Do Dietary Supplements Make Economic Sense?

Bad economic times may negatively impact our health, or they may not. A recent survey by CRN shows that many have chosen health as a priority and won't compromise spending on dietary supplements to keep themselves healthy.

It's not always easy though, a poor economy can cause you to drink, drive, eat, work too much or may not get enough sleep because you're stressed. While an economic downturn my affect our lifestyle somewhat, there's no clear-cut evidence about the bad times being absolutely unhealthy, explores an NYT piece.

The CRN survey found that 51 percent of consumers don't intend to cut back their supplement routine and 13 percent of dietary supplement consumers considered supplements as an essential part of their wellness routine that they couldn't do without. Experts think it's encouraging, that despite a bad economy a majority of adults want to invest in their health by using dietary supplements.

So Is It Really Worth Spending On Dietary Supplements?

Investment in health is good, but consumers also need to invest wisely. More so, because dietary supplements aren't regulated the way pharmaceutical drugs are. And there are no provisions in the law for the FDA “to 'approve' dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness before they reach the consumer." The FDA only has the "responsibility for showing that a dietary supplement is 'unsafe,' before it can take action to restrict the product's use or removal from the marketplace."

Much of the responsibility for making claims is that of manufacturers, and for accepting those rests with consumers. While there are guidelines for manufacturers on labeling of products, verifying promotional statements for validity is a consumer's prerogative. Not all dietary supplements are the same and there are enough examples where supplements may be harmful, e.g. adverse events, inefficacy, contraindication, etc.

I think while investing in dietary supplements makes health sense, spending on the right ones makes economic sense too. Especially during tough times such as now.

Btw, 10 Tips To Stay Healthy should also help in keeping us sturdy during the economic recession.

Free Drug Samples – Kids At Risk!

Children are the future of any nation but if a new published research is to be believed, free prescription drug samples distributed to children may actually be unsafe for them.

The study published in the October 2008 issue of the journal Pediatrics reveals that children commonly received free drug samples from their doctors. For instance in 2004, one in 20 American kids got drug samples. And out of all those who took at least one prescription drug in that year, about one in 10 received free samples.

But here's why the samples are risky

• The USFDA has identified significant new safety concerns for four of the top 15 most frequently distributed samples in 2004.


• These four freely distributed drugs got new black box warnings or had significant revisions to existing black box warnings issued since 2004.


• 2 out of the 15 drugs carry substances monitored by the Drug Enforcement Agency due to their high potential for abuse, e.g atomoxetine, amphetamine/dextroamphetamine.

Free drugs and samples are a commonplace within the medical industry and many a times prescribed to patients and kids from indigent populations to make drugs accessible. But this actually doesn't make them more vulnerable because poor kids are less likely to visit doctors.

However, most of the free sample drugs are new releases, and often their safety profiles aren't well-known. Experts feel that free samples might even lead to their casual consumption before their safety record is known, which could harm. In fact the NYT reports that Dr. Cutrona, the study's lead author went on to say “We need to discuss it more, and maybe consider stopping the use of free samples entirely, if there are such potential harms.”

Considered a marketing tool of choice, free drug samples while promoting drug use and accessibility, their potential to harm children's health can't simply be overlooked. On somewhat similar lines, safety concerns also exist about the increasing pharmaceutical outsourcing from Asian nations.

Top 10 Tips To Keep Allergies Away

Usually not life threatening, allergies can be quite a pain when they cause a runny nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, swelling or asthma. And while they can be managed with prescription drugs, you too can do a lot to defend yourself against them.

With the help of the following tips you could do away with allergens before they get on to you.

1. Bathe Before Bedtime: Taking a shower before you doze off would ensure to wash away pollens and other allergens caught in your hair and on your skin.

2. Clean House Objects: Remove houseplants and frequently clean shower curtains, damp walls, bathroom windows, indoor trashcans and areas with dry rot. This would reduce the amount of mold in your home.

3. Murder The Mold: Killing the culprit mold is also important. To carry out the slaughter, mix water and chlorine bleach and clean it. And this treatment doesn't even interact with your anti allergic medication!

4. Remove Mold Havens: All the carpets need to be removed from bathrooms or other rooms that are damp. Furthermore, use mold-proof paint instead of wallpaper.

5. Increase Air Ventilation: Open doors and windows and use fans to increase air flow into the house as this would prevent the growth of mold by decreasing humidity.

6. Perform Dehumidification: Reducing the humidity in your home even by half the amount or less can aid curtail mold growth. You can make use of a dehumidifier to improve air quality in addition to cleaning and replacing small-particle filters in your central air system.

