Sunday, September 28, 2014
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Pistachios Help Reduce Diabetes Risk
Pistachios are an excellent sources of vitamin-E, and for people who may be headed for type 2 diabetes, eating pistachios might help turn the tide, according to a new trial from Spain.
People with so-called prediabetes have blood sugar levels higher than normal but not yet in the diabetes range. If they do nothing, 15 to 30 percent will develop diabetes within five years, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the new Spanish study, people with prediabetes who ate about two ounces of pistachios daily showed significant drops in blood sugar and insulin levels and improvements in insulin and glucose processing. Some signs of inflammation also dropped dramatically.
Although the trial specifically involved pistachios, many previous studies have found encouraging evidence that eating nuts may be linked to a lower risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol, the authors write in Diabetes Care.
The study team divided 54 prediabetic adults into two groups. Both groups were instructed to keep to a calorie-regulated diet with 50 percent of energy from carbohydrates, 35 percent from fat and 15 percent from protein, using provided menus and seasonal recipes.
One group was given 57 grams of pistachios, about two ounces, daily to add to their diets. To match those calories, the comparison group added olive oil and other fats for the four months of the study.
By the end of the study, fasting blood sugar levels, insulin and hormonal markers of insulin resistance had decreased in the pistachio group while they rose in the comparison group. He believes the evidence is strong enough for people with prediabetes to add pistachios, or other nuts like peanuts, to their diet, and recommends about “a handful” per day, or around one serving.
“This particular study builds on previous research on pistachios,” said Dr. Joan Sabate, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the School of Public Health at Loma Linda University in California.
Sabate has also researched nuts, principally walnuts, but was not involved in the new study.
“There are some indications that eating pistachios on a regular basis lowers fasting glucose and lowers insulin and hormone ratio, which is particularly relevant in prediabetic subjects because unless they do a change in lifestyle they will end up being diabetic,” he told media.
“So the fact that eating nuts on a regular basis seems to improve some of the critical parameters is very relevant.”
Results with almonds and walnuts have been similar, he said. Pistachio allergies are rare, but nut allergies generally would be the only deterrent to adding them to the diet, Ros said.Typically people with prediabetes are adults so they already know if they have a nut allergy, Sabate said.
Pistachios are very rich in energy, he noted, so it would be better to incorporate the nuts into the diet without increasing your total calorie intake.
Article originally published by Healthy Black Men.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
New HIV Treatment Approved by FDA
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new fixed-dose combination product for the treatment of HIV.
TRIUMEQ, a combination of dolutegravir (integrate strand transfer inhibitor), abacavir sulfate and lamivudine (both nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors) are both federally approved for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.
- TRIUMEQ alone is not recommended for use in patients with current or past history of resistance to any components of TRIUMEQ.
- TRIUMEQ alone is not recommended in patients with resistance-associated integrase substitutions or clinically suspected integrase strand transfer inhibitor resistance because the dose of dolutegravir in TRIUMEQ is insufficient in these subpopulations. See full prescribing information for dolutegravir.
The recommended dosage regimen of TRIUMEQ in adults is one tablet once daily orally with or without food.
TRIUMEQ is contraindicated in patients:
- who have the HLA-B*5701 allele.
- with previous hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir. Before starting TRIUMEQ, review medical history for prior exposure to any abacavir-containing product. NEVER restart TRIUMEQ or any other abacavir containing product following a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir, regardless of HLA B*5701 status.
- with previous hypersensitivity reaction to dolutegravir or lamivudine.
- receiving dofetilide, due to the potential for increased dofetilide plasma concentrations and the risk for serious and/or life-threatening events with concomitant use of dolutegravir.
- with moderate or severe hepatic impairment.
Content for this article provided by the FDA website.
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Beliefs Versus Facts
When Beliefs and Facts Collide
By BRENDAN NYHAN
JULY 5, 2014
Do Americans understand the scientific consensus about issues like climate change and evolution?
At least for a substantial portion of the public, it seems like the answer is no. The Pew Research Center, for instance, found that 33 percent of the public believes“Humans and other living things have existed in their present form since the beginning of time” and 26 percent think there is not “solid evidence that the average temperature on Earth has been getting warmer over the past few decades.” Unsurprisingly, beliefs on both topics are divided along religious and partisan lines. For instance, 46 percent of Republicans said there is not solid evidence of global warming, compared with 11 percent of Democrats.
