“Ask Doctor Bones”
The Health Forum for Business Professionals
As seen in the
Hudson Valley Business Journal
______________________________
Doctor
Bones answers your questions concerning Health and Wellness. Doctor
Bones uses only reliable, no-nonsense science-based health information.
Send your questions to drmueller@optonline.net, call (845) 406-4623 or visit www.drbonesshow.com.
August 8, 2005_____Hudson Valley Business Journal
Question:
I've been losing my hair, as I age. Can the product called Avacor grow back my hair?
Answer:
Like
the saying goes, "Hair today, gone tomorrow." Although there are
various causes for hair loss in men and women (e.g., certain diseases,
stress, nutritional deficiencies and hormonal changes) the most common
cause is known as adrogenic alopecia or "alopecia" for short. Alopecia
is the medical term for male/female pattern baldness. Unfortunately,
with the passage of time, hair loss will affect both men and women to
some degree.
Global Vision Products Inc. (GVP), the makers of
AVACOR™, claim that their product is the leading hair regrowth
formulation combating androgenic alopecia for male/female pattern
baldness. If used correctly, they say that AVACOR™ is proven to be an
effective means of diminishing hair loss and promoting a thicker and
healthier head of hair. A 12-month supply of the three-part AVACOR™
"hair care system" including, DHT blocker, topical solution and scalp
detoxifying shampoo costs about $500.
Together with a long
list of herbs that "promote healthy hair follicles," GVP also claims
that Serenoa Repens (more commonly called saw palmetto) helps block DHT
(dihydrotestosterone) from hair follicles, so that they no longer stop
growing, thereby helping hair to regrow naturally. Saw palmetto has
never been clinically proven to stop or reverse hair loss. GVP has not
conducted double-blind studies to prove their claims regarding AVACOR™.
The only ingredient in AVACOR™ clinically proven to regrow hair is
Minoxidil (2,4-diamino-6-piperidino-pyrimidine-3-oxide), which was
originally used as a treatment for high blood pressure. One of the side
effects was hair growth, which led researchers to produce a topical
solution of Minoxidil called Rogaine™ to treat hair loss in men and
women. Side effects with Minoxidil may include burning or itchy scalp,
blurred vision, chest pain, rapid heartbeat and decreased sexual
function. GVP has consistently downplayed the use of Minoxidil in
AVACOR™, which they claim is completely safe with no side effects.
However, if you read the fine print you are alerted to such symptoms.
In
New York State, a class action lawsuit has been filed against GVP for
false advertising, alleging that the marketing of AVACOR™ is in essence
an elaborate hoax, involving fictitious clinics and "fabricated medical
studies." You may be losing your hair, but you don't have to lose your
money. Because there is no reliable evidence to show that AVACOR™ is an
effective treatment for hair loss, I suggest that you save your money
and not buy AVACOR™. You may want to consult a dermatologist to get
more of the facts concerning hair loss. There are a number of avenues
available to you. This includes hair transplantation, hair weaves and
prescription medications such as minoxidil and propecia (finasteride).
Propecia is an FDA-approved hair growth pill used to treat male pattern
baldness on the top and middle front of the head. Again, these
medications have certain side effects. Have your doctor monitor your
progress if you decide to try them. Good Luck!
September 5, 2005 _____Hudson Valley Business Journal
Question:
Although
the fanfare has subsided over "Dr." Tom Cruise and his condemnation of
psychiatry and criticism of Ritalin, I still don't know much about
Ritalin. Can you give me the facts?
Answer:
I
agree. After watching the Today Show's interview (6/24/05) of
Scientologist Tom Cruise it was painfully obvious that neither "Dr."
Cruise nor interviewer Matt Lauer had anything substantive to
contribute to the discussion. I'd play it safe and avoid going to
either one of them for medical advice. Cruise's assault on psychiatry
as being a "pseudoscience" was no more convincing than hearing from
those who proclaim that Scientology has anything to do with "real"
science. Scientology, which was founded by the late L. Ron Hubbard is
purported to mean "the study of truth." Hubbard whose real name was
Henry August Wilson is reported to have been a pathological liar and a
charlatan.
Ritalin is the trade name for a medication used to
treat a condition known as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or
ADHD. The active ingredient in Ritalin and other such
"psycho-stimulant" medications (like Concerta and Metadate) used to
treat ADHD is a compound called methylphenidate hydrochloride and it is
a central nervous system stimulant. Ritalin is not classified an
amphetamine as claimed by Mr. Cruise in a prior interview with Access
Hollywood's Billy Bush. Recently, the drug Strattera (a nonstimulant
drug whose active ingredient is atomoxetine HCl) was approved by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ADHD.
According
to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), ADHD is the most
commonly diagnosed disorder in school-age children, affecting an
estimated 3 to 5 percent of school kids. A growing number of mental
health professionals, feel that ADHD is being both misdiagnosed and
over-diagnosed. Some of the same people, suspicious of conventional
treatments for ADHD, are examining drug-free options. Although a
variety of herbal and so-called "natural" products are being used to
treat ADHD, the effectiveness of these treatments has yet to be proven
to the satisfaction of the mental health community.
