Community Magazine Februafy 2009

104 Community magazine To • Your • Health NEWGOAT-MILK DRUG Feta cheese isn’t the only use for goats – a new anti-clotting drug has been produced from the milk of genetically engineered goats. ATryn, which is close to earning approval by the Food and Drug Administration, is intended to help patients suffering from a disorder that makes them vulnerable to life-threatening blood clots. Goats have been altered to produce milk rich in antithrombin, a blood-thinning protein. About 1 in 5,000 people don’t produce enough of the protein, putting them at risk of developing blood clots in their veins which can break loose and travel to the lungs or brain. The drug is part of a new direction in science, making medication not from chemicals, but from living organisms genetically manipulated by scientists. Drugs for other disorders including hemophilia may soon be produced through a similar process. ALZHEIMER’S DANGEROUS DRUGS Anti-psychotic drugs commonly used to treat Alzheimer’s disease may double a patient’s chance of dyingwithin a fewyears. Researchers from the Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases at King’s College London suggest that although these drugs help control aggression and hallucination – common symptoms in Alzheimers – patients should not use these medications, as they may cause respiratory problems and stroke, and thus raise the risk of death. The research was published in the journal Lancet Neurology. Guidelines for doctors in the United States advise using anti-psychotic drugs such as Risperdal, Thorazine and Stelazine cautiously and temporarily. But in many nursing homes, up to 60 percent of patients with dementia are routinely given the drugs for one to two years. COMPUTER PUZZLEMAY EASE STRESS Playing the computer gameTetris immediately after traumatic events appears to reduce flashbacks that plague sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The pre- liminary findings could lead to new treatments to prevent or cut flashbacks that are a hallmark of the condition. The research was conducted at Oxford University and published in the Public Library of Science Journal. A film of trau- matic images was shown, after which half the people played Tetris while the others did nothing. Those who played the game had far fewer flashbacks to the film over the next week. PTSD can often stem from wartime trauma such as being wounded or seeing others hurt or killed. Symptoms range from irritability and outbursts of anger to sleep difficulties, trouble concentrating, extreme vigilance, exagger- ated startle responses or persistently reliving the traumatic event. The Tetris game involves manipulating shapes composed of square blocks, and researchers believe that the process of recognizing the shapes and moving the blocks competes with the visions of trauma retained in the sensory part of the brain. THEWEIGHTY ECONOMIC EFFECT Cutbacks on food due to the ailing economy, may put some extra “recession pounds” on consumers. Numerous stud- ies have shown a link between unhealthy eating habits and low incomes. As people cut food spending, they also cut back on healthy but relatively expensive items such as fresh fish, fruit, vegetables and whole grains, in favor of cheaper options high in sugar and saturated fats. Research from the Nutrition Sciences Program at the University of Washington in Seattle has found a fivefold difference in obesity rates for zip code areas with a lower income. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over one third of U.S. adults – more than 72 million people – and 16 percent of U.S. children are obese. It is possible to eat in an affordable and healthy way, by partaking of nutrient-rich foods such as ground beef, beans, milk, carrots, potatoes, canned tomatoes, soups, and rice. ALLEVIATE STRESS THROUGH EXERCISE Are you stressed out? It is well known that exercise is one of the most effec- tive methods used to alleviate stress. BENEFITS OF EXERCISE: Physical Stress: exercise improves your cardiovascular functions by strength- ening and enlarging the heart. the greater elasticity of the blood vessels increases oxygen flow throughout your body, thus lowering levels of fats such as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. in addition, exercise also decreases the chance of developing heart conditions, strokes, and high blood pressure. Mental Stress: exercise provides an outlet for negative emotions such as frustration, anger and irritability promot- ing a more positive mood and outlook. Moreover, your body and brain respond to exercise by effecting certain biochemical changes that significantly improve your mood. exercise also causes your body to release greater amounts of endorphins, the powerful pain-relieving, mood-elevating chemicals in the brain. there is no best exercise for stress relief; it all depends on your individual skills and interests. the main thing is to get started and move your body. so don’t be stressed out – go work out! Sources: American Council on Exercise MIKE’S COR Michael Cohen (Body by Mike) has over 35 years of health and fitness experience. NER