Supplement News Blog Do We Need To Re-evaluate Maternal Weight Gain During Pregnancy? This month the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology published a study that found a direct link between maternal weight gain during pregnancy and overweight children. The study involved nearly 1500 child-parent pairs and followed maternal weight gain during the pregnancy and childhood weight up to age 3. The mothers weight gain was assessed as low, adequate, or excessive according to the Institute of Medicine's guidelines set in 1990. The IOM's guidelines list safe weight... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on April 4, 2007 04:32 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Additional Vitamin Supplements Improve Pregnancy Outcome in Developing Countries In the US and other developed countries most women take a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy. Here also the risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight babies is reduced. However, the same is not true in developing countries. Pregnant women in developing countries often do not have access to high nutrient foods or prenatal vitamins. The incidence of pregnancy loss, premature births, and small for gestational age babies is quite high compared to the US.... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on April 4, 2007 03:58 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Aspirin Improves Lifespan in Older Women Recent results from the Nurse's Health Study found that long term aspirin use may help to prolong lifespan in certain women. The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, gathered information on more than 70,000 women over two and a half decades. Women who enrolled in the study were both cancer and cardiovascular disease free at onset. They each answered questions about aspirin use as well as cardiovascular and cancer risk factors. After the... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on April 2, 2007 03:17 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Exercise Helps Prevent Fibroids Little information is known about the cause of fibroids, or uterine leiomyomas, or how to prevent them. What doctors do know is fibroids are affected by both progesterone and estrogen and their presence in the uterus causes heavy bleeding and severe dysmenorrhea, or cramping. Uterine fibroids are also one of the major causes of hysterectomy in perimenopausal women. They can grow as large as 10-12 cm in size and be quite debilitating. Researchers in North... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on March 29, 2007 12:35 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Plant Lignans May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk Previous studies suggest that diets high in soy foods rich in isoflavone phytoestrogens may reduce the risk of breast cancer. Lignans are bioactive plant estrogens found in plant foods such as flaxseed, tea, coffee, fruits, vegetables and grain products (bread, breakfast cereals, rice and pasta). However, soy isoflavones are plant estrogens that aren't lignans. Now research reports that a high daily intake of plant foods rich in lignans may decrease the risk of breast cancer... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on March 28, 2007 02:53 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) High Rate of Hospital Re-admission After Elective C-Section The rate of cesarean deliveries in the US has sky-rocketed over the last decade. Currently in many hospitals rates are 2-3 times the World Health Organizations advisory of 10-12 percent of all deliveries. This rise in cesearean deliveries is the result of several factors which include elective cesareans. Many women are now choosing an elective c-section either because of advanced maternal age, desire to keep the birth canal intact, or fear of complications of a... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on March 23, 2007 04:21 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) New Risk Factors For Early Miscarriage Identified A new study published this month in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology indentified new risk factors for early miscarriage. An early miscarriage is defined by a loss of pregnancy before 13 weeks gestation. Thousands of women across the globe will suffer from one or more 1st trimester miscarriages, some without knowing. There is a great amount of speculation why women may experience an early pregnancy loss, with some reasons based more in scientific,... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on March 23, 2007 03:09 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Alcohol Consumption Increases Breast Cancer Risk A study from Havard Medical School in Boston found that moderate alcohol consumption, just one drink per day, can increase a woman's risk for breast cancer. And the effect is dose dependent; the more alcohol a woman consumes the more her risk increases. The authors reviewed data from nearly 40,000 women enrolled in the Women's Health Study. During the 10 year follow up nearly 1500 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed, with more than 80%... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on March 19, 2007 04:52 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) HPV Infection Common In Women Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually-transmitted disease in the US. Some HPV strains are known to cause cervical and other genital cancers. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Gardasil, an HPV vaccine, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, Gardasil only protects against four HPV strains (there are over 100 known HPV strains). Now a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on March 10, 2007 03:42 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Don't Throw Out the Whole Milk Just Yet All the latest hype about dairy and dieting has focused on low fat or non-fat dairy products, but a new study from Sweden found that whole milk dairy products, that are high in fat, offered better resistance to long term weight gain. The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition this month and used information from more than 19,000 women to come to the conclusion that whole milk dairy products limit weight... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on January 22, 2007 11:45 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Overactive Bladder Common In Older Women An overactive bladder, also known as urge incontinence (UI), is the inability to control the flow of urine and is associated with feeling the need or urge to urinate. The two types of UI are stress incontinence which is triggered by activity (such as coughing) and urge incontinence which is a sudden and uncontrollable need to urinate (unrelated to activity). About 13 million Americans suffer from bladder control problems, and 11 million are women. Recent... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on January 15, 2007 01:15 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) NIH Study Finds No Evidence to Support Black Cohosh The latest study on black cohosh as a suitable alternative treatment for menopausal complaints found no evidence to support its use. