News by Region

News by Province

News by Newspaper

Latest Canadian News - Prairies - Health

Preventing Radiation Induced Thyroid Cancer with Iodine in Japan The consequences of the tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, 2011 are truly devastating, with hundreds confirmed dead and many more still missing.  Unfortunately, the potential dangers that stem from this tsunami may stretch long into the future, as the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant sustained damage from the tsunami as well.  Health authorities are now preparing to distribute iodine to individuals potentially exposed to radiation for the prevention of thyroid cancer, and I thought I"d take a moment to explain why. Thyroid tissue is among the most radiation-sensitive tissues in the body.  The link between radiation exposure and thyroid cancer was better understood in the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986, where an increased risk of a common type of thyroid cancer called papillary thryoid cancer was found in people exposed to the disaster.  It appears that the Chernobyl radiation may have caused rearrangement of a cancer gene called the RET gene in the thyroid cells of these patients, leading to ongoing expression of this gene (this gene is normally not active in thyroid cells). In the event of a nuclear accident, potassium iodide can be taken to decrease the thyroid"s uptake of radioactive iodine, thereby protecting the thyroid from developing these radiation-induced genetic alterations.  The ability of the iodine to protect the thyroid decreases within hours after the exposure, such that the iodine"s ability to protect decreases to 80, 40, and 7 percent at 2, 8, and 24 hours following exposure, respectively.   As potassium iodide prophylaxis may have a small risk of causing hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), particularly in people with enlarged thyroid glands, and because the risk of radiation-induced thyroid cancer is higher in younger people, the benefit is greatest in younger individuals.  In terms of medical radiation exposure, there is an increased risk of thyroid cancer in some patients who have received external beam radiation treatment (for example, for treatment of a cancer in the head or neck area), particularly if that exposure was at a younger age.  There is no evidence that radioactive iodine used for diagnosis or treatment of hyperthyroidism is associated with increased cancer risk.  Dr Sue Pedersen www.drsue.ca © 2011 drsuetalks@gmail.com Follow me on Twitter for daily tips! @drsuepedersen Province: Alberta Newspaper: Drumheller Mail Feed: Health & Lifestyles Date: 2011-08-08 21:33:37

Social Marketing and the Impact of Now I"m sure many of you have heard it from your doctor before, and for health care providers out there, I"m sure you"ve said it many times: even though you feel perfectly well and have no symptoms, take this medication now, because it will decrease the risk of disease decades down the road.  These words are often met with reluctance on the part of the patient - why take a medication when you are feeling well today? At the inaugural International School for Obesity Research and Management this past week, I had the opportunity to both discuss my own research, as well as interact with colleagues who share my passion for obesity research, treatment, and prevention.  One session that really stands out was about social marketing, presented by Dr Sameer Deshpande from the University of Lethbridge.  Dr Deshpande dealt with this very issue of the human tendency to focus on NOW, in the context of the food industry"s marketing of unhealthy food products.  Have you ever noticed how junk food is most often marketed with messages of instant gratification, such as McDonald"s "I"m Lovin" It", "Snickers Really Satisfies", "Pop Your Hunger with Pizza Pops"?  Or how about the messages that promise an instant catapult into the world of glory, coolness, or success: "Pepsi: The Taste of a New Generation" and "Red Bull Gives You Wings" are shining examples of this. These selling strategies are taken because marketing research has shown time and time again that messages that promise an instant benefit are the most appealing to consumers.  In the battle against obesity and related diseases, these considerations must also be taken into account in the promotion of  healthier food choices.  For example, reduced salt products are preferable to the full salt variety, to decrease the risk of conditions such as high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.  To appeal to the "NOW",  such a product should be marketed with a slogan such as "just as satisfying as the high salt original", rather than "decrease your risk of high blood pressure by eating the low salt brand". The appeal of NOW is much harder to target when it comes to preventative medications.  For example, we often advise patients to take cholesterol lowering medication in order to prevent heart disease and stroke.  In most cases, high cholesterol is without symptoms for years until problems related to narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) start to manifest.  I"m very keen to hear what my readers may think about this issue, and how they might suggest that health care providers could better approach the use of preventative medication. Dr Sue Pedersen www.drsue.ca © 2011 drsuetalks@gmail.com Follow me on Twitter for daily tips! @drsuepedersen Province: Alberta Newspaper: Drumheller Mail Feed: Health & Lifestyles Date: 2011-08-08 21:33:37

