What’s in your green tea?
A report published by ConsumerLab.com finds that the purity and amount of antioxidants amounts of green tea varies from different consumer products. Green tea brewed from loose tea leaves is the best choice,since bottled teas may contain mostly sugar water. Some loose leaves may contain lead although the lead is not found in the liquid portion of the tea after brewing. How selective are you in the green tea you consume and recommend to your patients?
For the full article, please click here.
Environmental Working Group (EWG) Publishes 2013 Guide to Sunscreens
Protection of the skin through use of a beach umbrella (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Just in time for summer, the EWG lists ingredients to avoid and best products available. Take a look at the link to help your patients select the best product for their needs. http://www.ewg.org/2013sunscreen/ How familiar are you with hazardous ingredients commonly found in your typical sunscreens?
To learn more about Environmental Working Group, please click here.
Congratulations to MCPHS Doctor of Pharmacy Graduates Class 2013!
We send our best wishes to the Doctor of Pharmacy Graduates Class 2013, and hope that you and your families enjoy the Hooding and Awards and Commencement ceremonies. Congratulations on your achievement!!!
NIH study provides clarity on supplements for protection against blinding eye disease
Vitamins (Photo credit: DBduo Photography)
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) 2 was just published. The initial AREDS research looked at the daily doses of vitamins E and C, along with beta-carotene, zinc and cooper to diminish progression to advanced Acute Macular Degeneration. Safety of some ingredients of the combination was later questioned based on other research. AREDS2 evaluated if addition of fish oil, lutein, zeaxanthin, as well as removal of beta-carotene, zinc and copper will improve the combination. More than 4000 patients ages 50-85 participated. Combination of AREDS supplements appeared to be protective against advanced AMD. Omega-3 fatty acids and beta-carotene did not reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD, but substitution of lutein and zeaxanthin for beta-carotene was a positive move. None of the groups with new formulations had reduced risk of progression to cataract surgery, but those taking lutein and zeaxanthin had some protection. What are your thoughts about the results of this research? What other recommendations do you make to your patients?
To learn more about this research, please see National Institutes of Health.
Coffee prevents early events in tamoxifen-treated breast cancer patients and modulates hormone receptor status
Coffee cup (Photo credit: @Doug88888)
A Swedish study published in the journal Cancer Causes and Control suggested that the risk of breast cancer recurring in 600 patients taking tamoxifen was reduced with coffee consumption. Researchers evaluated hormone receptor status and also found modifications related to coffee consumption. What are your thoughts about this study – would the results encourage you to recommend coffee consumption to your breast cancer patients?
For additional information please refer to Cancer Causes and Control.
More Evidence That Adding Nuts is a Healthy Choice
Mixed nuts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Researchers are exploring the benefits of consuming a small portion of nuts per day with a low-calorie diet. There have been some speculation as to whether or not nut intake would increase the risk of obesity. However, studies have shown that incorporating nuts in diets may help improve high blood pressure, diabetes and lower the risk of death. Researchers and physicians recommend only a handful of nuts a day is needed to provide optimal health benefits. What other high fat foods do you routinely recommend to your patients?
For additional information, please check Reuters. Image courtesy Wikipedia.
Black Tea Lowers the Rate of Blood Pressure Variation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports an association between black tea consumption and high blood pressure reduction during the night. In this trial, 111 participants were studied and assigned to either consume 3 cups of black tea per day or flavonoid-free caffeine-matched beverage. Blood pressure readings along with other vital signs were monitored throughout the day. Results of the study conclude that compared to control group, the subjects that consumed black tea had significant reduction in their blood pressure. What beverages to you typically recommend to reduce blood pressure? What other lifestyle changes can patients consider to improve their cardiovascular health?
For additional information, please go to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Images courtesy of, Maren Caruso/GettyImages
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Imported Cucumbers
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention made an announcement yesterday of a recent Salmonella outbreak possibly caused by infected cucumbers supplied by Daniel Cardenas Izabal and Miracle Greenhouse of Culiacán, Mexico and distributed by Tricar Sales, Inc. of Rio Rico, Arizona. 73 cases have been reported across 18 states and of these identified cases, 27% have lead to hospitalization with no reported deaths. The CDC is working with the Food and Drug Administration as well as local state officials to identify additional cases and bring awareness to communities. The CDC strongly encourages consumers to take precaution to minimize the risk associated with infected produce. Further information regarding food safety and Salmonella information can be found on the CDC’s main website. What precautions do you advise to patients when they purchase produce? How do you keep patients informed on new infectious disease outbreaks?
For additional information, please go to CNN
Image courtesy of Eveline Kooijman/GettyImages
Food Poisoning: What You Need to Know
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 48 million people are effected by food poisoning each year. The CDC’s 2012 report card on food poisoning states that majority of these cases were caused by Campylobacter, which is commonly found in chickens and raw, unpasteurized milk. On Monday the Environmental Working Group published its latest version of the “dirty dozen” fruits and vegetables highly prone to pesticides. The US Department of Agriculture, CDC, and other organizations have increased efforts to teach the public about food safety and stress awareness on proper food preparation and storage. How often do you educate patients about food safety and sustainability? What other resources are available to the public for food poisoning reports and information?
For additional information, please go to CNN
Image courtesy of Hugo Chang/Getty Images
Mushrooms Can Provide as Much Vitamin D as Supplements
A new study published inDermato-Endocrinology suggests that consuming mushrooms can be as effective as consuming vitamin D supplements. Researchers from Boston University Schoolof Medicine studied 30 healthy patients who were randomly assigned to take capsules of mushroom powder or vitaminD. At 12 weeks, therewas no statistical significant difference between serum concentrationsin two groups.How often do you eat mushrooms? What are your favorites? Are you familiar with their health benefits?
For additional information, please go to ScienceDaily
Image courtesy of Paul Taylor/Getty Images
