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Health in the news, 2006
Circumcision reduces risk of AIDS. Dec. 2006 Circumcised men are at about 50% less likely of contracting AIDS than non-circumcised men according to the results of two studies done in Kenya and Uganda. These findings tend to confirm previous South African studies showing risk reduction attending circumcision. The reason for this difference is unknown, but may represent better survival of the HIV virus in the moist, warm environment existing under the foreskin. Were circumcision to be widely accepted, the spread of HIV would be significantly reduced, both among men, and among their female sexual partners. Circumcision is described in the Bible as a sign of the covenant between God and the Israelite people, but it may be that God knew something we haven't known that provided the Jews secondary benefits as well. It is interesting that circumcision was common in some cultures long before there was a Jew, suggesting that the ancients may have known something we have not yet learned. Of course, if circumcision were to serve to increase sexual promiscuity, its potential benefits would be severely curtailed. (Click here to read more about health) Birth control pills increase risk of breast cancer. Nov. 6, 2006 Birth control pills increase the risk of breast cancer according to a report in the October Journal of the Mayo Clinic. In a meta-analysis (a collective review of multiple scientific studies) of 23 studies, researchers found that women who had used birth control pills had a 44% greater risk of getting breast cancer than those women who had never used the pill. While other studies also suggest that even abortion may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, this news about birth control pills is almost certain to drive more women to the abortion clinics - given the status of sex inside and outside of marriage now prevalent in our modern society. Yes, much cancer is lifestyle related. If we insist on living contrary to the laws that govern our being, there is a price to pay. (Click here to read more about God's laws for us.) Cancer is not one disease, but hundreds of diseases! Oct. 30, 2006 The recent discovery by researchers at the Ludwig Center at John Hopkins in Baltimore seem to confirm the belief that cancer is not just one disease, but hundreds of diseases exhibiting a similar appearance. Instead of finding just a few cancer causing genes as expected, researchers found almost 200 - 122 related to breast cancer and 69 causing colon cancer. And of course, yet other abnormal genes will be found contributing to cancers of the lung, pancreas, stomach, etc. While the presence of certain genes may predispose one to a particular illness, one can often (but not always) over-ride the predisposition by health promoting life style practices - diet, exercise, etc. While God created man with a body designed to last for eternity, 6 thousand years of disregard for the laws of life (sin) is responsible for the genetic and other changes that have developed in our bodies that are now causing illness and premature death. And though we may not, by any means, avoid the consequences of illness and death, this era is nearly over. When Jesus returns to restore his lost creation in a universe that has learned its lesson about sin, it and its consequences will never again arise to burden His creation. Pray that day may come soon. (Click here to read more) Diabetes, Insulin and Alzheimer's Disease! Oct. 30, 2006 A recent report presented by Suzzane Craft, PhD, to the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society, describes the reason poorly controlled diabetics often suffer with memory loss and Alzheimer's Disease. It appears from her studies that both insulin and beta-amyloid, a substance that is present in Alzheimer's brains, are both broken down by an enzyme containing the same peptide (protein) molecule. When insulin levels become too high, the body preferentially uses the peptide to degrade the insulin, permitting beta-amyloid to build up in the brain, causing inflammation and mal function. Accordingly, poorly controlled diabetics are at risk of memory loss and possible Alzheimer's disease - hence the need for good control. Unfortunately, medications are not always effective in maintaining normal insulin and sugar levels in severe diabetics. Fortunately, lifestyle practices are very effective for controlling diabetes type 2, and by implication, reducing the harmful risks of high sugar and insulin levels. Thus it is crucial for persons with adult onset diabetes to follow careful lifestyle practices, including a diet consisting primarily of unrefined plant foods, a regular exercise program, ample amounts of fresh drinking water, ample quality sleep, and management of stress, best accomplished by establishing a trusting relationship with God. (Click here to read more) Don't touch - to avoid colds! Oct. 23, 2006 If you wish to avoid getting a cold, don't touch! Don't touch door handles, light switches, telephones, remotes, or anything else other people touch! A study done by Owen Hendley at the University of Virginia Health System revealed that about 35% of adults with colds leave contagious droplets of viruses on the things they touch with their fingers. Even after as long as 24 hours, those viruses can be picked up by the next one to touch those objects 33% of the time. Since about one half of all colds are caused by a rhinovirus that is almost always spread by touching, and since it is difficult to avoid touching things, careful and frequent hand washing would prevent