Warning on Pristiq the antidepressant drug

Wyeth launched their new antidepressant drug Pristiq in 2008 in the UK and a number of patients have been switched from their previous medication on to it.  However, there are issues that anyone taking it needs to be aware of.

In the USA the FDA has issued another warning on its use due to reports of raised blood pressure – even with the lowest possible dose.  Previous warnings on this drug were even more serious linking it to suicidal thinking and behavior, increased risk for abnormal bleeding, narrow-angle glaucoma, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, seizure, and hyponatremia (a dangerously low blood sodium level).

In the US doctors are now prescribing it less and less, so if you and anyone you know is on this drug please speak to a doctor about it.  The full fact sheet from Wyeth is available at this link: http://www.wyeth.com/content/showlabeling.asp?id=497

The Microsoft Burger hits Japan

If you own a computer you know that Microsoft has launched their new operating system Windows 7.  Japanese customers are so excited that a special Burger King hamburger is on offer for just 7 days around the launch and selling, not surprisingly, for 777 Yen.

Just a bit of harmless publicity? Well, this seven-decker beefburger clocks in at a staggering 1,000 calories and is five inches high.  Quite how you eat this true whopper is a mystery, to say nothing of the problems you are facing your digestive system with. It is estimated at around five times larger than a typical quarter pounder and environmentalists have estimated that due to the amount of water needed to produce factory beef this giant could have taken 7,000 gallons of water to produce.  AS we are being urged to conserve water by not cleaning our teeth under a running tap it seems somewhat ironic, and even a 7 day promotion seems like 7 days too long for the planet, and your stomach.

Why Hand Sanitizers Are Not Always A Good Idea

Hand sanitizers are now big business; compounded by the panic over Swine Flu, we are now carrying them on our person and having one in practically every room in the house.

Now, I am not against them per se, but they are a second line of defence after hand washing, not instead of, as they are increasingly being used. Also, the most common alcohol-based hand sanitizers have some unhealthy ingredients with some unpleasant associations like these listed from the most commonly included items:

Ethyl alcohol is a common ingredients and it is what kills the germs.
Anything mixed with it will move through the skin and into the bloodstream as the alcohol improves penetration of other chemicals through the skin and this disrupts the oils in the skin so it dries out. . This is also the quality that makes alcohol dry out the skin.

Did you know that there have been reports of prison inmates getting drunk on hand sanitizers and of children licking hand sanitizers off their hands and getting inebriated? While most of the alcohol in hand sanitizers evaporates within seconds of being rubbed on the hands, some is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream and that is cause for concern if you use them frequently.

Isopropyl alcohol is another common ingredient and that is a petrochemical that can be absorbed through the skin and through inhalation of vapours. It is toxic to the nervous system and dries the skin out.

Fragrances can contain just about anything and are made from dozens of chemicals, many of them highly toxic. They are of course only present in tiny amounts but the cumulative effect, along with the other ingredient can cause a reaction in anyone with chemical sensitivity. .  Chemical, or fake fragrances have been linked by some to the rise in the cases of asthma in children as they tend to be irritating to the lungs.

In the US, the Government’s Environmental Working Group gives fragrance a toxicity rating of 8, one of the highest available.

Propylene glycol is a petroleum or plant-based chemical that is widely used in everything from antifreeze and processed foods to cosmetics and medicines. Although it is classified by various government regulatory agents as being non-toxic, for some people it can be extremely irritating to the skin, eyes and lungs.   The EWG gives it a rating of 4 to 7.

Should you go alcohol-free?
You would think this was a safer option, given the above, but unfortunately they all seem to contain benzalkonium chloride, which numerous studies have implicated exposure to it as the leading cause of occupational asthma and chronic dermatitis in healthcare workers and cleaners .

The other common alcohol-free hand sanitizer ingredient is triclosan, a petrochemical antibacterial closely related to dioxins, which accumulates in the body and has a long list of serious safety concerns.

What to do?
I don’t want to scare you, using hand sanitizers occasionally will not cause a major problem but they are not a substitute for hand washing.  Keep them for use outside the home and when travelling and you should not have any ill effects if used sensibly, it’s the over use that is the problem and the most common symptom you are likely to notice is irritation of the skin.

Personally, I prefer to use a natural product such as Green People’s Foaming Hand Sanitizer.  It is an organic antibacterial product that contains Manuka, Tea Tree and Larch and is a UK product that I can recommend, I have even used it to clean a graze when I scraped my knee climbing a stile!  If you want more information on it, visit their website at www.greenpeople.co.uk

Sunshine in a Box for SAD People

Well the clocks have gone back and the feeling of the having few hours of daylight is a reality that most of us shrug and learn to live with. We may miss having so much light, but for people suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) it is much more serious.

