• THE MONTH’S EXTENDED TOP NEWS PICKS •

Monkeys Think, Moving Artificial Arm as Own
“Two monkeys with tiny sensors in their brains have learned to control a mechanical arm with just their thoughts, using it to reach for and grab food and even to adjust for the size and stickiness of morsels when necessary, scientists reported on Wednesday. The report, released online by the journal Nature, is the most striking demonstration to date of brain-machine interface technology. Scientists expect that technology will eventually allow people with spinal cord injuries and other paralyzing conditions to gain more control over their lives…..” By BENEDICT CAREY. Published NY Times: May 29, 2008.

Lotus Therapy
“This exercise in focused awareness and mental catch-and-release of emotions has become perhaps the most popular new psychotherapy technique of the past decade. Mindfulness meditation, as it is called, is rooted in the teachings of a fifth-century B.C. Indian prince, Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha. It is catching the attention of talk therapists of all stripes, including academic researchers, Freudian analysts in private practice and skeptics who see all the hallmarks of another fad….” By BENEDICT CAREY. Published NY Times: May 27, 2008.

Google Offers Personal Health Records on the Web
“The Internet search giant’s service, Google Health, at www.google.com/health, is the latest entrant in the growing field of companies offering personal health records on the Web. Their ranks range from longtime online health services like WebMD to the software powerhouse Microsoft to start-ups like Revolution Health. The companies all hope to capitalize eventually on the trend of increasingly seeking health information online, and the potential of Internet tools to help consumers manage their own health care and medical spending….” By STEVE LOHR. Published NY Times: May 20, 2008.

Redefining Disease, Genes and All
“Duchenne muscular dystrophy may not seem to have much in common with heart attacks. One is a rare inherited disease that primarily strikes boys. The other is a common cause of death in both men and women. To Atul J. Butte, they are surprisingly similar. Dr. Butte, an assistant professor of medicine at Stanford, is among a growing band of researchers trying to redefine how diseases are classified — by looking not at their symptoms or physiological measurements, but at their genetic underpinnings. It turns out that a similar set of genes is active in boys with Duchenne and adults who have heart attacks….” By ANDREW POLLACK. Published NY Times: May 6, 2008.

Deadly Gut Bug on the Rise: Should You Worry?
“A potentially life-threatening germ called Clostridium difficile (or C. diff) is on the rise in the United States, and the bug’s mortality rate seems to be rising, too, according to a report in the June issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases….” By Staff at Health.com.

Experts Question Placebo Pill for Children
“Ms. Buettner, 40, who lives in Severna Park, Md., with her husband, 7-month-old son and 22-month-old twins, envisioned a children’s placebo tablet that would empower parents to do something tangible for minor ills and reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics and other medicines…..” By CHRISTIE ASCHWANDEN. Published NY Times: May 27, 2008.

For an All-Organic Formula, Baby, That’s Sweet
“Like Ms. Chase, many American parents have rushed to embrace Similac Organic formula, even though it sells for as much as 30 percent more than regular Similac. In 2007, its first full year on sale, it captured 36 percent of the organic formula market, with sales of more than $10 million, according to Kalorama Information, a pharmaceutical-industry research firm….Parents may be buying it because they believe that organic is healthier, but babies may have a reason of their own for preferring Similac Organic: it is significantly sweeter than other formulas. It is the only major brand of organic formula that is sweetened with cane sugar, or sucrose, which is much sweeter than sugars used in other formulas….” By JULIA MOSKIN. Published NY Times: May 19, 2008.

BACK; Back Pain Eludes Perfect Solutions
“BACK pain is one of the most common physical complaints, so it’s no surprise that treatments for it have multiplied over the years. That ought to be good; instead, many patients find that sudden back pain opens the door to a world of medical confusion.…” By LESLIE BERGER. Published NY Times: May 13, 2008.

