Excessive Salt Intake Linked to Millions of Deaths

 

New research has shown that excessive salt consumption has played a role in over two millions heart-related deaths worldwide in 2010 alone, with 40% of those deaths premature.  The study was detailed at the American Heart Association’s meeting in New Orleans on March 21, 2013.  Researchers looked at 247 surveys of adults that participated in the 2010 Global Burden of Disease Survey, an international collaboration between researchers from 50 countries worldwide.  Time summarized the investigation’s scope and methods:  

[Study participants] reported on their sodium intake from 1990 to 2010 in food questionnaires. Overall, adults around the world ate an average of 4,000 mg of sodium a day, either from prepared foods or from table salt, soy sauce or additional salt sprinkled into meals while cooking. That’s twice the amount recommended by the World Health Organization (2,000 mg per day) and nearly three times the amount the AHA says is healthy (1,500 mg per day).

Researcher’s reported that salt’s impact on global health has been substantial.  A second study that was a meta-analysis of 107 randomized controlled trials helped to show the effects of excess sodium consumption and its impact of people’s risk of cardiovascular disease around the globe.  Highlights include:

·         Among the 30 largest countries, the highest death rates due to excess salt consumption per million adults were Ukraine (2,109); Russian (1,803); and Egypt (836).

·         The United States ranked 19th out of the 30 largest countries, with 429 salt-related deaths per million adults (which translates to 1 in 10 heart-related deaths in the U.S., according to the study authors).

·         Among all countries surveyed (187 in total), those with the lowest salt-related death rates per million adults were Qatar (73); Kenya (78); and United Arab Emirates (134).

·         84% of deaths occurred in low and middle-income countries

·         Kenya was reportedly the only country surveyed to adhere to the AHA's recommended 1,500 mg/day limit.

·         The highest proportion of cardiovascular disease related deaths tied to salt-laden diets were in the Philippines, Myanmar and China.

Time  also included a details from the Salt Institute:

The Salt Institute criticized the study, noting that the added heart-disease risk was compared with an unrealistically low level of salt consumption that no country in the world met. “This latest AHA statistical study on the worldwide mortality from dietary salt is misleading and totally devoid of genuine evidence,” said Morton Satin, vice president of science and research for the Salt Institute, in a statement. “Using a highly flawed statistical model, researchers simply projected potential reductions in mortality without considering all known health risks resulting from low salt intake.”

Adults aren’t the only ones at risk.  Other research discussed at the AHA meeting included some that showed children are already consuming too much salt.  The high sodium content in many prepackaged meals and snacks that are aimed at kids can force them into eating unhealthy amounts.  According to the data presented, about 75% of pre-packaged meals are high in sodium, defined as containing more than 210 mg per serving.  The study found that toddler meals could contain up to 630 mg of sodium per serving.

“Our concern is the possible long-term health risks of introducing high levels of sodium in a child’s diet, because high blood pressure, as well as a preference for salty foods, may develop early in life. The less sodium in an infant’s or toddler’s diet, the less he or she may want it when older,” said lead author Joyce Maalouf, a fellow at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, in a statement.

The AHA advised people to remember that salt doesn’t only come from the shaker but can be found in many of the packaged foods consumed each day.  Because this is often hidden, they advise closely reviewing the nutrition facts on foods that you don’t make yourself.  They also advise that when cooking at home, keep a close eye on the amount of salt added to foods and try to substitute with other flavors such as herbs and spices or lemon juice to trick taste buds into thinking they are getting the “salt” they are looking for.

 

 Adapted from: http://healthland.time.com/2013/03/22/salty-truth-adults-worldwide-eating-too-much-sodium/?iid=tsmodule

 

 

Study finds, losing sleep for even short periods of time can lead to weight gain

March 19, 2013

New parents, college students and those who have to stay up late to meet deadlines may find themselves with an expanding waistline.  The lack of sleep isn’t the root cause of the problem, but rather that a person will consume more food when they are awake for longer periods of time.

The findings in this study aren’t surprising given past research findings and the link between weight gain and sleep, but a new study from the University of Colorado demonstrates how quickly a link can be formed between lack of sleep and weight gain.  The New York Times reported that even just a few days with a couple hours less sleep than is normal can lead to an expanding waist line.

Although getting less sleep can increase a person’s metabolism, it can also result in overeating.  The study from the University of Colorado showed that light sleepers gained around 2 pounds after one week of decreased sleep.  The study also found that those that sleep less not only eat more, they eat a greater quantity of food that is bad for you, mainly, carbohydrates and fats.  They also tend to eat a smaller breakfast and partake in after dinner snacking.  In the experiment, once a regular pattern of increased sleep was resumed, the participants immediately began a more healthful diet.