ADHD
actually refers to a family of related behavioral disorders
(Attention-Deficit Disorder, Hyperkinetic Child Syndrome and others)
that appear to interfere with a person's ability to control
attentiveness, impulses and activity levels. Using a technique called
positron emission tomography or PET (a noninvasive technique used to
scan the brain as well as other organs of the body) researchers at
Brookhaven National Lab may have an explanation as to how
methylphenidate (Ritalin) helps people with ADHD. They believe that
methylphenidate amplifies the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine
in ADHD sufferers, thereby improving their ability to focus on tasks.
Ideally,
the healthcare practitioner has a clear understanding of a child's
history and behavior (with input from both the parents and teachers)
before diagnosing ADHD and prescribing medications like Ritalin. These
drugs have certain side effects and they are certainly not the answer
for every child. The long-term effects of ADHD medications are not
known and it would be wise to proceed on the side of caution.
October 3, 2005 _____Hudson Valley Business Journal
Question:
What vitamins are required for a healthy diet?
Answer:
Vitamins
are a group of organic compounds that in small doses are essential for
the metabolism of food and the growth and maintenance of our body.
Humans require 13 different vitamins. Eight of them are the
water-soluble B-vitamins.
Vitamins come in two distinct types:
water-soluble (vitamin C and the assorted B's) and fat-soluble
(vitamins A, D, E and K). Because water-soluble vitamins are excreted
via the skin (sweat) and the kidneys (urine) it is imperative that we
replenish them on nearly a daily basis. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored
primarily in the fatty tissues of our body and therefore are not
required as regularly.
While conducting nutritional studies
using butterfat and cod liver oil, biochemist Elmer V. McCollum and his
colleagues (circa 1913) uncovered vitamin A, the first vitamin to be
discovered. One of the early symptoms of vitamin A deficiency is night
blindness. Perhaps you've heard the saying, "Eat carrots for good
eyesight!" The truth is, carrots contain a substance called
beta-carotene (from the Latin "carota") which is converted to vitamin A
in our liver.
Vitamin D actually exists in several forms. We use both vitamin D2 and D3
for the proper absorption of the mineral calcium and hence for the
upkeep of our bones. Vitamin E in its many forms (known collectively as
the tocopherols and tocotrienols) is a scavenger of free radicals,
(compounds containing unpaired electrons that are potentially
destructive to healthy cells). Like vitamin C, vitamin E is known as an
"antioxidant-type" vitamin. The "K" in vitamin K refers to the German
word "koagulation." Vitamin K is essential for the proper functioning
of several proteins involved in the clotting of blood.
Vitamin C
(ascorbic acid) has many functions, perhaps the most important of which
is in the synthesis of collagen, a structural protein in bones,
ligaments, tendons and blood vessels. Although the 8 different
B-vitamins that we need perform many useful tasks, their common
function is in the conversion of food to energy. Acting as coenzymes,
B-vitamins unite with specific protein molecules to form enzymes, which
serve as catalysts in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and
fats.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) was one of the first organic compounds to be recognized as a vitamin. Interestingly, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) was once known as vitamin G and vitamin B3 was originally called nicotinic acid before being changed to niacin. Vitamin B5
(pantothenic acid) is required for the synthesis of coenzyme A, which
is required in a host of reactions that liberate energy from foods.
Vitamin B6 is a group of closely related molecules, including pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine. Vitamin B7
(biotin) is a coenzyme for several enzymes, known as carboxylases,
which catalyze a number of essential metabolic reactions. Vitamin B9 (folic acid) is also called folate, folacin and vitamin M. Vitamin B12
(cobalamin), which is known as the "red" vitamin for its deep red color
is also called cyanocobalamin and hydroxycobalamin and was the last of
the "true" B-vitamins to be discovered. Be well.
November 28, 2005 _____Hudson Valley Business Journal
Question:
Is
there a kernel of truth to the lore that eating turkey induces
sleepiness? For example, I did feel sleepy after consuming Thanksgiving
dinner, which for me included plenty of turkey along with generous
portions of mashed potatoes and gravy, turkey stuffing, corn and peas,
topped off with pumpkin pie and ice cream.
Answer:
From
your menu alone it appears that you had a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Turkey contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which has been linked
with the Thanksgiving lore that you mentioned. Turkey meat like other
proteins is constructed of amino acids, the building blocks of
proteins. All amino acids consist of the basic units: carbon (C),
hydrogen (H), oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N). The amino acids cysteine and
methionine also contain sulfur (S). Tryptophan (molecular structure C11H12N2O2)
is one of 10 essential amino acids required by humans. Essential in
that it is not created in the body and therefore must be supplied by
our diet.
