Vitamin E may slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease
Marilynn MarchioneThe Associated Press
Researchers say vitamin E might slow the progression of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease — the first time any treatment has been shown to alter the course of dementia at that stage.
In a study of more than 600 older veterans, high doses of the vitamin delayed the decline in daily living skills, such as making meals, getting dressed and holding a conversation, by about six months over a two-year period.
The benefit was equivalent to keeping one major skill that otherwise would have been lost, such as being able to bathe without help. For some people, that could mean living independently rather than needing a nursing home.
Vitamin E did not preserve thinking abilities, though, and it did no good for patients who took it with another Alzheimer’s medication. But those taking vitamin E alone required less help from caregivers — about two fewer hours each day than some others in the study.
“It’s not a miracle or, obviously, a cure,” said study leader Dr. Maurice Dysken of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. “The best we can do at this point is slow down the rate of progression.”
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs sponsored the study, published Tuesday by the Journal of the American Medical Association.
No one should rush out and buy vitamin E, several doctors warned. It failed to prevent healthy people from developing dementia or to help those with mild impairment (“pre-Alzheimer’s”) in other studies, and one suggested it might even be harmful.
Still, many experts cheered the new results after so many recent flops of once-promising drugs.
“This is truly a breakthrough paper and constitutes what we have been working toward for nearly three decades: the first truly disease-modifying intervention for Alzheimer’s,” said Dr. Sam Gandy of Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. “I am very enthusiastic about the results.”
About 35 million people worldwide have dementia, and Alzheimer’s is the most common type. In the U.S., about 5 million have Alzheimer’s. There is no cure and current medicines just temporarily ease symptoms.
Researchers don’t know how vitamin E might help, but it is an antioxidant, like those found in red wine, grapes and some teas. Antioxidants help protect cells from damage that can contribute to other diseases, says the federal Office on Dietary Supplements. Many foods contain vitamin E, such as nuts, seeds, grains, leafy greens and vegetable oils. There are many forms, and the study tested a synthetic version of one — alpha-tocopherol — at a pharmaceutical grade and strength, 2,000 international units a day.
Years ago, another study found that the same form and dose helped people with more advanced Alzheimer’s, and many were prescribed it. But vitamin E fell out of favor after a 2005 analysis of many studies found that those taking more than 400 units a day were more likely to die of any cause.
The new study involved 613 veterans, nearly all male, 79 years old on average, with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s, at 14 VA centers. All were already taking Aricept, Razadyne or Exelon — widely used, similar dementia medicines.
Participants were placed in four groups and given either vitamin E, another dementia medicine called memantine (its brand name is Namenda), both pills or dummy pills.
After a little more than two years of follow-up, those on vitamin E alone had a 19 percent lower annual rate of decline in daily living skills compared to the placebo group. Memantine made no difference, and vitamin E did not affect several tests of thinking skills.
“It’s a subtle effect but it’s probably real,” Dr. Ron Petersen, the Mayo Clinic’s Alzheimer’s research chief, said of the benefit on daily living from vitamin E. “That has to be weighed against the potential risks” seen in earlier studies, he said.
Heather Snyder, director of medical and scientific operations for the Alzheimer’s Association, said the group’s position is that “no one should take vitamin E for Alzheimer’s disease or other memory issues except under the supervision of a physician,” because it can interfere with blood thinners, cholesterol drugs and other medicines.
The new results also need to be verified in a fresh study that includes more women and minorities, she said.
A study suggests that after aesthetic facial plastic surgery the average number of apparent”years saved” (true age minus guessed age) was 3.1 years but there was only an insignificant increase in attractiveness scores, according to a report published by JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, a JAMA Network publication.
Patients seek out aesthetic facial surgery to look younger and more attractive but there is minimal literature about the effect of the surgery on perceived age and attractiveness, according to the study background.
A. Joshua Zimm, M.D., of the Lenox Hill Hospital and Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Institute of North Shore-LIJ Health System, New York, and colleagues quantitatively evaluated the degree of perceived age change and improvement in attractiveness following surgical procedures.
Independent raters examined preoperative and postoperative photographs of 49 patients who underwent aesthetic facial plastic surgery between July 2006 and July 2010 at a private practice in Toronto, Canada. The photographs were shown to 50 blind raters. Patients in the study ranged in age from 42 to 73 years at the time of surgery with an average age of 57 years.
On average, raters estimated their patients’ ages to be about 2.1 years younger than their chronological age before surgery and 5.2 years younger than their chronological age after surgery. The average overall years saved following surgery was 3.1 years, according to the results. There also was a small and insignificant increase in attractiveness scores in postprocedural photographs, the results indicate.
