Who hasn't suffered the heartbreak of acne? The most common skin problem, this inflammatory disorder causes pimples in approximately 80 percent of Americans between 12 and 45 years of age.
Acne starts at puberty when the body dramatically increases its production of androgens (male sex hormones). This stimulates the production of sebum, an oily skin lubricant. If sebum is produced faster than it can move through the pores of the skin, blemishes occur, trapping bacteria inside the skin.
Conventional medicine offers antibiotics as an oral acne treatment. But research at… Continue reading Categories
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Edge on Health Blog
Archive for September, 2009
Acne Medications Cause Liver Damage
September 30th, 2009
Cut Carbs, Curb Copper Instead.
Who hasn't suffered the heartbreak of acne? The most common skin problem, this inflammatory disorder causes pimples in approximately 80 percent of Americans between 12 and 45 years of age.
Acne starts at puberty when the body dramatically increases its production of androgens (male sex hormones). This stimulates the production of sebum, an oily skin lubricant. If sebum is produced faster than it can move through the pores of the skin, blemishes occur, trapping bacteria inside the skin.
Conventional medicine offers antibiotics as an oral acne treatment. But research at… Continue reading
Who hasn't suffered the heartbreak of acne? The most common skin problem, this inflammatory disorder causes pimples in approximately 80 percent of Americans between 12 and 45 years of age.
Acne starts at puberty when the body dramatically increases its production of androgens (male sex hormones). This stimulates the production of sebum, an oily skin lubricant. If sebum is produced faster than it can move through the pores of the skin, blemishes occur, trapping bacteria inside the skin.
Conventional medicine offers antibiotics as an oral acne treatment. But research at… Continue reading Cholesterol-Lowering Alternatives and Heart Health Indicators
September 28th, 2009
Alternatives to Toxic Heart Meds are Increasingly Popular.
At least 30 percent of Americans have LDL ("bad" cholesterol) levels that are considered too high. But despite the popularity of statin drugs within the medical community, people don't always stick with these medications.
Only about half of those prescribed a cholesterol-lowering drug still take it after six months. After a year, only about 30 to 40 percent continue drug therapy.
"There's been a lot of negative press about statins lately," cardiologist Christopher Cannon, MD, at Brigham and Women's Hospital recently told the Boston Globe. The Canadian… Continue reading
At least 30 percent of Americans have LDL ("bad" cholesterol) levels that are considered too high. But despite the popularity of statin drugs within the medical community, people don't always stick with these medications.
Only about half of those prescribed a cholesterol-lowering drug still take it after six months. After a year, only about 30 to 40 percent continue drug therapy.
"There's been a lot of negative press about statins lately," cardiologist Christopher Cannon, MD, at Brigham and Women's Hospital recently told the Boston Globe. The Canadian… Continue reading Shake the Salt and Save Your Heart
September 24th, 2009
New Study Shows How.
Americans consume almost twice as much salt as the maximum daily recommendation calls for. High levels of sodium chloride in salt contribute to high blood pressure—and complications like heart and kidney disease.
Now a new study from the nonprofit RAND Corporation shows that cutting salt intake to 2,300 mg a day can lead to 11 million fewer cases of high blood pressure annually. That could save as much as $18 billion in health care costs each year!
Cutting back even more on salt—say to 1,500 mg a day—would save $26… Continue reading
Americans consume almost twice as much salt as the maximum daily recommendation calls for. High levels of sodium chloride in salt contribute to high blood pressure—and complications like heart and kidney disease.
Now a new study from the nonprofit RAND Corporation shows that cutting salt intake to 2,300 mg a day can lead to 11 million fewer cases of high blood pressure annually. That could save as much as $18 billion in health care costs each year!
Cutting back even more on salt—say to 1,500 mg a day—would save $26… Continue reading When Water Becomes Dangerous to Your Health
September 18th, 2009
Showerhead Alert!
Dirty showers may be more frightening than Alfred Hitchcock's classic scene in “Psycho.” New research finds that 30 percent of the “gunk” collecting in showerheads throughout the country has high levels of Mycobacterium avium, which can cause lung infections.
This bacteria forms a microfilm that clings to the inside of the showerhead. As it builds up inside, levels of M. avium in the shower can be 100 times higher than that found in typical home water supplies, probably explaining why the incidence of lung infections are increasing.
"If you are getting a face… Continue reading
Dirty showers may be more frightening than Alfred Hitchcock's classic scene in “Psycho.” New research finds that 30 percent of the “gunk” collecting in showerheads throughout the country has high levels of Mycobacterium avium, which can cause lung infections.
This bacteria forms a microfilm that clings to the inside of the showerhead. As it builds up inside, levels of M. avium in the shower can be 100 times higher than that found in typical home water supplies, probably explaining why the incidence of lung infections are increasing.
"If you are getting a face… Continue reading Don’t Gum Up Your Health
September 16th, 2009
Your Mouth is a Repository for Bacteria that Harm all Parts of the Body.
Only 44 percent of American adults get regular oral care. No wonder more and more people with toothaches are showing up in emergency rooms across the country.
That figure rises with age. Only half of people 65 and older have had dental care within the last year. And 23 percent haven't been to a dentist in the past five years!
Gum disease is second only to the common cold as the most prevalent infection in this country. The first stage, gingivitis… Continue reading
Only 44 percent of American adults get regular oral care. No wonder more and more people with toothaches are showing up in emergency rooms across the country.
That figure rises with age. Only half of people 65 and older have had dental care within the last year. And 23 percent haven't been to a dentist in the past five years!