• THE MONTH’S HEALTHY RECIPES •

A recipe for the localvore and urban forager interested in Mushrooms:

PAN-SEARED MUSHROOMS
Makes 4 servings

2 cups chopped mushrooms
2 tablespoons red wine or water
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

To clean: Do not wash –simply brush off the dirt with your finger or soft cloth.To de-stem mushrooms, you can simply twist off the stem or cut them off using a knife. Mix wine or water, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and oregano in a large skillet. Heat until mixture begins to bubble, and then add mushrooms, top side down. Reduce to medium heat, cover and cook 3 minutes. If the pan becomes dry, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water. Turn mushrooms and cook second side until tender when pierced with a sharp knife, about 5 minutes. Serve hot.

Recipe by Jennifer Raymond, M.S., R.D.

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BREAKFAST SCRAMBLE
Makes 4 1-cup servings

2 teaspoons olive oil or toasted sesame oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1 pound firm tofu, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet, then sauté onion and mushrooms over high heat, stirring often, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add tofu, curry powder, and soy sauce. Continue cooking another 5 minutes.

Variation: For a more elaborate scramble, add additional chopped vegetables such as carrots, celery, bell peppers, or green onions. Enjoy the benefits of soy with this tofu breakfast. It’s delicious with toast and Apple Chutney.

Source: Healthy Eating for Life for Women by Kristine Kieswer; recipe by Jennifer Raymond, M.S., R.D.

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• THE MONTH’S EXTENDED TOP NEWS PICKS •

The Murky Politics of Mind-Body
“From Plato and Aristotle to Descartes, the great thinkers have for millennia argued over what is known in philosophy as the ‘mind-body problem,’ the relationship between spirit and flesh. Dualism tends to win the day: The mind and the body, while linked, are separate. They exist independently, perhaps mingling but not The debate lives on these days in less abstract form in the United States: How much of a difference should it make to health care — and health insurance — if a condition is physical or mental?….” By SARAH KERSHAW. Published NY Times: March 30, 2008.

Pain as an Art Form
“Pain doesn’t show up on a body scan and can’t be measured in a test. As a result, many chronic pain sufferers turn to art, opting to paint, draw or sculpt images in an effort to depict their pain.” By TARA PARKER-POPE. Published NY Times: April 22, 2008.

A Hard Plastic Is Raising Hard Questions
“Are toxic plastics lurking in your kitchen? It’s a question many families are asking after reports last week that a chemical used to make baby bottles, water bottles and food containers is facing increasing scrutiny by health officials in Canada and the United States.” By TARA PARKER-POPE. Published NY TIMES: April 22, 2008

Respiratory infections in villages raise alarm
“CDC STUDY: Villages that have to haul water have higher illness rates. Rural Alaska Natives in homes without running water experience far higher rates of pneumonia and other serious lower respiratory tract infections than do Natives in homes where water is readily available for bathing and hand-washing, according to a new study by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention….” By GEORGE BRYSON. Published in the Anchorage Daily News: April 2nd, 2008.

House Panel Criticizes F.D.A. Role in Drug Cases
House members chastised the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday for not doing more inspections of foreign drug manufacturers in the wake of a litany of problems with the blood thinner heparin and other products.” By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published by NEW TIMES: April 23, 2008.

Senate Passes Genetic Discrimination Bill
“People learning through genetic testing that they might be susceptible to devastating diseases wouldn’t also have to worry about losing their jobs or their health insurance under anti-discrimination legislation the Senate passed Thursday.” By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: April 24, 2008.

Researchers Examine A Possible Link Between Bacteria Found In The Human Digestive System And Obesity
“Obesity is more than a cosmetic concern because it increases a person’s risk for developing high blood pressure, diabetes and many other serious health problems. It’s well understood that consuming more calories than you expend through exercise and daily activities causes weight gain. But with about one in every three American adults now considered obese, researchers are attempting to identify additional factors that affect a person’s tendency to gain and retain excess weight. In the April issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, researchers from Mayo Clinic Arizona and Arizona State University examine the role that bacteria in the human gastrointestinal tract play in regulating weight and the development of obesity.” Published by Medical News Today: April 2, 2008.

Study Finds Many Patients Dissatisfied With Hospitals
“Many hospital patients are dissatisfied with some aspects of their care and might not recommend their hospitals to friends and relatives, the federal government said Friday as it issued ratings for most of the nation’s hospitals, based on the first uniform national survey of patients. The survey was meant to provide a constructive way for patients to complain about arrogant doctors, crabby nurses and dirty or noisy hospital rooms. Medical experts said that some of the complaints bore directly on the quality of care….” By ROBERT PEAR. Published NY Times: March 29, 2008.