“In conclusion, the subjective nature of facial rejuvenation surgery presents a challenge in the assessment of successful results,” the study concludes. “Given the limitations of the attractiveness component of this study as described herein, further investigation is warranted to verify these findings.”
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but don’t assume all grandma’s adages are true. That one about starving a cold? The truth is actually the opposite: Your body needs nutrients and food compounds to fortify your immune system against viruses and help speed your recovery, explains Dayong Wu, M.D., Ph.D, scientist at the Nutritional Immunology Laboratory at Tufts University.
But nutrition works both ways: “There are also some foods that negatively impact your body’s resistance to sicknesses,” he adds. Since winter is the flu’s favorite season, keep your kitchen stocked with immune boosters, for the time before you catch something and, unfortunately, if you are fighting it off. So what should you believe and what advice should you toss when it comes to staying healthy this season? Here’s the truth behind five common flu-fighting myths.
The myth: The most important immune-boosting nutrient is vitamin C. The truth: Vitamin D is just as helpful: People who took roughly 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily over two years were less likely to get sick than those who were D-deficient, according to a recent Australian study. Why it works: Without adequate amounts of the sunshine vitamin in your body, your T-cells—an essential part of the immune system—remain dormant and unresponsive to invading viruses and bacteria. Stick to a 2,000 IU supplement, though: Fish is the most D-rich food and, while fish oil is beneficial for fighting several chronic diseases, some of the the fatty acids in the compound can suppress immune cell function and compromise your body’s defense against flu, says Dr. Wu. High intake of fish oil can potentially compromise the body’s defense against flu and delay recovery after catching it, he warns.
The myth: Alcohol can wreak havoc on your immune system, upping your odds of catching a cold and worsening the symptoms. The truth: Moderate drinking may actually bolster your immune system and help it fight off infection, reports new research from Oregon Health and Science University. Why it works: Researchers aren’t sure exactly what’s at play, but think some of the booze benefits we already know of—like antioxidants protecting cells against free radicals—might be related to the immune boost. And since studies have found beer to be just as beneficial as wine, the key to keeping a cold away is not in what you drink, but in how much. Heavy drinkers showed even less resilience against viruses than either moderate drinkers or abstainers. Stick to one or two glasses of your favorite indulgence a day.
The myth: Downing orange juice will keep colds away. The truth: OJ might work, but people who drink a glass of cranberry juice daily see fewer cold and flu symptoms than those who don’t, according to a new study from the University of Florida. Why it works: Cranberry juice has immune-boosting antioxidants and vitamin C, just like OJ, but it also has nutrients called proanthocyanidins. These interact with your intestine’s immune cells to put them in a state of readiness, allowing your immune system to respond faster and better when attacked by a virus, explains study author Susan Percival, Ph.D. Drink two glasses—about 15 ounces—of cranberry juice every day to keep your body ready to fight off an attack.
The myth: Chicken noodle soup is a cold and flu butt-kicker. The truth: Mom really does know best: In a landmark study, Stephen Rennard, M.D., of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, proved that the famous cold cure really can help fight off a virus. Why it works: Rennard found that chicken noodle soup acts as an anti-inflammatory, deterring neutrophils—a type of white blood cells that increases inflammation—from congregating in your respiratory tract. Additionally, a 2009 Japanese study found that chicken itself contains an amino acid similar to a prescribed bronchitis medicine, which helps thin out mucus in the lungs, allowing you to cough up the stuff faster. Even better? Canned versions are just as beneficial as the homemade stuff at warding off inflammation. Stick to a vegetable-packed version, though: Rennard believes it’s the combination of vegetables, chicken, and the broth that makes mom’s soup so powerful.
The myth: Ginger ale will help settle your stomach. The truth: It’s not the soda that helps so much as the namesake ingredient. Why it works: While the jury is still out on the secret behind ginger’s power, even a small amount can help: A University of Rochester study found that as little as ¼ of a teaspoon of ginger cut nausea by 40 percent in queasy chemotherapy patients. Since sugary sodas are never on the suggested list, stick to a ginger tea, like Yogi Ginger or Tazo Green Ginger.
