XTEND-15sec-NEWSt
12th May 2006
Please click on the link of interest:
Gingko May Prevent Ovarian Cancer…n1t1
A study has found that Gingko may help prevent Ovarian Cancer by 60%.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have found initial laboratory and epidemiological evidence that, for the first time, demonstrates that ginkgo may help lower a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer. The findings were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's annual meeting in Baltimore on Oct. 31, 2005.
In a population-based study, which involved more than 668 ovarian cancer cases and 720 healthy, matched controls, women who took ginkgo supplements for six months or longer were shown to have a 60 percent lower risk of ovarian cancer. More…
Warren Matthews comments: This is not really a surprising result as many herbal extracts are very effective in helping prevent the ‘activation’ of cancer. Gingko is an important one which is why we use it in Total Balance. However, you should keep in mind that different substances act in different ways in the body and follow different pathways.
For example, in the above case Gingko helps prevent ovarian cancer (and other types of cancer) whereas Lycopene is excellent as a preventative against prostate cancer which is why we use it in our TB Men’s Version. However, it is not a good thing to just target one part of the body. Instead you must provide nourishment to ALL of your organs as they are all interdependent. This is why you should use a synergistic ‘cocktail’ of effective natural nutrients as a foundation of your health program.
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FDA Warns Antihistamine Linked to Deaths…n2t2
Federal health officials warned parents and doctors Tuesday not to give drugs that contain promethazine hydrochloride to children younger than 2, citing seven cases of death linked to use of the antihistamine.
The Food and Drug Administration said in a safety alert that beyond the deaths, it also has received 22 reports of severe breathing problems associated with use of the allergy drug, all in children younger than 2. More…
Warren Matthews comments: Personally I don’t think that infants should ever be given drugs unless they are in a life threatening situation and the drugs are the last resort. The potential negative health implications for the child are far reaching and sometimes affect them for life.
Oh…by the way if you are a woman and constantly take anti-histamines and find that your sex life is less than satisfying….try stopping them for a while. You will notice a difference.
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Anti-depressant stillbirth link…n3t3Use of a type of anti-depressant medication during pregnancy may increase the risk of a stillborn baby, research suggests.
A Canadian study of almost 5,000 mothers found those who used SSRIs were also more likely to have premature and low birth weight babies.
However experts said women should not stop taking medication without expert advice.
The study is published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. More…
Warren Matthews comments: It is generally dangerous for both the mother and the unborn child if the Mother is taking drugs during pregnancy. Would be Mothers who are depressed should make an extreme effort to relieve this condition (naturally) before becoming pregnant. Not only for their own health and peace of mind, but also for that of their baby!
The health of the mother during pregnancy has a major bearing on the long term health of their child… A depressed pregnant woman on anti-depressants may well impair the mental ability of their child for their entire life. So, if you are thinking about having a child make sure you are happy before you conceive…and try to stay that way.
Also when you are pregnant make sure that you are taking additional folic acid…and, also additional Omega 3 as this is essential for the babies brain development. Some scientists believe that because of the demands that the unborn child has for DHA (from Omega 3) and because the fetus ‘draws’ DHA from the mothers own personal supply that this could be a factor in causing depression in pre and post natal women.
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Important notice: All material provided within XTEND-15sec-NEWS is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken solely on the contents of this publication. Consult your physician or a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health and wellbeing or on any opinions expressed within this newsletter. The information provided in this newsletter is believed to be accurate based on the best judgment of the editor but the reader is responsible for consulting with their own health professional on any matters raised within.
Gingko May Prevent Ovarian Cancer m1
60 percent lower risk of ovarian cancer found in study
Women who took ginkgo supplements for six months or longer were shown to have a 60 percent lower risk of ovarian cancer. (Photo by Jon Chase/Harvard News Office).
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have found initial laboratory and epidemiological evidence that, for the first time, demonstrates that ginkgo may help lower a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer. The findings were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's annual meeting in Baltimore on Oct. 31, 2005.
In a population-based study, which involved more than 668 ovarian cancer cases and 720 healthy, matched controls, women who took ginkgo supplements for six months or longer were shown to have a 60 percent lower risk of ovarian cancer.
