30095 | Chiropractor in Duluth

September 13th, 2010

When the Cure May Make You Sicker

30095 chiropractor
By Naomi Freundlich

Of the 50 top-selling prescription drugs, only four are “safe,” says Thomas J, Moore, a medical writer and senior fellow in health policy at George Washington University Medical Center. Numerous others, he claims, can cause addiction, cancer, or heart problems. And the number of Americans killed by pharmaceuticals is quadruple the number of people who are murdered’ and double the number who die in car crashes. Moore says at least a million each year are “severely injured” by their medications.  An additional 2 million are harmed by drugs administered during hospital stays.

Moore, the author of three previous books critical of medical practice, makes all of the above claims in “Prescription for Disaster: The Hidden Dangers in Your Medicine Cabinet.”  The claims are backed up with references to studies conducted by the U. S. Food & Drug Administration and others. Moore’s goal is to make the public less complacent about prescriptions and less eager to embrace the cult of the magic bullet. Prescription for Disaster does make a compelling case that medications ranging from heart drugs to anti-psychotics and pain relievers can do as much harm as good. But Moore neglects a serious discussion of how much risk is acceptable when people are ill and the medicine in question might help them. How many of the people injured by drugs would have died otherwise? Moore sometimes uses figures disingenuously to make his points. But he raises important issues about drug safety

A key problem, according to Moore, is that there is no effective oversight of drugs already on the market. ”To monitor the safety of 3,200 approved drugs… the Food & Drug Administration has a staff of just 54,” he writes. This effort receives just 4% of the FDA budget for drug evaluation- less than $5 million. Doctors are supposed to report deaths or serious injuries caused by prescription drugs. But Moore notes that only about 1% of serious events are reported, according to former FDA Commissioner David A. Kessler.  Moreover, Moore says, the pharmaceutical industry has a strong motive for keeping the public in the dark:   Public worries about drug dangers “might interfere with the relentless drive to sell ever larger numbers of drugs.”

Moore also takes aim at doctors who don’t tell patients about side effects or who prescribe drugs merely because patients studied were not told about side effects.  Injuries can occur when pharmacists don’t notice harmful drug combinations or when they fail to provide labeling information.  And finally, Moore assigns blame to patients who don’t ask about the drugs they are taking or who use them inappropriately.

Moore notes that drugs have benefits, too.  Few people think of chemotherapy drugs as safe; yet their beneficial effects against cancer make the risk acceptable.  The same is true of drugs for AIDS or serious bacterial infections.  Moore’s arguments are strongest when the advantages of long-term use are either very small or unclear.

Because so many people take prescription drugs, a small risk of dangerous side effects can translate into tens of thousands of injuries.  Citing FDA calculations, Moore says that Eli Lilly & Co.’s Prozae, for example, “was associated with more hospitalizations, deaths, or other serious adverse reactions reported to the FDA than any other drug in America.”

Drugs may win approval following clinical trials of a few months involving controlled populations of several hundred people, But later, surprises do occur. To detect these problems, the FDA relies on doctors’ voluntary reports, a seriously deficient approach, writes Moore. As an example, he cites a study of doctors in Rhode Island: The doctors’ files show 26,000 adverse reactions to drugs, but only 11 of these were re  ported to the FDA.

Even when the government issues warnings, doctors don’t always heed them, says Moore.  Problems with the sleeping pill Halcion, including aggressive behavior and psychosis, prompted the FDA to request that the drug not be prescribed for longer that 7 to 10 days.  But a 1996 FDA report found that 85% of prescriptions were for longer periods.  The FDA could do nothing; once a drug is approved, doctors are allowed to use it as they see it.

It’s hard to argue that society hasn’t profited greatly from modern medicine, but it’s also clear the system needs help.  To that end, Moore offers several worthy proposals, although they may be difficult to enact when Congress is looking to cut taxes and regulations, not expand them.  First, he calls for a beefed-up FDA surveillance system.  Drugs should be reevaluated every five years, and the reporting of adverse effects by doctors should be mandatory.  Companies should be required to do long-term studies of some drugs, using money from a tax on companies that market highly profitable drugs.

Other suggestions include a standard rating system for drug toxicity and, employing the resources of managed-care companies, better oversight of doctors’ prescriptions.  Finally, there’s a primer on how to read drug labels and how best to make informed decisions- in concert with a physician- about whether a dug is necessary.  From Moore’s point of view, prescription drugs represent a double-edged sword.  His final advice:  Respect that force and use it wisely.

PRESCRIPTION FOR DISASTER
The Hidden Dangers in Your Medicine Cabinet
By Thomas J, Moore
Simon & Schuster· 271pp· 525

Looking for a 30095 chiropractor? Visit the North Atlanta Chiropractic Center today!