A combined technique of liposuction and tummy tuck – designed to reduce surgical trauma – provides excellent patient outcomes with a low complication rate, reports a study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery-Global Open®, the official open-access medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
ASPS Member Surgeon Dr. Eric Swanson, a plastic surgeon in private practice in Leawood, Kan., presents an in-depth report on his experience with a combined technique of liposuction and abdominoplasty in a large series of patients over five years. He writes, “Liposuction and abdominoplasty, individually and in combination, may be performed safely with appropriate measures to reduce complications by minimizing tissue trauma.”
Detailed Analysis of Combined ‘Lipoabdominoplasty’ In the combined “lipoabdominoplasty” procedure, patients initially underwent ultrasonic liposuction to remove excess fat from the abdomen and flanks (love handles). Liposuction was followed by abdominoplasty – or “tummy tuck” – to eliminate excess abdominal tissue and loose skin. Outcomes after lipoabdominoplasty in 150 patients were compared to liposuction alone in 384 patients and abdominoplasty alone in 17 patients.
Notably, no liposuction patients developed seromas–collections of fluid under the skin–which is attributed to limited ultrasound to reduce tissue trauma. There was a low (five percent) rate of seromas after abdominoplasty. Dr. Swanson writes that seromas have led some plastic surgeons to leave behind some abdominal fat and connective tissue during abdominoplasty in an effort to reduce this risk. He believes that preserving this excess tissue is unnecessary and compromises the cosmetic result.
Less-Traumatic Technique Limits Complications The study demonstrates that by using shorter periods of ultrasound and eliminating the traditional use of electrodissection during surgery, the risk of seromas may be minimized while at the same time achieving excellent cosmetic outcomes. By first injecting the tissues with fluid containing epinephrine, blood loss is reduced, making cautery dissection unnecessary.
Dr. Swanson also describes a modified form of general anesthesia – total intravenous anesthesia without muscle paralysis – to reduce the risk of blood clots in the legs. Only one patient in his series developed this complication and was successfully treated. He writes that by adopting safe preventive measures, surgeons may reduce the risk of this serious complication without the need for blood-thinning medication. Patients also recover more quickly after surgery, averaging only 51 minutes in the recovery room, and experience less nausea.
Taking advantage of the PRS GO’s open-access format, the article includes videos in which Dr. Swanson demonstrates his lipoabdominoplasty technique. He illustrates a technique of deep tissue anchoring to keep the tummy tuck scar low and hidden within the bikini line.
Liposuction and abdominoplasty are common cosmetic plastic surgery procedures that are often performed together. However, few well-designed studies have investigated the outcomes of the combined procedures. This new study includes systematically collected data in a large series of consecutive patients undergoing a consistent technique performed by a single surgeon.
In a previous study, published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery last year, Dr. Swanson reported high patient satisfaction rates and improved self-esteem in patients undergoing liposuction and/or abdominoplasty – especially the combined technique. The new results show that, with attention to some basic measures to reduce risk, excellent cosmetic results are achieved with a low complication rate. “Lipoabdominoplasty may be performed safely, so that patients may benefit from both modalities,” Dr. Swanson concludes.
Retinol creams are made up of retinoids, a retinoid is a tropical form of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is the number one anti-wrinkle ingredient recommended by dermatologists. It’s sole purpose is to promote cell turnover. It eliminates the old, bad cells and produces new, plump and healthy cells. Nothing works more effectively at eliminating the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines than retinol. It’s the best anti-aging ingredient. There is no argument to it. Piles of research prove that the vitamin A derivative can really undo wrinkles and even discoloration caused by sun damage.
In the vast majority of cases, gynecomastia is not a serious problem. However, it may be psychologically difficult to cope with. Apart from affecting self-confidence and causing embarrassment, some men and boys may also experience pain in their breasts.
A study carried out at Boston Children’s Hospital and reported in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that gynecomastia negatively affects self-esteem as well as other areas of emotional health in adolescent boys.
Team leader, Dr. Brian I. Labow wrote “Merely having gynecomastia was sufficient to cause significant deficits in general health, social functioning,mental health, self-esteem, and eating behaviors and attitudes compared with controls.”
An adolescent male with gynecomastia
corrected by surgery
The picture on the right is an example of adolescent gynecomastia that was corrected by surgery protocol, devised and performed by Dr. Mordcai Blau, Chief Emeritus of Plastic Surgery in the Westchester Ambulatory Surgical Center, White Plains, New York.
If gynecomastia persists, there are treatments available.
Gynecomastia is not caused by extra fat from being overweight. It is caused by extra breast tissue. So, doing exercise or losing weight will not get rid of it. There are other conditions, such as pseudogynecomastia, in which fat builds up in the breasts, and are sometimes associated with being overweight or obese.
