Community Magazine August 2006

 ”  62 Community Magazine To • Your • Health Cinnamon’s Use Spices up Diabetes Debate A group of physicians are finding that cinnamon appears to help patients with type 2 diabetes as well as those with mod- erately elevated blood sugar levels. Follow-up test tube studies revealed the most active ingredient in cinnamon to be methylhy- droxy chalcone polymer, which the researchers said helps convert glucose (sugar) to energy. Throughout the world, physicians are beginning to acknowledge the benefits of cinnamon, recommend- ing extract capsules that are available without a prescription. Overweight People Are Not Jollier Contrary to common wisdom, fat people are not jollier, according to a study that instead found obesity is strongly linked with depres- sion and other mood disorders. Whether obesity might cause these problems or is the result of them is not certain. The research does not provide an answer but there are theories to support each argument. Depression often causes people to abandon activities, and some medications used to treat mental illness can cause weight gain. On the other hand, obesity is often seen as a stigma and overweight people are often subject to teasing and other hurtful behavior. Low Testosterone Linked to Many Men’s Health Problems Older men with common health problems such as obesity, dia- betes and high blood pressure, may be twice as likely as other men their age to have low testosterone levels, according to a new study. Researchers found more than a third of men aged 45 and over, had low testosterone levels. In addition, the odds of having low testos- terone was much higher among those with chronic health prob- lems, such as high cholesterol, asthma and high blood pressure. Low testosterone is also known as hypogonadism and affects an estimated 13 million men in the U.S. Symptoms of low testoster- one in men include decreased libido, loss of body and facial hair, weakened bones, increased body fat, and fatigue. Testosterone levels can be increased with regular weight training. Tylenol, Abnormal Liver Test Results Linked Healthy adults taking maximum doses of Tylenol for two weeks had abnormal liver test results.Researchers found this in a small study, rais- ing concerns that even recommended amounts of the popular painkiller might lead to liver damage. Tylenol and its active ingredient, acetaminophen, is more popular than aspirin or ibuprofen and has been used for 50 years with a good safety record. Each week, one in five U.S. adults uses it for pain or fever, a 2002 survey found. Acetaminophen is included in numerous over-the-counter and pre- scription medications, making overdose possible as people unwit- tingly combine drugs. Overdoses of acetaminophen are the leading cause of acute liver failure. New research under way at theUniversity of North Carolina may determine if acetaminophen’s effect on the liver continues for long-term, high-dose users, or if the body adapts. Linking Pomegranates to Prostate Health Findings from a small study suggest that pomegranate juice may one day prove an effective weapon against prostate cancer. Pomegranates are rich in anti-inflammatories and have been used medicinally for centuries. Researchers have also found evidence that pomegranates can also help with cardio- vascular disease. The researchers cautioned that the evi- dence was preliminary and said a larger study was under way. Calcium May Curb Middle-Aged Spread Women who take calcium supplements may gain slightly less weight over the decade or so between their mid 40s and mid 50s according to a study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Calcium absorbed from foods didn’t seem to affect the results andmen taking the supplements did not see the same benefits. Sweet Smell at Dry Cleaner is Hazardous The Environmental Protection Agency is tightening rules for the nation’s 28,000 dry cleaning businesses that use perchlo- roethylene, or perc. The solvent has a sharp, sweet odor that most people can easily smell and it affects the central nervous system. The rules seek to eliminate the risk – though small – that people could get sick from smelling perc. Dry cleaners in residential buildings must eliminate machines that use the chemical by 2020. The machines generally have a useful life of 15 years. Improvements are also required in detecting and repairing perc leaks. Perc is one of 187 substances that the EPA regulates as hazardous air pollutants – all of which are known or suspected to cause cancer and other serious health problems. Cold Shower Before Exercise A new study shows that cooling the body before exercising in hot, humid weather reduces the effects of heat strain – without diminishing performance. While previous studies have shown the benefits of dipping in a cold bath to increase the body’s heat toler- ance; the new research, published in International Journal of Sports Medicine shows that contrary to popular belief, cooling muscles before exercising does not adversely affect strength or endurance. The researchers concluded, “it seems to be of no importance” which body parts an athlete chooses to chill before heading out into the heat. CM