Tryptophan, which can be obtained from both plant and
animal proteins, is used to make the neurotransmitter serotonin a
chemical messenger used in the brain. Serotonin is a natural sedative
with properties that can calm us and make us feel drowsy. Nerve
impulses are dependent upon the release of specific neurotransmitters,
molecules that allow neurons to communicate.
These communiqués
are sent across a small gap known as the synapse, which resides between
message sending and message receiving neurons. Tryptophan is just one
of a host of amino acids that will be circulating in our blood after a
Thanksgiving feast. As a result, tryptophan must compete with other
amino acids as they pass from the blood to the brain.
How then
does tryptophan stand alone from other amino acids thus making it
available for possible conversion to serotonin? Well, most Thanksgiving
meals are high in carbohydrates, with delectable items like turkey
stuffing, potatoes and pumpkin pie on the menu. Ingesting carbohydrates
(sugars) stimulates the release of insulin into the blood initiating
the movement of many of tryptophan's amino acid competitors out of the
blood. Higher than normal concentrations of tryptophan molecules, which
must first be escorted across the blood-brain-barrier by carrier
molecules specific to tryptophan increase the likelihood for conversion
to serotonin. This process is more effective in the absence of fats and
proteins. However, because fats and proteins are both integral
components to most Thanksgiving dinners the conversion of tryptophan to
serotonin is unlikely to be substantial.
Consequently,
scientists and nutritionists who have examined the
tryptophan-Thanksgiving meal connection, generally conclude that a
simpler explanation is in order. Namely that the sleepy feeling after
the big feast is more the product of the size of the meal along with
possible alcohol usage than the conversion of tryptophan to the
sleep-inducing serotonin. They are probably correct considering the
fact that more blood and hence oxygen are being diverted to digestion.
Save me a piece of pumpkin pie!
December 26, 2005 ______Hudson Valley Business Journal
Question:
Is DHEA really the "fountain of youth" as described by the many health-related articles singing its praises?
Answer:
Let
me put it this way: If Juan Ponce de Leon (1460?-1521) had uncovered
the legendary "fountain of youth" it is unlikely that this magical
spring whose waters restored youth to all who drank from it would have
contained DHEA. The popularization of DHEA (touted by many people as an
anti-aging "super hormone") is in large measure the consequence of our
society's glorification of youth.
However, there is valid
scientific interest in DHEA based on some promising results for DHEA in
the treatment of heart disease, a variety of cancers, diabetes and
immune deficiency diseases such as lupus and AIDS. DHEA may also prove
to be effective in the treatment of vascular dementia and Alzheimer's
disease. The fact is, DHEA's "anti-" effects list reads more like a
laundry list: anti-cardiovascular disease, anti-cancer, anti-diabetes,
anti-dementia, anti-pathogenic and more. The hype surrounding DHEA may
even have you believing that this steroid hormone also known as
dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) will turn back the hands of time.
Discovered
in 1934, DHEA is a precursor or "chemical relative" so to speak of the
male and female sex hormones testosterone and estrogen, respectively.
DHEA is constructed ("synthesized" as chemists call it) from
cholesterol primarily in the adrenal glands and to a lesser extent in
the gonads, brain and skin. DHEA synthesis begins when the pituitary
hormone ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) arrives at the adrenal
glands beckoning the adrenal cortex to begin the conversion from
cholesterol to DHEA. It is the sulfated (S) form of DHEA, referred to
as DHEA-S, which is normally found circulating through the blood. Cells
taking in DHEA-S from the blood convert it back into the more
metabolically active DHEA. DHEA is actually an intermediate species in
the biosynthetic pathway from cholesterol to testosterone and estrogen:
cholesterol → pregnenolone → DHEA → androstenedione → testosterone → estrogen.
DHEA
production in humans peaks from the early to mid-20's. The early 30's,
brings with it a steady decline in normal DHEA synthesis so that by age
80, DHEA output has fallen to roughly 10-20% of that at age 25. It is
this decline in DHEA with age that has many researchers intrigued by
the possibility that DHEA supplementation might be useful in the
treatment of age-related diseases and in general to slow the aging
process. Interestingly, DHEA levels are generally higher in men than in
women at all ages. Because testosterone and estrogen are both possible
products of DHEA metabolism, there is genuine concern that given in too
high a dose and with repeated use, DHEA may promote the development of
hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast and ovarian cancer in women
and prostate cancer in men.
For those of you contemplating
taking DHEA it would be wise to do so under the supervision of a
physician. Your doctor can make the necessary routine checks on your
steroid, cholesterol and glucose levels. There is even a simple saliva
test for DHEA. Because there is no ironclad proof that DHEA supplements
are beneficial to human health let caution be your guide.
January 23, 2006 _____Hudson Valley Business Journal
Question:
Like many before me my New Year's resolution is to lose weight. What diet should I try?
Answer:
Ah,
those pesky New Year's resolutions: If at first you don't succeed try,
try again. Isn't that how it goes year after year? For many of us it is
the winter holidays weight gain that sparks the weight loss resolution.