The symptoms of winter blues can affect an estimated half a million people in the UK every year according to SADA, the UK charity who offer help and advice. Symptoms include: low mood, increased mental and physical fatigue, stress, lack of concentration, weight-gain, loss of libido, and poor immune health.

SAD is thought to be caused by a biochemical imbalance in the brain which controls daily rhythms and mood, due to the shortening of daylight hours and lack of sunlight between September and April. There are special light boxes which mimic daylight that many sufferer find very helpful, but a less expensive option worth trying is a new offering from

Solgar supplements are used by many health professionals and they have come up with what they call their limited edition Sunshine in a box kit which contains the ultimate ‘feel-good’ nutrition essentials. These include:

** Vitamin D3 is also known as the sunshine vitamin as it strengthens immune health and has been shown to help brighten mood.

** 5HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) which increases the brain’s serotonin levels that help stabilise mood, promote relaxation, support restful sleep, as well as damping down cravings for carbohydrate and sugar.

** Rhodiola is an adaptogenic herb and a traditional remedy that may enhance mental and physical energy, help the body adapt to stress, and increase dopamine levels which help us feel more optimistic. It is often suggesdted as alternative to St John’s Wort for mood balancing.

The Sunshine Box also includes a book on the benefits of Vitamin D as well as the supplements and is a limited edition offering for the start of the SAD season and costs £25.00. If you can’t find it in your local health store, then call Solgar on 01442 890 355 for a local stockist or via their website at www.solgar-vitamins.co.uk

Help and information on the SADA charity at www.sada.org.uk

Varicose Veins Linked to DVT

Varicose veins are generally harmless, though not considered attractive, but a new study in Graz, Austria reveals that danger may be lurking under your skin.

There are any number of reasons to get varicose veins including family history, jobs where you are standing for long periods such as hairdressers and teachers, being very overweight and of course in pregnancy.   The most common form generally seen is superficial vein thrombosis (SVT), where the veins become inflamed and swollen.  It can be a painful condition, but most doctors don’t regard it as a major problem.
However this new research looked at a potential link between varicose veins and DVT (deep vein thrombosis) which a dangerous condition that prompts blood clotting in the legs.  Clots that break away can cause thromboembolism (restricted blood flow), and even death if the clot reaches the lungs and triggers a pulmonary embolism.

Of the 50 patients examined who had confirmed SVT it was found that one in four of them had DVT, although none had shown any symptoms.   This suggests those with varicose veins need to be alert and ask for a sonagraph screening to establish if they are at risk.

Varicose veins and Vitamin K link
One factor in keeping your veins healthy is to have a good intake of vitamin K as its importance for circulatory health is already well known.
There was an important study done in France in 2007, only on male subjects, with and without varicose veins. They found a link between getting varicose veins and low levels or no activity of a protein called matrix GLA protein.  This protein is only properly activated when vitamin K levels are adequate, so the researchers at Nantes University concluded that a dood intake of the vitamin may play a role in varicose vein prevention.

If you have any history of narrowing of the arteries in your family, then some nutritionists 5 to 15 mg of vitamin K per day, but that is considerably higher than the recommended daily allowance.
If you want to increase it in your diet then it’s mostly found in dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, brussel sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower, also in cheddar cheese and oats.

WARNING!!! Vitamin K needs to be carefully monitored if you are on blood thinning or anticoagulant drugs after a stroke or surgery and a limited intake is suggested.

Do copper bracelets really work?

I know plenty of people who wear copper bracelets or magnetic wrist bands for their arthritis and swear by them but a new a new study led by a University of York academic says that is all nonsense. This treatment is often called Magnotherapy.

Previous studies have found they relieved the pain but this one showed that both magnetic and copper bracelets were ineffective for managing pain, stiffness and physical function in osteoarthritis.

Stewart Richmond, a Research Fellow in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York, puts any benefit down to a placebo effect. He said “People tend to buy them when they are in a lot of pain, then when the pain eases off over time they attribute this to the device.”

He also issues a caution about the use of magnet therapy, particularly for those with osteoarthritis, and to think carefully before spending large sums of money.  As he points out, “magnets removed from disused speakers are much cheaper, but you would first have to believe that they could work.”

Oh really? What to wear in the sun

I love researchers, I really do. They inhabit the world of the bleeding obvious and that which has been known for years, and still get people to pay them to investigate it.

Now if you are planning to jet off for some winter sun I can offer some scientifically validated evidence on what colours your clothing should be to give you the best protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Scientists in Spain have reported fabric dyed deep blue or red provide greater UV protection than shades of yellow. Strangely they didn’t test white, which is the colour of choice for those living in the hottest regions of the world such as India. The fact that it also makes you feel cooler has not yet been tested – give them time.