7. Stay Away From Pets: Sometimes, proteins found in the skin and saliva of furry animals such as cats and dogs can trigger an allergic reaction. Or you could even get it from the house dust if it contains animal dander. When you’re experiencing allergies, it’s best to keep pets out of the house. Just bathing the pet with shampoos won't suffice.

8. Remove House Objects: Dust mites are often the culpable offenders for allergies and they find safe haven in drapes, non-washable comforters, feather pillows, upholstered furniture and soft toys. You’re are better off removing them from your surroundings, lest they bother you during bad times.

9. Use The Right Flooring: Carpets are considered bad for allergies, not only in damp places but generally too. Replacing carpets with wood or linoleum is a good option, however the best is to have polished floors. Moreover, mop the floor often with a damp mop and wipe the surfaces with a damp cloth.

10. Stay Indoors During Dusty Days: When the whether is dry and windy outside, the greater are the chances of you breathing in lots of allergen ridden air, so you might want to spend time indoors during such whether. Additionally, don’t let any of the dust get into the house by closing doors and windows. And while driving use air conditioners instead of opening windows.

So much for shielding yourself from allergies, in case you’re struck with an allergy, don’t forget the entities that can make it worse. Allergies have been found to become worse from wooden smoke, cold temperatures, air pollution, aerosol sprays, humidity, tobacco smoke, irritating fumes and wind.

Btw, for tips about maintaining your health in the long run, see: Top 10 Tips To Stay Healthy , and if sleeplessness has been bothering you, get some ideas to help you through: Top 11 Tips To Sleep Better! - I

Pharma Outsourcing: China On Top

China is emerging as the leading destination for outsourcing in Asia, the big pharmaceutical companies agree. The trends came to light with the release of a PWC report which rates Asian nations on cost, risk and market opportunity of the industry.

China is followed by India and the Asian tigers Korea and Taiwan. And what's driving them forward is...you guessed it. It's primarily the cost factor. The report outlines 3 prominent trends.

The trend towards high end innovation - intellectual property (IP) concerns have previously inhibited this trend in pharma but, increasingly, such concerns are being overcome and major moves are being made by big pharma companies to step up their drug discovery investment in Asia.

Rapid expansion of clinical trials in Asia's medical industry - the volume of clinical trials being conducted in countries outside of Europe, North America and Japan has been growing rapidly in recent years with Asian countries leading much of the growth. China has overtaken India as one of the fastest-growing locations. By June 2008, China had 428 clinical trials registered on the website as under way and a cumulative total of 870 completed or ongoing trials compared with 737 in India.

A scaling up of pharma manufacturing in Asia – with an increased commitment to international standards, Asian CMOs are securing more outsourcing orders from big pharmaceutical companies. In India, for example, there are more than 100 FDA-approved pharmaceutical facilities – the largest number in any country outside the US.

As against the earlier scenario, factors such as the presence of educated and qualified scientists, improved intellectual property (IP) legislation and a good market growth seems to have overridden the negatives surrounding development in the region.
At the same time, concerns about outsourced pharma products still remain at large. Whether it's the tainted heparin products or the reports of contaminated milk powder from China ensuring safety should be a big challenge. Even the proposed FDA Globalization Act of 2008 has met with criticism on account of feasibility, for the most part due to the present FDA funding, which is far too less to meet the goals in time. Companies need to be profitable but not at the cost of harming those they are supposed to heal.

Outsourcing aside, recently it was revealed that News Articles are Lax In Disclosing Drug Trial Funding.

Caution: News Articles Lax In Disclosing Drug Trial Funding

The mainstream media do not report potential sources of bias in medical research, informs a study in the latest issue of JAMA.

The study analyzed news media coverage of medical studies and found that, more often than not the news articles fail to report pharmaceutical company funding. In addition they frequently refer to medications by their brand names, rather than their generic names. Both of which can be possible sources of bias, the researchers suggest.

The trend is critical because medical news articles in the media make up for an important source of medical information for many patients, and even some physicians. So the audience may already be reading commercially inclined information, especially the physicians.

For the purpose of the study the authors identified 306 news articles, of which 175 were from newspapers and 131 were from online sources. Of the 306 news articles about company-funded medication studies, the funding source for the studies was not reported in 42 percent of the articles! That's pretty close to half the medical news in the media.

Aside from the sources of funding, news articles, especially short ones may be skipping other vital information such as the side effects. Experts, believe that news agencies should have explicit guidelines on reporting of medical studies.

