PharmaPassport Health Tips Blog

July 29, 2011

The Truth About Hormone Therapy

Filed under: health-tips — Tags: hormone replacement therapy, hormone therapy, hormones, prevent osteoporosis, treatment for menopause — Kcondon @ 11:04 pm

Hormones are chemicals which are naturally released in the body to monitor and regulate day-to-day functions. For example, the hormone thyroxin, which is released by the thyroid, regulates metabolism, protein synthesis, and neural development. During menopause, a woman’s ovaries release less estrogen which brings on uncomfortable menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. As a result, hormone replacement therapy was often recommended as a treatment for menopa u se symptoms and to prevent osteoporosis. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the supplement of synthetic hormones in the forms of skin gels, pills, vaginal creams, patches, or vaginal rings.

Estrogen promotes healthy blood levels of cholesterol, the thickening of the uterus lining, optimal vaginal health, and proper processing of calcium. As estrogen monitors how the body uses calcium, a deficiency in estrogen can lead to osteoporosis. Women who have retained their uterus need to take progesterone with estrogen; otherwise estrogen will elevate the risk of cancer in the lining of the uterus. Progesterone reduces this risk by inducing monthly bleeding.

In July 2002, the results of the Women’s Health Initiative study which was published in Journal of the American Medical Association, caused millions of women across the US to stop hormone therapy due to the significantly increased risk of breast cancer. The study which was initially meant for duration of eight and a half years was immediately terminated after five years.

The study found that for every 10,000 women there were 7 heart attacks, 18 blood clots, 8 strokes and 8 cases of blood cancer. These findings led researchers at the National Health Institution to ask women to discuss the discontinuation of estrogen plus progesterone hormone therapy with their healthcare professionals. Some positive results of the study included 6 less colon cancer cases, 5 less hip fractures, and fewer fractures in general. Although these benefits were found, it was thus concluded that the risks of estrogen plus progesterone HRT outweighed the benefits.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy is looked as a safer alternative to conventional HRT as the hormones are molecularly identical and natural. Bioidentical hormones are derived from botanical plants such as soy and wild yam. As these hormones are more identical to the natural hormones produced in the body, the risk of potential side effects are minimized. The long term use of bioidentical hormones have not been studied so it is important for patients to only use FDA approved hormones. This applies especially to the use of compound hormones. Compounding is defined as the combination and/or modification of at least two FDA approved drugs to the specific medical needs of the patient. Compounded drugs are made as specified by a licensed practitioner. Compounded drugs are not approved by the FDA due to cases of death and injury. Moreover, when testing compounded hormones, over thirty percent of the medications failed. There are several FDA approved bioidentical hormones that patients can talk to their doctors about taking.

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February 14, 2011

Rethink Those Weird Health Tips

Filed under: health-tips — Tags: cinnamom, eat outside, health, health-tips, laughing, metabolism, music, peppers — sgordon @ 5:04 pm

Have you ever come across a weird health tip, that you thought sounded ridiculous? Well, you may be surprised when some of those strange tips, could be quite beneficial for a healthier you.
Below are just a few of the many odd health tips you may have heard about, but these ones are worth a try.

