CDC Report – Arthritis linked with worse outcomes for the 50% of U.S. Adults with chronic conditions

The Centers for Disease Control has just released a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. According to the CDC, we shouldn't look at arthritis as just a stand-alone ailment. For the millions of Americans with chronic conditions—about half of the US adult population—arthritis can make a tough situation even tougher.

And for the 25% of the US adult population with two or more chronic conditions, arthritis further compounds the negative effects of chronic diseases. People with both arthritis and at least one other chronic condition are more likely to report work disabilities, limitations in social activities, and serious psychological distress.

So how many people does this effect? One in six US adults  has arthritis  and at least one other chronic condition. Put another way, of the 52.5 million US adults with arthritis, 72% have at least one other chronic condition. Of those adults with two or more chronic conditions, 63% also have arthritis.  

There are non-drug remedies that can reduce these negative effects. Physical activity has been proven to reduce pain and depression, and to improve function. Self-management education programs are also proven to help people learn strategies to manage their arthritis. These interventions can also provide benefit to people with chronic conditions who do not have arthritis.

For the full report, click here.

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness month

An estimated 5.2 Million American's of all ages have Alzheimer's disease. It is the most common form of dementia with predictions that it will affect 1 in 85 people globally by the year 2050.

There is no cure for the disease and as it progresses it will eventually lead to death.  Most Alzheimer's patients are diagnosed over 65 years of age, however, it can occur to people who are much younger.

Though there is no cure, Dr. Gino Tutera, founder and pioneer of SottoPelle Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy, believes that hormone insufficiency can lead to Alzheimer's. There is a direct correlation to Estradiol insufficiency and the development of Alzheimer's, he says.

Seniors Groups and Members of Congress Speak Out Against Proposed Cuts to Medicare to Fund Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)

Bill Would Take $950 Million from Seniors' Health Care

Seniors groups are urging U.S. House members to oppose plans to cut $950 million from Medicare to fund the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, which assists displaced workers. The cuts would jeopardize access to care for millions of seniors on Medicare.

Richard Fiesta, Executive Director, Alliance for Retired Americans and Max Richtman, President, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare joined Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) to oppose the legislation. 


The Alliance for Retired Americans is a national organization that advocates for the rights and well-being
of 4.3 million retirees and their families. www.retiredamericans.org @activeretirees

HDL, Inc. releases myHDL Physician App for Apple Watch

iOS application now offers patient management tools via Apple Watch.

RICHMOND, VA (June 8, 2015) –Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. (HDL, Inc.) has updated its myHDL Physician App to support use with Apple Watch. The iOS app, which was released for iPhone and iPad in March 2015, now allows the company's provider partners to view and manage patient cases from their wrist, on all models of Apple Watch. The app is free for all HDL, Inc. ordering providers and is available on the iTunes App Store. "HDL, Inc. is thrilled to release this update in stride with Apple's latest digital health innovation," stated Joseph McConnell, Ph.D., President and CEO of HDL, Inc. "Our tech-savvy provider partners can use this cutting-edge tool to help them offer more effective, personalized care to their patients and ultimately get ahead of disease progression."  With myHDL for Apple Watch, physicians will be able access the same breadth of information that is currently available on iPhone and iPad, including lab results and treatment suggestions. Users will also be able to receive up-to-the-minute push notifications of patient reports as they arrive from the laboratory, allowing for timely patient care and disease management. Features include: Multiple Patients' ResultsAccess and manage a practice's entire practice population from the app. Users can view past results and monitor health trends over time to design personalized treatment plans for each patient. Simplicity and SpeedQuickly pinpoint specific areas for improvement for each patient with HDL, Inc.'s stoplight color-coding and categorized test results. MD-Written Comments and Treatment GuidelinesGain a deeper understanding of the novel biomarkers and get treatment recommendations with comments written by HDL, Inc. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tara Dall. Security and PrivacyThe app was designed for HIPAA compliance. To that end, the following security features have been incorporated: physicians must use a username and password to access the app; physicians may access data that pertain only to their own patients; data sent to the app from HDL, Inc. is encrypted; no cache of data is stored in the app itself; and the app has an automatic sign-off function.  The app is available on the iTunes App Store (search "myHDL for Physicians") and can be downloaded at www.myhdlapp.com.  ________________________________

About Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. Founded in 2008, Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. (HDL, Inc.) is a leader in health improvement with one mission: to beat cardiovascular disease and diabetes, one patient at a time. HDL, Inc. provides comprehensive biomarker testing and clinical health consulting for earlier disease detection and targeted disease management, resulting in improved patient outcomes and reduced costs. HDL, Inc.'s novel, systematic approach identifies the various underlying factors contributing to disease progression, providing a basis for targeted treatment. This allows healthcare professionals to provide the most effective, appropriate care for their patients, and empowers individuals to take steps to improve their health. In addition to lab testing, HDL, Inc. offers patients a personalized overview of their lab results and intensive counseling from expert Clinical Health Consultants to promote healthier lifestyles. HDL, Inc. is a CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratory. For more information, visit www.hdlabinc.com. Follow us at Facebook.com/myhdl and on Twitter @hdltweets. The Non-GMO Organic Cookbook & Food Guide This unique recipe book contains: Non-GMO organic recipes Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, paleo and juicing recipes Easy DIY meals Infographics that detail: how to determine if a product contains GMOs, how to avoid toxic food supply additives, how to know if you're getting 100% organic, what USDA grade of meat to buy, the best anti-cancer foods, the best anti-inflammation food ​

"Rare" Gene Is Common In African Descendants And May Contribute To Risk Of Heart Disease

"Rare" ApoE Gene Variant Now Believed to be Common in Africans and African Descendants Worldwide. The Gene Can Increase Levels of Triglyceride Fats in Blood, Which May Contribute to Risk of Heart Disease and Other Disorders.