IN-CAM Outcomes Database: Collaborative Research Database To Benefit Complementary And Alternative Medicine
“The McGill University Health Centre Research Institute and the University of Calgary in collaboration with Centennial College are launching the first-ever searchable database of outcome measures intended for complementary and alternative medicine researchers - the IN-CAM Outcomes Database….” Published by Medical News Today: April 1, 2008.

• THE MONTH’S HEALTHY RECIPE •

A recipe for the localvore and urban forager interested in Asparagus:

ASPARAGUS RISOTTO
Serves 4

Ingredients
6 cups Vegetable Broth, divided
2 tablespoons oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 - 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups dry arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and bias cut into 1-inch pieces
1 juice and zest of 1 lemon
1/4 cup + 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil,* divided
2 tablespoons shredded fresh basil, divided
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 cup chopped tomato
1 salt, to taste
1 white pepper, to taste

Heat broth over low heat. Have a ladle handy. Heat oil in a large, wide skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the onion, garlic, and rice. Cook, stirring constantly, until the rice begins to brown. Do not let more than one-tenth of the rice brown. Add wine and cook, stirring, until the rice absorbs the liquid. Add 1 cup of the broth. Reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring, until most of the broth is absorbed. Do not allow the rice to brown or stick to the pan. Continue adding the broth, 1 cup at a time, and cook until it is nearly all absorbed. When adding the last cup of broth, add the asparagus.

When the broth is absorbed and the asparagus is just tender, remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice, half the zest, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon basil, tarragon, and tomato. Mix gently so the asparagus doesn’t fall apart. Add salt and white pepper to taste.

Divide the risotto among four large, shallow bowls. Garnish with the remaining basil and top with some lemon zest. Drizzle a teaspoon or so of the olive oil. Serve immediately.

Source: TJ’s Restaurant & Lounge, Richmond, Virginia. Published in Best in the World II, Jennifer Keller, R.D., editor.

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• THE WEEK’S EXTENDED TOP NEWS PICKS •

A Multitude of Vaccine Benefits, Yet Controversy Persists

“Vaccinations are among the most important health advances in history. Death rates for 13 diseases that can be prevented by childhood vaccinations were at all-time lows in the United States in 2007. Rumors persist that some immunizations, or the vaccine preservative thimerosal, cause autism. Public health experts generally agree that after clean water and flush toilets, the most important health advances in history have been vaccinations….” BY Suzy Allman. NT Times: March 29th, 2008.

Resveratrol In Grape Skins Could Stop Diabetic Complications Such As Heart Disease, Retinopathy And Nephropathy

“Research carried out by scientists at the Peninsula Medical School in the South West of England has found that resveratrol, a compound present naturally in grape skin, can protect against the cellular damage to blood vessels caused by high production of glucose in diabetes, according to a paper published in the science journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism this week.” By Andrew Goul, adopted from a press release by Medical News Today.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Display An Anti-Inflammatory Response To The Vegan Diet

“Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who eat a gluten-free vegan diet could be better protected against heart attacks and stroke. RA is a major risk factor for these cardiovascular diseases, but a gluten-free vegan diet was shown to lower cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and oxidizedLDL (OxLDL), as well as raising the levels of natural antibodies against the damaging compounds in the body that cause symptoms of the chronic inflammatory disease rheumatoid arthritis….” By Charlotte Webbe, adopted from a press release by Medical News Today.

Prayer, Faith and Doctors

“Religion isn’t often talked about in medicine, but should it be? I asked New York psychiatrist Dr. Robert Klitzman, author of “When Doctors Become Patients,” to tell us about his experiences with patients, prayer and faith. — Tara Parker-Pope

‘I will pray for you,’ a senior psychiatrist told my patient.
His comment surprised me. I was in training, and the patient was a petite Latina woman who had remained despondent despite medication, psychotherapy or anything else I did. Would he really pray for her?” By Robert Klitzman, NY Times March 24, 2008.

