Coffee ~ antioxidant source, but not necessarily the best

There is so much press about Coffee and antioxidants based on a new study that was recently released. However, before everyone goes out and purchases their next ga-zillion pounds of coffee...understand that drinking coffee should not be your souce of anti-oxidants. In part the article reads:

===========================
Presenting his findings to a meeting of the American Chemical Society in Washington, Vinson said this did not mean that coffee was necessarily the best source of antioxidants.

"Unfortunately, consumers are still not eating enough fruits and vegetables, which are better for you from an overall nutritional point of view due to their higher content of vitamins, minerals and fiber," he said.

Dates, cranberries and red grapes have high concentrations of antioxidants, he said.

But Americans do not eat much of these foods.
========================

You can read more here: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N28160707.htm

Barbara C. Phillips, NP
OlderWiserWomen.com

Doubts Over 'Metabolic Syndrome'

LONDON (Reuters) - The world's top two diabetes organizations have questioned the existence of a medical condition widely cited by drug firms, in a move that could hamper prospects for Sanofi-Aventis's (SASY.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) new drug Acomplia.

The American Diabetes Association and European Association for the Study of Diabetes said in a joint statement on Thursday that "metabolic syndrome" -- which has come to be seen as a predictor of cardiovascular disease -- was poorly defined, inconsistently used and in need of further research.

Doctors should not diagnose people with the "syndrome" or treat it as a separate condition until the science behind it is clear, according to a paper to be published in the September issue of Diabetes Care and Diabetologia.

"There is no combination of risk factors that boosts a person's cardiovascular risk beyond the sum of the parts, or constitutes a separate disease," said Dr Ele Ferrannini, president of the European diabetes association.

Read more here:National, World and Business News | Reuters.com

Health News Article | Reuters.co.uk

Health News Article | Reuters.co.uk

Researchers found that among more than 7,100 U.S. adults age 70 and older, those who were obese had a life expectancy comparable to their leaner peers'. However, obese men and women spent more of their later years with some physical disability.

More medications being linked to hypertension

"In our study, women who took 500 milligrams (mg) or more of acetaminophen per day, on average, were about twice as likely to develop high blood pressure as women who did not use acetaminophen," said Dr. John Phillip Forman of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, who led the study.

"In addition, older women, ages 51 to 77, who used an average of 400 mg or more per day of ibuprofen were about 80 percent more likely to develop high blood pressure compared to older women who did not use this drug," Forman added in a statement.

Read more about it here.

Barbara C. Phillips, NP
OlderWiserWomen™

Registration for the first annual International OlderWiserWomen’s Day month-long celebration is now open!

Not only can you participate in some awesome presentations and learn directly from experts in their field, you have access to bonuses and gifts totally over $2500! That includes the incredible opportunity for one woman to experience a life-changing Mid-Life Adventure! Are you that woman?

Who do you get to learn from?

• Jenn Wright, MS, OTR and Chris Rummer, PhD, of Mid-Life Heroines will help you find your own Wise Woman.


• Rebecca Hulem, NP, Certified Menopause Clinician and author and the Menopause Expert will talk about Bio-Identical Hormones.


• Michele Broad, NP will discuss the issue of fatigue in women.


• Joanie Winberg, Relationship Coach and Advanced Human Behavior Consultant will talk about “Potluck Dating”.


• Catherine Bruns, the Life Success Coach for women will tell us how we can find time and energy in our lives.


• Kathy Browning, author of Feng Shui for Abundant Living will give us a primer on Feng Shui and how we can use it to achieve our dreams.


• Laura Gonzalez and Heather Bresser, the Outlook Gurus are going to share with us how to use this tool to keep our lives organized.


• Dr. Gayle Carson, author of the new book “How to Be an SOB – A Spunky Old Broad, will with us about living a regret-free life.


• Marilyn Noble, writing coach and mentor will help with write out stories.


• Johanna Hofmann, MBA, MaC, LaC is a licensed practitioner of Tradition Chinese Medicine. She will tell us how we can use with to enhance our health.


• Carolyn Winslow, a multi-talented woman will share with us how to use scrapbooking to visualize and achieve your life’s goals


• And if that is not enough, there are presentations of the power of tea and how it can impact our health, beauty and cooking!

That’s FIVE weeks worth of presentations!

Right now, go to our Celebration Page for further information and learn how you can register for this event. There is no reason for you not to attend this no*cost event!

I all look forward to seeing you there!

Namaste,

Barbara C. Phillips, NP


www.OlderWiserWomen.com

Inspiring Women to Embrace and Enjoy the Magnificent Journey of Aging!


~~~~~~~~~~~


Here is your invitation to join us in Celebrating the first annual International OlderWiserWomen's Day month long celebration! August 17 - September 18, 2005.

Medical Alerts

As I was preparing to post on a different subject this evening, I was checking my facts on one of my favorite sites. They have begun posting alerts - you know, certain medication being withdrawng, etc. What struck me however, was that this list was long enough to go through three screens on my computer!

Here are just some examples (from Medscape):

Guidant ICD Recommendation Increases Risk of Malfunction 7/25/2005

Reprogramming atrial therapy devices to 0% data storage may increase risk of latching malfunction.

FDA Announces Class 1 Recall of 206,000 Colleague Volumetric Infusion Pumps 7/21/2005

Pumps subject to multiple malfunctions that may result in failure to deliver critical medications or fluids to patients.

Off-Label Use of Abortion Drugs Linked to Silent Infection, Septic Deaths 7/20/2005

Physicians urged to consider atypical presentation of infection in afebrile patients presenting with malaise and possible abdominal pain, according to the FDA.

Raptiva Linked to Risks of Hemolytic Anemia, Infection, Thrombocytopenia 7/20/2005

FDA notifies healthcare professionals of postmarketing adverse events related to efalizumab use.

Expert Panel Advises Physicians on Natrecor Use 7/19/2005

Nesiritide use should be limited to patients with acute congestive heart failure and dyspnea at rest; off-label diuretic and intermittent/scheduled use not recommended, according to the FDA.

As Many as 28,000 Guidant Pacemakers May Need Replacement 7/19/2005

Defect may cause sudden loss of pacing or inappropriate sustained maximum sensor rate pacing, according to the FDA.

FDA Investigates Deaths Linked to Fentanyl Patch 7/18/2005

Agency warns patients that safety instructions for patch use must be followed exactly.

FDA Updates Information and Guidance on Recalled Guidant ICDs 7/15/2005

FDA issues recommendations for care of patients with PRIZM2 and CONTAK RENEWAL devices.

Palladone Suspended Because of Alcohol Interaction 7/14/2005

Hydromorphone HCl extended-release capsules can have fatal effects when taken with alcohol.

Reports of Sudden Vision Loss Added to Labeling for Viagra, Cialis, Levitra 7/8/2005

Causative role of erectile dysfunction drugs in vision loss is unclear due to risk factor overlap, according to FDA.

Dietary Supplement Contains Glyburide, FDA Warns 7/5/2005

Inappropriate use of glyburide, which is normally available by prescription only, can have serious and life-threatening consequences in some people, according to the FDA.

FDA Provides Update on Recall of Guidant Implantable Defibrillators 7/1/2005

Original recall now designated as class 1, additional devices withdrawn under class 2 recalls.

So what is a consumer to do?

When your healthcare provider wants you to start something new, ask questions! How long has it been out? What kind of problems have there been? What alternatives are there? Yes, we have been trained, yes we should know the answers to this, but in the end, it's your body and your life.

You always have the right to say yes or no.

Barbara C. Phillips, NP
OlderWiserWomen™