a great many of the colds we suffer each season. (Click here to read more) Prematurity, a major cause of infant death. Oct. 16, 2006 Prematurity accounts for more than one third of all infant deaths, and for 95% of those born before the 32nd week of pregnancy. Birth defects make up the greatest percentage of deaths among full term babies. In fact, the death rate of normal, full term babies is nearly zero in America. What these findings reported in the recent journal, Pediatrics, tell us is that those life style practices leading to prematurity and birth defects are the primary cause of infant death. If we hope to reduce this scourge, we must do so by changing our life style practices, more carefully applying those principles of health that are already well known, but often ignored by a society conditioned to self-indulgence - factors that cannot be corrected by high tech medical practices. (Click here to read more) Obesity, the new international epidemic! Sept. 18, 2006 Obesity is the new insidious pandemic that poses a greater threat to the international community than bird flu or global warming. There are now more overweight people in the world (1 billion) than those that are malnourished (600 million). Already overweight people are overwhelming the health care systems of many nations as obesity related diseases increase in frequency and severity. Diabetes, heart disease, many cancers, arthritis, and myriad other diseases stretch the health care dollars to the breaking point. Among those most affected by this pandemic are the children and youth who are already manifesting chronic weight related diseases that were once found only among persons several decades older. Though nearly everyone knows the cause of weight gain - we have become a society that is rich and increased in goods that enjoys its sedentary indulgences - we know not how to stop the trend. While professing love for God and our fellow men, religious persons are often some of the most guilty of destroying their bodies, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit of God, and failing to share our food and wealth with those that are starving for lack. Is it not time we humans take a "time out" and re-examine our priorities - and to seek the power of God to turn our lives around? (Click here to read more about health) Condoms increase deaths from AIDS. Sept. 11, 2006 Condoms, those devices promoted so ardently by International AIDS organizations to prevent AIDS apparently do just the opposite. By encouraging promiscuity and a false sense of security, condoms and the "sex education" usually accompanying them appear to increase the incidence of AIDS and AIDS related disease. Uganda's practice of abstinence education reduced the incidence of AIDS from 30% of the population to 6% over a period of just a few years. Other nations following the recommendations of the international AIDS establishment continue to see a rapid rise in the incidence of HIV infections in spite of increasing efforts to slow the disease. Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, was right on target when he told attendees at the 2004 AIDS Conference in Bangkok that if societies are going to change the statistics about AIDS, they must "strive for optimal relationships based on love and trust instead of institutionalized mistrust which is what the condom is all about." Museveni's successful abstinence program has since been dismantled by international AIDS organizations that seem to have another agenda! The Commandment forbidding adultery, like the other nine laws that God has given to society, is designed to protect society from such disastrous things as AIDS - not to reduce the joy of living. It should come as no surprise therefore that Museveni's abstinence model worked so effectively. (Click here to read about God's Ten Commandment law) (Editorial note: The true incidence of AIDS before and after Museveni's abstinence experience was often based on the numbers of people dying of AIDS-like disease rather than by laboratory testing of the population. Hence, the statistics may not be accurate. Even so, the mere fact that the frequency of people getting sick and dying with AIDS decreased with abstinence and is increasing again with condoms provides very good evidence that it does indeed work.) Plant based diet best treatment for managing diabetes. Aug. 21, 2006 A diet based on plant food sources as opposed to animal products is the best diet for preventing and controlling diabetes. This is the conclusion of a report recently published in the Journal, Diabetes Care, a journal published by the American Diabetes Association. The study done under the direction of R. Neal Barnard, president of the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine, studied 99 people for 22 weeks and revealed that those people randomized to the plant based diet had a much greater improvement in all parameters of measurement than those eating animal products. The study was undoubtedly based upon the experience of Weimar Institute in California that has now treated thousands of patients with a plant based diet and total lifestyle program that reports numerous examples of reversing diabetes type 2 by lifestyle modification - a program recognized by the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine as one of the best in the nation for diabetes care. A major problem with lifestyle management for treating diabetes is that of patient compliance. People easily see and feel the benefits once they have tested the lifestyle change, but, unfortunately, often have difficulty maintaining the changes necessary. Weimar's