However, whether it's taming the bulge, quitting smoking or any
worthwhile goal for that matter, the fundamental problem with New
Year's resolutions is that we often bite off more than we can chew. (No
pun intended). It would be better, I believe, to adopt the elements of
a healthy lifestyle over the course of the year rather than in one fell
swoop under the guise of New Year's resolutions.
As far as my
suggesting a "weight loss" diet for you to try, the plain truth is that
most diets are a prescription for failure despite all of the hype you
hear in favor of one diet or another. Everyone should practice good
nutrition whether they are looking to lose weight or to maintain a
healthy weight. I recommend that you select a well-balanced diet that
includes complex carbohydrates, proteins and fats from the basic food
groups. Choose a diet that provides adequate amounts of vitamins,
minerals and dietary fiber along with enjoyment. It's really as simple
as that. Delicious, nutritious meals are one of life's simple
pleasures. Life is too short not to be savored.
Another
important point that I would like to make is that your weight loss goal
should be focused not on losing weight, but on losing fat. When we lose
weight, we may in fact be losing water weight and muscle tissue along
with fat tissue. Losing water weight, for example, is not only
temporary it can also be life threatening if the body's proper fluid
balance is jeopardized. Losing muscle mass is also something to avoid
for it is muscle and not fat that burns the bulk of the calories we
eat. You actually want to add muscle mass in order to help you lose the
fat. This is why regular exercise, especially resistance or
weight-training-type exercises should be an important component of your
fat loss plan. One pound of fat tissue contains about 3,500
kilocalories (kcal) of energy. Let's do some "fat loss" math. If a
well-balanced diet provides you with 2,000 kcal/day and your body uses
2,500 kcal/day, the difference is 500 kcal/day. Multiply this by 7 days
and you will have burned off 1 pound of fat in a week and 4 pounds of
fat in a month.
Conservative as this may sound, by combining a
well-balanced diet along with an exercise program that builds muscle
mass, by year's end you may be pleasantly surprised with the results!
This simple way of losing fat is not only safe and effective it avoids
the use of weight loss pills, which can have various unpleasant side
effects. Losing fat takes time, so take your time. Set realistic goals.
I invite you to try the fun couch potato exercises on my website. Have
a great 2006!
February 20, 2006 _____Hudson Valley Business Journal
Question:
What steps can I take to avoid memory lapses? Like forgetting people's names. Are there memory drugs available?
Answer:
Before
examining the status of so-called "memory-enhancing" substances (i.e.,
drugs, foods, herbs, etc.), let's talk a bit about memory. Although
experts have yet to fully understand the inner workings of memory, we
know that memory is the ability to store and retrieve information.
Committing something to memory is believed to consist of three basic
steps: (1) Sensory memory, a "snapshot" of the stimulus, (2) Short-term
memory, a "note pad" for the short-lived recall of information being
processed and (3) Long-term memory, including both episodic and
semantic memory and encompassing the encoding, storage and retrieval of
information.
More recently, the concept of short-term memory has
largely been replaced with an idea called "working" memory, which does
not require short-term storage before entering into long-term memory.
An example of this would be hearing a caller's phone number and trying
to retain it while driving. [Cell phone usage while driving is not a
safe use of working memory!]
Sleep, more specifically REM (rapid
eye movement) sleep, is particularly important in the storage or
consolidation of memories. For those of us searching for a pill to help
with lapses in memory it would be wise not to forget the importance of
sleep.
In many instances our forgetfulness is simply the
result of not having learned the material we wish to remember or
failing to pay attention rather than a miscue in encoding,
consolidation or retrieval. A classic example of this concerns the
failure to recall people's names at social functions. We are introduced
to someone, but we don't take the steps to commit their name to memory
and later we struggle to remember their name. The fact is we never knew
their name in the first place. There are a number of strategies for
remembering names including various mnemonic techniques and they all
focus on the good old-fashioned art of listening. Take the time to
listen. Repeat the person's name in your mind. You will be pleasantly
surprised with the results.
Scientists in the small biotechs
and the pharmaceutical giants are investigating how memory works on a
biochemical level. Memory Pharmaceuticals, founded by Nobel laureate
Eric Kandel is one such company. Kandel (who is 76 years young) is a
pioneer in memory research. He envisions that drugs for age-related
memory loss could be available within the decade. Perhaps the term
"Better Memory through Chemistry" will soon be made popular.
Presently
there are numerous substances said to possess nootropic effects,
properties thought to bolster mental performance including cognitive
abilities and memory. The name nootropic is derived from the Greek
words noos meaning "mind" and tropos or "turn" and was coined by Dr. C.
Giurgea. The list of nootropic compounds is extensive. Better known
nootropic agents include: Piracetam (trade name Nootropil) and its
analogues Aniracetam, Oxiracetam and Pramiracetam and the popular
Ginkgo biloba, which is claimed to aid memory. However, a number of
double-blind placebo-controlled studies using ginkgo biloba found that
the compound had no acute nootropic effects in healthy older humans. It
is clear that more studies employing nootropic agents (also known as
"smart drugs") need to be conducted.
