Tara Parker Pope Writes - Osteoporosis Drugs May be Weakening Our Bones

It sure feels like women are once again marching into the murky depths of health confusion hell.  First it was the breast cancer scare surrounding  hormone replacement drugs.  Now it's the osteoporosis drugs that are being questioned.    

This week Tara Parker Pope wrote an article in The New York TImes that I found very disturbing.  The big question now appears to be - are the osteoporosis drugs actually weakening our bones instead of strengthening them?  Her article based on a series of case reports, did say that that the weakening occurs in only a small number of people taking the drugs ...  but you know once the horse is out of the barn, everybody starts to panic.  There may be 92 good reasons to take this medication, but now we'll focus only on why they may do more harm than good.

Here's a small piece of Pope's article.  Bones are in a constant state of remodeling — dissolving microscopic bits of old bone, a process called resorption, and rebuilding new bone. After age 30 or so, a woman’s bones start to dissolve faster than they can be rebuilt, and after menopause she may develop thin, brittle bones that are easily broken. Bisphosphonates, including Fosamax, Procter & Gamble’s Actonel and GlaxoSmithKline’s Boniva, slow this process.  To read more click here.

There's no question that all of us need to be informed consumers, especially when it comes to our health.  But, I urge you not to accept everything you read as gospel.  Do your research, then have your questions answered by a doctor you trust.  Each of us has a body that is unique.  That's why you can't rely on the one-size-fits-all data coming out of these case reports.

In my opinion, there is no reason to panic if you are taking an osteoporosis drug.  You can be sure there will be many more studies coming out with very different conclusions.   

Sunscreens That Really Protect Your Skin

Before you head outside you should always apply a generous amount of sunscreen, even on cloudy days.  But, make sure you are using a product that does what is says it does. Four out of 5 sunscreens don't give the protection you need.   They block too little of the sun's harmful UV radiation, or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns.  

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) a non-profit, non-partisan research organization warn us that popular brand like Coppertone, Neutrogena and Banana Boat don't deliver the protection we need. 

Here are their top picks of sunscreens that work the best:

• Key Soap Solar Rx Therapeutic Sunblock
• Trukid Sunny Days Facestick Mineral Sunscreen UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum
• California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance
• Badger Suncreen
• Marie Veronique Skin Therapy Sun Serum

For more product information click here.

Flip Flops And Other Hazards For Your Feet

Summer is here and that means it's time to show off your tootsies. But before you start in with the weekly  pedicures or start running barefoot through the park, here's some common myths that could actually harm your feet.

Myth: Flats, flip-flops and even going barefoot are perfectly fine for your feet.

Fact: Flip flops do not provide any support and can lead to ankle sprains and tendonitis. Flats can be painful to your feet by causing severe heel pain and blisters. Walking barefoot can lead to foot problems such as cuts, abrasions, bruises and puncture wounds.

Diagnosis: Wear flip-lops or flats, but only for a few hours at a time.  If you wear them longer, stretch your Achilles tendon afterward. As for walking barefoot - only at home - but still be careful of small objects that could be caught in your carpet.

Myth: You don't need to put sunscreen on your feet.

Fact:  Forgetting to apply sunscreen to your feet can increase the risk of skin cancer.  Too often African and Asian American women don't believe this is necessary because of their darker skin tone.

Diagnosis: No matter what your race or ethnicity, the legs and feet are not immune to the sun's effects  So be sure to use suncreen with an SPF of at least 30 with both UVB and UVA protection, and re-apply every few hours.

Myth: All pedicure salons use sterile instruments, so they are safe.

Fact: Unfortunately, this is not always the case. To be safe, it's best to invest in your own nail files, clippers and cuticle sticks.  If you choose to use shop instruments, make sure they are well sterilized after each use.

Myth: Soaking your feet in the motorized tub at a nail salon is perfectly fine, because they scrub them out after each use.

Fact: Often the antiseptic that is put in the water between clients doesn't catch all the germs. Bacteria and fungus can get caught in the filter of the motorized tub and still cause a problem.

Diagnosis:  It would be safer to ask the technician if they have a clean bowl or basin to use instead, with individual liners for even greater protection.

This summer take care of your feet.  We all know how painful it is when you don't.  

Erectile Dysfunction Starts At Work

As many as 1 in 5 men are suffering from a loss of libido because they are stressed out at work. And, only 54% of men realize that this could be the root cause of their erectile dysfunction (ED). Prolonged stress either at home or at work is directly associated to low testosterone levels, which by the way, isn't a good thing for any guy's overall health.   

Stress in the workplace is hard to avoid.  But, if his sexual performance is starting to wilt, perhaps he will pay closer attention as to why it's happening.  Men should think about the underlying cause of their ED but they probably won't.  Once again it will be our responsibility to get them motivated enough to go to their doctor and check it out.

Low testosterone levels (which may be stress-related) can cause heart problems because it's the hormone that protects a man's heart. It can also prevent PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra, Cialis, & Levitra from working properly.  A man suffering with ED should ask their doctors to test their testosterone levels regularly.  If it's low, there are several therapies that can fix the problem.  

So take action, he'll be a lot happier and so will you.

  

Heart Monitor and Sports Bra Combo

 We've all been taught how important it is to stay in our "target zone" when exercising but too often we don't bother to monitor our heart rate.  Now you can be diligent without even thinking about it.  Just put on your NuMetrex Sports Bra and be ready to get the most out of your cardio.

NuMetrix has made it so the electronic sensing technology is integrated directly into the fabric.  These sensors maintain contact with your skin and so they pick up your heart's electrical pulse.  A tiny transmitter is snapped into a small pocket in the front of the bra which instantaneously radios your heart rate for digital readout on a heart rate monitor wrist watch or fitness machine with a integrated monitoring device.