Gum disease is second only to the common cold as the most prevalent infection in this country. The first stage, gingivitis… Continue reading UTIs – The Cranberry Cure
September 14th, 2009
Here's the Juice on Why it Works.
Accounting for about 8.3 million medical visits annually, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common infection in humans. This serious health problem impacts one in five women, and many suffer recurring infections.
Most urinary infections are due to E. coli, bacteria normally found in the intestines. Chlamydia, an increasingly common sexually transmitted disease (STD), is another culprit, as are the herpes virus, candida overgrowth, parasites, and enlarged prostate in men.
Sad to say, not everyone with a urinary infection will notice any symptoms. Pay attention if you… Continue reading
Accounting for about 8.3 million medical visits annually, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common infection in humans. This serious health problem impacts one in five women, and many suffer recurring infections.
Most urinary infections are due to E. coli, bacteria normally found in the intestines. Chlamydia, an increasingly common sexually transmitted disease (STD), is another culprit, as are the herpes virus, candida overgrowth, parasites, and enlarged prostate in men.
Sad to say, not everyone with a urinary infection will notice any symptoms. Pay attention if you… Continue reading Trouble Stacking ZZZs?
September 11th, 2009
Join the Crowd!
Nearly two-thirds of American adults suffer sleep problems several nights a week. Even worse, 58 percent of us experience one or more symptoms of insomnia, the most common sleep disorder.
Whether we have difficulty getting to sleep in the first place or wake up in the middle of the night to toss and turn, women suffer more sleep problems than men. And as we grow older, the incidence of insomnia only increases.
Besides feeling cranky the next day or nodding off at your desk, sleep problems can cause serious long-term effects. For… Continue reading
Nearly two-thirds of American adults suffer sleep problems several nights a week. Even worse, 58 percent of us experience one or more symptoms of insomnia, the most common sleep disorder.
Whether we have difficulty getting to sleep in the first place or wake up in the middle of the night to toss and turn, women suffer more sleep problems than men. And as we grow older, the incidence of insomnia only increases.
Besides feeling cranky the next day or nodding off at your desk, sleep problems can cause serious long-term effects. For… Continue reading Eating for A’s
September 9th, 2009
Breakfast is for Champions.
Three-quarters of American children decide what—if anything—they'll eat every morning. That's a problem.
"Even nutritional deficiencies of a relatively short-term nature will influence children's behavior, ability to concentrate, and to perform complex tasks," Tufts University researchers find.
Starting the day with something as easy as a cereal bar can improve memory, mood, and recall, another study shows.
Research among junior-high girls find that those who got iron and vitamin B3 (niacin) at breakfast had better memory scores. And vitamin B12 intake was linked to better grades at school.
There's more: Eating breakfast also… Continue reading
Three-quarters of American children decide what—if anything—they'll eat every morning. That's a problem.
"Even nutritional deficiencies of a relatively short-term nature will influence children's behavior, ability to concentrate, and to perform complex tasks," Tufts University researchers find.
Starting the day with something as easy as a cereal bar can improve memory, mood, and recall, another study shows.
Research among junior-high girls find that those who got iron and vitamin B3 (niacin) at breakfast had better memory scores. And vitamin B12 intake was linked to better grades at school.
There's more: Eating breakfast also… Continue reading Parasites are the New Home Invaders
September 8th, 2009
Beware of Parasites in Food, Water—and Even Your Own Backyard.
Relaxing outdoors during these last lazy days of summer? Whether you're digging in the garden, backpacking in the woods, or swimming in the pool, make sure you don't pick up any uninvited guests along the way.
Infectious parasites are cropping up in alarming numbers throughout this country. Most prevalent in Appalachia, the South, and along the U.S.-Mexico border, these invisible—and unwanted—visitors are now making big inroads into suburbia.
Here are some troubling facts: Raccoons can deposit roundworms in grass, sandboxes, parks, and playgrounds where your… Continue reading
Relaxing outdoors during these last lazy days of summer? Whether you're digging in the garden, backpacking in the woods, or swimming in the pool, make sure you don't pick up any uninvited guests along the way.
Infectious parasites are cropping up in alarming numbers throughout this country. Most prevalent in Appalachia, the South, and along the U.S.-Mexico border, these invisible—and unwanted—visitors are now making big inroads into suburbia.
Here are some troubling facts: Raccoons can deposit roundworms in grass, sandboxes, parks, and playgrounds where your… Continue reading Fall Fuels Flu Fears
September 4th, 2009
D-fend Yourself Now.
Even if you don't have the iPhone app "Outbreaks Near Me," you're probably concerned about the H1N1 flu pandemic sweeping the planet. A variant of the influenza-A virus, swine flu has already infected over 209,000 people worldwide.
Columbia's President has come down with H1N1. And more than 2,000 people have died from this new flu strain.
Public health officials advise flu shots this fall. But H1N1 vaccines won't be ready until November or December, if then.
People with egg allergies are unable to take flu shots, since these vaccines are generated in eggs… Continue reading
Even if you don't have the iPhone app "Outbreaks Near Me," you're probably concerned about the H1N1 flu pandemic sweeping the planet. A variant of the influenza-A virus, swine flu has already infected over 209,000 people worldwide.
Columbia's President has come down with H1N1. And more than 2,000 people have died from this new flu strain.
Public health officials advise flu shots this fall. But H1N1 vaccines won't be ready until November or December, if then.
People with egg allergies are unable to take flu shots, since these vaccines are generated in eggs… Continue reading 
Visionary, health guru, diet/detox expert, author, spokesperson, role model, and natural foods icon, Ann Louise Gittleman has always been a trendsetter. 