NEW YORK (November 25, 2013) -- Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have found that a genetic variation that is linked to increased levels of triglycerides -- fats in the blood associated with disorders such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and stroke -- is far more common than previously believed and disproportionally affects people of African ancestry. Investigators say their discovery, reported in the American Journal of Cardiology, reinforces the need to screen this population for high levels of triglycerides to stave off disease.

The finding offers a clue as to why Africans and people of African descent have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes compared to many other populations, says the study's senior author, Dr. Ronald G. Crystal, chairman of genetic medicine at Weill Cornell. African Americans with the variant had, on average, 52 percent higher triglyceride levels compared with blacks in the study who did not have the variant.

"The prevalence of the ApoE mutation may put large numbers of Africans and African descendants worldwide at risk for a triglyceride--linked disorder," Dr. Crystal says. "But we don't yet know the extent of that risk or its health consequences.

"Inheriting this genetic variant does not mean a person is going to get heart disease and other diseases. It increases their risk, and screening for fats in the blood -- both cholesterol and triglycerides -- as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important," Dr. Crystal says. "There are many factors at work in these diseases. This may be one player."

The number of Africans and African descendants who may have this gene variant is significant, Dr. Crystal says. "Based on our findings, we estimate that there could be 1.7 million African Americans in the United States and 36 million sub-Saharan Africans worldwide with the variant, which increases risk of the lipid disorder and, to some unknown extent, the diseases associated with it," he says.

So Rare No One Paid Attention

The study began in Qatar, at Weill Cornell Medical College in Doha. 

The gene variant the scientists studied is a single point mutation -- a replacement of one of DNA amino acid with another -- in the ApoE gene, which carries fats and other molecules through the blood. 

Scientists have believed that more than 95 percent of the world's population has one of three common ApoE variants -- 2, 3, or 4. The rest have one of 38 rare ApoE mutations, among them the R145C variant studied in this research. In the three decades since the variant's discovery, only 32 instances of it have been reported in the scientific literature, Dr. Crystal says. 

"This ApoE variant was believed to be so extremely rare that no one paid much attention to it," he says. 

Weill Cornell researchers in Qatar decided to investigate the mutation in their work evaluating the genetics of Qatari natives -- people who have lived in the country for three generations or more. That population is made up of three genetic subpopulations: Arab, Persian, and sub-Saharan African. The researchers were able to look at the genomes of 228 Qatari participants.

To their surprise, investigators found that 17 percent of the African-derived genetic subgroup had the rare ApoE variant. None of the Arab or Persian participants had the mutation.

The team then expanded their study. They looked at participants in the worldwide 1000 Genomes Project (1000G), and found that while the R145C variant is rare to non-existent in populations that are not African or of African descent, it is common (occurring 5 to 12 percent of the time) among African-derived populations, especially those from sub-Sahara.

Weill Cornell Medical College researchers then looked for the variant in New York--area participants taking part in a study on smoking--related lung health. They found that R145C was rare (occurring 0.1 percent of the time) in the 1,012 Caucasians they studied, but common in the 1,266 African-American participants, 4 percent of whom carried the variant.

 

"This research is a good example of how studying a small population can give you insights that are very relevant to the rest of the world," Dr. Cyrstal says.

The study was supported, in part, by Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar and the Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar; and the National Institutes of Health (UL1-RR024996). 

Co-authors include Maen D. Abou Ziki, Yael Strulovici-Bare, Dr. Neil R. Hackett, Dr. Juan L. Rodriguez-Flores, Dr. Jason G. Mezey, Jacqueline Salit, Sharon Radisch, Dr.  Charleen Hollmann, Dr. Lotfi Chouchane, Dr. Joel Malek, and Dr. Antonio M. Gotto, from Weill Cornell Medical College; and Dr. Mahmoud A. Zirie and Amin Jayyuosi from Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar.