What are the signs and symptoms of gynecomastia?
Signs and symptoms may occur in one or both breasts.
The breast gland tissue swells.
The breast becomes tender.
The diameter of the areola increases, or the chest tissue becomes asymmetrical. The areola is the ring of pigmented skin surrounding the nipple.
You should see the doctor if there is unusual and persistent swelling, tenderness, pain, and/or nipple discharge.
What are the causes of gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia may have several causes.
A Hormone imbalance between the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen. Estrogen, the “female” hormone, makes breast tissue grow, while testosterone, the “male” hormone, has inhibitory effects at the breast tissue level (it stops estrogen from making breast tissue grow).As mentioned above, gynecomastia is caused by extra breast tissue, not fat accumulation.
Over 50% of newborn males are born with enlarged breasts. This is because they have high levels of estrogen, which came from the mother. As the estrogen levels return to normal, the swelling goes away, usually within a few weeks.
Swollen breasts become more common among males as they get reach middle and old age. This is because older men produce less testosterone. Older males are usually fatter than young men, which results in more estrogen being produced. A study carried out at the New Jersey Medical School and published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism2 showed that overweight men produce more estrogen.
Kidney failure
Alcohol abuse – most medical and family practice websites mention that alcohol abuse raises the risk of enlarged male breasts.
Liver disease
Radiation treatmen of the testicles
Klinefelter’s syndrome
Cannabis/marijuana and other illegal drugs – several studies have looked into whether there might be a link between cannabis use and gynecomastia. Some have found an association while others have not detected a significant link. The majority of medical and health websites mention a link. The Mayo Clinic3 says there is a link between marijuana, amphetamines, methadone, heroin and gynecomastia risk.
Infections or lumps in the testicles
Some thyroid disorders
Medications – several medications can cause the breasts in men to enlarge, including:- some antibiotics
– some ulcer medications
– chemotherapy
– tea tree oil and lavender products, according to patient.co.uk4
– tricyclic antidepressants
– diazepam (Valium) and some other drugs for treating anxiety
– some HIV medications, including efavirenz (Sustiva)
– anabolic steroids
– anti-androgens, commonly prescribed for patients with cancer or prostate enlargement
– some heart drugs, including calcium channel blockers and digoxin (Lanoxin)
An article published in the journal Expert Opinion on Drug Safety5 reported on a study that examined all the scientific reviews on cases of possible/probable drug-induced gynecomastia since 1940 and concluded “Most of the reported drug-gynecomastia associations were based on poor quality evidence. The drugs definitely associated with the onset of gynecomastia are spironolactone, cimetidine, ketoconazole, hGH, estrogens, hCG, anti-androgens, GnRH analogs and 5-α reductase inhibitors. Medications probably associated with gynecomastia include risperidone, verapamil, nifedipine, omeprazole, alkylating agents, HIV medications (efavirenz), anabolic steroids, alcohol and opioids.”
Diagnosing gynecomastia
The doctor will ask the patient questions regarding symptoms, his medical and drug history, and possibly family history.
The physician will examine the breast tissue, as well as the genitals and abdomen.
If the doctor determines that it is caused by a hormone imbalance, as may be the case during puberty, and the gynecomastia appears typical for a teenage boy, the patient will be told not to worry and that it will all go away within about a year.
If the breast lump is abnormally large, tender, one-sided, or fixed and hard, further investigation will probably be required, including a biopsy. If the man has an unusual lump in one breast only, the doctor needs to know whether there is a family history of breast cancer.
The doctor will try to rule out other causes of male breast enlargement, such as:
Tissue biopsy – a sample of cells or tissue is removed from the target area and is examined under a microscope by a pathologist
What are the treatment options for gynecomastia?
If the doctor finds an underlying condition that is causing the gynecomastia, it needs to be treated.
If the gynecomastia appears to be caused by a medication, the doctor may recommend switching to a different drug, discontinuing it, or carrying on. If the course of medication is not long-term, the condition will be temporary.
In the majority of cases, gynecomastia resolves on its own without any treatment. It is important that the doctor explains this to the patient.
Teenagers with no apparent cause of the condition will be advised to come back periodically to see whether it improves on its own – it usually does.
If the condition does not resolve on its own within a couple of years, causes embarrassment, pain and/or tenderness, treatment may be necessary.
Treatment for gynecomastia is rare, and may include medications such as hormone therapy to block the effects of estrogens, or breast reduction surgery.