 

Adapted from: http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/03/19/losing_sleep_can_lead_to_weight_gain.html

Mobile Health - Smart Phones to Help You Get Healthy!

MOBILE HEALTH

Smartphones can not only take photos and play your favorite

tunes, they can help you manage your health through

a variety of free and low-cost apps.

Here’s how:

 

 

·        EAT  RIGHT.  Setting goals, recording your food intake soon after meals, and monitoring your progress will help stay on track.

·        QUIT SMOKING.  There are several websites that provide support and tips for kicking the habit.

·        BOOST YOUR FITNESS.  You can measure and record your heart rate, steps per day or calories burned, as well as create a custom workout with exercise and stretching routines.

·        MANAGE DIABETES, HYPERTENSION OR OTHER CONDITIONS. Individuals using apps for diabetes have been able to improve their blood sugar control. You can even use your phone with an optional cuff to measure and track your blood pressure.

·        EDUCATE YOURSELF. Whether you want to learn about medications, illnesses or first-aid techniques, apps can help you locate the information quickly

·        REDUCE STRESS AND IMPROVE SLEEP.  There are programs that teach you deep breathing, and others that provide relaxing background music and sounds to promote sleep.

Inspiration for a Healthy New Year

Many popular New Year's resolutions focus on how to improve our health. That is good news, considering that being healthy provides us protection against disease and injury, as well as strength and energy to help us have a good quality of life.

5 Healthy Tips for 2013

Whatever your situation, see your health care provider and find out how you can live a safer and healthier life. Here are a few general tips for a safe and healthy life:

• Find health resources to help you achieve your New Year's goals.

• Protect yourself from injury or disease by wearing a helmet, sunscreen, or insect repellent when necessary.

• Make an appointment for a check-up, vaccination, or screening. Know where to go for care if you do not have health insurance.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Learn health tips that take 5 minutes or less.

Healthy You

• Make healthy food choices. Grab a healthy snack such as fruit, nuts, or low-fat cheese.
• Be active. Try simple things such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Be active for at least 2½ hours a week.
• Find out more about the benefits of regular physical activity . Sometimes getting started is the hardest part. Learn what counts as aerobic exercise .
• Be smoke-free. If you are ready to quit, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free counseling. Need inspiration? Check out Tips from Former Smokers .
• Get enough sleep. Remember that sleep is a necessity, not a luxury.

Learn more about Healthy Living.

Healthy Family

• Learn how to be healthy before, during, and after pregnancy.
• Reduce auto-related injuries by using seat belts, child safety seats, and booster seats that are appropriate for your child's age and weight.
• Learn positive parenting tips to keep teens safe on the road.
• Develop and enforce rules about acceptable and safe behaviors using electronic media.
• Lower the risk of foodborne illness as you prepare meals for your family.
• Serve healthy meals and snacks.
• Encourage and support physical activity.
• Gather and share family health history.
• Be a healthy caregiver.
• Encourage family members to get check-ups and screenings. Make sure they know where to go for care if they do not have health insurance.
• Get pets vaccinated and keep pets healthy.
• Add the 5 Minutes or Less for Health widget to your website to get new health tips each week.

Learn more about Family Health and Kids' Health, and visit the Parent Portal.

 

Adapted from: http://www.cdc.gov/features/healthynewyear/

Study Shows that the Whooping Cough Vaccine May Become Less Effective Over Time

Vaccination is a hot topic in today’s world.  It is often a debated and changing subject.  Vaccination is proven to safeguard children against diseases such as whooping cough, but new research has shown that the vaccine may become less effective over time. 

A recent outbreak of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, was in California in 2010.  The outbreak sickened more than 9,000 people and left 10 infants dead.  This outbreak is what compelled an examination into the effectiveness of the vaccine.  The study found that the vaccine is effective, but it does become less effective over time, especially leaving children 7 to 10 years old vulnerable.

Lara Misegades, an epidemiologist at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta said, “The pertussis vaccine is our best protection against disease.”  Misegades also said, “We found that unvaccinated children were eight times more likely to be a pertussis case than vaccinated children.  Parents should ensure children complete the childhood series and make sure your children get the adolescent booster too.”

Just this year alone, the US has had more than 36,000 whooping cough cases have been reported.  There were 16 deaths, mainly in infants younger than 3 months old, according to the CDC.

"We're continuing to evaluate the changing epidemiology [of pertussis], but it's too early to speculate if there's a need for an additional booster," Misegades said.

The results of the study are available in the November 28^th issue of the Journal of American Medical Association.