Sedentary Activity Promotes Obesity More Ways Than You Might Think! Sad to say, but true: the modern way of life is centered around sedentary activity.  We take motorized transport most places we go, and we go less places.  We sit at our computers for hours on end; we often relax in front of the TV to unwind in the evenings; and the current generation of children is crazier about video games than ever before.  Clearly, this lack of activity contributes to the obesity epidemic by way of decreasing energy output overall.  However, the story goes much deeper than that: it turns out that certain types of sedentary activities have other important effects on the Energy In (food intake) side of the equation! As reviewed by my University of Copenhagen colleagues and led by Dr Chaput, there is evidence to suggest complex effects of the following sedentary activities on food intake and obesity: 1.  TV Viewing.  Excess TV time is a problem that plagues our society, with nearly 60% of American adults watching TV for more than 2 hours per day.  Not only is this a sedentary activity, but studies suggest that as much as 25% of the day"s calorie total is consumed in front of the screen, and TV watching also results in a preference for high calorie, tasty foods.  People who are more distractable may be particularly susceptible to the weight-increasing effects of TV time (it"s the classic: open the bag of chips, start snacking as you sit down to a movie, and before you know it, you"re reaching into an empty bag and are surprised that they are gone!). Not surprisingly, distractibility has been associated with overweight and obesity. 2.  Video Games.  Although many adults enjoy video games, perhaps the most important impact is amongst our children, who are estimated to spend 2 hours gaming on average per day.  Not only are most video games sedentary, but they have also been shown to result in an increase in food intake later in the day.  This may be due to hormones released during the mental stress or excitement of the game, advertisements for high calorie food seen during online gaming, or other factors.  As for the higher energy games like the Wii, it is not yet known where the energy balance pans out.  Even decreasing a child"s sedentary video game time by an hour a day could have an important impact, as each hour per day spent at gaming doubles the risk of obesity. 3.  Cognitive Activity.  As technology progresses, we as a society are spending more and more time engaged in sedentary brain-heavy activity, and less time doing physical work.  Computer work is the primary offender in this area.  Mental work is fueled by glucose, which is in fairly short supply in the body (versus muscle activity which can also be fueled by fat).  The increased use of glucose by the brain may alter feeding patterns towards consumption of more carbohydrate and/or more calories.  Mental work can also be stressful, causing the release of stress hormones such as cortisol, which is also associated with increased food intake.  4.  Music.  Believe it or not, the tunes you have pumping from your iPod or stereo may be impacting your weight as well.  Listening to music while eating results in longer meals and a higher calorie consumption; faster and louder music increases food consumption as well.  Unfortunately, soft, comforting music isn"t the answer either, as this has been shown to result in an increase in liquid calorie consumption (particularly alcohol!). So, how do we combat all of these factors in our struggles against obesity?  Well, the answer is clearly not to stop working at the computer, stop listening to music, or to refrain from enjoying the occasional movie or TV program to unwind after a hard day.  The first step is to think about the above points, and think about how they could perhaps be modified within your own life in a positive way.  For example, consider: standing while talking on the phone at work - even better, try standing on a balance board (provided this is safe for you to do - it may not be if you suffer medical problems such as diabetic neuropathy or other issues that could impact your balance) cutting TV time in half investing in a desk that mechanically raises and lowers, such that you can stand at your desk encourage your child to engage in a physical activity rather than play video games As for music....?  Not sure what to say about this one.  Should we turn off the music while we"re eating?  Or perhaps it"s enough to just keep it in mind.  I"d be interested to know what my readers have experienced or may suggest? Dr Sue Pedersen www.drsue.ca © 2011 drsuetalks@gmail.com Follow me on Twitter for daily tips! @drsuepedersen Province: Alberta Newspaper: Drumheller Mail Feed: Health & Lifestyles Date: 2011-08-08 21:33:37