As a result of surveys like these, scientists and advocates have concluded that many people are not aware of the evidence on these issues and need to be provided with correct information. That’s the impulse behind efforts like the campaign to publicize the fact that 97 percent of climate scientists believe human activities are causing global warming.
In a new study, a Yale Law School professor, Dan Kahan, finds that the divide over belief in evolution between more and less religious people is wider among people who otherwise show familiarity with math and science, which suggests that the problem isn’t a lack of information. When he instead tested whether respondents knew the theory of evolution, omitting mention of belief, there was virtually no difference between more and less religious people with high scientific familiarity. In other words, religious people knew the science; they just weren’t willing to say that they believed in it.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Frequently Asked Questions
AID Atlanta offers the answers to these frequently asked questions on their website:
- Can I tell by symptoms if I am HIV positive or not?
- Are HIV and AIDS the same thing?
- Which body fluids do not transmit HIV and which ones do?
- Isn't abstinence the only real "safe" sex?
- Can I get HIV by just masturbating with my partner?
- Is HIV spread by kissing?
- Can it be risky to perform oral sex on a woman?
- Would performing oral sex on a man be as risky as ... ?
- Are all condoms the same?
- How long after a possible exposure should I wait to be tested ... ?
- How do you use a condom?
- Is the blood supply safe?
Can I tell by symptoms if I am HIV positive or not?
You cannot tell your HIV status by symptoms. Symptoms for HIV may not occur for years after you become infected, so many people who are infected do not know it. Initial symptoms of HIV are very common and may be associated with a variety of illnesses.
If you are feeling sick or having symptoms you should see your doctor. However, if you think you might have been at risk of getting HIV, you must get an HIV test to know if you did become infected or not.
Are HIV and AIDS the same thing?
No. HIV and AIDS are not interchangeable terms, although the media often uses them that way. HIV is a tiny microscopic organism. AIDS is a specific collection of illnesses or diseases caused by having the HIV virus in your body.
A person can have HIV for many years without showing any symptoms of AIDS. Some people have been infected with HIV for 15 years or more without having symptoms. They are considered to be HIV positive. When an HIV positive person develops minor symptoms it may be a sign that the disease is progressing. A doctor would determine, based on the symptoms and certain blood test if the person has AIDS or not.
Which body fluids do not transmit HIV and which ones do?
Saliva, Sweat, Tears, and Urine do not transmit HIV -- But, semen, blood, and vaginal fluids do. Any activity that includes no direct contact with your partner's semen, blood or vaginal fluids is safe. Activities that do involve direct contact with semen, blood, or vaginal fluids are risky. Any precautions that reduce the chance of direct contact with those fluids will make sex safer.
Isn't abstinence the only real "safe" sex?
Yes. That is why we have the term "Safer" Sex. Safer sex is any means of enjoying sex to the fullest without transmitting, or acquiring, any sexually related infections. Safer sex does not mean eliminating sexual passion and intimacy from your life. It just means that you have to be aware of the risk and use the tools available to reduce the risk to a level that both you and your partner feel comfortable with.
Can I get HIV by just masturbating with my partner?
Masturbation is one of the safest sexual activities you can engage in. It is safe for semen or vaginal fluids to contact healthy, unbroken skin in mutual masturbation. Healthy skin (no open cuts or fresh sores) provides very good protection against HIV.
Is HIV spread by kissing?
There is no evidence that saliva transmits HIV. Deep kissing may transmit other sexually transmitted disease but not HIV. Kissing or licking your partner's body will not spread HIV. The only time kissing could be a possible mode of transmission for HIV would be if there was a significant presence of blood in the mouth of the infected person.
Can it be risky to perform oral sex on a woman?
The risk of getting HIV by performing oral sex on a woman is lower than the risk of getting it through vaginal and anal sex. Using a latex square, dental dam, condom cut open or plastic wrap may reduce the risk further. During menstruation the risk may increase because of the presence of blood.
The risk of a woman acquiring HIV by receiving oral sex is extremely low. Some other diseases, such as gonorrhea and herpes may be transmitted during oral sex on a woman.