The vaccine is commonly referred to as the DTaP vaccine.  It also includes immunizations for diphtheria and tetanus.  The vaccine is a 5 dose series that are administered at age 2 months, 2 months, 6 months, 15 months and between 4 and 6 years old. The CDC recommends a booster at the age of 11 or 12.

The research study was intended to evaluate how much time had elapsed since the last DTaP vaccination and the development of whooping cough in the patients in the California outbreak, which was the largest state outbreak in 60 years.

Included in the data for the study were 15 counties in California with a high incidence of pertussis cases.  A total of 682 children with ages ranging from 4 to 10 years old who developed pertussis were included and for each child in the this group, three children of the same age that did not have pertussis were also included for comparison.

The study found that in comparison to the controls, the children who had contracted pertussis were 89% less likely to have received all the recommended doses of the vaccine. Those children that developed the disease were more likely to be unvaccinated than those that did not have the disease 7.8% versus 0.9%.  The researchers also found that the vaccine became less effective with the more time that had passed.  

"Within the first few years, the vaccine's efficacy was around 98 percent," Misegades said. "Five or more years out, the vaccine effectiveness had dropped to about 71 percent."

The study also showed that the highest incidence of disease occurred in 7 to 10 year old children and that the incidence increased with age.  For example, about 3% of the cases occurred in 4 year olds and 31% of the cases were found in 10 year olds.  The current vaccine available is an acellular vaccine; it does not contain whole cells of the bacterium that is responsible for whooping cough infections.  The previous version of the vaccine did contain whole cells of the bacterium; however it was more likely to cause side effects, according to researchers.

The switch to the newer vaccine may explain the reemergence of pertussis, according to the editorial by Dr. Eugene Shapiro, accompanying the journal article.  Dr. Kenneth Bromberg, director of the Vaccine Study Center at the Brooklyn Hospital in New York City, agreed that the previous whole-cell vaccine might have been more effective than the current vaccine, but he pointed out that the whole-call vaccine did have production issues, including batch effectiveness variance. He also said that the components of the whole-cellular vaccine may have been the reason for the risk of side-effects.

The take-home message for parents, according to Bromberg is, “"the vaccine works. It's effective, so make sure everyone is appropriately vaccinated according to the current schedule." "We'll have to wait for further study to [determine if the current dosing schedule needs change]," he said. "Parents should stay tuned as to whether we recommend additional vaccinations for pertussis."

To learn more about pertussis, visit http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/vaccines.html.

 

Adapted from: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/11/27/whooping-cough-vaccine-less-effective-over-time-study.   

Do You Know What’s in Your Food? Bacteria and Drugs found in US Pork

An analysis from Consumer Reports recently revealed that samples of US pork-chop and ground-pork were found to contain significant amounts of harmful and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, in addition to low levels of growth hormone used to increase growth in pigs. 

The analysis showed that 3% to 7% of the samples contained dangerous bacteria.  Among those found included: salmonella, staphylococcus aureus and listeria monocytogenes.  These are all known to cause serious and harmful food-borne illnesses.  Found in 69% of the samples was the bacterium Yersinia enterocolitica, known for causing fever diarrhea and abdominal pain. 

The analysis included 198 samples.  Consumer Reports found that among the bacteria discovered, there were some found to be antibiotic-resistant.  Consumer Reports suggested that this could be a result of the pork farming industry’s common practice of administering low-dose antibiotics to promote weight gain.  Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been a hot topic in recent years because these “super bugs” are not able to be treated with our conventional antibiotics. 

In addition to the bacteria, the analysis also revealed that the pork products tested contained low levels of the drug ractopamine, which is commonly used in pigs that are raised for food in order to accelerate growth and leanness.  The drug is currently approved in the US but is banned in other countries, including the European Union, China and Taiwan. 

The overall analysis showed that the ground-pork samples were more likely to contain bacteria than the pork-chop samples.

Adapted from: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/11/28/widespread-bacteria-and-drugs-found-in-us-pork-samples/%20?test=latestnews

Make Your Thanksgiving a Healthy One: 5 Tips to Keep from Overindulging

The holidays are often a time filled with overconsumption.  The temptations of succulent turkey, tasty tarts and pies and savory side dishes can often times be lure that you just can’t resist.  But if you’re looking to eat healthy on Thanksgiving, it doesn’t mean you have to give up all your favorite foods, says Jennifer K. Nelson, a registered dietician and director of clinical dietetics at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. 

"If you've got your eating under control for the majority of the time, go ahead and have a piece of pie — just don't lose control entirely," Nelson told MyHealthNewsDaily. "Keep your willpower and your wits about you."