Lap Banding May Have Poor Long Term Outcomes As weight loss surgery gains popularity globally, there is much debate as to which of the several surgeries available is the best option.  As we get more years of experience under our belts (so to speak), it seems that laparascopic adjustable gastric banding may be a poor choice of surgery over the long term.  A study was published last week in the Archives of Surgery by Dr J Himpens and colleagues, examining the long term outcomes of lap banding.  This study comes out of Saint Pierre University Hospital in Belgium, which is the first site to ever perform the procedure in 1992.  With a long term follow up of 12 years or more, the study found the average excess body weight loss with laparscopic adjustable gastric banding was 43%, though this varied greatly from person to person (excess body weight is defined as the amount of weight OVER a Body Mass Index of 25 that a person carries, so in other words, they found that patients lost an average of 43% of the total amount of body weight that they would need to lose in order to get to a "normal" body weight). In terms of complications, they found that 22% of patients experienced minor complications (such as infection of the access port or incisional hernia) from their lap band, while 39% experienced major complications (such as erosion of the band through the wall of the stomach, or slippage of the band).  Sixty percent required at least one additional operation (often to fix a complication), and 17% percent of patients had their procedure switched to gastric bypass surgery (a more complicated weight loss procedure where the stomach is made permanently smaller, and the intestines are rerouted such that food bypasses the first 1.5m of small intestine).  Only 51% of patients still had their band in place at the 12+ year mark.  Having said the above, the majority of patients still rated their satisfaction with the band as good, though there was no overall change in quality of life scores.In terms of obesity related complications, one in particular that I found interesting is their observations in regards to diabetes.  Over the shorter term (eg 2 years), data suggest that weight loss surgery is dramatically effective to put many cases of diabetes into remission.  In this study, they found that while only 5 of their patients had type 2 diabetes before surgery, 11 of them had type 2 diabetes at the 12 year follow up.  While it is very possible (and probably likely) that more of these patients would have developed diabetes had they not had the surgery, I think the point is that weight loss surgery should not be considered a lifetime "cure" or prevention of diabetes, though it can certainly provide some disease-free years or lessen the severity of the disease.  I would also point out that more complex bariatric surgery procedures such as gastric bypass are superior to banding in their effect on diabetes, though cases of diabetes are often shown to recur over the long term post bypass as well. This study is subject to several limitations, including the fact that they were only able to follow up with just over half of the patients that were contacted for full evaluation.    Newer techniques for lap banding are now currently being utilized that may have lower complication rates than the methods used 12+ years ago.  Successes, failures, and complication rates may differ from centre to centre as well.  However, this is the first study exploring outcomes of lap banding after more than 10 years post surgery, so they are important and must be taken into consideration.  This study, and other experiences accumulating around the world, is likely to lean surgeons away from performing lap band surgeries.Dr Sue Pedersen www.drsue.ca Province: Alberta Newspaper: Drumheller Mail Feed: Health & Lifestyles Date: 2011-08-08 21:33:36

Retail Giant Walmart Joins Fight Against Obesity As governmental and health care organizations strive relentlessly to find new and innovative ways to battle obesity, it often seems like a bit of a David vs Goliath battle, in that one of the main combatants is the overwhelmingly wealthy and powerful commercial food industry.  The retail and food giant Walmart now promises to take steps to improve the quality of the food on their shelves, as a contribution to a healthier America. Walmart is one of the biggest grocery retailers in the US, accounting for about 15% of the American grocery industry.  As a move to align itself with Michelle Obama"s anti-obesity campaign, they have pledged to reduce sodium, sugar, and fat in their store brand products by year 2015, and plan to push their suppliers to do the same.   They are also working on a front-of-package label that will identify more healthful products.   It is noted that other industry players have made similar pledges, but Walmart"s promised changes are particularly noteworthy in light of their substantial market share of the US grocery industry.  There is no doubt that we need the commercial food giants to be on board to help us shape a healthier society, and it is encouraging to see changes like this taking place!  Perhaps in a world where there are conscientious members of the food industry on our side, and where Subway has now surpassed McDonalds as the world"s largest restaurant chain, we will start to see lasting impact in our fight against obesity and related diseases. Thanks to Brian at marketinghits.com for the heads" up! Dr Sue Pedersen www.drsue.ca © 2011 drsuetalks@gmail.com Follow me on Twitter for daily tips! @drsuepedersen Province: Alberta Newspaper: Drumheller Mail Feed: Health & Lifestyles Date: 2011-08-08 21:33:36

Canada's food safety criticized An editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal says Canada is not doing enough to ensure food is safe. Province: Alberta Newspaper: Calgary Sun Feed: Health Date: 2011-04-13 13:18:21

Smokers think some cigarettes less harmful: Study One-fifth of smokers believe some cigarette brands are less harmful than others based on the colour of the pack. Province: Alberta Newspaper: Calgary Sun Feed: Health Date: 2011-04-12 14:22:20

Doctors don't always take their own advice: Study When doctors step into their patients’ shoes, their treatment decisions don’t always line up with the advice they give in their clinics, a U.S. survey says. Province: Alberta Newspaper: Calgary Sun Feed: Health Date: 2011-04-12 03:13:52

