Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/xAilVbLJ0fg A teen boy’s obsession with body building and strengthening can be every bit as dangerous to his health as a teen girl’s obsession with her weight and shape.  This warning comes from the Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the University of California-San Francisco. In contrast to girls’ dangerous practices of gorging and purging, boys tend to over consume protein, dangerously restrict carbs and fats, practice wide swings of nutrient loading with fasting, and compulsively exercise thus creating energy deficits and de facto malnourishment.  Even worse, many adolescent boys consume untested and unregulated dietary supplements and steroids. We as parents and doctors need to actively look for these tell-tale clues in teen boys and help them deal with the self-image issues that trigger their dangerous behaviors.   Guys will never admit to having an eating disorder.  After all, only girls have those problems right guys? Jason MNagata,Tiffany ABrown,Jason MLavender,Stua

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/JPD_AErq2wQ When you chomp down on a chocolate bar or daintily take a bite of that truffle, the package that tasty tidbit came in has much to do with its perceived flavor.  Aussies at the University of Melbourne’s School of Agriculture and Food presented 75 study subjects with the same piece of chocolate wrapped in 6 different packages that cried out a variety of messages including bold, fun, everyday, special, healthy, or premium. The study results showed that the participants, ranging from 25-55 years of age, liked the chocolate taste better when they loved the package design and when that design shouted fun, healthy, relaxing, excitement, and friendly.   The tasters were less enthusiastic about the chocolate taste when they picked up and tasted an unwrapped piece. Other studies have shown that 60% of consumers make buying decisions solely on product packaging.  I’d add that even more make choices based on name brands. If you want to save a ton of money and still enjoy the food yo

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/_JJ0_t-I2wk Health News You Should Use, the latest medical discoveries and commonsense advice that you can use in a practical way to keep yourself and your family healthy.   Here are this weeks stories : Laundry detergent Pods Continue To Poison Children Video Game Weapons Make Kids Handle Real Ones Large City Air Pollution Clogs Your Arteries Arthritis Supplement Helps Your Heart Nervous Neds and Nellies May Stay Safer Kids On Wheels Risk Head Injuries An Egg A Day IS Safe FDA Warns Women Of Vinpocetine Risks More Evidence Links Gingivitis To Dementia Blood Pressure Control Reduces Dementia Formula Supplementation For A Baby’s First Days Does Not Reduce Breastfeeding Is Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Really Mild? Lack Of Sleep Damages Your Heart Buyers Beware Of Wearable Brain Tech Scams Do You Need To Fast For That Cholesterol Test? For show notes and references tofor the stories, check out my website at:  https://www.drhowardsmith.com/june-2019-1st-week-health-news #Detergentpods #so

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/mdLlLwEvCyk The latest answer from Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Britain’s National Heart and Lung Institute is a resounding NO!  They analyzed data from more than 8000 participants in the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial. The tabulated results indicate that both non-fasting and fasting lipid levels had similar correlations with coronary events including both non-fatal and fatal heart attacks.  The non-fasting determinations did have slightly higher triglyceride levels, but this variation did not invalidate the usefulness of the non-fasting data. The next time you need to have your lipid profile including cholesterol and triglycerides drawn, you can go anytime of the day without regard to meals.  But do eat healthy and avoid downing a pile of fat. Mora S, Chang CL, Moorthy MV, Sever PS. Association of Nonfasting vs Fasting Lipid Levels With Risk of Major Coronary Events in the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial–Lipid Lowering Arm. JAMA Intern Med. Publis

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/YB7O_b3T2bs This warning comes from neurologists and ethicists at Vancouver’s University of British Columbia.  Searching online, they found 19 brain stimulating devices and 22 measuring devices with mind links that are currently being hawked and directly sold to the general public. We’re talking about so-called transcranial direct current stimulation devices, galvanic biofeedback units, brain-sensing headbands, brain trainers, and stress balancing bracelets.  The list goes on and on.  They aren’t cheap costing as much as $500. The advertising claims for these products make a variety of promises including increased concentration, better sleep, relaxation, enhanced self-awareness, mood elevation, better memory, and enhanced physical as well as mental performance.  A total of 20 unique claims were made for 41 devices being sold. Only 8 of the devices had even scientific support from legitimate, published scientific studies.  In many case, studies offered support for a given technology,

