luckily, being a diabetic means you can eat as much steak (and any other protein) as you like without worrying about your body’s reaction. The sweet potato fries are a healthier alternative to regular French fries because the glycemic index is lower, meaning that the sweet potato fries will slowly dissolve in your bloodstream and your blood sugar won’t spike suddenly.AVOID: Don’t overindulge on the fries. Really try to limit yourself to a single portion, but be careful; they can be addictive.
Diabetic-Friendly Dinner: Roast Baby Chicken

1 whole roast baby chicken (roasted in olive oil, not butter)

1 cup of mashed potatoes (35 grams of carbohydrates)

1 cup of broccoli (10 grams of carbohydrates)

Dry white wine

Total carbs: Approximately 45 grams

Chicken and potatoes are a very basic and delicious meal that is extremely satisfying. The baby chicken is fun to eat because you can rip it apart like an animal, and it goes great with the mashed potatoes (or you can do a baked potato if it’s more convenient).

AVOID: Try not to use a sauce or a gravy that is too sweet or creamy – gravies can contain a lot of hidden carbs.
Diabetic-Friendly Dinner: Cheeseburger

2 beef or turkey patties (no bun!) wrapped in iceberg lettuce leaves with tomatoes, onions, ketchup, mayo, etc.

4 ounces of French fries (approximately 40 grams of carbohydrates)

1 cup of asparagus (approximately 4 grams of carbohydrates)

Light beer

Total carbs: Approximately 44 grams

NOTE: You can substitute a bun in lieu of the fries, which would be approximately 25 grams of carbohydrates.

Hey, In N’ Out has “protein style” burgers and you can easily do it yourself with iceberg lettuce leaves and save yourself the bun. Use two turkey patties if you want to be extra healthy and stuff them in those lettuce leaves with a ton of toppings and you won’t be missing that bun at all.

AVOID: Again, watch out for those fries. If you’re worried about your self-control, then treat yourself to the bun, but don’t even bring the fries into the mix. (more…)

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Low-cal diet slows aging in monkeys

Friday, July 24th, 2009

Next step is finding out how calorie restriction impacts human lifespanupdated 12:23 p.m. ET, Thurs., July 9, 2009
WASHINGTON – A 20-year study found cutting calories by almost a third slowed the aging of monkeys and fended off death.

This is not about a quick diet to shed a few pounds. Scientists have long known they could increase the lifespan of mice and more primitive creatures – worms, flies – with deep, long-term cuts in what should be normal consumption.

Now comes the first evidence that it delays the diseases of aging in primates, too – rhesus monkeys living at the Wisconsin National Primate Center. Researchers reported their study Friday in the journal Science.

What about those other primates, humans? Nobody knows yet if people in a world better known for overeating could stand the deprivation long enough to make a difference, much less how it would affect our more complex bodies. Still, small attempts to tell are under way.

“What we would really like is not so much that people should live longer but that people should live healthier,” said Dr. David Finkelstein of the National Institute on Aging. The Wisconsin monkeys seemed to do both.

“The fact that there’s less disease in these animals is striking,” Finkelstein said.

The tantalizing possibilities of caloric restriction date back to rodent studies in the 1930s. But it is a hot topic today among researchers trying to understand the different processes that make our bodies break down with age, so maybe some of them could be delayed or reversed.

Captive rhesus monkeys have an average lifespan of 27 years, so spotting an effect takes a lot longer than in short-lived mice. The newest study involves 76 monkeys – 30 tracked since 1989 and 46 since 1994. They were normal-sized adults eating a normal diet for a captive monkey, a special vitamin-enriched chow plus some fruit treats.

Then researchers at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, assigned half the monkeys to the reduced-calorie diet, cutting their daily calories by 30 percent but ensuring what they did eat was properly nourishing. (more…)

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A Message From Dr. Rashid A. Buttar

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

Dear Friends,

I thought I would take a few moments to update you with some interesting information and to tell you about a few things coming down the pipe line. You may find this information to be important for you in more than one way.

First, I really appreciate all the incredibly helpful feedback on the book covers you provided a few months ago. Because the feedback was so amazingly beneficial for us, we will be using this type of correspondence with you more and more in the future with the hope of serving your needs more efficiently.