Are Genetics Important in Diabetes?   In a world where the epidemic of diabetes threatens to spiral out of control, our understanding of the influences that put people at risk of developing the disease is crucial.  As a second part to my recent blog about the important genetic influence on the development of obesity, it is also very important to consider the genetic contribution towards diabetes. In North America, approximately 80% of diabetes is caused by Type 2 Diabetes, which is a condition of elevated blood sugars caused by resistance of the body's organs and tissues to the effects of insulin, to the point where the pancreas is not able to produce sufficient insulin to overcome this state of insulin resistance.  Insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes worsen with weight gain and improve with weight loss; however, there are a subset of people with Type 2 Diabetes who are normal weight.   About 10% of diabetes is Type 1 diabetes, where the immune system attacks the pancreas and causes it to fail to produce insulin.  The final 10% of diabetes is causes by various rare genetic disorders. The evidence for a strong genetic tendency towards developing Type 2 Diabetes is strong.  For example: some ethnic groups residing in North America (such as Hispanic, South Asian, and Aboriginal) are at 2-6 fold higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes compared to North American Caucasians a twin of a person with Type 2 Diabetes is at 90% risk of developing the disease (as compared to Type 1 diabetes, where the risk is lower at 50%) nearly 40% of patients with Type 2 Diabetes have at least one affected parent (whereas in Type 1 Diabetes, the risk of the child of a Type 1 Diabetic parent getting the disease is only 6%) the lifetime risk of a person getting Type 2 Diabetes is 5-10 times higher if they have a first degree relative with the disease, compared to not having a relative with the disease Asreviewed by Dr McCarthy, the search for genes connected to Type 2 Diabetes has really taken off with the ability to search the entire human genetic makeup (called the 'genome') in recent years.  In fact, there are at least 40 genetic spots (called 'loci') in the human genome that have been found to be associated with a susceptibility to developing Type 2 Diabetes.  These genetic variants are associated with a variety of disturbances that affect the risk of developing Type 2, including alterations in the development of the pancreas, insulin synthesis, and insulin secretion.  The genes that contribute to development of obesity (as blogged previously) likely contribute to the risk of type 2 diabetes as well, as the insulin resistance that characterizes type 2 diabetes worsens with weight gain. In terms of the influence of these genetic variants on the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, it appears that in some cases, having two abnormal copies of these genes may as much as double the risk of getting diabetes, compared to having two normal copies of these genes.  For some individuals, the eventual development of Type 2 Diabetes may be unavoidable, due to their genetic makeup.    However, many cases of Type 2 Diabetes are preventable, as many people develop sufficient insulin resistance to generate full blown diabetes only when they reach a state of overweight or obesity.  While obesity in itself has some genetic predisposition as well, both obesity and type 2 diabetes can be improved with dedicate attention towards a healthy lifestyle. As for obesity genetics, our understanding of the genetic basis for Type 2 Diabetes is essential, as it will help us in better understanding the disease, finding new targets for treatment, and hopefully allowing us to improve individual strategies towards treatment and prevention. Dr Sue Pedersen www.drsue.ca © 2011 drsuetalks@gmail.com Follow me on Twitter for daily tips! @drsuepedersen Follow me on Facebook: drsue.ca Province: Alberta Newspaper: Drumheller Mail Feed: Health & Lifestyles Date: 2011-01-25 18:54:37