Daniel Cramer, MD, ScD, director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Epidemiology Center at BWH, and colleague Bin Ye, PhD, found that ginkgo, echinacea, St. John's wort, ginseng, and chondroitin were the most commonly used herbals among study participants. A further analysis of the data showed that ginkgo was the only herb linked to ovarian cancer prevention. The preventive effect was more pronounced in women with non- muncious ovarian cancers, with data showing that ginkgo may reduce the risk of this type of ovarian cancer by 65-70 percent.
The team then took the evidence demonstrated in the population study to the laboratory. In these experiments the researchers tested whether or not gingko, when introduced to ovarian cancer cells, may interfere with cell growth.
In vitro experiments showed that a low dosage of gingkolide caused ovarian cancer cells to stop growing. The researchers observed an 80 percent growth reduction in non-mucinious ovarian cancer cells. Gingkolides appeared to be less effective against the mucinous type of ovarian cancer cells, which paralleled the findings observed in the epidemiological study.
"Among the mixture of ginkgo chemicals," said Ye, "we found laboratory evidence that ginkgolide A and B, terpene compounds, are the most active components contributing to this protective effect."
http://www.researchmatters.harvard.edu/story.php?article_id=969
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FDA Warns Antihistamine Linked to Deathsm2
Apr 25, 10:10 PM (ET)
WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal health officials warned parents and doctors Tuesday not to give drugs that contain promethazine hydrochloride to children younger than 2, citing seven cases of death linked to use of the antihistamine.
The Food and Drug Administration said in a safety alert that beyond the deaths, it also has received 22 reports of severe breathing problems associated with use of the allergy drug, all in children younger than 2.
The drug, also known as promethazine HCl, is sold by Wyeth under the brand name Phenergan as well as in various generic versions. The warning covers all forms of the drug, including syrups, suppositories, tablets and injectable liquids.
Parents also should use care in giving the drug to children older than 2, the FDA said.
The labels on all versions of the drug have been updated to reflect the strengthened warnings, the FDA said.
The drug, approved in 1951, is used to treat hay fever, stuffy or runny nose due to allergies and other minor allergies.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060426/D8H7DDDO0.html
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Anti-Depressant Stillbirth Link m3
Babies may be affected by drugs in the womb.
Use of a type of anti-depressant medication during pregnancy may increase the risk of a stillborn baby, research suggests.
A Canadian study of almost 5,000 mothers found those who used SSRIs were also more likely to have premature and low birth weight babies.
However experts said women should not stop taking medication without expert advice.
The study is published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
The researchers, from the University of Ottawa, compared the health of babies born to 972 women taking SSRI anti-depressants with that of babies born to mothers who did not use anti-depressants.
SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors work by increasing levels of the mood chemical serotonin in the brain. They include Prozac.
The researchers found women using the drugs were twice as likely to have a stillbirth. They were also almost twice as likely to have a low birth weight baby.
Almost 20% of women who used SSRIs gave birth prematurely, compared to 12% of those who did not use the drugs.
Babies born to women using SSRIs were also more likely to have seizures.
Benefits and risks
The researchers said women should be fully briefed about the potential risk of SSRIs before taking a decision about whether or not to use them.
Charlotte Davies, of Tommy's, the baby charity said pregnant women could opt for other types of anti-depressant medication.
She said: "Whilst this study has found a correlation between SSRIs and pregnancy complications, it has in no way confirmed a clear causal effect between the two, so pregnant women should continue taking their medication as normal.
"Left untreated, the physical and psychological effects of depression can lead to problems during pregnancy.
"Sufferers of depression are far more likely to smoke, as well as lose their appetites and in extreme cases are more likely to attempt suicide, which can all have devastating effects on mother and baby."
Other doubts
Previous research has also raised doubts about the safety of using SSRIs while pregnant.
Last year Danish and US scientists found use of the drugs in the first three months of pregnancy was linked to a 40% increased risk of birth defects such as cleft palate.
That research also suggested that use of SSRIs in pregnancy raised the risk of a premature birth.
In a separate study, Spanish research found that babies whose mothers used SSRIs are at risk of being born with withdrawal symptoms.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has warned doctors not to prescribe most SSRI drugs, apart from Prozac, to children.
This followed evidence that use of the drugs in young people might increase the risk of suicidal behaviour.
A spokesman for Eli Lilly, which manufactures, Prozac said the company had never promoted the use of the drug for pregnant or nursing mothers.
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