Full Body CT Scans

I am sure you have all heard advertisements, get your full body CT scan and catch diseases early?. Well American College of Radiology has stated that these not be done on healthy individuals because there is a significant risk of creating cancer from radiation given during test. Having one screening probably does little to add to this risk but multiple ones definitely do. Dr Bobs Take: It has been thought that one full body ct scan can be equivalent of getting between 1000 and 2000 chest x-rays. We need to know that each does of radiation is additive throughout our lifetime.

Stents for Arteries to Brain

The FDA approved a stent for people who have had strokes or those with symptoms of pre-stroke (TIA?s). A stent is a wire mesh which goes inside blocked arteries to keep them open. You have heard of stents used for people with heart blockages. The new stents will be used right now for patients who cannot tolerate surgery on carotid arteries (blood vessels leading to brain). Within 30 days of undergoing procedure, patients were less likely to die, or suffer a stroke or heart attack than patients who had undergone surgery, studies indicated. Dr Bobs take: This is a brand new device and there needs to be more experience gained with use of it. I would not advise rushing into this unless this is only alternative. And be sure that your surgeon has had experience in using this first. You don?t want to be first patient to be operated on.

Increased Death Rate With Antibiotic

A study in New England Journal of Medicine has shown an increased risk of death associated with antibiotic Erythromycin when taken with certain cardiac and high blood pressure medications. A review by a team of researchers looked at more than 4,000 people which then was narrowed to 1,476 records. The associated medications included Verelan and Isoptin for verapamil, Cardizem and Tiazac for diltiazem. Dr Bobs Take: this is a preliminary study which needs more studies to verify it. The reason suspected for deaths was that concentration of erythromycin was elevated when these medications were used. Until studies prove out this study I would simply talk with your doctor if your are on any of cardiac medications listed above.

Some Good News For Chocolate Lovers

Another report from European Cardiology meeting has shown that eating dark chocolate creates more flexibility for blood vessels. Hard or stiff blood vessels make us more prone to heart attacks. The study was done on a small group of 17 young adults but adds to growing literature on benefits of chocolate. The bad effects of this are potential for people to gain weight and lose benefits of chocolate. Dr Bobs Take: Although I am chocolate lover myself studies to date are not well controlled or large enough to make any solid recommendations like we have for wine.

In 1949, while conducting research on tuberculosis, Dr. H. Sherwood Lawrence discovered a means of "transferring" an immune system response from a healthy person to a person who is weak or infected. These "transfer factors" (the term coined by Dr. Sherwood) use white blood cell extracts as transporters for positive immune responses.

Dr. Lawrence's discovery of transfer factor science has been hailed as "one of most important medical breakthroughs of past half century." So, why have few people heard about it? In 1950, antibiotics were introduced and pharmacology gained new prominence in battling disease, triumphing in both popular media and scientific communities.

Researchers have continued to test and explore Lawrence's discovery. 4Life Research participates in this ongoing scientific research, result of which is 4Life Research patent of its Transfer Factor product and process.

In conclusion, it is very evident that good eating habits and exercise is not enough if we plan to maintain a healthy lifestyle. We must continually boost our immune systems to enjoy a long and healthy life.