I want to tell you about 3 important things in this email. And I also want you to keep a look out for some really great information we’ll be sending your way in the next few days. But first, the 3 important things in this email:

1.) I would like to know what your greatest concern is about YOUR health and wellness. I will take the best 11 questions and answer them during a teleseminar or webinar which we will hold exclusively for all of our subscriber base and patient base. You will be able to attend this session without any cost to you. It’s absolutely FREE to you. It will also be available for replay afterwards for those outside of our subscriber base but there will be some type of small charge for the replay. Send this information to info@drbuttar.com and put “My greatest concern about my hea lth and wellness” in the subject line.

2.) We have just finished a 9 video segment called The Seven Toxicities, each about 20 minutes long and providing life changing information that I believe the entire planet desperately needs. These videos will be made available to everyone without any cost whatsoever. They are TOTALLY FREE and the goal is to spread this message far and wide. It is to help us achieve our clinic goal of “…making the CHANGE the WORLD is waiting for…. I would like you to help me in accomplishing this task. All you have to do, once we are ready with the web site, is spread the word by referring the videos to your friends and family members. That’s it!

But first, I want to make sure that you agree this information is extremely valuable and important for almost everyone on this planet. To view the videos, go to www.FactsOnToxicity.com and you will be able to see the first 3 videos. We will have everything completed with the rest of the videos loaded within the next few weeks. But please let me know what you think so far. Send us this information to info@drbuttar.com and put “Facts on Toxicity Video Feedback”.

Also, please indicate if we have your permission to use your name and your comments on the feedback section of this new web site www.Fact sOnToxcity.com . Of course, if the feedback is negative, most likely we will not be using the feedback so you don’t need to give us permission :) . But in the event it’s positive feedback, please consider allowing us to use your feedback to encourage others to take the time to watch these FREE videos.

3). Another great victory has occurred for us against the NC Medical Board. To get the details for anyone who is interested, please visit www.DrButtarTruth.org .

Now, for the information that you’ll be sent in the next few days…….

I was recently asked “if you had to leave the planet earth in a space ship and you were only allowed to take 3 health and wellness products with you to maintain good health, which 3 would you take with you?” The story of why I was asked this and who asked me this is actually quite interesting.

Stay tuned…I will be sending you an email about this in the next few days. I think you’ll really enjoy this story and the results of what this interaction has created which will directly benefit you. Be well and stay healthy!

Hoping this finds you and yours in the best of health and spirits,

Dr. Rashid A. Buttar, FAAPM, FACAM, FAAIM
Medical Director
Center for Advanced Medicine and Clinical Research

9630 Julian Clark Ave
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-895-WELL(9355)

..ma king the CHANGE the WORLD is waiting for!

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Swine flu shots could begin this fall

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

Obama calls swine flu summit to promote ‘vigilance and preparation’updated 5:31 p.m. ET, Thurs., July 9, 2009
WASHINGTON – U.S. swine flu vaccinations could begin in October with children at schools among the first in line, the Obama administration said Thursday as the president and his Cabinet urged states to figure out now how they’ll tackle the virus’ all-but-certain resurgence.

“We may end up averting a crisis. That’s our hope,” said President Barack Obama, who took time away from the G-8 summit in Italy to telephone another summit back home – the 500 state and local health officials meeting to prepare for swine flu’s fall threat.

No final decision has been made on whether to vaccinate Americans, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius stressed. That depends largely on studies with experimental batches that are set to start the first week of August – to see if they’re safe and seem to work and to learn whether they require one or two doses.
But if all goes well, the federal government will buy vaccine from manufacturers and share it for free among the states, which must then “try and get this in the arms of the targeted population as soon as possible,” Sebelius said.

“We have already appropriated about a billion dollars to buy the bulk ingredients,” Sebelius said. She said another $7.5 billion was available from emergency preparedness funds.

First in line probably will be school-age children, young adults with risky conditions such as asthma, pregnant women and health workers, she said. Unlike regular winter flu, the swine flu seems more dangerous to these groups than to older people.

“Schools are natural places” to offer those vaccines, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said.

It will be confusing, Sebelius acknowledged. Doctors’ offices, clinics and even grocery stores will be in the midst of dispensing 100 million-plus doses of regular winter flu vaccine – and the swine flu vaccine, which will roll out slowly, will require at least one completely separate inoculation.

“We know a mass vaccination program of even modest scale will involve extraordinary effort on your part,” Sebelius told state health workers.

She also announced $350 million in grants to help states prepare, money to be used partly to brace hospitals for a surge of demand from the truly sick and the well-but-worried. (more…)

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