Are Genetics Important in Obesity?   With obesity affecting one third of American adults and one quarter of Canadian adults, there is a critical need to improve our understanding of how obesity develops, including the relative importance of genetic and environmental factors.  As we explore the human genome, we are learning more and more about the important role of genetics in the battle of overweight. As reviewed by Dr McCarthy in a recent issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, studies of the full complement of human genes (called the ‘human genome’) are full speed ahead in the last few years.  The search strategy that has been the most successful in finding genes linked to obesity has been to search the genome for DNA sequence patters that are seen in association with people who have a higher Body Mass Index (a calculation that assesses weight based on body height, and is used to classify obesity; you can calculate yours here, in the right hand column).  These genome wide studies have identified at least 30 spots (called genetic ‘loci’) on our DNA which influence body weight.  Many of these involve alterations of a gene called the FTO (fat mass and obesity related) gene, which appears to be particularly important in its influence on body mass index.   In addition, there are at least 15 loci identified that affect where body fat is deposited in the body.  This is important, as we know that body fat deposited around the organs and around the midline is more metabolically active than fat that is deposited under then skin or to the chest and hips.  Interestingly, these 15 genetic spots that affect body fat deposition patters show stronger associations in women than in men. There are exceptionally rare cases of obesity that are caused directly by a single gene or chromosome abnormality, such as leptin deficiency, or distinct genetic syndromes such as Prader-Willi sydrome.  However, these are not players in the common case of overweight or obesity. So, how much does having one or several of the common genetic variants influence the likelihood of being, or becoming, obese?  Well, each individual genetic variant does not appear to have a profound effect; the genes with the greatest impact may make a difference of only 2-3 kg of body weight (4-7lb).  However, having a number of the obesity-predisposing genetic variants may have an additive effect.  As we learn more about these genes, it may be possible in the future to predict or assess one’s risk of obesity based on their full genetic complement, taking into consideration all of the obesity-predisposing genetic variants that they may have. It is also important to note that an individual is not destined or guaranteed to become obese because of these genetic variants, but these genes may certainly help set the stage for development of obesity, and difficulty in losing weight, in the context of our toxic, obesity promoting environment.  It is poorly understood exactly how these genes are expressed, but it is thought that they may have an impact on fat and cholesterol metabolism, appetite regulation, taste preferences, and tendency towards engaging in physical activity.  The future of obesity genetics research is bright: in addition to giving us a better understanding of mechanisms of development of obesity, this research may present to us new targets for treatment and prevention of obesity, as well as the potential for personalized treatment and prevention, depending on each individual’s particular genetic makeup. In my opinion, one of the most important opportunities this research gives us is ammunition with which to combat the stigma of obesity, both in the general community and amongst medical professionals.  Each of us has a different baseline genetic risk of developing obesity, which may result in different trigger points of hunger and satiety, differences in willpower and cravings, and differences in our genetic drive to exercise.  Through a better understanding of these genetics and the mechanisms by which they work, it is my hope that we will become better empowered to understand, prevent, and treat obesity in a patient specific, caring, compassionate, and understanding manner. Dr Sue Pedersen www.drsue.ca © 2011 drsuetalks@gmail.com Follow me on Twitter for daily tips! @drsuepedersen Follow me on Facebook: drsue.ca Province: Alberta Newspaper: Drumheller Mail Feed: Health & Lifestyles Date: 2011-01-23 00:02:32

After Gestational Diabetes: What's Next? Gestational diabetes, or diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy, is a common condition, affecting approximately one in 25 pregnant women in Canada. After the baby is born, women who had gestational diabetes may be eager to leave their blood sugar concerns behind, but beware: women who have had gestational diabetes are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In pregnancy, there are several factors that contribute to the development of gestational diabetes, including increased food intake, weight gain, decreased exercise, and the production of several hormones by the placenta that make the mother more resistant to the effects of insulin. As the development of gestational diabetes identifies women whose pancreas is not able to keep up in the face of the stress of pregnancy, it also identifies women who are at future risk of developing full blown type 2 diabetes (outside of pregnancy). In fact, having had gestational diabetes increased the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life by up to 12 fold.  Further, some cases of gestational diabetes were likely type 2 diabetics before the pregnancy started, but they did not come to medical attention until the pregnancy began. Because the impact of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes postpartum is of serious consequence to the mother's health, and also has implications for future childbearing, it is essential that these women undergo screening for type 2 diabetes postpartum. Blood sugars will be checked following delivery in the hospital, but this alone is not enough, as diabetes can return after discharge home when normal life and eating patterns resume. All women who have had gestational diabetes must undergo a glucose tolerance test within 6 weeks to 6 months postpartum. This involves drinking a glucose containing drink, with measurement of blood sugar before and 2 hours after the drink is taken. Checking fasting blood sugars is not enough, as this will miss 40% of type 2 diabetes in the postpartum population. Additionally, women with previous gestational diabetes must be screened for type 2 diabetes: before any future pregnancies every 3 years, or more often, depending on other risk factors Unfortunately, as few as 25% of women who have had gestational diabetes complete this important postpartum testing. Having undiagnosed type 2 diabetes can cause injury to blood vessels supplying vital organs including the heart, kidneys, and eyes. Having undiagnosed type 2 diabetes at the time of the next pregnancy can have devastating consequences to the fetus, including congenital malformations and miscarriage. If you have or have had gestational diabetes, speak to your doctor to be sure that you have undergone, and continue to undergo, the appropriate screening. Dr Sue Pedersen www.drsue.ca © 2010 drsuetalks@gmail.com Follow me on Twitter for daily tips! @drsuepedersen Follow me on Facebook: drsue.ca Province: Alberta Newspaper: Drumheller Mail Feed: Health & Lifestyles Date: 2011-01-14 03:30:48