  • Share/Bookmark

Posted in Nutrition & Health Tips | No Comments »

30098 | Chiropractor in Duluth

September 13th, 2010

30098 chiropractor

Snack Your Way Slim

When it comes to snacking, sure, you know that an apple is healthier than a candy bar, and that rice cakes have fewer calories than chocolate cake, but other selections can be more difficult-especially when you don’t have time to scour nutrition labels, Some seemingly lightweight snacks can be surprisingly high in calories. For instance, take a look at these options: 22 Better Cheddar crackers contain 70 calories, while the same amount of Cheez-lt crackers is nearly double that, at 130 calories. Who knew?

So we’ve done the detective work for you. After you take our quiz, you’l! be sure to make the best snack decisions in any situation, whether at the movies or your cousin’s wedding, You’ll even learn the three snacks that when added to your diet, can help you lose fat faster, shedding five pounds (or more) in a month.

1. What’s the smart vending machine choice?
a. A granola bar
b. A peanut-butter-cracker-sandwiches snack pack
c. A king-size York Peppermint Pattie

Answer: c. Chocolate a low-cal snack? It’s true. A king-size Peppermint Pattie has just 160 calories and three grams of fat. Contrary to what you may think, the granola bar isn’t a superstar snack. “Granola vary widely in fat and calories, and once you start adding chocolate and frosting to them, you might as well go for a candy bar,” says New York nutritionist Janine Whiteson, author of Get a Real Food Life. Some granola bars can set you back as much as 210 calories and nine grams of fat. That’s comparable to a Dove chocolate bar with 200 calories and 12 grams of fat. And those cracker snack packs may seem healthy, but they’re not much better than candy either: They can weigh in at 210 calories and 11 grams of fat. So the Peppermint Pattie is your best calorie bet, and it’ll satisfy your sweet tooth.

2. Which chocolate treat has the most calories?

a. A frozen mocha drink

b. A candy bar

c. A slice of chocolate cake

Answer: c. Beware Frappuccino, Coolatta, and their cousins! Yes, a cup of black coffee is virtually calorie free, but when you add milk, chocolate, sugar, and flavored syrup to your daily pick-me-up, you’re drinking the caloric equivalent of a cheeseburger every day, says Whiteson. Take a look: A Starbucks Venti Mocha Frappuccino has more than 380 calories and six grams of fat. Surprised? You’re better off with chocolate cake, with 235 calories, or even a candy bar, which weighs in at about 260 calories. Simply swap your daily Frappuccino for a black coffee and you’ll effortlessly drop more than three pounds in a month.

3. Which movie-theater snack will set you back the fewest calories?

a. A large popcorn

b. A jumbo hot dog

c. A bag of Twizzlers

Answer: b. Yes, a hot dog. “While not the world’s healthiest snack, a hot dog actually isn’t junk food,” says Whiteson. It has only about 250 calories, and it’s a good source of protein (so you’ll fill up faster). And unlike the popcorn and the Twizzlers, it’s a self-contained single serving, so you can’t overindulge. Zero­ fat Twizzlers may be a better choice than many of the other candies at the concession stand, but each one has 30 calories. Watch out, since mindless munching on them throughout the movie can add up to 780 calories or more!

As far as the popcorn goes, you’ve probably heard that it’s a healthy, low­ fat snack, and it is-but not if you buy it at the movie theater. Are you ready for this? A large movie-theater popcorn has more than 1,000 calories and 80 grams of saturated fat (that’s nearly three days worth of fat). Add the butter and you’re now eating nearly 130 grams of far, according to research from the Center for Science in the Public Interest. If you love snacking on popcorn at the cinema, do what Whiteson does: Sneak in your own microwaved or air-popped popcorn and save more than 900 calories and nearly all the fat. If you make this simple switch twice a month, you’ll drop sixpounds in a year.

4 You’re at a backyard barbecue. Which alcoholic beverage has the fewest calories?

a. A margarita

b. A glass of sangria

c. A beer

Answer: c. At only 144 calories for 12 ounces (108 for light), beer is the hands­ down winner. The same amount of sangria is 238 calories, and a large margarita packs 480 calories. That said, sangria offers red wine’s heart-healthy antioxidants, and the fruit counts too! But the more alcohol you drink, the less likely you are to stick to your low-calorie eating plan, since alcohol lowers your inhibitions. To keep calo­ries down, alternate between alcoholic drinks and water or choose drinks made with zero-calorie mixers (Diet Coke, seltzer), says Leslie Fink, R_D., a nutritionist for Weightwatchers.com. Not a beer drinker? Make an eight-ounce wine spritzer (half wine, half seltzer) for 120 calories. Choose light beer over a margarita once a week to lose five pounds (or more) in a year.

5. Which of these desserts is the least sinful?

a. A slice of pound cake

b. A slice of carrot cake

c. Two Oreo cookies

Answer. c. When you’re craving sweets, the Oreo cookies are a smart addition to your diet-as long as you don’t overdo it. They’ll set you back only 106 calories, a far cry from pound cake’s 353 calories (it’s made with gobs of fattening butter, says nutritionist White­son). And forget about carrot cake; just because it’s got a vegetable in its name doesn’t make it a health food. Surprisingly, just one slice contains a whopping 545 calories, thanks in part to the high-calorie, high-fat cream-cheese icing on top.