Juggling makes health sense

I wrote recently about how multi-tasking is actually less efficient than focusing on one thing, and I was delighted to learn of a different form of ‘juggling’ that can improve your health.

If you have any oranges handy, you might want to start using them to learn to juggle as an Oxford University study has shown that it leads to changes in the white matter of the brain. These are the bundles of long nerve fibres that conduct electrical signals between nerve cells and connect different parts of the brain together. What this means in practice is that there is improved connectivity in parts of the brain involved in making the movements necessary to catch the balls.

We tend to think of the brain as being static, or even beginning to degenerate, once we reach adulthood but this research shows that its structure is ripe for change and can condition its own wiring system to operate more efficiently.

You may not want to juggle, but what this shows is the importance in adults of learning a new task or skill. The volunteers in the study had never juggled before and they were given weekly training sessions and asked to practice 30 minutes every day. After six weeks of training changes were seen in the white matter in regions of the brain which are involved in reaching and grasping in the periphery of vision, so that seems to make a lot of sense.

Ability varied, but after the training they all could juggle three balls for at least two cascades and some could juggle five balls and perform other tricks. As someone who never managed to juggle more than two bean bags, and that in slow motion, I am impressed so head out and find a new hobby that shines up that white matter to a glowing halo, and it could be as simple as going for a walk or doing a crossword rather than juggling the family finances!

Emu oil for aches and pains

As someone who has just taken up line dancing again to keep the old joints moving, and discovering I am neither as fit or as agile as I imagined, I was interested in trying an Australian supplement that has been mentioned to me before. Emu oil is not new; generally it is used as a muscle, joint and skin rub, to relieve aches and pains but now you can get it in a more convenient capsule form. Emu oil has become registered as a therapeutic anti-inflammatory in Australia where it is widely used.

The Emu is an important creature in Aboriginal culture and they have been using the oil for over forty thousand years. Sceptical sophisticates want more proof than anecdotal evidence, though why is a mystery to me because if something works that proves it doesn’t it? But to reassure you, a recent study on people, rather than those poor benighted lab rats, has shown that emu oil can help reduce pain when taken orally, as well as when applied topically. Previous studies have shown that emu oil can be as effective as Ibuprofen but with no known side effects, certainly an advantage over the gastric problems such as nausea, indigestion, heartburn, constipation, diarrhoea and increased risk of heart attack s that are linked to ibuprofen.

I have been taking Golden Emu oil capsules for four weeks and have definitely seen a benefit, so I will be continuing. If you prefer rubbing in the oil, like major athletes do apparently, then you carry on. You should be able to find both oil and capsules in your local health store, but if you have any difficulty then visit the website at www.shopforhealth.co.uk

New help for cancer hair loss

A few years ago I met an exceptional young woman who after a career as a leading London hairdresser gave it up to start a charity helping those who lose their hair through cancer treatment. Jasmin Julia Gupta’s work was recognised when she was invited to meet The Prime minister and her philosophy for founding the site makes it clear why:

…“When a 43 year old looks you in the eye and says “I feel terribly guilty because I have cancer and I’m more worried about losing my hair than having treatment”, you suddenly realize that the information you can offer is potentially life changing advice. To share the knowledge that I am so fortunate to have gained, means that I can give something back to the customers and hair industry that I love so much.”

Help available:

When you experience illness and treatment, as well as changes to your hair, having to deal with it all can be overwhelming. That’s why Jasmin started the “Cancer Hair Care” to offer guidance on hair care issues I was very happy to be able to help with some editorial/writing input on the website and there is access to great, detailed, information that is free and not available anywhere else in one place like this.

Hair loss, scalp care, wigs and headscarves can all seem a mystery but with some caring advice, ideas for new looks, support with how you feel and practical advice – you will discover that looking good is not something you need to give up on because you have suffered hair loss. As well as expert advice, there are the stories from patients sharing their wisdom and experiences by talking about their cancer and hair loss. These are they are truly amazing, inspirational and often funny and poignant.

As well as the website, Jasmin has set up a “Hair Care Support Unit” at her local hospital and provides free head scarves with her “Twice as Nice project”. An important part of the work is fundraising for a number of hair care projects and providing education to hairdressers and health workers who are in daily contact with cancer patients.

If you know someone who is dealing with hair loss, then as well as the information on the site, you might want to point them towards The Caring Hair for a beautiful range of products including headscarves, for specialised hair care needs. Their slogan is ‘compassion that won’t compromise on style and fashion’ and they are experts in specialist hair care and hair loss and feature organic, fairtrade and natural products. I can personally vouch for their organic shampoo and conditioner range! They also have an award winning green and ethical policy and every penny of their profit goes back into funding the Cancer Hair Care charity.

To find out more you can call Monday to Friday 9-5 or telephone 01438 488082, but for me the first port of call would be the website at www.cancerhaircare.com

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