Keeping Fit wants to hear from you Keeping Fit columnist has begun his 2011 Fitness Odyssey, and he wants to hear from our readers and viewers, he wants to hear your stories. Province: Alberta Newspaper: Edmonton Sun Feed: Health Date: 2011-01-12 01:41:15

Get smart about antibiotics This is the time of year when "everyone" seems to be getting sick. Fortunately, most of these illnesses are due to common viruses that circulate during the fall and winter. Province: Alberta Newspaper: Edmonton Sun Feed: Health Date: 2011-01-11 07:57:49

Erectile disfunction can get worse after gastric band surgery: Study Women who have had gastric band surgery have reported significant improvements to urinary function and quality of life, but some men report their erectile function became worse, a new Australian study says. Province: Alberta Newspaper: Calgary Sun Feed: Health Date: 2011-01-06 15:33:16

Stem cell trial for blindness approved in U.S. Advanced Cell Technology said Monday it had won U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to try out human embryonic stem cells for treating macular degeneration, a common cause of vision loss. Province: Alberta Newspaper: Calgary Sun Feed: Health Date: 2011-01-03 17:05:59

Echinacea not very effective for colds: Study The largest study to date on echinacea, a popular herb used to treat colds, found it doesn't do much to ease sniffles and sore throats. Province: Alberta Newspaper: Calgary Sun Feed: Health Date: 2010-12-21 19:54:53

Quaker granola bars recalled over peanuts Undeclared peanuts in certain boxes of mispacked Quaker granola bars are a threat to people with peanut allergies, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency warns. Province: Alberta Newspaper: Edmonton Sun Feed: Health Date: 2010-12-16 19:03:53

Cycling may impact sperm health Most exercise appears to have little relationship to either the quality or quantity of sperm, but men who bike at least five hours a week have fewer and less active sperm than men who didn't exercise, a study said. Province: Alberta Newspaper: Edmonton Sun Feed: Health Date: 2010-12-10 04:22:49

Health Canada issues donor-semen alert If tenth grade biology taught us nothing else, it was that sperm will do almost anything to fertilize an egg. Province: Alberta Newspaper: Edmonton Sun Feed: Health Date: 2010-12-10 00:41:49

Daycare 'infection factories' can benefit kids Daycare "infection factories" can benefit kids, according to a new study by Montreal researchers. Province: Alberta Newspaper: Edmonton Sun Feed: Health Date: 2010-12-07 07:13:08

Video Blog on Measuring Metabolism: Step Inside a Respiration Chamber! In this video blog, Dr Sue takes you right inside the respiration chambers at the Department of Human Nutrition, University of Copenhagen, which are used to measure metabolism in a research setting. By simply measuring oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide output, and nitrogen production over a 24 hour period, we can measure exactly how many calories a person burns over 24 hours, and how much of that calorie burn comes from protein vs fat vs carbohydrates as the fuel source. These chambers are currently being used in a study of gastric bypass surgery patients that Dr Sue is involved in, as well as study of the effects of sleep deprivation on metabolism in kids.   Dr Sue Pedersen www.drsue.ca © 2010 drsuetalks@gmail.com Follow me on Twitter for daily tips! @drsuepedersen Follow me on Facebook: drsue.ca Province: Alberta Newspaper: Drumheller Mail Feed: Health & Lifestyles Date: 2010-12-06 21:11:27