6. You’re in the car with the kids-again. Which kids’ snack is the least fattening?

a. Animal crackers

b. Raisins

c. Pretzel rods

Answer. c. Snacks in animal shapes may be cute, but they’re not as innocent as they appear. Just 12 of these tiny cookies (roughly half a box) weigh in at a total of 140 calories and four grams of fat­. And one cup of seemingly harmless raisins is low in fat (one gram) but will stick you with a whopping 434 calories. If you’re watching your weight, add the pretzels to your diet, since two rods contain only two grams of fat and 114 calories. Look for whole-wheat pretzels, whose extra fiber offers a nutrition bonus and will leave you feeling fuller than many other snacks, says nutritionist Susan Mitchell, R.D., an author of I’d Kill for a Cookie.

8. Which is the lowest-calorie choice?

a. An ice-cream sandwich

b. A box of Cracker Jack

c. A cone of cotton candy

Answer: c. At just 78 calories for a small (20-ounce) cone, cotton candy is your best bet. But it’s not very filling, so an inning later you may find yourself eyeing the ice cream, pretzels, etc. (and all that sugar can mean cavity city for your teeth). Second best? A handful of Cracker Jack isn’t bad-just 120 calories. But it’s easy to go overboard with the jumbo eight­ or-more-servings box you get at the game: Eat the whole thing and you’re up to nearly 1,000 calories. The ice-cream sandwich scores with its lower calorie count (190) and calcium boost, Fink says. Plus, it’s portion-controlled; the only way you can overdo it is if you have more than one. But you won’t do that, right?

9. Approximately how many of your favorite potato chips equal one serving?

a. Five

b.15

c. 30

Answer: b. Check your chip bag: It tells you that a serving is one ounce, or 12 to 15 measly chips, which will give you about 150 calories and ten grams of fat. Scoop up some French-onion dip and you add at least 70 more calories and six more grams of fat-if you’re being careful. And don’t assume that a mini bag of chips is one serving. Often the “big grab” size packs three or even four servings (450 or 600 calories). If potato chips are your diet downfall, switch to lower­ calorie, lower-fat, baked chips (15 have 110 calories and just one gram of fat) and swap that fat-laden dip for zero-fat, heart-healthy salsa (a quarter of a cup has just 30 calories), advises Whiteson. Have one serving of baked chips instead of a big-grab-size regular chips just twice a month and you’ll be three pounds lighter this time next year.

10. Which fruity treat is the smartest dessert?

a. A Dole Fruit Bowls

b. A Haagen-Dazs Raspberry Sorbet

c. A blueberry tart

Answer: a. The Dole Fruit Bowls, which counts as a full serving of fruit, is an ideal choice. After all, it’s just fruit in a convenient package. This filling snack has fewer than 100 calories and no fat, so stock up on Fruit Bowls if you’re trying to lose a few pounds. The sorbet isn’t bad either: It’s fat-free and weighs in at just 120 calories for half a cup. The tart, on the other hand, will set you back 340 calories and a shocking 16.6 grams of fat! So when it comes to fruit, stick to the real thing. Your waistline will thank you.

11. You’re eyeing the munchies at a party. Which hors d’oeuvre has the fewest calories?

a. Chips and salsa

b. A mini quiche

c. A handful of salted peanuts

Answer: a. If you can stop at just a few, have some peanuts. But if not, stay away from that bowl, because one cup of nuts has more than 855 calories. One mini ham-and-cheese quiche has 226 calories, so if you eat three or four quiches, you’ll be inhaling 904 calories. An ounce of tortilla chips has about 142 calories (110 for baked chips), and salsa is virtually a free food (30 calories for a quarter of a cup), so that’s always a safe choice. But remember, you’re at a party. Who has just one hors d’oeuvre at a party? Your best bet: Fill a plate with vegetables, says Fink, then park yourself far from the table.

12. You’re at the local Dairy Queen. Which treat is lowest in calories?

a. A medium vanilla ice-cream cone

b. A medium chocolate shake

c. A medium soft-serve vanilla ice­ cream cone

Answer: c. Soft serve is best! Half a cup of vanilla soft serve has just 140 calories, while a regular vanilla cone has more than double that, or 330 calories. What you really want to steer clear of is the shake (770 calories). Even if you super­ size the cone (either kind) it’s a better choice than the shake-and licking takes longer, so you’ll realize you’re full before you’re done, says Joanne V. Lichten, R.D., author of Dining Lean. Choose soft serve over the shake twice a month and you’ll lose nearly five pounds in a year. It’s a small sacrifice indeed!

Looking for a chiropractor in the 30098 area? North Atlanta Chiropractic Center is your 30098 chiropractor!

  • Share/Bookmark

Posted in Nutrition & Health Tips | No Comments »