• Ever heard that laughing helps you lose weight? Well, according to scientists laughing up to 10 to 15 minutes a day will help you burn off the amount of calories in one medium square of chocolate! So that means if you laugh up to 10- 15 minutes a day, in a year you could lose an estimated 4.4 pounds per year! Some people spend hours in the gym trying to shed calories, when simply laughing can do the same result for you. Why not enjoy yourself and lose the weight in the process. Try it out!
• Ever heard that eating more will help you weigh less? That might be confusing to you, especially if you find your eating too much and gaining weight. Eating small and healthy throughout the day, on top of regular balanced meals can keep your stomach full. It will also stop you from going to the nearest vending machine, to feed your hungry needs. Eating the nutritious and protein rich foods, can assist in bettering your metabolism, as well as persuade muscle building.
• Ever heard that eating outside will help you lose weight? Well those who eat while working will eat on average 250 calories more than those who eat outside. This occurs because when you are focusing more on your work, you are less focused on what you are putting in your body. This can keep you so distracted that you don’t realize you’re not hungry anymore, and still are eating.
• Ever heard that eating cinnamon can help burn fat? An individual can burn fat through consuming a least half a teaspoon daily of cinnamon. It helps boost metabolism.
• Ever heard that it is beneficial to eat red peppers? Eating spicy peppers can help you shed extra pounds as it contains capsaicin which helps boost metabolism.
• Ever heard that listening to music helps the brain’s fitness? According to a study by Nature Reviews Neuroscience, they found that musical training or any relations with music can improve the brains capability to handle communication. Thus making it easier for the brain to acclimatize and alter during physical or mental change. Listening to music can also provide a distraction from stress or worries, so you are completely focused on working out.

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June 24, 2010

6 Uses for Melatonin

Filed under: health-tips — Tags: ADHD, breast cancer, cancer, cancer cells, epilepsy, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, melatonin, prostate cancer, seizures, sleep, sleep deprivation, sunburns, uv light, vitamin e — Amanda @ 6:44 pm

Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the brain and helps regulate other hormones and the body’s internal clock. Melatonin plays a huge role in when we fall asleep and wake up. When it’s dark out, your body produces more melatonin. When it is light out, the production of melatonin levels decreases. If you are exposed to bright lights at night, or darkness during the day, your body’s normal melatonin cycles. Jet lag, and shift work can drastically affect your melatonin levels. You can increase your melatonin levels by spending time in the sunlight, sleeping in complete darkness, and following your body’s urges to sleep and wake up. You can also visit a doctor for melatonin supplements. Melatonin is available in tablets, capsules, cream, and lozenges that dissolve.

Uses for Melatonin

Better sleep - Melatonin supplements can help you sleep if you have insomnia or disrupted sleep rhythms, or if you have naturally low melatonin levels. Studies found that melatonin reduces the time it takes to fall asleep, increases the number of sleeping hours, and boosts alertness during the day. The study found that melatonin supplements work better on people over the age of 55 who have insomnia. For people with primary insomnia, melatonin helped them fall asleep faster, sleep better, be more alert in the morning, and improve their overall quality of life.

Breast cancer - Studies suggest that low melatonin levels are associated with breast cancer risk. Women with breast cancer have lower levels of melatonin than those who do not have breast cancer. Experiments found that low levels of melatonin help the growth of cancer cells, whereas adding melatonin to these cells slows their growth. Other experiments found that melatonin can strengthen the effects of certain chemotherapy drugs used to treat breast cancer. A study of women who were taking tamoxifen for breast cancer but saw no improvement added melatonin to their medication schedule and found that their tumors shrunk in size in 28% of women.

Prostate cancer - Men with prostate cancer have lower melatonin levels than men without prostate cancer. Melatonin has been found to block the growth of prostate cancer cells. Taking melatonin supplements combined with conventional medical treatment improved survival rates in 9 out of 14 men with prostate cancer.

Sunburns - Studies tested melatonin alone and combined with topical vitamin E before exposure to UV light and found that gels, ointments, or lotions containing melatonin can protect against sunburn and other skin damage.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Studies suggest that people with IBS can take melatonin to reduce symptoms like abdominal pain. There were also some preliminary studies that found melatonin can help to improve other symptoms of IBS such as bloating and frequency of bowel movements. Further studies are required.

Epilepsy- Melatonin can reduce the frequency and duration of seizures in children with epilepsy. Talk to your doctor to find out if melatonin supplements can help your child.