Bariatric Surgery: Patient Guide to Endocrine and Nutritional Management As blogged previously, bariatric (weight loss) surgery is a treatment options for people with severe obesity that has proven to be resistant to treatment with more traditional and conservative measures. The treatment does not end with the surgery itself, however - the story is far more complex than that. As beautifully summarized in the Patient Guide to Endocrine and Nutritional Management after Bariatric Surgery in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (a free download!), there are several aspects which require close attention and follow up in order to minimize the chance of weight regain after surgery, to minimize the risk of developing a complication of bariatric surgery, and to ensure that complications of obesity are well managed postoperatively. To decrease the chance of weight regain after surgery, a lot of the preventive work actually has to happen before the surgery is even done. It must be recognized, as with any "diet", that the lifestyle change being made has to be a permanent one. This is not about eating smaller portions or altering food choices for a short period of time - this is forever. It is also absolutely critical that the relationship with food is thoroughly explored and managed well before the surgery takes place. There are many contributing factors to overeating, many of them emotional: eating in sadness, in joy, to comfort, to alleviate stress, even to service a true addiction to food. People who have not had help in dealing with these aspects of their weight struggles, or who have not worked through these issues prior to surgery, are not appropriate candidates for bariatric surgery, as they stand a high risk of weight regain postoperatively if those habits and coping mechanisms are not managed beforehand. The risk of nutritional deficiencies is very real after bariatric surgery, particularly after gastric bypass surgery (pictured above), which involves a re-routing of the small intestine such that about 1.5 meters of small intestine is no longer exposed to food and the enzymes required to digest it. Patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery are at risk of life threatening complications if they do not adhere to their supplement regimen, which for most patients includes a specific multivitamin, calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and often iron. An individual who is committed to having gastric bypass surgery must be equally committed to taking supplementation for the rest of their lives. Protein malnutrition is a potentially severe complication of any type of bariatric surgery due to decreased intake; it is essential to follow the protein consumption recommendations provided by the bariatric program"s dietician (usually at least 90 grams of protein intake per day). Because bariatric surgery often has a profound beneficial impact on several obesity-related complications such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, cholesterol, and osteoarthritis (to name a few), it is important to have physicians involved both pre- and post-operatively who can help to manage changes in medications and treatment approach that are often necessary. While bariatric surgery is a very appropriate treatment option for some people, it must always be remembered that bariatric surgery is not a quick fix or a cure; it is the exchange of one set of medical issues for another (though usually in a positive direction), and it is most certainly a permanent lifestyle alteration. Dr Sue Pedersen www.drsue.ca © 2010 drsuetalks@gmail.com Follow me on Twitter for daily tips! @drsuepedersen Province: Alberta Newspaper: Drumheller Mail Feed: Health & Lifestyles Date: 2010-12-06 05:05:14

Sleep Deprivation is Strongly Linked to Obesity I"m sure that everyone reading this blog will be familiar with the phenomenon of sleep deprivation - it is something that all of us have experienced, and for some of us, it plagues our daily lives. It turns out that the effect of sleep deprivation goes much farther than just feeling tired; it can actually have a profound effect on body weight and the risk of obesity. Dr Jean-Phillipe Chaput, a Canadian colleague of mine who also spent time researching at the Department of Nutrition at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, is an expert in the area of sleep research. For the scientists among you, he provides an excellent video presentation(the website is from Denmark, but Dr. Chaput"s presentation is in English - just press play to watch the video. References to the data below can also be located in Dr Chaput"s presentation.) Along with the epidemic of obesity, we have seen a decrease in the overall amount of sleep we get. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the proportion of young adults getting less than 7 hours of sleep per night was 16% in the year 1960; in 2001, this number increased to 37%. A study from Quebec showed that children with short sleep were more than 3 times more likely to be overweight, and this association was stronger than other risk factors examined such as parental obesity, television viewing time, and physical activity. Amongst adults age 18-65, the same association was found, with short sleepers (5-6 hours) being 3.8 times more likely to be obese than adults sleeping 7-8 hours per night. Again, this risk factor was stronger than the association of obesity with high fat intake in the diet or physical inactivity. It should also be noted that too much sleep is also associated with obesity; the sleep duration with the lowest body mass index in adults is at 7.7 hours per night. One obvious factor responsible for this association is that we are simply awake for more hours where we may be inclined to eat. More hours awake equates with a longer period of time per day where we are exposed to our toxic environment that pushes food at us everywhere we look. We may also be more inclined to eat during these extra waking hours due to the activities we undertake during those late night hours - often sedentary activities such as computer time or TV, which often results in snacking on unhealthy foods. However, the story is much more complex than simply being awake for more hours in a day. There are several hormonal variations with decreased sleep: we see lower leptin levels (a hormone that normally tells us we feel full and also works to stimulate energy expenditure). We also see higher levels of the hunger hormone, ghrelin, in shorter sleepers, thereby increasing the sense of hunger and desire to eat. Some studies also suggest that the stress hormone, cortisol, increases with shorter sleep duration. There is also evidence to suggest that decreased sleep may decrease basal metabolism; for example, it has been found that there is a decrease in core body temperature with acute sleep deprivation (lower body temperature being associated with a lower basal calorie burn). We also see a decrease in fidgeting and other behaviours such as our body posture when we are sleep deprived, resulting in a lower calorie burn. Think of how you sit when you are well rested - perhaps sitting in a straight backed chair while you work - versus when you are exhausted, you may be more inclined to assume a more relaxed pose on the couch. These differences may be small, but they matter! Also on the energy expenditure side of the equation, we are less likely to engage in active physical activity when we are tired. For individuals who struggle with their weight, and also for prevention of weight gain, it is important to include a good night"s sleep as part of the overall management approach. The optimum amount of sleep appears to be between 7-8 hours for an adult - be sure to set this as a lifestyle priority! Dr Sue Pedersen www.drsue.ca © 2010 drsuetalks@gmail.com Follow me on Twitter for daily tips! @drsuepedersen Province: Alberta Newspaper: Drumheller Mail Feed: Health & Lifestyles Date: 2010-12-06 05:05:14

