Sun, Oct 5, 2008|Dr. David "Doc" Eifrig

Health News You Can Use

I recently traveled to Calistoga, California, to visit some wineries during this year's harvest. On my trip, old friends and winemakers reminded me how important pacing is to a happy and healthy life. Some things just can't be hurried. I am convinced wine, good food, and even fitness are to be savored in moderation and at a moderate pace.

Moderation allows the mind and body to remain grounded and connected through the process. A moderate pace allows them to integrate any knowledge gained during an experience. Let me explain…

While picking grapes with a sharp knife, cut too quickly and you'll lose a fingertip. Cut too slowly and you're left without many grapes at all and, for professionals, less pay at sunset. Years of experience picking grapes allowed the older guys to end the day with more money than their sons… because they paced themselves over the whole day. The younger guys, who were way ahead early, tired out by noon. Here's to moderation…

In the news:

•	A Follow-Up on the Tomatoes and Salmonella Poisoning. Finally, authorities claim to have tracked down the issue… guess what? It wasn't tomatoes; it was cilantro… I don't even want to think of the millions of dollars wasted looking for those evil tomatoes. Remember, we told you here: "So the bottom line is don't worry about getting the bug and don't worry about which tomatoes are safe and which aren't." I hope you listened.
•	Artificial Sweeteners Will Make You Gain Weight. Since early 2004, we've known that artificial sweeteners alter the body's ability to regulate caloric intake. The mechanism is unknown, but one theory suggested the artificial sweetness sort of tricks the body into thinking it's eating more calories than it actually is. This quickly leads to the body wanting and eating more than you would otherwise (presumably to actually get the calories it thought it was getting). This is quickly followed with weight gain.
	Researchers discovered earlier this year that rats fed saccharin instead of sugar ate more and got heavier. Cynics counter that humans aren't rats (thanks for that insight), and thus the results can't be applied to humans. I disagree.
	Several studies show that drinking diet sodas leads to weight gain and is associated with unhealthy eating habits. In fact, one can of diet soda increases your risk for getting "pre-diabetes" by 50%. Pre-diabetes often leads to diabetes and is associated with multiple other diseases including heart and kidney disease.
•	Artificial Hips and Greed. Last year, in September, five companies – Stryker, Biomet, Zimmer, DePuy, and Smith & Nephew – settled out of court with the Justice Department for $300 million. The companies were charged for offering kickbacks and using other schemes to get surgeons to use their products.
•	Guess what? It turns out to be worse than that. Under the settlement, the surgeons continue to get royalties on sales of the products, while you, the consumer, suffer.
•	One honest doctor, Lawrence Door, suspected problems with one of the hip-replacement products for more than a year. Apparently, his concerns fell on deaf ears at Zimmer. Finally, this doctor reported the data to colleagues in April 2008.
•	Even with confirmation of harm and more reports of serious pain in patients, it took the company three more months before stopping the sale of its very profitable product. Even then, the company apparently felt it was the fault of the surgeon and not the product. The solution? Give specialized training to the surgeons.
•	Make sure you know your surgeon's records and the products he proposes using. And get it in writing. My guess is he can't and won't give it to you.
•	Vitamin C Protects Against Bone Loss. For many years, doctors have doubted the benefits of vitamin C. In fact, one of my early Health Reports gave the history of how, for many years, the medical profession refused to accept ascorbic acid. Finally, doctors are catching on to the beauty and simplicity of vitamin C.
•	Recent studies have found a daily dose (~500mg.) of vitamin C reduces bone loss in men. The men were on average 75 years old. For unknown reasons, researchers did not see the same effect in women. I suspect the study was just too small to show a benefit in women. I believe if research is ever done (unlikely since you can't patent ascorbic acid), even higher doses will show more of a response. This is a great example of a low-risk and high-reward chemical we can add to our diet.
•	A New Risk Factor for Heart Disease. Are you worried about heart disease? If so, new studies report what I have touted for years. Heart disease is linked to the bacteria in the mouth. If you avoid spreading germs in your mouth to your heart, you reduce your risk of heart disease. You can also lower the risk of strokes.
	Researchers didn't go so far as to say what I believe, which is that heart disease is from infection and not from diet or exercise issues. But they did confirm that tooth health is a risk factor in cardiovascular disease. For years, we have known periodontal disease and tooth decay are associated with coronary artery disease. These new studies confirm the old data, and even suggest mechanisms for heart disease. One group from New Zealand showed how mouth bacteria lead to arteriosclerosis. When I see this sort of common-sense science, I know we're on the right track to curing disease. Be sure and brush your teeth and be careful when you floss.

When it comes to the news in the fall of 2008... What do I do?

1.	I continue to read with a critical eye the articles claiming a cause and effect.
2.	When I do drink a soft drink, I mix half diet and half regular… hoping to avoid the trickery of artificial sweeteners and the extra calories of a fully sugared drink.
3.	I remind people to always question your doctors, especially when they are recommending an intervention of any kind.
4.	I think about and question authority for yours and my health.
5.	I continue to try to do some sort of physical activity everyday for 30-45 minutes.
6.	I use mouthwash and hydrogen peroxide to gargle and clean my teeth several times a day… and I avoid fluoride.
7.	I will remind others about the relationship between tooth decay, bacteria from the mouth, and heart disease. This is why I floss and swish around mouthwash.

Here's to our health,

David Eifrig, M.D., M.B.A.