Medications for the treatment gynecomastia
Tamoxifen – a drug that blocks the action of the female hormone estrogen in the body. It is used for treating and preventing breast cancer, but is also effective in reducing the symptoms of breast pain and breast enlargement in men.Researchers at the university of California at Irvine carried out a study comparing tamoxifen with placebo for men with gynecomastia. They reported in the journal Metabolism6 that the majority of the participants (70%) on Tamoxifen experienced significant decrease in the size of their gynecomastia. All the patients with painful gynecomastia experienced symptomatic relief.
The study authors concluded “…antiestrogenic treatment with tamoxifen may represent a safe and effective mode of treatment for selected cases of cosmetically disturbing or painful gynecomastia.”
Aromatase inhibitors – a class of drugs used for treating breast cancer and ovarian cancer in post-menopausal women. These medications may also be used off-label to prevent or treat gynecomastia in males.A small study published in Hormone Research in Paediatrics7 on adolescent boys found that most of them experienced decreased breast size after receiving the selective aromatase inhibitor anastrozole. Since the aim of the treatment was the total disappearance of excess breast tissue, the researchers explained that anastrozole was of limited effect. Anastrozole may be of benefit for the treatment of tenderness, and also for those in whom surgery is particularly risky.
The study authors added “However, as spontaneous disappearance of pubertal gynecomastia is common, further double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials are necessary before a definite conclusion can be drawn about the effectiveness and the side effects of this therapy.”
Testosterone replacement is sometimes used for the treatment of gynecomastia in elderly men whose testosterone levels are low. This treatment does not work if the patient’s testosterone level is normal.
Surgery for gynecomastia
The breast consists of two main components:
Glandular tissue – which is firm and dense.
Fatty tissue – which is soft.
The ratio of glandular to fatty tissue varies from patient to patient. In individuals with gynecomastia there may be too much of both types of tissue.
22-year-old patient with gynecomastia,
before and after surgery
Liposuction – if there is too much fatty tissue, liposuction can be used to suck it out. A 3-4mm incision is made, through which a small tube is inserted.
Excision – this means cutting out tissue with a scalpel. If the breast enlargement is caused by excess glandular tissue, it will need to be excised. This procedure will leave a scar, typically around the edge of the nipple. If a major reduction in tissue and skin is required, the surgeon will need to make a larger incision, resulting in a bigger scar.
The surgeon may recommend both – excision in conjunction with liposuction.
According to The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons8 (BAAPS), most gynecomastia operations last about 90 minutes and are performed under general anesthesia – in some cases local anesthesia with sedation is administered.
After surgery the chest will be bruised and swollen, making it hard to determine how effective the operation has been. The doctor will probably instruct the patient to wear an elastic pressure garment continuously for a couple of weeks to help reduce swelling.
According to BAAPS, it takes typically about six weeks before the patient is able to return to completely normal activities.
Complications from surgery are rare, and may include not enough removal of breast tissue, the chest having an uneven contour, or reduced sensation of the nipple(s). Surgery involving excision, rather than liposuction, carries the risk of a blood clot forming, which may need to be drained.
New risk-scoring tool allows surgeons to better counsel and potentially change an operative plan for women at higher risk for implant failure after mastectomy, Journal of the American College of Surgeons study reports.
New research findings published in the December issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons confirm that factors such as smoking and obesity increase the odds of early implant loss in women who undergo mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction with implants. Additionally, the study authors propose a unique risk-scoring tool that allows surgeons to better counsel patients preoperatively about their predicted risk for complications.
“The goal of our study was really to determine which patients are at greatest risk for experiencing significant complications with their implants in the first 30 days after breast reconstruction, with the hope that it will allow practicing surgeons, including reconstructive surgeons, an opportunity to better tailor preoperative risk counseling and improve patient selection,” said lead study author John P. Fischer, MD, a plastic surgery resident at the Perelman School of Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Breast reconstruction using implants is one of two surgical techniques available to women who want to rebuild the shape of their breasts following mastectomy. (Autologous reconstruction, in which surgeons use a woman’s own tissue that is often taken from the abdomen, is the other main technique.) An implant reconstruction procedure – which requires a less invasive operation – commonly involves placement of an expandable implant that is sequentially filled and then replaced at a second stage with a permanent implant to reconstruct breast tissue that’s removed during a mastectomy.
In an effort to characterize which perioperative risk factors are associated with 30-day implant loss (the unplanned removal of an implant for any reason) after immediate breast reconstruction, researchers analyzed data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP®) database. ACS NSQIP is the leading nationally validated, risk-adjusted, outcomes-based program to measure and improve the quality of surgical care in private sector hospitals.