Here are 5 tips and tricks to help you eat avoid overindulgence this holiday.

1.       Stick to healthy portions.

Only one plate of food is all you get, says Nelson.  She advises to fill up half the plate with fruit, vegetables, and a whole wheat roll.  A quarter can be filled with either mashed or sweet potatoes and the other quarter with turkey or ham.  She also advises that the more colorful the arrangement on your plate, the better.  This means adding leafy greens, carrots, bell peppers, beets, cranberries and other vegetables as much as you can.

"If you fill up on those lower caloric density and higher nutrition things, you're going to feel full, but not bloated and tired, because it's a lighter fare," she said.

It is a holiday so if your diet allows, indulge a little bit.  Caution: if you’re going to eat desert, make sure you allow for the calories by decreasing them somewhere else. Don’t go back for a second helping of potatoes if you want to have a little dessert. Dee Sandquist, spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, advises to choose the cranberry salad if you are still hungry.

Sandquist also advises that if you are choosing pie, go for a fruit or pumpkin pie because they tend to have fewer calories rather than the chocolate or pecan pies.  She also says to try and stick to a single serving of your more unhealthy choices.  Aim for a half-cup of mashed potatoes and a 3 ounce serving of turkey.

2.       Eat before you indulge.

Don’t try and starve yourself throughout the early part of the Thanksgiving Day.  This is a recipe for overeating.  If you are going to a Thanksgiving lunch, make sure to eat breakfast before you go.  If you are going to a dinner, be sure to eat lunch or have a small snack.

"You definitely want to have your normal meals because otherwise, whenever we get over-hungry, we overeat," she said.

3.       Try to substitute healthy ingredients for the more unhealthy ones.

There are endless ways to make your Thanksgiving food healthier.  For your mashed potatoes, Nelson advises that mixing in chicken broth or herbs and garlic can add flavor without adding calories.  For your green bean casserole, substitute the friend onions for toasted almonds, adding protein and decreasing fat.  Sandquist also suggests that instead of a sugary cranberry sauce; instead opt to serve a cranberry salad.  For dips, substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream; the consistency will be similar but less fat and more protein.  

Another easy way to cut fat and calories is to skip eating the skin on your turkey.  The dark meat has slightly more fat than the white meat, but limiting your unhealthy side choices will be more beneficial in the long run than choosing one meat over the other.

If you are making your pies from scratch, choose a whole wheat pie crust and substitute low-fat or skim milk instead of the evaporated milk. 

4.       Drink lots of water and go for a walk after your meal.

Sanquist says that many times people will mistake thirst for hunger.  By drinking water throughout the day you will decrease your odds of overeating.  It is also a good idea to take a walk after the big meal to help increase metabolism.

 

5.       Avoid snacking.

Sandquist says to abide by the “out of sight, out of mind” mantra.  She advises once you fill your plate with food, cover it up and put it away.

"It'll help you avoid mindless munching," she said.  When you snack throughout the day, you can lose track of how much you have eaten.

adapted from: http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/569-five-tips-avoiding-overindulging-thanksgiving.html

American Heart Association Warns; Beware of the “Salty Six”

The American Heart Association (AHA) is warning all people to be more aware of the “salty six.”

The “salty six” are common foods in Americans’ diets that are full of excess sodium.  The list includes some little known suspects, with chips not making the cut.

"Excess sodium in our diets has less to do with what we're adding to our food and more to do with what's already in the food," Dr. Linda Van Horn, a research nutritionist at Northwestern University who volunteers at the AHA, said in a press release. "The average individual is getting more than double the amount of sodium that they need, but there are ways to improve their sodium intake under their control."

The current U.S. dietary guidelines recommend that people consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day.  The American Heart Association recommends an even lower amount of 1,500 milligrams per day.  A recent survey done by the AHA found that most Americans are consuming an average of 3,400 milligrams each day and most of this is from processed and restaurant foods.

This could potentially raise blood pressure and increase the risk for stroke and heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

The list includes:

1.       Bread and rolls

·         The AHA says that bread can be deceiving because it doesn’t taste salty but just one piece can contain as much as 230 milligrams of sodium, about 15% of the recommended amount. This can add up quickly throughout the day, especially if people are consuming sandwiches.

2.       Cold cuts and cured meat

3.       Pizza

·         Fat and calories might be two the biggest worries when it come to this food, but one slice of pizza might contain up to 760 milligrams of sodium, and eating two slices would put you over the daily AHA recommendation.