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/JY5nRSzsOdw If you sleep less than 7 hours each night, you are deficient in the microRNA regulators that permit your genes to refresh your heart tissues and maintain good vascular health.  This warning stems from work at the University of Colorado at Boulder that studied 24 healthy middle-aged men and women measuring their microRNA concentrations and tabulating their sleep. The group that clocked only 5 to 6.8 hours of sleep a night had 40 to 60% lower levels of the microRNAs that regulate inflammation, immunity, and vascular stability when compared to those sleeping 7 to 8.5 hours a night.  The 7 hour threshold seems to be a constant, and the study investigators cannot yet explain why. So, if you want to keep your heart and the blood vessels that feed all your vital organs healthy, get those ZZZs. Jamie G. Hijmans, Ma'ayan Levy, Vinicius Garcia, Grace M. Lincenberg, Kyle J. Diehl, Jared J. Greiner, Brian L. Stauffer, Christopher A. DeSouza. Insufficient sleep is associated with a p

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/1XFfgZZr-ZU At least half of those seen in the ED and diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury are left with significant functional limitations at one year post-injury.  This surprising statistic comes from a nationwide, multi-center study just published in JAMA Neurology. Those with positive findings on brain CT had a 61% incidence of long-term disability.  But even those with negative findings on the CT had. 49% incidence of continuing issues. This result suggests that even patients with seemingly mild traumatic brain injuries must be followed carefully post-injury in order to detect problems and promptly provide rehabilitation therapy.  The finding also adds to the many studies of chronic traumatic encephalopathy that suggest there is no such thing as a mild brain injury. Nelson LD, Temkin NR, Dikmen S, et al. Recovery After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Patients Presenting to US Level I Trauma Centers: A Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury (

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/o-D_Vw8oCRA Using a bit of formula to assist breastfeeding and trigger a healthy weight gain has for years been considered a no-no.  Lactation consultants advise that this use of formula destroys the child’s interest in breast feeding. A study from the University of California - San Francisco now labels this warning an urban myth.  Pediatricians there and at Penn State studied some 164 babies suffering from significant  post-partum weight loss.  Half of the group received syringe-fed formula in addition to breastfeeding and the others continued with breastfeeding alone. The results showed that, at 6 months, the formula-supplemented group of children were just as likely to be breastfeeding as the no formula group.  An added benefit to supplementation was the finding that those given formula were at lower risk for jaundice. So if your newborn is struggling with weight gain immediately after birth, ask about formula supplementation. Valerie J. Flaherman, Michael D. Cabana, Charles E. M

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/bOqsCE8pmJY A new German study concludes that those on blood pressure control medications enjoyed a 10 to 25% lower incidence of dementia.  Researchers from the University of Leipzig studied a total of nearly 25,000 patients half of whom suffered from dementia and the other half served as matched controls. All classes of anti-hypertension drugs were associated with a reduced incidence of dementia though angiotensin II receptor blockers had the greatest effect.  Additional studies will be necessary to discover the mechanisms and optimal use of medications. Please remember that blood pressure monitoring and pro-active, preventive blood pressure control are indispensable to living a long, healthy life. now, your brain leading to dementia in such a way that effective  treatment is next to impossible. Jens Bohlken, Louis Jacob, Karel Kostev. The Relationship Between the Use of Antihypertensive Drugs and the Incidence of Dementia in General Practices in Germany. Journal of Alzheimer's Dis

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/T3iMfBq7uok Researchers from Norway’s University of Bergen now deliver conclusive proof that bacteria hiding in dental plaque and causing gingivitis move from mouth to brain and there produce a toxin that kills brain cells. Several months ago, I presented a study in mice that demonstrated this same gum-brain connection.  The Norwegian researchers now prove it in humans with DNA-tracking evidence. They extend this finding by identifying a toxic enzyme released by the bacteria that destroys vital brain cells.   The investigators detected the toxin in 96% of the brains from 53 deceased Alzheimer’s victims they studied.  Even more exciting is the fact that they developed a drug that blocks this enzyme’s effect, and they are planning tests of it. All research discoveries in medicine and in every other field are only conclusively proven when they are independently confirmed.  I am delighted that this is now the case for the gingivitis-Alzheimer’s link.  If you want to hold onto your mind