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June 21, 2010

5 Reasons Why You Should Take Multivitamins

Filed under: health-tips — Tags: arthritis, calcium, cancer, folic acid, high cholesterol, menopause, pregnancy, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin c, vitamin e, vitamins — Amanda @ 6:02 pm

The food quality on the market today is not like it used to be and the human body needs a specific amount of vitamins to function properly. Since we get most of our vitamins from the food we eat, sometimes a multivitamin is needed to compensate for the vitamin deficiency’s in our diets. If you aren’t convinced that multivitamins are a necessity, here are some other reasons why you should take them.

1. Our bodies need to use more nutrients than normal to detoxify and eliminate substances from environmental pollution in the air, water, and food. The antioxidants including vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E are likely to decrease at a more rapid rate due to this pollution.

2. The busy schedules of our lives are contributing to our lack of vitamins. Our wavering eating habits, lazy chewing, eating on the run, and stress are causing poor digestion. This makes it hard for our bodies to take in all of the nutrients from our food.

3. Certain health conditions can increase your need for vitamins. During pregnancy, a woman’s body requires more folic acid and during menopause, they are more susceptible to calcium deficiencies. In addition, the use of pharmaceutical drugs can increase the body’s vulnerability to vitamin deficiencies since most medications reduce essential nutrients in the body.

4. The food industry isn’t helping our vitamin deficiencies. Modern agricultural techniques are leaving the soil deficient of minerals causing the food grown there to share the same deficiencies. After the foods have been harvested, they are often stored for long periods of time and transported great distances. This depletes the food of important vitamins. The processing, preserving, and cooking involved with our food doesn’t help either. This also contributes to nutrient depletion and makes it difficult for us to be nutritiously satisfied from foods alone.

5. Vitamins and minerals will improve your overall health. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Folic Acid, Beta Carotene, and Vitamin B6 have all been proven to help in the treatment of high cholesterol, arthritis, birth defects, and even cancer

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June 10, 2010

6 Unadvertised Uses for Aspirin

Filed under: health-tips — Tags: acne, aspirin, chlorine, clotting, dandruff, fever, hair color, headache, joint pain, mosquito bites, pain, pain relief — Amanda @ 11:35 pm

Aspirin is a mild, non-narcotic analgesic that works by inhibiting the production of body chemicals that are necessary for blood clotting and also sensitize nerve endings to pain. Aspirin is actually derived from the bark and leaves of the willow tree. In 1830 scientists realized that it was the component “Salicin” in the willow plant that was responsible for pain relief. After that scientists began trying to find ways to isolate that compound and turn it into a more usable form of medicine. Apart from treating headache and fever symptoms, aspirin has many helpful uses in everyday life.

1. Acne – Add water to crushed aspirin to create a paste that you can apply to your acne. The salicylic acid in the aspirin will dry out your pimples and since aspirin is an astringent, it will reduce their redness. They should be less noticeable after a couple uses. This is a good alternative if you don’t want to spend lots of money on drugstore acne products.

2. Clothing Stains - Aspirin can also be used to remove sweat stains from clothing. Dissolve a couple aspirins in half a cup of warm water and apply it to the stained fabric. Let it soak for a couple hours and then wash the clothing. The stains should disappear!

3. Fresh Flowers - Before putting cut flowers into a vase, dissolve an aspirin tablet in the water. This will help keep the flowers fresh and let them last longer.

4. Dandruff - Aspirin can help you with your dandruff problems. Crush two aspirins and mix them with your shampoo. Let the mixture soak in for about 3 minutes before rinsing your hair. You will have a less flaky scalp!

5. Hair Color - For those of you who love to swim you may know that the chlorine in pools can give your hair a yellowish or faded color. Dissolve 10 aspirins in a glass of water and rub the solution into your hair. After 10 minutes rinse it out an wash your hair as you usually would.

6. Bites – Aspirin works wonders on bug bites!! Wet an aspirin tablet and rub it over a mosquito bite or bee sting. You should feel instant relief!