May 15, 2006 _____Hudson Valley Business JournalQuestion:I've
seen the term pseudoscience introduced in connection with alternative
medicine. What exactly is pseudoscience? Is alternative medicine a
pseudoscience?Answer:Pseudoscience
is a collection of concepts, theories and claims, which often
masquerades as science. There are far too many examples of
pseudoscience to list here, but some of the more familiar include those
of astrology, palmistry (palm reading) and numerology. Perhaps the
biggest problem with pseudoscience is the absence of quality
experiments, which are hallmark of mainstream science. Because
pseudoscience is also referred to as fringe or alternative science you
can see how the terms pseudoscience and "pseudomedicine" or
"alternative medicine" might find common ground. This is not meant to
suggest that alternative medicine is necessarily synonymous with
pseudoscience. By definition alternative medicine simply means
practices used instead of standard (orthodox) medical treatments to
address medical conditions. A number of alternative medical techniques
have clearly been identified as "pseudoscientific" by the science and
medical establishment. However, as we will discuss shortly, the
entirety of alternative medicine has not been confined to the
pseudoscience scrap heap.To understand why pseudoscience falls
short of science it would be useful to examine how traditional science
works. Although the public often equates science with facts and
absolute certainty the truth is that science is not simply involved
with acquiring facts. More importantly, science is concerned with
assigning likelihood as well as uncertainty to scientific facts and
evaluating how these facts fall into place with what we know about the
world. Scientific truths are the "survivors" so to speak of the
scientific process, which strives to weed out bad science. One of the
cornerstones of science is peer review a process in which a submitted
scientific manuscript is carefully scrutinized by reviewers before
being accepted for publication in the respective journal. Pseudoscience
lacks such a self-correcting or self-regulating mechanism. Not
surprisingly, it is common for pseudoscientific claims to remain
unchecked by the media. Largely, because the media has no particular
interest in educating the public about science. Although in
recent years, alternative medicine has begun to shift away from the
fringes of health care as the authors of one website (http://www.altmedicine.com/)
dedicated to information concerning alternative medicine put it, "Be
aware that alternative health and healing covers everything from pure
hogwash to promising and proven therapies." One organization dedicated
to exploring complementary and alternative medicine in the context of
rigorous science is the National Center for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine NCCAM (http://nccam.nih.gov/).
NCCAM is one of 27 institutes and centers that comprise the National
Institutes of Health (NIH). Whereas alternative medicine is used in
place of traditional medicine, complementary medicine is used in
conjunction with conventional medicine. Together they form
complementary and alternative medicine or CAM. A number of CAM
systems have been developed throughout the world including chiropractic
medicine, homeopathy and naturopathy in the Western hemisphere and
traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda (primarily in India) by such
non-Western cultures. Scientists at NCCAM hope to answer a number of
key questions concerning the efficacy and safety of CAM methods and
techniques in treating various medical conditions. Stay tuned.
July 10, 2006_____Hudson Valley Business JournalQuestion:I enjoy playing tennis, but suffer from what I believe to be tennis elbow. What remedies do you suggest?Answer:
Yes, it’s that time of the year for the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and the start of tennis elbow season. The inflammation with possible damage to the muscles and tendons near the lateral epicondyle section of the humerus (upper arm bone) is known collectively as lateral epicondylitis or "traditional" tennis elbow. The muscles that pull the hand backwards (called the extensor muscles) attach to the elbow via tendons at the lateral epicondyle (in other words, at the bony bump on the outside of the elbow). When these muscles are overused they can become inflamed and tender to the touch. This is probably what you are experiencing.
A more serious problem concerns the accompanying tendons, which like the muscles can also develop small tears (ruptures). However, tendons will require considerably more time to heal because they possess a less extensive blood supply than do muscles. The good news is that for most tennis elbow sufferers, tendon damage is minor, calling for a host of non-operative treatments. Rest is emphasized above all else along with cold compresses to reduce the initial swelling and pain and later warm compresses to increase blood flow to the area in order to speed healing. Anti-inflammatory pain medications are usually recommended along with gentle stretching and strengthening exercises (physical therapy). If these simple, but generally effective remedies fail to resolve the problem then your doctor may recommend corticosteroid (cortisone) injections. If the tendon damage is more extensive and the first-order treatments fail to do the job, then surgery may be warranted. The surgery is done to remove the diseased tendon tissue and reattach normal tendon tissue to the bone.
The majority of players suffering from a tennis elbow flare-up usually do so because of improper backhand technique (including that of grip) coupled with overuse. Most tennis enthusiasts will likely benefit from the wisdom of a good tennis instructor who can help them optimize the mechanics of their backhand swing thus alleviating excess strain on the elbow.
