The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Health Studies Anyone? We used to say in education that there were research studies that would prove every idea, whim or teaching tactic was good for schools no matter how far out or radical the plan. Hence small and large group instruction, continuous progress, open-area schools and the like were researched, trumpeted as the ultimate in learning, tried out and usually replaced by a "new" idea or system. Today, although there are still a number of educational studies reported, they are greatly exceeded by research studies on health, including good and bad foods and the drugs that will make or keep you healthy. Readers should note that a lot of the "studies" are paid for and sponsored by companies that have more than a vested interest. Remember the "Quaker Oats will reduce your cholesterol" study a few years ago which did marvelous things for oatmeal sales. A recent article in a large U.S. newspaper before Christmas was titled Merry Fat Season. It followed a National Institute Of Health study in 2000 that claimed people in general do not gain much weight most of the year. Their yearly weight gain takes place in the six-week period from mid-November to early January Ð "The Fat Season". The study showed that the average weight gain was just over a pound with obese people gaining much more. The problem is that this weight gain becomes part of our "waistline baseline" Ð a subtle increase. Authors of the study said that while in the past it made sense for humans to store up a little fat for the winter it doesn't make sense in today's sedentary society. They advise that even if you don't like it you still should eat less and exercise more. A new Canadian survey of 1,200 adults, between 40 and 59 years old, dealt with beer, which is usually blamed for "beer-bellies". Those surveyed overestimated calories in beer by three times believing there are 447 calories per bottle while it actually is 140 or lessÉ 32% of those surveyed did not exercise while 16% admitted to eating and drinking what they want without worrying. Dietitians employed by the Brewer's Association of Canada who paid for the survey, claim that beer in moderation is good for you, protecting against heart disease as does other alcohol. It is the snacks eaten in front of the T.V. that cause the damage Ð a half cup of roasted peanuts is 450 calories and the smallest bag of chips is double that of one beer. Their conclusion? Don't blame beer for beer-bellies. A late November C.B.C. report dealt with trans-fats, the type of fat formed when liquid oils are turned into solid fats such as shortening or margarine. Trans-fats are worse than saturated fats as they build up in the body, raise the level of "bad cholesterol" and deplete the "good cholesterol", clogging up the arteries. Canada is the first country to demand labeling with trans-fats listed (hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated means there are trans-fats in foods). The food industry has three years to comply with the labeling regulation. What foods have too many trans-fats? The list is extensive and includes: 1. Spreads Ð hard margarine and other non-butter spreads. 2. Packaged foods like cake mixes. 3. Soups Ð watch out for noodles. 4. French fries and fried chicken. 5 Frozen foods such as pizza and breaded fish. 6. Also chips and crackers, breakfast foods, cookies, candies , toppings, dips and salad dressings. The list covers a lot of foods that many people eat. Nutritionists claim that North Americans eat 5 times the 10% of calories recommended for bad fats. What can a poor eater do? Researchers say to use liquid vegetable oils in in cooking, increase the intake of vegetables, fruit, chicken, fish, turkey and beans; and when eating out avoid appetizers such as chicken wings, fried foods and sweets. The report concludes that many companies have pledged to rid their foods of trans-fats such as Voortman, Kelloggs, Kraft, Nestle's, Cadbury's, McCain and Pepsico are leading the way. Research studies on drugs, almost always paid for by the company that made them, are becoming more and more common; and you wonder why the price of prescription drugs is so high? A very recent one was paid for by Pfizer, the maker of the popular anti-cholesterol medication Lipitor. The study compared Lipitor with its arch rival Pravochol made by Squibb. Naturally, it found Lipitor did a better job in lowering the L.D.L. or bad cholesterol. In the study, 654 adults who had symptoms of coronary disease were randomly assigned either Pravochol or Lipitor in the survey's attempt to greatly lower the L.D.L. level below national guidelines. It did, and seemed to stop artery clogging in its tracks, in 18 months. Squibb claimed that the study didn't measure heart attacks and death which earlier research had shown favored Pravochol. In any case, they said a larger study, sponsored by Squibb is nearly finished. Guess what drug will show better? By the way the two popular pills make millions for their companies. Both are far more expensive in the U.S. than in Canada. Finally, a very interesting study on heart attacks in women was published in early November by the American Heart Association It found among 515 women with heart attacks, different symptoms from those in men. In the study, 95% suffered unusual fatigue and sleeplessness, 42% reported shortness of breath, and fewer than 30% reported chest pain or discomfort before the attacks. Researchers hope the study results will make doctors aware of the early signs in women and provide more accurate diagnosis and care, as they claim many are misdiagnosed or ignore the early symptoms. They also emphasize that heart disease, not breast cancer, is the number one killer of women in the U.S. Ð 254,000 to 40,000 in 2000. Let us hope that this study will have a positive effect on the health of North Americans, which is the underlying purpose of all health research.