program incorporates "trust in God" as one of its 8 components of healing. Physicians believe it is this component that helps patients make the necessary life long changes in lifestyle. (Click here to read more about diabetes) Is diabetes the new "coffee deficiency" syndrome? July 31, 2006 There is a new drug on the market - called coffee! Those who drink lots of coffee are said to have a reduced incidence of developing adult onset (type 2) diabetes. In a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, older women who had a history of drinking more than six cups of any kind of coffee daily experienced a 22% lower incidence of diabetes than other women. Those who drank more than six cups of decaffeinated coffee had an even greater reduction of risk by 33%. Based upon this and a few other similar studies, researchers have concluded that coffee is good for one's health, not because of the caffeine, but probably because of the anti-oxidant chemicals present in coffee. Of course these are preliminary studies, and before anyone can make widespread recommendations to drink such large amounts of coffee, many more studies will need to be done. All plant foods contain anti-oxidants. It is natural to expect coffee beans would too. The question is not so much whether or not there may be some beneficial effects of coffee, but whether these benefits actually outweigh the risks of coffee. Certainly, today's epidemic of type 2 diabetes is not due to coffee deficiency! Therefore, rather than taking another "miracle" drug, why not rather practice those lifestyle factors that are of proven value not only for preventing and eliminating diabetes, and reduce the incidence of other serious illnesses as well? (Click here to read more about health) God in a pill? July 31. 2006 In discussing the results of his research on psilocybin, the hallucinogenic agent in certain mushrooms, lead researcher, Roland Griffiths, of John Hopkins University noted that most of those who took a pill containing the drug experienced "among the most meaningful and spiritually significant experiences of their lives." He went on to make clear however, that even though the drug seemed to have a definite spiritual effect, his research was not about assessing the existence or non-existence of God. Halucinogenic mushrooms have been used sacramentally by Native Americans for ages for their ability go give spiritual experiences, but these same drugs, when used recreationally during the 60's, often sent users on "bad trips" with sometimes fatal endings. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of psilocybin on the brain in an effort to improve understanding of brain function and in search of possible therapeutic benefits that might be obtained from the drug. Many of the participants in the John Hopkin's study said they became better, happier and kinder people following the "pill", an experience that lasted up to two months following the experiment. Researchers are quick to caution, however, that this early research does not describe a role for the chemical in therapy, and certainly it does not clear it for any kind of recreational use. In spite of recent innovations in the study of brain function with PET scans, etc., science is no closer than ever in understanding how humans communicate with God and other beings in the unseen world. It seems inconceivable, however, that hallucinogens could be of any benefit in understanding such rational truths as are presented in the Holy Bible and as are sometimes revealed to those who earnestly plead with God during periods of fasting and prayer. (Click here to read more) Just do it! July 24, 2006 It really does not make much difference what kind of exercise you do to reduce your health risks - just do it! In a study reported in the July 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researcher Todd M. Manini writes that death rates of elderly people go down as their level of exercise goes up. Whereas much has been written in recent years about aerobic exercise, etc., Manini's studies suggest the type of exercise is much less important than just getting exercise. In fact, in his studies, those elderly persons who were in the highest exercise group had a 69% lower risk of dying during the six-year observation period than the group having the getting the lowest level of exercise. The bottom line seems to be that whatever you do, get your exercise. (Click here to read more about health) Diabetes, a world wide epidemic! July 3, 2006 The incidence of diabetes mellitus has skyrocketed from an estimated 30 million cases twenty years ago to a present worldwide estimate of 230 million. What makes this so troubling is the fact that much of the escalation is occurring in poor countries that cannot afford even basic care of the disease. While there are a number of known causes of diabetes, by far the most common cause is life style - the combination of relative lack of exercise and a diet excessive in refined carbohydrates and fats - characteristics of wealthy Western societies. Most poor nations are already staggering under the heavy toll caused by AIDS. Adding diabetes to that burden is certain to create even greater socio-economic stress on these already struggling societies. While the answer is simple - go back to the simple lifestyle, consuming natural, unrefined foods, and working in the gardens - most are unwilling to take that step seen by them to be a step backward into history. (Click here to read more) New cancer vaccine effective. June 19, 2006 On June 8, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to approve a new vaccine that is