Hope for Obese Adolescents
Adjustable gastric banding is a safe and effective alternative to gastric bypass.
By William P. Kanto, Jr., MD
March 14, 2007
Covering:
Nadler EP et al., J Pediatr Surg 2007 Jan; 42:137-41
The Skinny on Four Popular Diets
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In overweight, nondiabetic, premenopausal women, the diets had only modest effects on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors, with a slight advantage for the Atkins diet over the others.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
March 14, 2007
Covering:
Gardner CD et al., JAMA 2007 Mar 7; 297:969-77
Garlic Strikes Out for Lipid Lowering
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Both raw and supplement forms essentially batted zeros in a well-designed, publicly funded study.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
March 14, 2007
Covering:
Gardner CD et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 26; 167:346-53
Charlson M and McFerren M., Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 26; 167:325-6
Garlic Consumption and Cholesterol
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a randomized trial, neither raw garlic nor garlic supplements had any effect on lipid levels.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
March 13, 2007
Covering:
Gardner CD et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 26; 167:346-53
Charlson M and McFerren M., Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 26; 167:325-6
Recurrent Self-Harm: Are Omega-3 Supplements Part of the Answer?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
They seemed somewhat helpful in this small group of patients, most of whom had borderline personality disorder.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
March 12, 2007
Covering:
Hallahan B et al., Br J Psychiatry 2007 Feb; 190:118-22
Antioxidant Supplements and All-Cause Mortality
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Supplements with beta-carotene and vitamins A and E are associated with increased mortality (but fruits and vegetables are still good for you!). . .
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
March 8, 2007
Covering:
Bjelakovic G et al., JAMA 2007 Feb 28; 297:842-57
Calcium Supplements Have Long-Term Benefit in Polyp Prevention
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
The preventive effect of calcium on colorectal adenoma recurrence continues for about 5 years after cessation of active supplementation.
By David H. Ilson, MD, PhD
March 5, 2007
Covering:
Grau MV et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 Jan 17; 99:129-36
High Seafood Intake in Pregnancy Appears to Help, Not Harm, Fetal Neurodevelopment
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids seem to outweigh possible harm from mercury.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
February 27, 2007
Covering:
Hibbeln JR et al., Lancet 2007 Feb 17; 369:578-85
Peanut Butter Recall: Salmonella Linked to Kids’ Favorite Food!
The affected jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter have product codes on the lids that begin with "2111."
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
February 21, 2007
Treating Infertility Caused by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Clomiphene remains the drug of choice.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
February 7, 2007
Covering:
Legro RS et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Feb 8; 356:551-66
Guzick DS., N Engl J Med 2007 Feb 8; 356:622-4
Homocysteine-Lowering Therapy After Venous Thromboembolism
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
A randomized trial found that homocysteine lowering with B vitamins did not reduce the risk for recurrence.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 6, 2007
Covering:
den Heijer M et al., Blood 2007 Jan 1; 109:139-44
Calcium Supplementation and Colorectal Adenomas
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Even after the study’s end, calcium benefits persisted — but not beyond 5 years.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 1, 2007
Covering:
Grau MV et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2007 Jan 17; 99:129-36
Multivitamins Strike Out Again
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Daily supplements did not reduce infection rates in nursing-home elders.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 1, 2007
Covering:
Liu BA et al., J Am Geriatr Soc 2007 Jan; 55:35-42
Effects of Exercise Therapy on Psychological Conditions in Obese Adolescents
It improved self-esteem but not BMI.
By Martin T. Stein, MD
January 24, 2007
Covering:
Daley AJ et al., Pediatrics 2006 Nov; 118:2126-34
Nutrition: Clues to Disability in Older Women?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Low serum levels of some micronutrients predicted incident disability.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
January 18, 2007
Covering:
Bartali B et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Nov 27; 166:2335-40
Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Is Associated with Disordered Eating
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The hormone ghrelin may, in part, mediate this association.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
January 16, 2007
Covering:
Schneider LF and Warren MP., Fertil Steril 2006 Dec; 86:1744-9
Metformin May Influence Weight Gain from Atypicals
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
In a small study of 38 children, metformin seemed safe and effective.
By Barbara Geller, MD
January 12, 2007
Covering:
Klein DJ et al., Am J Psychiatry 2006 Dec; 163:2072-9
Metformin-Induced Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Neurology Summary and Comment
Remember to consider causes of neuropathy in diabetics other than "diabetic neuropathy."
By Laurence J. Kinsella, MD
January 9, 2007
Covering:
Ting RZ et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Oct 9; 166:1975-9
Low Iron and Poverty: A Double Whammy
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The argument strengthens the case for early interventions to prevent malnutrition in infancy.
By Barbara Geller, MD
January 8, 2007
Covering:
Lozoff B et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2006 Nov; 160:1108-13
Vitamin E Supplementation Fails to Prevent Cognitive Decline
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a 10-year study of women older than 65, vitamin E had no overall benefit.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
January 4, 2007
Covering:
Kang JH et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Dec 11/25; 166:2462-8
Espeland MA and Henderson VW., Arch Intern Med 2006 Dec 11/25; 166:2433-4
To Minimize Weight Gain, Catch More Zzzz’s
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Shorter sleep duration was associated with greater weight gain in the Nurses’ Health Study.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
January 4, 2007
Covering:
Patel SR et al., Am J Epidemiol 2006 Nov 15; 164:947-54
Lactose Intolerance: A Common Problem
The AAP provides an updated and revised statement.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
January 3, 2007
Covering:
Heyman MB for the Committee on Nutrition., Pediatrics 2006 Sep; 118:1279-86
Do the Bugs in Our Gut Affect Our Weight?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
High levels of a particular bacteria are found in gut flora of obese mice and obese people.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
January 2, 2007
Covering:
Turnbaugh PJ et al., Nature 2006 Dec 21/28; 444:1027-31
Ley RE et al., Nature 2006 Dec 21/28; 444:1022-3
Bajzer M and Seeley RJ., Nature 2006 Dec 21/28; 444:1009-10
Moderate Drinking and CVD Outcomes in Hypertensive Men
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
This lifestyle practice was associated with reduced risk for MI — but not for other cardiovascular disease outcomes — in an observational study of hypertensive male healthcare professionals.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
January 2, 2007
Covering:
Beulens JWJ et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 Jan 2; 146:10-9
Homocysteine Lowering with B Vitamins: Disappointing Results
Despite its homocysteine-lowering effect, high-dose B vitamin supplementation yielded no cardiovascular or cognitive benefit in patients with high-normal homocysteine levels at baseline.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
December 28, 2006