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June 9, 2010

The Advantages and Disadvantages of High and Low Metabolisms

Filed under: health-tips — Tags: diet, energy, exercise, high metabolism, low metabolism, metabolism — Tanveen @ 4:14 pm

Metabolism is essentially the energy required to sustain yourself. For example, active individuals who eat balanced meals tend to have a high metabolism as opposed to inactive individuals who tend to have a low metabolism. Having a lower metabolism as opposed to a higher one is far more common. Your metabolism is not purely determined by how much you exercise, but also by other factors such as: family background, body composition, gender, age, and eating habits.

Often when people think of high metabolism they see it as a great advantage and people with low metabolisms envy this perk that some people have. However, you will notice that having a high metabolism is not necessarily always beneficial. People in a situation like that below often find that they have no one to relate to because of their rare predicament.

“I have tried everything! I am 21 years old and have a very high metabolism. I only weigh 105 pounds and am skinnier than everyone I know. My bones stick out in all the wrong places and I can’t do anything about it. I eat approximately 3000 calories a day but yet I am unable to gain even a pound. I don’t know what to do!”

Most people have the tendency to want to lose weight even though they have a healthy body size. All without realizing that there are people who would do anything to have a healthy body like theirs. If you are in the situation above or even one that is not as extreme you should contact your doctor and begin treatment if necessary.

On the other hand a low metabolism can mean that your body can gain weight very easily. For some people this may be a result of poor nutrition and thus depriving their bodies of food for long periods of time. Neither of the two extremes is appealing or a good situation to be in. Somewhere in between is where most people should aim to be.

There are some factors that affect metabolic rate on which you have no control over such as your increasing age or your gender, but you can still work towards a better metabolic rate. An inevitable trend that occurs is a decrease in metabolism as you age. This is why you need to prepare for it, or not let it get the better of you if you have already reached that point in life.

Four Ways to Boost Your Metabolism

Set up an exercise regime that you can follow through with. The development of muscle inceases metabolic rate significantly. More muscle means that more calories will be used up to maintain the body.
STOP DIETING! Dieting puts your body in “survival mode”. As a result of low food intake your body thinks that it is starving and thus trys to conserve as much energy as possible.
Drink lots of water.
Have a good night’s sleep.

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June 7, 2010

Two Year old Indonesian Baby is addicted to Cigarettes

Filed under: health-tips — Tags: cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, nicotine, quitting smoking, secondhand smoke, smoking baby — Amanda @ 11:37 pm

There have been recent reports about a two year old baby named Ardi Rizal in Indonesia who is addicted to nicotine and smokes over 40 cigarettes a day. Ardi was given his first cigarette by his parents in order to provide him with pain relief but he has become addicted and now throws tantrums if he doesn’t get his fix. His parents, unwilling to make him stop smoking, feel that his habit is uncontrollable. His father Mohammed said “He looks pretty health to me, I don’t see the problem.” His mother is unable to deny him of cigarettes because of his tantrum throwing and withdrawal complaints.

The baby is already dealing with the effects of cigarettes as he can barely move by himself. He can no longer keep up with the other toddlers. Being so young his body cannot handle the toxicity of the cigarettes and condition is on a path to quick deterioration.

Child advocates are publicizing the damage that second hand smoke can do to a child, and they are speaking out about the pressure put on children to smoke in countries where 1/3 of the population uses tobacco and cigarettes as a mean of narcotics where they can be bought for a few cents.

Even parents in North America are underestimating the damage that second-hand smoke can do to their children. Even parents that smoke outside are putting their children at risk. Cigarettes don’t need to be smoked near children to damage a child’s health. Kids can still absorb some of the nicotine through the fumes that contaminate dust particles settle in carpets, toys, and furniture. The worst part is that these fumes can contaminate household objects for many months before they dissipate. The American Lung Association has found that secondhand smoke exposure causes disease and premature death in children and adults who don’t smoke, secondhand smoke contains hundreds of chemicals known to be toxic or carcinogenic (formaldehyde, benzene, arsenic, ammonia ect), and secondhand smoke causes 3,400 deaths from lung cancer and up to 69,600 deaths from heart disease every year. It is important to think about young Ardi Rizal’s condition and consider quitting smoking in order to protect your family’s health and well-being.