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/vHPivGIBS9Q This week the  FDA released warnings that vinpocetine, available in the USA over-the-counter as a dietary supplement and around the world as the prescription drug Cavinton, can harm a developing baby causing miscarriage or birth defects.   Vinpocetine is readily available online via Amazon and other outlets.  It is also called Periwinkle Liquid Extract. Vinpocetine has been touted as a help for dementia, age-related macular degeneration, hearing loss, tinnitus, hot flashes, seizures, chronic fatigue syndrome, and even bed-wetting.  As is the case for all drugs marketed as food supplements, it has not undergone rigorous testing, and claims of its effectiveness for any of these problems are unproven. All women of child-bearing age should avoid using Vinpocetine.  All of you should think twice about regularly using dietary supplements because lax regulations offer no guarantee of safety or effectiveness. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/statement-warning

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/xUVxPZ6K6pE The egg debates continues, and, if you love eggs, you’ll love the latest Finnish study just published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.  They conclude that an egg a day will not increase your risk of stroke. The study looked at nearly 2000 men 42 to 60 years of age.  Over a 21 year followup, the risk of stroke was not increased by a moderate intake of dietary cholesterol and an average of one egg a day. All the controversy about eggs and dietary is probably not over.   Meanwhile, you can safely enjoy up to two 3 egg omelettes every week without any pangs of guilt. Anna M Abdollahi, Heli E K Virtanen, Sari Voutilainen, Sudhir Kurl, Tomi-Pekka Tuomainen, Jukka T Salonen, Jyrki K Virtanen. Egg consumption, cholesterol intake, and risk of incident stroke in men: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2019; DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqz066 #Egg #cholesterol #stroke

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/c5Y0tyBw3Lk Staggering numbers of children risk irreversible injuries to their developing brains everyday as they climb on a variety of wheeled play vehicles.  A new study from The University of  Michigan surveyed over 1300 parents of children from 4 to 13 years to assess their children’s use of protective helmets and defensive measures in the streets. Parents admit that their children don’t use helmets 61% of the time while riding scooters, during 58% of skateboard sessions, and on 18% of bike rides.  Twenty-seven percent of children ride their bikes and other play vehicles in streets and most of these streets have no bike lanes.   National statistics show that 50 children an hour every hour visit an emergency department because of injuries sustained on bikes, scooters, and skateboards.  Many of these accidents involve younger children who should be directly supervised by their parents.  For your older kids, review helmet use and restrict their rides to car-free bike lanes and trai

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ldtCbVQLkSc Those who tend to be anxious have a 6th sense superpower that effectively protects them from danger.  A new study from Caltech’s cognitive neuroscience department shows that anxious individuals more effectively flee from subtle dangers. The study participants were challenged with a series of virtual reality threats characterized as slow that are impending or fast that are immediate.  Brain activity was assessed by real time MRI.   The most anxious individuals did a better job of dodging slow threats while all participants performed about the same with fast threats.  If you tend to be anxious and take a lot of ribbing about your risk aversion from your friends and family, just tell them that you have a very special sense that someday may save you and also them from disaster. Bowen J. Fung, Song Qi, Demis Hassabis, Nathaniel Daw & Dean Mobbs. Slow escape decisions are swayed by trait anxiety.  Nature Human Behaviour (2019) .  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-019-

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/UhNuAmT-254 Many Americans, some 20% of our friends and neighbors, take glucosamine for the pain and disability of arthritis.  Like many food supplements, we only know that it is probably safe.  No well-designed studies have proven that it works for joint problems.  One study of knee osteoarthritis published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed a glucosamine-chondroitin combo pill to be no more effective than a sugar pill. Now a study from Tulane Public Health, the Harbin Medical University in China, and the Harvard School of Public Health shows that regular use of glucosamine use may actually protect you from cardiovascular disease. Some half million British participants were studied.  The data showed that those using glucosamine enjoyed an 18% reduction in coronary artery disease, a 12% reduction in death from cardiovascular disease, a 9% reduction in stroke.  The supplement works even better in smokers with a 37% lower risk of any cardiovascular disease. The exact mechan