Would performing oral sex on a man be as risky as anal sex, vaginal sex, or sharing injection drugs?
No. Performing oral sex on a man is lower risk than vaginal and anal sex or sharing injection drugs. However, low risk does not mean no risk. In a man with HIV, both semen and pre-ejaculatory fluid (pre-cum) which contain the virus could be introduced into the mouth, so merely stopping before he ejaculates may not eliminate the risk.
Using a condom for oral sex on a man reduces the risk of getting HIV. The risk of a man getting HIV by receiving oral sex is very low. Some other diseases, such as gonorrhea and herpes may be transmitted by giving oral sex to a man.
Are all condoms the same?
No. There are many options available in brands, styles, colors, flavors, and lubrication. Latex condoms are most effective at preventing HIV transmission, when used properly. Natural skin or animal membrane condoms do not prevent HIV transmission.
Be aware that many condoms, french ticklers, glow in the dark, etc. are sold as novelty items and are not intended to prevent infection of any disease. Condoms do not provide 100 percent protection against HIV, but they are highly effective if they are used properly each time you have sex.
How long after a possible exposure should I wait to be tested to know for sure that I am not HIV infected?
The tests used to determine HIV infection look for antibodies produced by the body to fight HIV. According to the CDC, most people will develop detectable antibodies within 3 months after infection. In rare cases, it can take up to six months. A test at least 3 months after the last possible exposure should be highly accurate. However, the CDC recommends testing again at 6 months, just to be sure.
How do you use a condom?
Always leave a space at the tip to receive the semen. Put a drop of water-based lubricant inside the tip of the condom to increase pleasure. Do not use oil-based lubricants as they can cause the latex to break. Put the condom on the erect penis before any contact with the other person.
If the penis is uncircumcised (uncut), pull back the foreskin before rolling the condom down. Unroll the condom slowly all the way down the shaft of the penis, making sure to remove any air bubbles and inspect for holes. Have a spare condom handy, just in case. Use only water-based lubricants. Also apply water-based lubricant to the vagina or anus in addition to the lubrication applied to the outside of the condom to further reduce the chance of breakage.
After ejaculation, carefully pull the penis out while it is still erect, hold onto the base of the condom to prevent slipping. Be careful not to spill the semen. Dispose of the used condom. Never re-use condoms!
Is the blood supply safe?
The United States blood supply is among the safest in the world. In 1985, technology made it possible to test donated blood for HIV. Virtually all people infected with HIV through blood transfusion or blood products received them before 1985. Potential blood donors must undergo strict screening test prior to being accepted as donors.
Anyone that is determined to be at high risk for HIV is rejected. Blood and blood products are carefully tested and are safely disposed of if they prove to contain the HIV virus. At the present time, the risk of HIV transmission through receiving a blood transfusion or blood products in the United States is very rare and continues to become more infrequent even in areas with high prevalence of HIV.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Make the Most of Your Doctor Visit
How many times have you been to the doctor’s office, been poked and prodded, leaving with a prescription, only to recall all of the things you didn’t ask? Or maybe something the doctor said you did not quite understand? Next time, make the most of the visit with a few strategic tips.
Take an active role in your medical care and treatment
- Listen intentionally to what the doctor says during all doctor visits, and be proactive with taking notes.
- Do some research on your own and you may just need to talk to more than one healthcare professional
- COMMUNICATE! Share important information with your doctor – such as other medications and supplements you take, whether you have claustrophobia, and how you handle your symptoms.
- Learn your treatment options and work with your healthcare professional to customize your treatment plan.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Finding a Cure for HIV
 |
| China Photos/Getty Images |
Recently, The Week had an interesting article on finding a cure for HIV:
Why scientists can't kill HIV
It mutates so quickly, it's hard to figure out what anchor a drug
or vaccine can latch onto
or vaccine can latch onto
By Roxanne Palmer, World Science Festival | August 1, 2014
Humanity's war against the HIV has been a constantly shifting battle, thanks to the wily nature of the virus. But humans, being quite wily themselves, have persevered in the search for a cure despite setback after setback. Recently, scientists found a way to snip HIV's genetic code out from the genomes of infected cells. The technique's only been tried in cultured cells so far, but it could represent a powerful new weapon in the arsenal against AIDS.
But just what makes HIV such a formidable foe?
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