If you have regular bouts with tennis elbow you might consider the following somewhat strange suggestion and that is “going ambidextrous.” In other words, playing with one racket and switching the racket from one hand to the other or playing with two rackets. This is also known as having two forehands. I've been called the "Edward Scissorhands of Tennis" because I regularly play two-racket ambidextrous tennis. I also enjoy serving as an instructor for one-racket and two-racket ambidextrous tennis. I should point out that one-racket ambidextrous tennis is actually a bit trickier than the two-racket variety because of the changing grip in switching the racket from hand to hand, but with some practice you can get the hang of it.
I invite you to check out my ambidextrous tennis webpage (http://drbonesshow.com/links/ambidextrous-tennis.html) where I outline some of the many benefits of playing both one- and two-racket ambidextrous tennis.
Although having two forehands reduces your risk for developing traditional tennis elbow, it does not eliminate tennis elbow injuries. The fact remains that through improper techniques and overuse (wear and tear) players can sustain tennis elbow injuries of both the forehand and backhand variety. For example, elbow injuries resulting from forehand play are more commonly known as pitcher's elbow or golfer's elbow rather than as tennis elbow. This type of elbow injury, which involves inflammation and the possible tearing of muscles and tendons proximal (near) to the medial epicondyle section (bony bump on the inside of the elbow) of the humerus is known colloquially as medial epicondylitis. The methods for treating this type of injury are the same as that for traditional tennis elbow. I wish you a happy game, set and match!
August 21, 2006_____Hudson Valley Business JournalQuestion:With so much information available to the public concerning the hazards of smoking you’d think they’d get it by now. What’s up with that?Answer:
My friend you are right on the money! In this day and age, smokers should be well informed about the many hazards of smoking, including the greater propensity for lung and other cancers, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and heart disease. Yet despite such ominous threats to one’s health and the health of those around them courtesy of mainstream and secondhand smoke (also known as environmental tobacco smoke ETS) people continue to light up.
In their defense, smokers will provide many reasons (flimsy as they might be) for smoking. Whether it’s cigarettes, cigars or pipes, ask a smoker why he or she smokes and you might hear the following: "Smoking calms my nerves," or "If I don't smoke, I gain weight," and even, "It makes me look sexy." Sexy! What on earth is so attractive about yellow teeth, brown stains on your hands and bad breath? Cigar smoking, which saw an upsurge during the late 1990s, is particularly effective at providing cigar aficionados with a lovely brownish-yellow smile. Who doesn’t want a mouthful of “baked bean” teeth?
Cigar smoking, by the way, is a major contributor to oral cancer (mouth, tongue and throat cancer) statistics. Oral cancer is the sixth most common form of cancer in humans. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, each year in the United States, approximately 30,000 people are newly diagnosed with oral cancer. Worldwide the problem is far greater, with new cases exceeding 300,000 annually. For information concerning oral cancer, I invite you to visit their website located at http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/.
The fact remains that smokers (cigarette smokers in particular) are hooked on nicotine, they are smoke-a-holics. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug. In the brain, nicotine mimics the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and is therefore able to bind to acetylcholine receptors. Nicotine activates chemical addiction responses similar to that for other drugs of abuse like cocaine and heroin. After puffing on a cigarette it takes about 10 seconds for the nicotine to reach the brain. Smokers are caught in a vicious cycle of addiction. The smoker must maintain an adequate concentration of nicotine in their blood in order to avoid the symptoms associated with nicotine withdrawal. When nicotine levels fall below a certain limit, smokers can become tense and irritable. The nicotine must be replenished, hence the smoker "lights up" another cigarette. Smokers may also find themselves suffering from nicotine poisoning if they exceed their normal tolerance for the drug.
Nicotine (C10H14N2) is a clear liquid alkaloid compound that was first isolated from tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum) in 1828. Alkaloids are nitrogen containing organic molecules. Tobacco leaves have the highest concentration of nicotine available in plants. Surprisingly, nicotine can also be found in tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and red peppers. Fortunately, the concentration of nicotine in these plants is quite low, making them safe for human consumption. Nicotine is named after Jean Nicot, the French ambassador to Portugal, who in 1561 introduced the seeds of the tobacco plant to the French royal family. At that time, tobacco was hailed as a medicine.
Each year millions of Americans make a valiant attempt (or several attempts) to quit smoking. Unfortunately, most of them fail to reach their goal. Like Mark Twain said, "Quitting smoking is easy. I've done it a thousand times." Although the addiction to nicotine is a powerful one it is imperative that we all keep up the good fight against tobacco products: cigarettes, cigars, pipes and chewing tobacco. Your healthy pink lungs and pearly white teeth will thank you.