I think this is a great idea.  Kind of "the set it and forget it mentality".  If you're interested in trying one of these bras for yourself here's the cpmpany's website.  By the way, you can buy this bra alone or with accessories that include a heart rate monitor wristwatch.  NuMetrix clothes are compatible with the Polar Wearlink transmitter and all Polar heart rate monitors, so these folks are making it easy for us to take care of ourselves.

If you order one, let me know if you like it!

  

Shades - Much More Than A Fashion Statement

Cheap sunglasses may cost you less, but are they just as likely to protect against the effects of harmful UV rays as expensive sunglasses?

There is no government regulations for the classification of sunglasses.  That means a manufacturer can misrepresent how much protection their sunglasses offer; and, unfortunately, consumers sometimes assume all sunglasses have protection if they are darker.

Dr. Stephen Trokel, an ophthalmologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, advises that we buy sunglasses from reputable companies to ensure that they block both UVA and UVB rays. Wraparound sunglasses and those with large temples are a good idea for side protection.

Sunglasses are not just a fashion statement; their lenses block harmful UV rays that, in severe cases, can cause permanent damage to the eyes in the form of cataracts, pterygium and possibly retinal degeneration.

Here are two things you should be aware of:

•  If you have blue or green eyes, wear darker shades
•  If you wear contacts use sunglasses to keep them from drying out

So, go enjoy the summer sun but always remember to protect one of your most important assets - your eyes.

Over Forty Fit and Fabulous - Lose 30 Pounds In 90 Days

What if you could lose 26% of your body fat and go from 144 pounds to 110 pounds in just 90 days?  Would you be interested in finding out more?

That's what Lisa Crisalle did and she wants to share her secrets with you. Lisa and her husband Lucho have been in the health and fitness business for over 20 years and apparently they really know their stuff.

I spoke to Lisa this week on "Telling It Like It Is" my new audio interview series.  She spoke in-depth about how she lost all the weight and reshaped her body in such a short period of time. It's pretty impressive and more importantly it's done in a completely healthy way.  This program is geared toward you and your lifeststyle - it's not the one-size-fits all approach.       

Lisa has a brand new online program starting in June where she and a group of experts will take you through the same protocol that worked so well for her. 

To hear more about Lisa and her "Over Forty Fit and Fabulous" program, simply click on the arrow button below:

Dr. Nancy Snyderman Says Medical Myths Can Be Deadly

In her new book, “Medical Myths That Can Kill You, TODAY's chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman talks about myths that prevent us from focusing clearly on the real issues and our options.   Nancy says, "two of our greatest enemies in the battle against life-threatening disease are ignorance and the personal beliefs we bring into the doctor's office.”

Are there old wives’ tales you still believe are true?  Being willing to shift your thinking and embrace new ideas may not completely eradicate your disease risk, but it may be the first step toward making changes in your life that will. This book gives you information on how to:

• Get connected to the process of your own health care (yes, there is a process) — what tests, screenings, and vaccinations you need to stay healthy.
• Demand respect and appropriate treatment from a health-care system that isn’t always fair.
• Prevent and treat the three leading causes of death in men and women — heart disease, cancer, and stroke — through awareness, self-care, prevention, and treatment.
• Learn to reverse controllable risk factors and potentially add seven years of healthy living to your life.
• Discover how a healthy mind influences a healthy body, so that you can stay well, remain active, and get the most out of your life.

Understanding medical myths makes you understand there are plenty of health issues over which you have a lot more control than you think. The more you know, the more prepared you are, the better your chances of surviving any medical challenge that comes your way.

 

Migraine Sufferers - This New Drug Might Help You

If you're one of the nearly 30 million Americans who suffer from migraines, you know just how debilitating they can be.  I don't get one very often, but last week I had a doozy.  You know one of those three day throbbers that refuse to go away.  Not only do you feel like someone is stabbing you in the eye, your stomach hurts and you walk around in a daze feeling nauseous. Not a pretty picture.

But now there might be a new way to fight migraines. This month, a new drug is expected to land in pharmacies that combines two existing migraine drugs. It promises to offer relief without the fear of addiction.  It's called treximet.

Apparently it works by combining two existing drugs that control two different aspects of migraine headaches. First, it prevents blood vessels in the head from narrowing. Second, it blocks the brain from releasing chemicals that signal pain.

If you are a migraine sufferer ask your doctor if treximet is for  you.  For online information on all types of headaches click here.

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Breast Biopsy Alternative - Good News For Women

Women go through hell before going for a mammogram.  While waiting to hear the results we can barely breathe.  Up until now, if the test shows you have a lesion on your breast, the next course of action has always been a biopsy.  But that course of treatment may be changing.

After a six-month study radiologists can, with confidence, recommend a six-month follow-up diagnostic mammogram rather than an immediate biopsy for patients with "probably benign" breast lesions.  This would relieve a woman's angst of having to go for the the biopsy and also the added medical expenses that pile up very quickly.

"Short-interval follow-up mammograms are done to monitor for changes in 'probably benign' breast lesions. But, you do need to be closely monitored for any changes.

In the study 45,007 women were studied.  From that base number 360 women with "probably benign" lesions were diagnosed with breast cancer within six months; and 506 women were diagnosed with cancer within 12 months which is about one in 100 of the "probably benign" lesions). 

Of course decisions about treatment must always be decided by you and your doctor.  I  just want you to have all the information you need to make the most intelligent choice. Never take anything at face value and always get a second opinion.  Do your research and ask lots of questions.  It could save your life.