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June 4, 2010

5 Skin Signs You Can’t Ignore

Filed under: health-tips — Tags: addison's disease, aspirin, eczema, ginkgo biloba, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, photo sensitivity, skin, thyroid, vitamin c, vitamins — Amanda @ 12:23 am

Medical conditions affect all parts of the body including fingernails and skin! Here are some serious skin warning signs that you can’t afford to ignore.

1. Long dark lines in the palms

If you have long deep dark lines in the palms of your hands it could be a sign of an adrenal insufficiency – like Addison’s’ disease. Other signs of Addison’s disease include dark pigmentation around scars, lips, and knees and knuckles. People that suffer from Addison’s disease have low blood pressure and salt loss. If you ever have any unusual visual symptoms you should let your doctor know as soon as possible.

2. Sun Rashes

If you’re taking a photo sensitizing medication or if you have sensitive skin, you may develop an itchy rash that is hive-like or looks like eczema. Sometimes the chemicals in certain medications can cause a person to have an increased sensitivity to light. You’ll know if it’s a sun rash if it occurs only on areas that were recently exposed to sunlight. It can feel very uncomfortable and cause a tightening feeling – especially in the face around the lips – and last longer than a sun burn. Check your prescription medications for photo-sensitizing chemicals. Some medications will say “can cause chemical photosensitivity”. Be sure to wear a high SPF sun block but be aware that this may not prevent a sun rash. Your best defense is to stay in the shade and wear hats and loose clothing at the beach.

3. Purple stains

Purpura is often confused with a bruise because it looks like one. The difference is that it lasts longer and isn’t caused by a bump or a bang. Purpura is caused by broken blood vessels under the skin. It can be caused by many conditions including bleeding disorders and scurvy. It is most common in older adults whose skin is more fragile by years of sun damage and weakened vessels. Excessive use of aspirin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, blood thinners, and ginkgo biloba can make Purpura spots worse. Purpura discoloration starts red and eventually turns purple. It can last for a long time before turning brown and slowly fading. The color doesn’t go away when you press on it, and it can cover large areas of the body or show up in small specks. If you notice extensive signs of Purpura, tell your doctor.

4. Pale skin and blue nails

If you have paler than usual skin on the face and palms, and a pale blue tinge at the base of your fingernails you may be suffering from Anemia. This can be because of an iron deficiency, blood loss from bowel disease, or ulcer disease. Anemia also causes your gums, lips, and mouth tissues to become lighter than usual. Other symptoms of Anemia include dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and shortness of breath. Consult a doctor if you have signs of anemia.

5. Yellow skin, orange palms

This doesn’t mean that you’ve eaten too many carrots – it can possibly be the doings of your thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism can cause an increase in beta-carotene levels in the blood. If your thyroid gland cannot metabolize the vitamins as quickly as it should, beta-carotene can build up and cause your skin to turn orange or yellow in color. Your skin may also feel cold and dry. Fatigue, weakness, and aching are also major signs of hypothyroidism. You can, however, get orange skin by a heavy diet of carrots, carrot juice, sweet potatoes, and squash. If you haven’t been snacking on these foods then you may want to go see a doctor about your thyroid.

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May 31, 2010

4 Serious Dangers of Sunscreen

Filed under: health-tips — Tags: cancer, melanoma, skin cancer, sunscreen, uv rays, UVA, UVB, vitamin A — Amanda @ 8:38 pm

For many years we’ve believed that sunscreen is a safe and effective way to prevent skin cancer from UVA and UVB rays. After all, that’s how it’s been marketed for decades. However recent studies found that there are a number of health risks associated to sunscreen use. Whether or not the dangers are worth giving up your sunscreen routine is up to you.