A Turn to Alternative Chemicals

“Joel Tickner is trying to build a greener future one molecule at a time. Dr. Tickner directs the chemicals science and policy program at the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. The center researches and promotes environmentally sound chemicals policy and production…

‘We’re at a turning point,’ Dr. Tickner said. ‘Companies and states are taking leadership where the federal government isn’t.’ He spoke to a reporter before flying to Pittsburgh to speak to executives at Bayer’s United States headquarters about European and American chemicals policies. ‘It’s not about banning chemicals one by one, but about thinking more holistically about how we use chemicals in the design process itself.’” By SUSAN MORAN, NY Times: March 26, 2008

• THE WEEK’S HEALTHY RECIPE •

A recipe for the localvore and urban forager interested in Stinging Nettles:

NETTLE DIP
Serves 6

Ingredients
6 cups fresh nettle
2 small garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 cup pine nuts (unsalted)
1 tbsp Miso Paste
2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
freshly ground pepper (optional)

 

Instructions
Make sure that you use gloves or tongs when handling the nettles. Blanch the nettles in boiling water for a minute (this removes the “sting”). Drain, remove stems, and chop up the leaves. Transfer leaves into a blender or food processor. Add pine nuts, miso, nutritional yeast and pepper to taste. Blend the mixture until the mixture is smooth.

This dip goes well with raw vegetables and whole grain bread.

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• THE WEEK’S TOP EXTENDED NEWS PICKS •

Power of Words for Cancer Patients
“When my mother was first diagnosed with cancer, she did something she had never done before. She started to write down her feelings. My mother had always been too busy for something she felt was as indulgent as keeping a journal, but in the early days of her cancer diagnosis, she found that writing down her thoughts helped her cope with the prospect of dying.” By ANGEL FRANCO. NY Times: February 26, 2008

Patterns: Bacterim May Reduce Kidney Stone Risk
“A common intestinal bacterium is associated with a significant reduction in the risk for kidney stones, a new study has found.” By NICHOLAS BAKALAR. NY Times: March 18, 2008

Mind’s Control Over Healing
“When doctors and medicine fail, where can you turn? Anthony Brooks talks to Ann Harrington about her new book The Cure Within: A History of Mind-Body Medicine, which explores the mind’s control over healing.” NPR: Day to Day, March 13, 2008

The Case for Another Drug War, Against Pharmaceutical Marketers’ Dirty Tactics
“By the time Melody Petersen gets around to interviewing Iowa’s state nosologist near the end of “Our Daily Meds,” the facts that she cites don’t even sound that grim. The nosologist’s job is to catalog Iowa’s deceased according to cause of death. He processes about 27,000 death certificates a year. And by his reckoning there were only five deaths caused by adverse reactions to prescription drugs in 2002. That low figure is jarringly out of whack with Ms. Petersen’s investigative reporting in an angrily illuminating book on drug-related corporate malfeasance and patient peril.” By JANET MASLIN. NY Times: March 17, 2008

Psychotherapy for All: An Experiment
“At the faded one-story medical clinic in this fishing and farming village, people with depression and anxiety typically got little or no attention. Busy doctors and nurses focused on physical ailments — children with diarrhea, laborers with injuries, old people with heart trouble. Patients, fearful of the stigma connected to mental illness, were reluctant to bring up emotional problems.” By DAVID KOHN NY Times: March 11, 2008

When Big Business Eats Organic
“Does your purchase of organic milk conjure up images of happy cows? Do you buy brands like Nature’s Farm and Nantucket Nectars because you want to support small farms? Well, this animated graphic will make you think twice about your organic purchases.” TARA PARKER-POPE. NY times: March 19, 2008

Heparin Find May Point to Chinese Counterfeiting
“The finding by the Food and Drug Administration culminated a worldwide race to identify the substance discovered early this month in certain batches of heparin, the blood-thinning drug that had been linked to 19 deaths in the United States and hundreds of allergic reactions.” By WALT BOGDANICH. NY Times: March 20, 2008

• THIS WEEK’S EXTENDED TOP NEWS PICKS •

Stay tuned… because soon Chelsea, our Registered Dietitian, will provide us with a new recipe every week, corresponding with the seasonal changes. Keeping track of what foods are good to eat during each season allows us to optimally keep our bodies healthy and nutritionally fit!

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