Weill Cornell Medical College

Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University's medical school located in New York City, is committed to excellence in research, teaching, patient care and the advancement of the art and science of medicine, locally, nationally and globally. Physicians and scientists of Weill Cornell Medical College are engaged in cutting-edge research from bench to bedside, aimed at unlocking mysteries of the human body in health and sickness and toward developing new treatments and prevention strategies. In its commitment to global health and education, Weill Cornell has a strong presence in places such as Qatar, Tanzania, Haiti, Brazil, Austria and Turkey. Through the historic Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, the Medical College is the first in the U.S. to offer its M.D. degree overseas. Weill Cornell is the birthplace of many medical advances -- including the development of the Pap test for cervical cancer, the synthesis of penicillin, the first successful embryo-biopsy pregnancy and birth in the U.S., the first clinical trial of gene therapy for Parkinson's disease, and most recently, the world's first successful use of deep brain stimulation to treat a minimally conscious brain-injured patient. Weill Cornell Medical College is affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where its faculty provides comprehensive patient care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. The Medical College is also affiliated with Houston Methodist. For more information, visit weill.cornell.edu.

How to break the sugar habit

BOSTON—A sugar-laden diet can be a killer. That's the conclusion of an international study from the Harvard School of Public Health. The authors attributed 180,000 deaths worldwide each year—25,000 in the United States—to consumption of sugary beverages, explains the July 2013 Harvard Women's Health Watch. Sodas and fruit drinks aren't our only sources of sugar. The average American eats between 22 and 30 teaspoons of added sugar each day, according to the American Heart Association.

"The harmful effects of sugar are primarily due to the weight gain from added sugar in the foods we eat and sugar-sweetened beverages," says Dr. Michelle Hauser, certified chef and nutrition educator and clinical fellow in medicine at Harvard Medical School. "Most of the deaths are related to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes."

How much sugar do we actually need? In reality, "you don't need any added sugar," says Dr. Hauser. According to American Heart Association guidelines, women should get no more than 100 calories a day (about 6 teaspoons) from added sugar.

It's relatively easy to control the amount of sugar spooned onto food or into beverages like coffee and iced tea. It's harder to know how much sugar is hidden in pre-sweetened packaged and processed products. That's why it's so important to read food labels.

To cut back on sugar, don't try to eliminate all sugary foods at once. Instead, try switching to a healthy diet made up of more satisfying foods-whole grains, fruits, vegetables, healthy oils, and lean protein.

Read the full-length article: "How to break the sugar habit and help your health in the process"

Also in the July 2013 issue of the Harvard Women's Health Watch:

• Normal memory loss—or dementia?
• Switching from brand-name to generic medications saves money
• How safe are sunless tanners?

Harvard Women's Health Watch is available from Harvard Health Publications, the publishing division of Harvard Medical School, for $20 per year. Subscribe at www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/womens or by calling 877-649-9457 (toll-free).

 The Ultimate Superfood Powers Heart-Healthy New Year Resolutions

Flax Chia Blend Fuels Wholesome Breakfasts, Lunches & Dinners

to Aid in Weight Loss and Disease Prevention

For the estimated one-third of Americans who will make New Year's resolutions to eat better and lose weight in the upcoming months, they might consider flax seeds combined with chia seeds to help them achieve their goals. 

The combination of organic milled flax and chia together offers a food that is almost unrivaled in its fiber and healthy fat content and is a great component for helping New Year resolutioners lose and maintain their weight. Many dieters have found that organic milled flax and chia seeds have been a key to keeping them feeling satisfied.   

Nutritionist, Deborah Orlick Levy, MS, RD, encourages her patients to incorporate flax into their daily nutrition plans and explains, "Flax is one of the best sources of Omega 3 healthy fat that can help speed the process of losing weight while also helping to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. It is also beneficial in alleviating symptoms of hypertension, joint pain, and an array of other ailments. I often tell people that you can spend your money on healthy eating now or you can spend your money at the doctor's office later in life."

Carrington Farms offers a flax-chia combination that combines organic milled flax seeds with chia seeds resulting in a nutritious blend with a wealth of health benefits. Chia seeds, low in carbs and gluten free, are packed with Omega 3's, vitamins, antioxidants, protein, fiber, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and zinc. Organic milled flax seeds are also loaded with Omega 3's, fiber, antioxidants, and minerals, but have the added benefit of hormone balancing phytoestrogens called lignans, all of which help promote a healthy lifestyle. Together, the perfect balance of the combined blend provides an excellent source of energy and nutrients for lasting heart health and boosted metabolism resulting in the ultimate "Superfood".

Healthy eating this New Year will begin in the kitchen and the Flax Chia blend offers the convenience of nutrition that can easily and tastily be incorporated into the daily meal prep routine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With a delicious and subtle nutty flavor, it can be sprinkled over cereals, oatmeal or yogurt for breakfast or used as a tasty topping for salads or casseroles for lunch and dinner. It can even be used in place of eggs in recipes such as meatloaf and hamburgers, or as a coating on kid-friendly chicken nuggets. 

About Carrington Farms

For over a decade, Carrington Farms has been providing health-conscious consumers with healthy yet delicious products. The company is committed to offering the freshest and best-tasting organic flax seed that nature has grown. To that end, each batch of flax seed that goes into the Carrington product line is stringently tested and guaranteed to be both 100 % organic and non-genetically modified. This rigorous quality assurance process ensures an end product that is the highest-quality, cleanest seed available. Carrington's focus on a healthy lifestyle is summed up by its slogan: "Healthy Foods for a Healthy Soul." For additional information on the company, please visit http://www.carringtonfarms.com/.