near 100% effective against 4 strains of the human papilloma virus, two of which are believed to be responsible for 70% of cancers of the cervix in women. Cervical cancer is the second most prevalent cancer of women in the U.S. and around the world, killing 200,000 each year. While this is good news to some, it will not eliminate the need for Pap smears - and it is a very expensive vaccine that must be administered in three separate injections during a 6-month period of time. The virus is transmitted by sexual activity - and its incidence increases as the number of sexual partners increases. Since girls are becoming sexually active just as they enter the teens, it is recommended that the vaccine be given at age 11 or 12 years. Some are rightly concerned that the availability of the new vaccine will serve to increase even more the current sexual revolution and the many problems that accompany it. AIDS - 25 years later. June 12, 2006 It is now 25 years since the first case of AIDS was recognized. Since then, the epidemic has taken the lives of about 25 million. An estimated 40 million are now living with infection. In spite of international efforts to curb the spread of the disease and to care for those sick with it, only about one half of the victims have access to medical care. Homosexuality, IV drug use and unprotected sex are major contributing factors to the continuing spread of the disease, yet in many countries, these issues are taboo to talk about and/or to deal with publicly. In those places where condoms are regularly used by sex workers, the incidence of new cases of AIDS is markedly reduced, but many cultures and nations are opposed to the mandatory use of these. Unfortunately, even monogamous women (or men) often become victims because of the secret illicit sexual practices of their spouse - one of the major reasons for the rapid spread of AIDS in India. While international leaders talk about vaccinations that may prevent the disease, or medications that may cure it, the only certain way to prevent AIDS is to live in a monogamous relationship with one who has also been faithfully monogamous throughout life - and of course, this is the way people were made to live from the beginning. (Click here to read more) U.S. anticipates the next pandemic. June 5, 2006 With the allocation of more than one billion dollars to five pharmaceutical companies to develop new technology for creating flu vaccines, the U.S. government has taken an initiative never before possible - to anticipate a pandemic. Millions died during the flu pandemic following World War 1. Though much less lethal, the flu that spreads around the globe each year also takes many lives. But it’s the next "bird flu" epidemic that has sparked the present incentive to create a faster and better way to produce vaccine in large enough batches to stop any threatening influenza in its tracks. Until now, flu vaccine is prepared on egg cultures. The technology is old, expensive, and too slow to stop a worldwide disaster. It is believed that flu vaccines, like many other presently available vaccines, may be made by cell-culture based techniques instead of on eggs - techniques that will allow rapid mass production sufficient to meet any need. The anticipation is sure to reassure a generation of people living in dread of the next flu, but it ought not be without concern. There are those who believe men are "tinkering in the laboratory of God" when using modern genetic strategies such as that required to produce vaccines, and though producing vaccines may be "safe" enough, it is one more step down a path that threatens disaster of even greater consequence than the bird flu somewhere along the way. (Click here to read about genetics) Chronic sleep deprivation contributes to weight gain. June 5, 2006 People who are chronically deprived of optimum levels of sleep eat more calorie dense junk foods that result in weight gain. Those persons who averaged less than seven hours sleep each night had elevated body mass indexes (BMI) as compared with those sleeping more than seven hours. It has been known for many years that sleep deprivation messes up the glands of the body, the metabolism and the immune system. Now it appears that the weight gain associated with less than optimal amounts of sleep is also related to the endocrine glands of the body. Two hormones are involved in the process, ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin is produced in the digestive track and is responsible for creating appetite and hunger. Leptin suppresses hunger and is made in the fat cells Lack of sleep upsets the balance, giving way to indulgence of high calorie foods that are typically also poor sources of health promoting micronutrients. Another recent study revealed that poor people were more likely than others to be overweight. Is it possible that sleep deprivation leading to increased appetites for junk foods among the poor may be contributing to the present epidemic of obesity prevalent among these as well? (Click here to read more about health) Calorie restriction good for mice! May 29, 2006 Restricting the number of calories laboratory rats and mice are fed keeps them younger and healthier. When Luigi Fontana M.D., Ph.D., of Washington University in St. Louis, and associates fed mice and rats a well-balanced, high nutrient, but low calorie diet, their life-span was increased by 30%. Similar studies done on 25 volunteers could not, or course, use human life expectancy to determine if a restricted diet had a similar effect on humans. But, blood levels of chemicals indicating the presence of inflammation (a