However another startling find came to light during the study. Many editors of the 100 most popular publications when surveyed indicated that they identified the funding sources, had drafted polices on medical reporting, etc, a reality check however, revealed a divergence between their perceptions and practice. For instance, of the editors who reported always identifying company funding, failed to cite company funding in about 45 percent cases.

When it's about referring to generic names, one of the problems with many drug names seems to be that they are tongue twisters, but this justification isn't sufficient if accurate reporting is to be achieved. Perhaps firm steps need to be taken, and with time the audience, especially the patient population will get accustomed.

How Acupuncture Helps Women

Today, acupuncture finds wholesome visibility in the media. One of the most popular alternative medicine treatments, acupuncture has been used by 8.2 million U.S. adults according to a 2002 health survey. And quite a few possible benefits of acupuncture too have been reported off late.

It's hard to imagine how tiny needles, the only 'medical instrument' used in acupuncture to stimulate anatomical points on the body could have wide ranging health effects?

Nevertheless, the following illustrations show how acupuncture may help in managing women's health problems.

Acupuncture and IVF Outcomes

Earlier this year, a study published in the British Medical Journal found that the chances of pregnancy were increased by 65% when acupuncture given to patients in addition to the embryo transfer process as compared to when it's not given. However, a later study from the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found little evidence of any benefits. And that more work was needed to establish solid links between Acupuncture and IVF administration. But a spark has been lit.

Acupuncture and Hormone Disorder

Polycystic ovary syndrome or (PCOS) is considered to cause a hormonal imbalance, an interference with ovulation and eventually leading to infertility. Now there's a study being conducted at the University of Virginia Health System to see the effectiveness of the acupuncture on the syndrome. Though the final verdict is still not out, the researcher have expressed promise. And there have been some happy endings.

Acupuncture and Hot Flushes

The evidence about the treatment's effect is not about hot flushes in general though, it's about relief from hot flushes in women on breast cancer treatment. It pertains to women who are being treated with anti-estrogen tamoxifen after breast cancer surgery. The findings came to light at the 6th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-6) held in Berlin.

Acupuncture and Back Pain (Pregnancy)

An estimated two-thirds or 66 percent of pregnant women get back pain and about 20% get pelvic pain. This is supposed to occur for the most part due to the distribution of weight during pregnancy. But according to a publication from the organization Cochrane Collaboration, stretching exercises, customized pillows when coupled with acupuncture can relieve such back pain.

Acupuncture and Labor Pain

A review published in the Cochrane Library, published by Cochrane Collaboration, suggests that acupuncture along with hypnosis may relieve labor pain. However, the researchers had also expressed that before putting the findings into practice with confidence, better-designed trials on the subject were needed.

An African quote reads, “When a needle falls into a deep well, many people will look into the well, but few will be ready to go down after it.” I don't know how long ago someone said that, but today it seems many people will accept the dare.

Innovative Robot = Hands Free Surgery

Bagging this year's award for “Innovation of the Year,” this new medical device is sure to bring a smile to laparoendoscopic surgeons around the world. Because it sets their hands free!

Prosurgics’ FreeHand robotic camera holder has been garnering attention since its launch in Stockholm this year. Backed by the international technology company Sagentia as a prime development partner, the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons in the USA awarded the robot the “2008 Innovation of the Year” title.

FreeHand, Prosurgics’, a second generation robotic camera holder, brings to the medical industry an inexpensive robotic aid for use in minimally invasive abdominal surgery.

It's now known that surgeons around the world often struggle to find skilled assistants to hold the camera during laparoscopic or key-hole procedures. While, eventually they find dependable aides, it's still an onerous task because it's tiring, and leads to a camera shake, poor visualization, and make the surgery even longer.

How It Works?

Attach It

FreeHand cleverly addresses these problems. The device can be quickly attached to the side of the operating table and because it only takes moments attach, its position can be changed fast during the surgery.

Regulate its movements

The device is controlled using a gadget worn by the surgeon on the forehead. The surgeon using only natural head movements selects the direction in which she wants to “steer” the robot, or tilt, pan and zoom. Then with a foot pedal she can actuate the movement. An option to preselect the speed and other adjustments, enable precise control over the robots movements.

In a nutshell the benefits are threefold:

• It enables quick and precise control of scope position
• Unmatched stability
• Ease of use and efficiency

After, Video Game Surgery To Train Surgeons , the new device seems to be a quite a helpful creation for medics.