Dr. Arturo M. Volpe

Data for adults shows that the number of people who are overweight increased by more than 50% in the last 10 years. A study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA, 2001;286(22):2845) set out to determine if a similar increase could also be seen in children. The study analyzed data from 8,270 children from 1986 to 1998. It concluded that overweight prevalence increased rapidly among American children, particularly among minorities. In addition, overweight children were heavier in 1998 when compared to 1986. The study further concluded that strategies are required “to increase physical activity and encourage healthy eating patterns among children”.

Tags: Overweight Children
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Many people taking aspirin or Tylenol every day do not even consider chronic renal failure as a possible risk. However, a recent study (N Engl J Med 2001;345(25):1801-1808) shows that there is reason for concern. The study was conducted on 926 patients with newly diagnosed renal failure and 980 control subjects. It used logistic-regression models to estimate the relative risks associated with the use of various analgesics. The study concluded that aspirin or Tylenol were used regularly by 37% and 25%, respectively, of the patients with renal failure and 19% and 12% of the controls. Regular use of either drug was associated with an increase by a factor of 2.5 in the risk of chronic renal failure, and the risk rose with increasing cumulative lifetime doses. However, the study found that the risk of developing kidney failure from either drug was minimal in people without pre-existing kidney disease.

Tags: Kidney Failure
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High levels of ozone in the air we breathe are a major public health problem. It is estimated that more than 130 million Americans live in areas where ozone levels exceed safety standards. Exposure to ozone is known to cause decreased breathing capacity, airway hyperreactivity, and inflammation of the airway passages. In a study last year, (Am J Resp Crit Care Med 2001 164 819) participants were given a combination of antioxidants that included vitamin C, vitamin E and a vegetable cocktail. Antioxidants were found to be protective against decline in lung function but not to reduce markers of inflammation caused by ozone exposure.

Tags: Antioxidants, Chemicals & Environmental Issues
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Several studies have shown that chronic inflammation of the brain plays a role in causing Alzheimer’s disease and that long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with a lower risk of contracting this disease. However, NSAIDs taken over long periods of time can cause gastrointestinal, liver and renal toxicity.

In one study (J Neurosci 2001;21:8370-7) researchers evaluated the common Indian spice turmeric in mice. After six months of use, the mice eating the turmeric had a significant reduction in two markers of inflammation in the brain and also had less free radical damage to brain cells without experiencing any side effects. Incidentally, mice receiving less turmeric every day did better than those fed larger amounts. The most beneficial dose would be roughly equivalent to 1,600 mg of curcumin per day for a 150 lbs person. Curcumin is believed to be the most active ingredient in turmeric. Researchers caution that, even though this preliminary study is promising, there still is no research in humans on the effects of turmeric.

Tags: Alzheimer's Disease
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