sign of aging) were significantly lower in persons consuming a well balanced, but low calorie diet, rich in micronutrients were much lower than their contemporaries. All of this suggests that caloric restriction, done intelligently, is probably good for people too. Unfortunately, people have a hard time in both restricting their high calorie foods and in consuming ample quantities of those foods that are nutritionally dense. (Click here to read more) REM sleep, while awake, may explain near-death experience! May 22, 2006 Scientists from the University of Kentucky have concluded from their research into near-death experiences that such experiences represent a "blurring" of the waking and sleeping states. They have discovered that some people, when under severe stress, experience some features of deep REM sleep (the dreaming state) while awake. In fact, 60% of the 55 people with near-death experiences had experienced at least one similar occurrence. Of course, this concept is just theory at this point, and the scientists must still find a way to test it. While the theory does not deny life after death, if proven valid, it does fit in with the teachings of the Bible that claim death is a cessation of life while awaiting the resurrection when Jesus returns. (Click here to read more) Lessons from the candy bowl. March 6, 2006 For four weeks women on the staff of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, were supplied candy bowls filled with chocolate kisses and told they could eat all they wanted. The only requirements were that they had to record an estimate of how many pieces they ate each day, and they could not change the bowl the candy came in or change its location. At the end of the study, the scientists discovered that the women ate more than twice as many kisses when they were placed in a transparent bowl on their desk as opposed to an opaque bowl that was placed far enough away that they had to get out of their chair to obtain it. And of course, the lesson is evident. If one wishes to avoid temptation, don't keep it around. But the opposite is also true. Keep that which is good for you close by your side. In fact, long ago the Bible told us this, and recommended for those that wanted to become like Jesus, to spend quality time with him each day. (Click here to read more) Zero doesn't always mean Zero! Feb. 20, 2006 When the list of ingredients on your potato chips reads zero Trans Fat, it may not mean zero at all. In fact, the law says that when a serving of food contains less than 1/2 gram of trans fat, it may claim zero on its label. That is because it is difficult to measure trans fats when they are less than 1/2 gram. Unfortunately, if one eats several servings of such foods during the course of a day, one may be getting several grams of trans fats - enough to cause health problems. Or, instead of trans fats, manufacturers may be replacing trans fats with saturated fats, which though may be as harmful as trans fats, are not governed by the trans fat law. To be wise, be cautious with the consumption of foods containing the words, hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated or saturated fats on the list of ingredients. Better yet, learn to enjoy plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals and other natural foods in preference to expensive, manufactured foods. (Click here to read more about nutrition) America earns a C+! Jan. 23, 2006 American gets a C + for trying! According to the recent report by the American College of Emergency Physicians, America gets a C+ grade average for the operation of her emergency departments - with a number of them registering D's. Lines are long, waiting periods are high, the cost is sky-high, and most people don't really need to be in the Emergency Department in the first place. Many of them could have gone directly to their primary health care provider except for the fact that they are unable to get appoints. Medical economics demands physicians keep their schedules full, leaving little room for extras. On another front, America is not doing well in preparing for disasters either. She does not have enough hospital beds, emergency specialists, nutritional counsels, etc. to meet disaster situations. This all sounds so strange to a nation spending 16% of her economic output on healthcare. (Click here to read more about health) Exercise hastens wound healing. Jan. 16, 2006 When two groups of elderly persons aged 55-70 were compared to see if exercise had any effect on would healing, researchers discovered 25% faster healing in those that exercised. A wound made on the upper arm of those that exercised daily healed in 29 days while the same wound on the non-exercisers took 39 days to heal. Exercise apparently helps to modulate the levels of cortisone produced by the adrenal glands. Perhaps a word to the wise is sufficient! (Click here to read more about health) Hope for victims of infantile diarrhea. Jan. 16, 2006 With the announcement by pharmaceutical companies, Merck and GlaxoSmithKline of the successful testing of vaccines against the rotavirus, there is now hope that many of the estimated 600,000 infant deaths occurring each year from diarrhea may be prevented. While testing has demonstrated effectiveness and apparent freedom from serious side effects, cost remains prohibitive for much of the world where it is most needed. Nor will the vaccine improve the nutritional status of the babies getting the diarrhea - a major contributing factor to the high death rate from diarrhea. (Click here to read more about health)
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