1. Increased risk of Cancer

Researchers have found an increased risk of melanoma in sunscreen users. Scientists argue that people who use sunscreen stay out in the sun longer and absorb more radiation, or that free radicals that are released as the sunscreen breaks down in sunlight may be part of it. One possible reason for this is that poor sunscreens with bad UVA protection agents have been at the top of the consumer market for 30 years due to their lower prices. All public health industries still believe you should still use sunscreen, but they also think shade, clothing, and time of day should be important things to remember.

2. A higher SPF doesn’t mean longer protection

People who use sunscreen with a high SPF think they are completely immune to sun damage, but that is not the case. Scientists say that there is no evidence that using a sunscreen with an SPF of 85 allows people to remain in the sun longer than they would when using a sunscreen with a lower SPF. In 2007 the FDA published regulations that would prevent companies from labeling sunscreen with an SPF higher than 50. The FDA believed that higher values are misleading – that high SPF products may make people stay in the sun too long and increase their risk of skin cancer. In addition, a sun block with SPF 60 only blocks 1 – 1.5% more of UV rays than an SPF 30.

3. Sunscreen doesn’t necessarily prevent skin cancer

The FDAs draft of sunscreen safety regulations in 2007 said “the FDA is not aware of data demonstrating that sunscreen use alone helps prevent skin cancer”. The International Agency for Research on Cancer agrees. They recommended using hats and shade as primary barriers. Sunscreen should not be the only form of protection against skin cancer. In fact, in the US, the FDA’s 32 year effort to set enforceable guidelines for consumer protection has stalled. There has been an abundance of problems in existing products including false claims about sun block protection and inadequate UVA protection. Hopefully these problems with existing products will be fixed when the FDA’s rules take effect. However, there will still be loopholes in sunscreen quality as the FDA does take toxicity into effect when testing products for safety.

4. The vitamin A added to sunscreen may speed cancer production

Recent information from the FDA shows that a type of vitamin A may speed up the development of skin tumors and lesions when applied to the skin under UV rays. This type of vitamin A is commonly added to sunscreens and is present in 41% of all sunscreen products. The industry adds this particular form of vitamin A to its sunscreens because it is an anti-oxidant that prevents aging. The vitamin A is approved for indoor use, but after a study, there is a possibility that it results in cancerous tumors when applied to the skin that is exposed to sunlight.

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May 6, 2010

Improve Your Memory Through Dreams

Filed under: brain,health-tips,insomnia,memory loss,sleep,sleep deprivation — Tags: brain, ginkgo, healthy living, insomnia, memory, mental health, naps, sleep — Amanda @ 9:32 pm

The days of staying up all night to study for exams are over. The real key to improving the memory is through sleep and dreams. A study recently concluded that there is a definite link between sleep and an improved memory.

A recent study of 99 participants found a link between sleep, dreams, and memory. The experiment had the participants navigate through a virtual maze on a computer screen. Half of them were allowed to take a 90 minute nap, while the other half stayed awake. Later on the participants were re-tested on the virtual maze. Those who napped performed better than those who stayed awake, and what is more is that those who reported dreaming about the maze during their nap performed 10 times better than the nappers who didn’t dream. Another study found that people who dream about doing specific tasks actually improve their ability to perform that task in the waking world.

Scientists don’t know exactly how dreams boost learning and memory capacity because dreaming is such a complex process, but it doesn’t need to take as long as 90 minutes for your memory to improve. In fact, a short nap as little as a 12 minutes can make your memory flourish. Many North American’s are suffering from insomnia and aren’t getting the daily sleep they need. Some find themselves sleeping in on weekends to make up for it instead of sleeping 7 – 8 hours a night on a regular basis. Sleep is an important part of your physical and mental health and shouldn’t be neglected.

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