September 4, 2006_____Hudson Valley Business JournalQuestion:Health gurus have been chiding us for years that fat is bad and more recently that there are “good” fats and “bad” fats. Have they been giving it to us straight or just chewing the fat, so to speak?Answer:
Health gurus (I prefer to call them “health nuts or fanatics”) do not have a monopoly on health information. More often than not they promote what I refer to as “half-baked” health information: one-sided or just simply lacking in substance. Not surprisingly, most arguments espoused by garden-variety health gurus concerning fats are half-baked as well. The truth be told fats and oils are a vital part of a healthy diet. The fact is, not eating enough fat is bad for you. [Fats (oils) are easily the body's most concentrated source of energy, providing 9 kilocalories (kcal) of energy per gram of fat (oil); more than twice the energy per gram substance afforded by carbohydrates and proteins. For a wealth of reliable science-based information concerning fats and their important role in a healthy diet, try the following web link: http://drbonesshow.com/links/fats.html] Before examining the “good” versus “bad” fat controversy, let’s take a closer look at fats as important biomolecules.
The molecular structure of fat is relatively simple. Fats are constructed from one molecule of glycerol and three fatty acid molecules. This is why fats are called triacylglycerols. Glycerol serves as the "backbone" of a fat molecule to which the three fatty acids are attached. Different fats simply have different fatty acid molecules connected to glycerol. Oils have the same chemical structure as fats, but are liquids rather than solids at room temperature.
Most of the fatty acids that we use can be created or "synthesized" in our body. However, there are three fatty acids that we cannot synthesize and therefore must obtain them through our diet. They are linoleic acid, linolenic acid and arachidonic acid and all are unsaturated fatty acids. The term “unsaturated” is explained in the following paragraph.
Fatty acids are formed of a hydrocarbon (hydrogen H and carbon C atoms) chain. In other words, a carbon atom skeleton (usually spanning from 12 to 24 carbon atoms in length) to which hydrogen atoms are attached at each carbon. At one end of the chain is the molecular formation, -COOH, also known as a carboxyl group. The carboxyl group is acidic, hence the name fatty acid. Fatty acids having one or more double bonds (C=C represents a double bond between adjacent carbon atoms) along their carbon skeleton are called unsaturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids have only single bonds between adjacent carbon atoms (C-C). Fats (oils) with only one C=C double bond are called monounsaturated fats and examples include canola, olive and peanut oils. Polyunsaturated fats (oils) have two or more C=C bonds along their fatty acid chains and corn, sunflower and soybean oils are just a few examples. Butter and coconut oil are examples of saturated (C-C) fats.
The consensus concerning “good” and “bad” fats is that good fats are those associated with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids whereas bad fats are connected primarily with saturated fatty acids. Bad fats have also been linked with trans fats, which are a type of unsaturated fat found naturally in small amounts in milk and meats. However, it is man-made trans fats that have come under heavy scrutiny in recent years. These are unsaturated fats formed during the partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils; a process that adds hydrogen atoms to the carbon skeleton of the oil turning the oil into a solid-like substance for use in shortening and margarine. The word “trans” is used to signify that as a result of the partial hydrogenation process the added hydrogen atoms wind up on opposite sides of a C=C bond in the carbon skeleton. Some research studies suggest that trans fats behave like saturated fats, increasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or so-called "bad" cholesterol levels in the blood, thereby increasing the risk for developing coronary artery disease.
The fact remains that all fats and oils have a certain percentage of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Although butter does maintain a high percentage of saturated fatty acids (~ 62%) it also has ~ 29% monounsaturated fatty acids and ~ 4% polyunsaturated fatty acids. Sunflower oil, which is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (~ 66%) has ~ 20% monounsaturated fatty acids and ~ 10% saturated fatty acids. Just some Fat for Thought.
September 18, 2006_____Hudson Valley Business JournalQuestion:We hear about biotech companies on the brink of inventing novel products using biotechnology, but isn’t biotechnology an old science?Answer:
Biotechnology, short for biological technology, was a term coined in 1919 by the Hungarian engineer, Karl Ereky, whose vision for the future was of a biochemical age much like that of the stone or iron ages. Occasionally, the mainstream media drifts from the daily grind to “alert” (perhaps “alarm” is more appropriate) the public about gene cloning or perhaps some new genetically engineered foods (so-called “Franken Foods”) or medicines. From the manner in which these stories are usually presented it is not surprising to me that much of the public would believe that the sum of biotechnology is borne of the biotech cauldrons of the 20th and 21st centuries. Although it is clear that we are now in the midst of a biotechnological revolution (e.g., cloning, genetic engineering and testing), as you correctly point out, biotechnology is truly an old science with roots dating back to the earliest days of civilization (estimated to be some 10,000 years ago).
How can this be possible? Well, by definition, biotechnology is any means (i.e., experiment, technique or procedure) that depends upon living organisms or biological systems. Contemporary biotechnologists are in the business of manipulating biological systems (living cells and their component structures) for the creation, development and the manufacture of useful products, including various foods, medicines and fuels. However, humans have been employing biotech “know-how” for thousands of years, in making bread, cheese, alcoholic beverages and many other foods, medicines and textiles. For example, breads made using yeast, yogurt and cheese, wine, beer and vinegar are all products of cultured microorganisms and thus the result of biotechnology.