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/s4PxSI92nGc The air in our largest cities is destroying our arteries.   A study recently published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives studied over 6600 otherwise healthy adults in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Baltimore, St. Paul and Winston-Salem. Over more than a decade during which the subjects’ carotid arterial thickness, carotid plaque quantity, and coronary artery calcification were measured, those exposed to chronically elevated ozone concentrations in urban air were found to suffer significant carotid and coronary arterial wall damage.  The study did not address the effect of bad air on the incidence of heart attacks, stroke, or death from cardiovascular disease. If you live in such big city environments, try to spend as much time as you can in green spaces preferably out in the country or by the shore.  Environmental moderation is every bit as important to your health as dietary and exercise moderation. Meng Wang , Paul D. Sampson , Lianne E. Sheppard ,

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/A3FZGwlqq_g Playing video games that feature guns and swords leads children to handle real guns.   This is the conclusion of a Ohio Statue University study of 220 eight to twelve year olds. Of the children playing a video game shooting guns, 62% touched a real handgun, of those playing a game with sword violence, 57% touched a handgun.  Of the control group of kids playing a non-violent video game, only 42% touched the gun.  Those playing the violent video games were significantly more likely to pull the gun’s trigger multiple times and to aim the gun at a playmate. Since we in the USA lack the political guts to establish effective gun controls, the best we can do is to expose our children to non-violent recreation, both digital and real-world varieties, that reinforce our own rejection of weapon use. Chang JH, Bushman BJ. Effect of Exposure to Gun Violence in Video Games on Children’s Dangerous Behavior With Real Guns: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(5):e194319.

Vidcast:  hhttps://youtu.be/2hn9iZ29Z3k Despite the many public campaigns and manufacturers efforts over recent years to make these pods look less like candy, a new study from the Nationwide Children’s Hospital shows that pod poisonings have actually increased for children older than 6 and only slightly diminished for younger kids.  Every 42 minutes a poison control center gets a frantic call about liquid laundry soap pods. The study reviewed data from 2012 through 2017 compiled at the nation’s poison control centers.  There were almost 73,000 calls during this period, and over 90% of the poisonings involved kids under 6 and occurred at the child’s home.  Sadly, there were 2 child deaths. The highly-concentrated liquid detergent in these convenience containers turns out to be more toxic than the usual detergent powder or liquid found in multi-use packages and bottles.  My recommendation: if you are the parent of a young child, simply don’t buy these laundry and dishwasher pods.  They are more expensive and mu

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/35EBOOTfQ2Q This is Health News You Should Use, the latest medical discoveries and commonsense advice that you can use in a practical way to keep yourself and your family healthy.   Here are this weeks stories : IVF and Heart Failure During Pregnancy  Weed Use In Adolescence Numbs The Adult Brain Overweight Teen Boys Risk Later Heart Failure Premies Brains Develop Better To Music Calling Addiction A Disease Harms Those Fighting It Links Between Allergy and Mental Illness If It Feels Like A Heart Attack….Better Get Help Fainting While Pregnant Signals Impending Complications Exercise Your Placenta Timeout For Healing Needed Following Knee Surgery Low Birthweight Infants Suffer Adult Lung Problems Obese Kids Develop Early Arterial Disease Reading To Toddlers Improves Their Behavior and Yours Freezing Testicular Tissue For Boys With Cancer Hookahs Heated Electrically No Safer   For show notes and references for the stories, check out my website at: https://www.drhowardsmith.com/may-2019

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/FUVxNDRAE_c Advertising that touts electric hookah smoking to be safer than charcoal hookah smoking is a scam. Chemists and engineers at the American University of Beirut studied waterpipe smoking of tobacco heated by these two methods. The study measured toxin emissions by three commercially available electric hookahs and compared them to emissions from charcoal-heated hookahs.  While electric hookahs reduced the aromatic hydrocarbons by 80% and carbon monoxide by 90%, they significantly increased the levels of the respiratory toxin acrolein. This study once again underscores the fact that safe smoking of any kind is an oxymoron.  If you must have a hit of addicting nicotine, hopefully with the goal of quitting, is is safer to chew nicotine gum or apply a nicotine patch. Mario El Hourani, Soha Talih, Rola Salman, Nareg Karaoghlanian, Ebrahim Karam, Rachel El Hage, Najat Aoun Saliba, Alan Shihadeh. Comparison of CO, PAH, Nicotine, and Aldehyde Emissions in Waterpipe Tobacco Smoke Ge