Vitamin B6 May Protect Against Lung Cancer

Not all smokers develop lung cancer. One possible reason may be their nutrient consumption. The EPIC study, which stands for European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, includes more than 500,000 participants. Investigators found that people with higher blood levels of vitamin B6 and the amino acid methionine were less likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer. The researchers were quick to point out that changing diet or taking supplements could not adequately counteract the dangers of smoking. Nevertheless, eating a diet high in beans, grains, meat, poultry, fish along with some fruits, vegetables and nuts may be wise, along with quitting or not taking up smoking.

[JAMA, June 16, 2010]

Constipation Treatments

Health News Update

Click the arrow to play audio file:

click here if you cannot view audio player: PP-773.mp3

Last month on The People's Pharmacy, a caller asked about weight gain while working the night shift. We promised an answer. Her question applies to a lot of folks: roughly 10 million Americans work night shifts. How does this affect their weight and their health?

Resveratrol has a reputation for heart health. New research suggests that this compound found in grapes and peanut skins can also benefit the brain.

Which dietary evil is worse: saturated fat or refined carbohydrates? Danish researchers are looking for the answer.

Vitamin D has surfaced in the famous Framingham study as an important factor in preventing type 2 diabetes. Are you getting as much as you need?

Explore the stories behind the health headlines.

Guest: Frank Scheer, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Associate Neuroscientist for the Division of Sleep Medicine in the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Associate Director of the Medical Chronobiology Program at Brigham and Women's Hospital

Getting the Red Out of Rosacea

It's called acne rosacea, but the name is confusing. This skin condition is nothing like your teenager's pimples.

Rosacea affects women more than men and usually strikes during middle age. It causes redness of the cheeks, nose and forehead. Fine red lines can often be seen just under the skin and some people also experience pimple-like blemishes.

Dermatologists are still debating the causes of rosacea. Research suggests that one important factor is inflammation triggered by cathelicidin, one of the skin's innate immune defenses against bacteria, fungi and some viruses (Journal of Investigative Dermatology, May, 2010).

Treatment has involved oral antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline) and topical antimicrobials (metronidazole). A topical gel containing azelaic acid (Finacea) can reduce the production of cathelicidin and improve symptoms.

Despite standard therapy, some readers remain unsatisfied: "I have been suffering from rosacea for years. A dermatologist prescribed both metronidazole cream and minocycline twice daily. These were ineffective.

"I am a 47-year-old male, and exercise regularly (run and bicycle), 5'8" and weigh 139 lbs. I eat a healthy diet.

"I drink alcohol occasionally, mainly red wine and beer. My cholesterol is low and I take no medications. What else could I do for my rosacea?"

Alcohol is frequently blamed as a trigger, so this reader should cut back to see if that helps. Other non-standard approaches include using antibacterial soap: "I bought a generic, clear, liquid antibacterial soap in a pump bottle and have been using it for two months. I quit using the Metrogel at the same time and have had NO flare-ups since using the antibacterial soap! This is an easy and inexpensive remedy that you may already have at your sink."

Another reader applies organic raw apple cider vinegar to the affected skin, washing it off with a gentle cleanser after 30 minutes. Helga offered her approach: "Jason Vitamin K Creme Plus works wonderfully well. It totally eliminated rosacea for me and several other people. Use it twice a day; it doubles as moisturizer."

Dianne told her own story: "I was diagnosed with rosacea over 10 years ago and was on metronidazole. I still had problems with breakouts on my face after being in the sun. Later, I was also diagnosed with ocular rosacea that felt like sand in my eyes every morning and throughout the day. I was advised to take eye drops for the condition.

"About five years ago I started taking Juice Plus vitamins. There were no claims with the product that it would help rosacea, although it certainly claimed to boost one's immune system.

My rosacea has totally disappeared. My ophthalmologist and my dermatologist can find no evidence of rosacea any more."

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements have helped a few readers. Another reader specified daily cod liver oil.

Italian researchers have found that dietary supplements containing silymarin and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) may ease redness (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, March, 2008).

There does not seem to be a single approach to rosacea that works well for everyone. Trial and error may be the best way to find out how to calm this inflammatory skin condition.

Gout Drug Benefits Heart

A very old drug used to prevent gout may have impressive power to protect the heart. Allopurinol, also sold under the brand name Zyloprim, has been used for more than four decades to lower uric acid levels in the blood. Excessive amounts of uric acid can crystallize and cause excruciating joint pain. Allopurinol was tested in a placebo-controlled trial to see how well it protects the heart from exercise-induced angina. Subjects suffered from chronic chest pain. They were given either allopurinol or a placebo pill and were put on a treadmill. Those taking allopurinol walked 25 percent longer than those on placebo. The Scottish investigators point out that allopurinol has a good safety record and is also very inexpensive.

[The Lancet, June 8, 2010]

Pain Relievers Raise Risk of Heart Attacks

Common pain relievers used by millions every day appear to increase the risk of a heart attack. Danish scientists studied health records of over one million citizens between 1997 and 2005. The average age of the participants was around 40. Those who used the pain reliever ibuprofen had a higher risk of stroke. Higher doses were also associated with an increased risk of heart attack.

This isn't the first time non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been implicated in cardiovascular complications. When Vioxx was withdrawn from the market several years ago it was because of an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The Dutch researchers found that the prescription NSAID diclofenac, sold under the brand names Cataflam and Voltaren, was about as risky as the banned Vioxx. One pain reliever seemed less problematic, however. Naproxen, sold under the brand name Aleve, was not linked to heart attacks or strokes. Patients, especially those with high blood pressure or other risk factors for heart disease, should discuss the new findings with their

Does Shark Cartilage Fight Cancer?

Several years ago there was a lot of interest in shark cartilage as a cancer prevention approach. The pitch centered on the idea that sharks don't get cancer. Now a study has tested a special prescription-strength shark cartilage compound against human cancer. In the trial, patients got either shark cartilage or placebo for their non-small-cell lung cancer. About 80 percent of all lung cancers fall into this category. Unfortunately, there was no difference in survival between those on shark cartilage and those on placebo. The authors suggest that this study offers oncologists a convincing answer to the question of whether shark cartilage would be beneficial. The authors conclude it is not.

[Journal of the National Cancer Institute, online May 26, 2010]