Lemon Parmesan Broccoli Here is a great way to shake up your broccoli! Broccoli on its own is a Free Veg, meaning that you can eat it in generous amounts without taking in many calories (it's only 30 cal per cup!). It is not quite free with the addition of a little bit of Lite Parmesan... but it's pretty darn close!INGREDIENTS: 6 cups of broccoli (about 4 heads)1 lemon3 tbsp light powdered Parmesan cheese Cut your broccoli into florets. The broccoli needs to be dry - if you wash it, be sure to dry it thouroughly. Arrange in a 9x13" baking dish. Zest your lemon and finely chop the pile of zest you get. Chop your lemon in half. Spray broccoli briefly with an aerosol sprayer such as Pam (a great alternative to oil!). Add a bit of salt & pepper to taste, and squeeze the juice of one half of your lemon on the broccoli. Put your dish of broccoli in a preheated oven at 400C for 20-25 mins. The goal is for the tips of the broccoli to be a little crispy, but not burned. Remove from oven, sprinkle with the lemon zest, squeeze the juice from your other half of lemon all over the broccoli and top with the parmesan cheese. Return to the oven for 1-2 mins until the parmesan melts, then serve!Makes 6 servings. Per serving:50 calonly 1g fat!Dr Sue Pedersen www.drsue.ca Province: Alberta Newspaper: Drumheller Mail Feed: Health & Lifestyles Date: 2010-12-06 05:05:14

Dental Disease and Diabetes: What"s the Connection? It is well known that diabetics are at an increased risk of vascular complications, and that control of blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure are important to prevent these complications from developing. One often overlooked risk factor in diabetics is periodontal disease, a chronic bacterial infection affecting the gums and bone that support the teeth. Periodontal disease is known as gingivitis in its mildest form, presenting as tenderness, redness, and swelling of the gumline. If untreated with proper oral hygiene (adequate brushing and flossing), this can evolve to a chronic condition with gum recession, plaque accumulation and bone loss, called periodontitis. The relationship between periodontal disease and Type 2 Diabetes is something of a vicious cycle. First of all, it is known that diabetics are at higher risk of developing periodontal disease, and that it is more severe than in non diabetics. The elevated blood sugars increase the susceptibility to infection - bacteria thrive on the excess sugar that is available. On the other side of the coin, having periodontal disease is associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes, and is also associated with poor blood sugar control in patients with diabetes. A key factor responsible for the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes appears to be inflammation. As discussed by Dr Tenenbaum and colleagues in a recent publication by the Canadian Diabetes Association, periodontal disease produces a low grade inflammatory state, with increased levels of inflammatory chemicals in the blood stream. These inflammatory mediators are known to be associated with increased risk of vascular disease, and true to that, an increased prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular disease has been observed in patients with periodontal disease. We also know that Type 2 Diabetes and the complications that develop are partially mediated by inflammatory changes in the blood vessel wall, so this may be part of the link between the two conditions. To minimize your risk of periodontal disease, follow these important tips from the Canadian Dental Association: Brush your teeth and tongue twice a day with toothpaste and floss once a day to remove plaque between teeth. When choosing oral health care products, check for the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) Seal of Recognition. Products bearing this Seal have been reviewed by CDA and have demonstrated specific oral health benefits. Check your gums regularly. Look for the warning signs of gingivitis and report them to your dentist right away. See your dentist for regular check ups, and schedule a professional cleaning to remove stains and built-up tartar. Eat healthy foods for your oral health as well as your overall health. Eating excess sugar is one of the primary causes of dental problems. With the proper nutrients that come from healthy eating and proper oral hygiene, you can fight cavities and gingivitis. Don"t smoke. Smoking is a major contributor to dental problems and may cause oral cancer. Dr Sue Pedersen www.drsue.ca © 2010 drsuetalks@gmail.com Follow me on Twitter for daily tips! @drsuepedersen Province: Alberta Newspaper: Drumheller Mail Feed: Health & Lifestyles Date: 2010-12-06 05:05:13

News by Topic