It was Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) who along with his many other scientific achievements described the science behind fermentation, which is the "biotech" process used in making wine and beer. The selective breeding of plants and animals is another form of biotechnology. It was Gregor Mendel (1822-1884), the Augustinian monk, whose experiments with plant hybrids and theories concerning genetics, eventually led to modern day genetics. Mendel is widely recognized as the father of genetics and as one of the pioneers of “green” biotechnology. That is, biotechnology of an agricultural nature.
Today’s green biotechnologists are designing environmentally “friendly” ways to solve global problems such as that of world hunger. Interestingly, green is just one of several “colors” of biotechnology. Along with green, are red, white (grey) and blue and are used to represent the various subdisciplines of biotechnology. Red is used to designate medical applications of biotech (i.e., medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and gene therapy) whereas white (grey) defines processes used in the development of industrial chemicals and fuels for vehicles. Blue biotechnology, focuses primarily on applications connected with marine and aquatic environments.
A wealth of information related to biotechnology can be found on the web. The following website hosted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) is a resource for molecular biology: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/. I also invite you to visit the Biotechnology Information Directory (www.cato.com/biotech/), which is sponsored by Cato Research. The directory contains over 3000 links to companies, research institutes and universities, as well as a number of databases specific to biotechnology.
The future of biotech holds much promise. However, as with all technologies it all boils down to how we humans will proceed as a culture. The same biotech concepts and principles that can be used to help clean up the environment (bioremediation) can also be directed in ominous ways as in the production of biological weapons. It is up to us as stewards of the planet to choose wisely. Have a great day!
October 16, 2006_____Hudson Valley Business JournalQuestion:Can you summarize the Human Genome Project for me and by the way, what are some of the prospects for gene therapy?Answer:
In 1990, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) began the Human Genome Project (HGP). The HGP, which was envisioned to take 15 years from start to finish, was completed in 2003, two years ahead of schedule. The primary goal of the HGP was to map the human genome, meaning the complete set of chromosomes and their genes. [Genes are the “blueprints” for making proteins.] With the genomic map in hand, scientists could then pinpoint the location of all of the genes in human DNA and determine the sequence of the nucleotide base pairs comprising the genes. It was found that there are approximately 20,000 to 25,000 protein-encoding genes in human DNA. Scientists are now in the midst of investigating how these genes express themselves.
The instructions directing the activities of human cells are contained within the cell's DNA. These instructions are spelled out, so to speak, in the sequence of the nucleotide base pairs that make up a DNA strand. The nucleotide bases, which are the building blocks of DNA, are called adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine and they are represented simply by the letters A, C, G and T, respectively.
In what follows, I present a few of the interesting events that took place along the HGP timeline. For instance, by 1996, the complete genome was sequenced for Methanococcus jannaschii, a microbe, which produces methane (hence the name methano) and is a member of the Archaea domain. Archaea have been called "life's extremists" because they can exist in some of the most extreme conditions on Earth, including super-heated water and strongly acidic or basic water. The complete DNA sequence of the E. coli genome, one of the most studied bacteria known to man, was announced in 1997. At the close of 1999, scientists had unraveled the genetic code of human chromosome number 22, the first to be sequenced. By 2003, the genetic codes of the remaining human chromosomes were available or in the process of being made available to the public. For more information concerning the HGP, please visit the following website: http://genomics.energy.gov/
In some scientific circles, expectations remain high that gene therapy will eventually triumph over a vast array of human genetic disorders. Scientists have identified more than 4,000 diseases that are believed to be the product of genetic abnormalities. A wide range of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and obesity are presumed to be influenced to some degree by a person's genetic makeup. It is envisioned that gene therapy will serve as a key, allowing medical doctors to routinely "turn off" bad or defective genes and "turn on" good genes. Turning off a faulty gene could, for example, stop the growth of a malignant tumor. It is hoped that gene therapy will lead to cures for viral infections such as AIDS and hepatitis-C virus (HCV), which infect millions of people throughout the world.
However, before one would hope to cure such diseases using gene therapy, it is of primary importance to identify the genes that cause these diseases. This is where the Human Genome Project (HGP) takes center stage, mapping the human genome in order to decipher the protein-encoding genes. The genetic instructions for making proteins are stored or "encoded" in the genes. The absence or failure of a needed protein (enzyme) or the presence of an incorrect protein is the cause of many diseases.
Gaucher disease (pronounced "go-shay"), as an example, is a genetic disorder whereby a defective gene inhibits the production of the enzyme, glucocerebrosidase, resulting in the dangerous accumulation of a fatty substance called glucocerebroside. In this instance, the correct protein has not been delivered to where it is needed. Gene therapy is a method of protein delivery and may eventually be the way to deliver glucocerebrosidase to those affected by Gaucher disease. Genes that have been identified thus far via the Human Genome Project, include genes associated with Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. They are just two of the currently incurable diseases targeted for treatment using gene therapy. The potential benefits of gene therapy may be great, but extensive research lies ahead.
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