4.       Poultry

·         This meat may contain a wide range of sodium depending on the processing and preparation.  The AHA warns that even grilled, lean chicken may still contain added sodium solutions.  Bread chicken nuggets are also a major culprit: a 3 ounces serving may contain up to 600 milligrams of sodium.

 

 

 

5.       Soup

·         With the weather getting colder, many are looking to the soup to warm up and find comfort.  The AHA cautions those who are going to eat soup to make sure to look at the nutrition label before choosing, as soups can be laden with up to 940 milligrams of sodium.

6.       Sandwiches

·         The “salty six” list already includes bread and cured meats so it should not be surprising that other sandwiches, from burgers to subs, also make the list. The AHA says that adding condiments to the sandwich, including ketchup, mustard or dressing, can easily put the sandwich over 1,500 milligrams of sodium in one sitting.

 

Obama’s Second Term Means Major Health Changes in States

Although opposed by many Republicans, President Barak Obama’s re-election means that the overhaul of the US health-care system will move ahead in all 50 states.  Those state officials that have held off on implementing some aspects of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will face pressure to act immediately.  State officials will now have 9 days to advise the federal government about how they plan to manage their state-run health-care exchanges that were created by the PPACA to help provide medical coverage to the uninsured.  If officials don’t comply, they face a de-facto US takeover of their insurance markets.

With Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney promising to repeal the PPACA, all but 13 governors had waited to implement their plans.  Now those governors that “thumbed their nose” at the president must quickly regroup, said Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney, a Republican who said he will submit a plan for his state’s exchange by the Nov. 16 deadline.  

“The message to governors is the verdict is now in,” said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, a consumer advocate that backs the law. “The Affordable Care Act is moving forward. Either they help cooperate with its implementation, or people in their state could be left out in the cold.” 

States not only have to play catch-up with Obama but with hospitals and insurance companies that are well-prepared for the new business.   Hospital chains and insurers have invested millions on new technology, marketing and plan development to compete in the new market. 

“Our priority for the organization is to get the organization ready to both comply with and play in target markets from an exchange standpoint,” David C. Cordani, chief executive officer of Bloomfield, Connecticut-based Cigna Corp. (CI), told analysts on a Nov. 1 conference call. “But we’re keenly focused on the amount of moving parts that exist within the regulatory environment and within the state and federal environment over the next two to three quarters.”

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 34 states have accepted at least two grants from the federal government for the planning of their exchange.  This means that 20 states will be in a position to build an exchange or partner with the federal government on an exchange.  This is in addition to the 13, plus Washington, D.C., who have already stated that they will run their own exchange.  The rest “have either explicitly said ‘no’ or have taken so few steps that you can’t really see them shifting quickly enough to play an active role,” said Alan Weil, executive director of the National Academy for State Health Policy, which assists states implementing the health law, in an interview. 

Those governors who don’t comply and meet with the Obama administration’s deadline will see take over from the federal government to set up the exchanges in their states that will decide which insurers can sell plans to their citizens.  The federal exchange will also have control over enrollment of low-income people into the state Medicaid program.  

“We still haven’t seen proposed regulations in a couple of critical areas,” said Alissa Fox, senior vice president for lobbying and policy development at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in Washington, a trade association for 38 state Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance companies. “What the states have to do and what the plans have to do, in designing and having products ready to market, a huge undertaking has to happen,” she said.

Obama’s win does away with any of the uncertainty about the PPACA that lingered since the law survived challenges in the U.S. Supreme Court.  Obama also has the advantage of retained control over the Senate, with a Democratic majority; which means anything legislation that attacks the PPACA passed by the Republican controlled house will be done away with in the Senate.  

Paul Keckley, the executive director of Deloitte LLP’s Center for Health Solutions research group in Washington said that with the threat of a repeal gone, Obama may be more lenient in the time lines and allow more flexibility.  Keckley also said that the administration might allow governors more time to set-up their exchanges or have a flexible definition for the exchanges to allow them to be set-up successfully.  He expects that few states will give up control of their exchange to the federal government.

“The federal government doesn’t want to run the exchange,” Keckley said in a telephone interview. “The federally run exchange was always meant as a backstop. To set up and run that federal exchange, they would have to go through the usual appropriations process in Congress. That’s a whole new battle, and I don’t think anyone in the administration is interested in that.”

Keckley says that one potential area of compromise may be what the benefit plans need to cover, currently allow states to use benchmark’s based on current small business plans. Obama may give states flexibility to define their benefits.

"President Obama has the opportunity to make bold leadership moves toward a bipartisan compromise on healthcare and the economy,” said Julie Barnes, director of healthcare policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center. "He has the standing to demand that each party see the investment all Americans have in reforming our broken healthcare system."