This analysis included 14,585 women between the ages of 40 and 60 who had undergone immediate breast reconstruction. Consistent with previous studies that indicate factors such as smoking and obesity affect the ability to heal after surgical procedures, the study results showed that smoking makes a woman’s risk of early implant loss three times higher, and obesity confers a two to three times greater risk of early implant loss.
“One of the novel findings in our study is that it is not just obesity, but it is a state of progressive obesity that is associated with poorer outcomes,” Dr. Fischer said. “The more severe the state of obesity, the higher their risk of this complication.”
Other factors associated with a greater chance of complications during the early postoperative period included age (being over 55 years) and operative risk factors such as bilateral reconstruction (having two implants) and direct-to-implant reconstruction, whereby women undergo a one-stage procedure, in which patients undergo mastectomy and then immediate permanent implant placement.
The researchers took their analysis one step further and created a simple, usable, clinical risk assessment tool that allows surgeons to predict early implant loss. This tool enables surgeons to come up with a composite risk score for each patient based upon her individual risk factors. The more risk factors, the greater chance of having a postoperative implant loss within 30 days. For instance, a woman considering bilateral reconstruction who is overweight and a smoker is going to be in a very high-risk group compared with a woman who is a non-smoker, of normal weight, and considering a unilateral implant.
“Less than one percent of all patients in our study experienced this complication occur, but when we stratified patients into low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups, the risk went from .39% to 1.48% to 3.86%,” Dr. Fischer explained. “It may seem like a small difference, but the difference is clinically significant because what it means is that one in 25 patients in the high-risk group will lose a device within 30 days.”
It is important for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are considering breast reconstruction, to talk with their surgeons about the type of surgical procedure that may be best for them, based upon their preferences and risk factors.
The important message, Dr. Fischer noted, is that this new assessment tool is able to discriminate risk. The strengths are that this is a large, validated database, and the results are generalizable. Furthermore, the clinical risk is simple to implement into practice.
“If a patient learns she has a high risk for complications with breast implants, she may choose to have an autologous tissue based procedure. The risk might not be worth it, or, on the other hand, the patient accepts the risk. Either way, the expectations are better managed and overall satisfaction is likely to be higher,” Dr. Fischer said. “Our main desire is to help improve the outcomes and care for breast reconstruction patients.”
Two studies released this year generated a lot of interest, despite being preliminary. First, a new study provided the first evidence in humans that probiotics in the diet can modulate brain activity: Using functional MRI, researchers found that women who regularly consumed probiotic-containing yogurt showed altered activity of brain regions that control central processing of emotion and sensation.[20] Whether the effects are clinically beneficial will require further study, researchers said.
We all like to go all-out for the holidays-eating cookies, cheese, casseroles-and in the days (scratch that, weeks) we spend celebrating the season, our bodies are on sugar and fat overload.
Before you ring in the New Year (with champagne overload!), give your body this simple detox to get back to normal and ring in the new year right. No starvation or weird juice required, we promise!
Skip the Coffee
Spend the next few mornings coffee free. You may think the jolt of caffeine is just the thing to get you out from under the covers, but it’ll also build up carb and sugar craving for the entire day. Instead, get your caffeine fix with a cup of green tea. Just one cup helps to speed up liver activity-and after all that egg nog, you may need it!
Drink Up Drink water, that is. Between the wine, hot toddies and spiked egg nog, rehydration is key. Focus on downing six to eight glasses of water daily. Add a lemon or orange slice for vitamin C to burn fat and decrease inflammation. Both your stomach and skin will thank you for it!
Get Your Fiber Fix After over-indulging, you need to get your digestive system back on track, and fiber will do just that. Start with a high fiber breakfast, such as oatmeal or almond butter toast, to regulate the system and fill you up.
Give Your Muscles Some TLC Feeling a little stiff? Add just five minutes of yoga stretches to your morning routine to open up. The twisting of the muscles during the various positions releases fresh blood as well as nutrients and oxygen to the muscles-all of which will help you recover faster. Got some extra time? Get in some cardio to really sweat it out.
Break Up With Sugar Nothing helps you recover faster than a quick break-up. (But none of that “friends with benefits” stuff! Take a full-on break, Rachel and Ross-style.) To rid yourself of those sugar cravings, you need to go cold turkey. Skip the sweets and processed foods (which can pack in hidden sugars) in favor of veggies, fruit and whole grains.
Come New Year’s Eve, your body will be ready for the overload, part two!