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and conducted at Group Health in conjuction with the University of Washington. It was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers compared five different therapies in 351 women with menopausal complaints including at least two daily episodes of hot flashes for one... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on December 27, 2006 11:34 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Total Cholesterol Linked to Parkinson's Disease Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder. The exact cause behind the disease is not fully understood, and currently their is no cure, only palliative treatment. However, many doctors and researchers know of several preventative lifestyle factors that can help reduced one's risk for developing the condition. A new report in the American Journal of Epidemiology discusses a new finding relating cholesterol levels to reduced risk in women. The study utulized data from a... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on December 4, 2006 02:18 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Red Meat Increases Breast Cancer Risk in Young Women Young women who eat more red meat appear to be more at risk for developing certain types of breast cancer according to findings published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The findings were concluded after looking at information from more than 90,000 women enrolled in a nurses study. The women included in this study were followed for an average of 12 years and were cancer free and premenopausal at time of enrollment. Dietary habits were... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on November 20, 2006 04:53 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) How Dietary Choices Affect Pregnancy Outcomes The proper diet for pregnancy has always been an interesting debate. In general rich in all nutrients is prefered. For some women this may mean high protein and others this may mean high complex carbohydrates. But one thing is known for sure, diets high in sugar and simple carbohydrates are not well suited for pregnant women. But what about the baby? It is true that the only source of fuel for a growing baby is... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on November 14, 2006 09:41 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Obesity Lowers Ovarian Cancer Survival Ovarian cancer has a higher death rate than other women's reproductive system cancers including ovarian and uterine cancers. Research suggests that obesity is associated with breast, colon, esophagus, kidney, and endometrial cancers. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over two-thirds of American adults are overweight, and about half of those people are fully obese. Now research reports that overweight and obese women with advanced ovarian cancer have shorter survival rates.... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on November 12, 2006 02:46 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Teenage Girls Pressured Into Sex Previous research suggests that unwanted sex can lead to serious consequences including depression, anxiety and stress. Now research reports that many teenage girls feel pressured into having sex. The study found that unwanted sex was linked to a higher risk of sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy. The study, published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, investigated the prevalence of unwanted sex and its relationship to health-risk behaviors. Researchers at the Indiana University School... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on November 8, 2006 02:50 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Iron May Help Prevent a Certain Type of Infertility According to a new study in Obstetrics and Gynecology taking a daily iron supplement may help prevent certain types of infertility. The small study was conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health. Researchers analyzed dietary intake of more than 18,000 women who were pregnant or tried to conceive during an 8 year period. Infertility due to anovulation occured in 438 women. This is one type of infertility that occurs when a woman fails to... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on November 6, 2006 02:08 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) More Than Half of Mothers Polled: Sleep Deprived A recent poll found that more than half of mothers felt they were not getting enough sleep. 500 women in total were included in the study, and 270 (54%) felt they were not getting adequate amounts of sleep at night. The percentage increases when looking at those mothers who also work a full time job outside of the home to 59% of mom's not getting enough shut eye. The women were polled concerning reasons... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on November 3, 2006 01:56 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) How Glycemic Index Affects Weight Gain in Women A foods glycemic index is determined by the speed at which glucose, or sugar, enters the blood stream. Foods with a high glycemic index rapidly increase one's blood sugar and include white bread, table sugar, and bananas. Foods with a low glycemic index usually take longer to digest and slowly increase the blood sugar and include brown rice, leafy greens, and apples. The glycemic index of foods can effect the development of diabetes and metabolic... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on November 2, 2006 01:49 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Latest Cochrane Review Finds Effective CAM Therapies For Pain Relief During Labor Many women do not want to use pain medications or analgesia during labor and delivery so they often turn to alternative therapies such as massage, acupuncture, and hypnosis. Though the use of these CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) therapies is common, studies that measure their true efficacy are not. A recent Cochrane Review looked at all studies that assessed the effectiveness of CAM therapies used to ease the pain of labor and delivery. Data from... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on November 2, 2006 01:33 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Exercise Not Linked To Breast Density Research suggests that exercise is linked to a lower breast cancer risk. However, studies have not investigated if there is a link between exercise and mammographic breast density. Dense breast tissue is associated with breast abnormalities such as benign cysts or breast cancer. Dense tissue can also affect mammographic results and cause false negative mammograms. Now for the first time, research reports that exercise is not linked to breast tissue density. The study, published in... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on October 31, 2006 03:21 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Prenatal Vitamins and Brain Tumor Risk Healthcare providers have recommended that women who are pregnant or could become pregnant take a multi-vitamin with folic acid for decades. Now that most of these women have had children epidemiological studies can look at the effects of vitamin supplemenation on a variety of factors. In a new report researchers found offspring born to women who regularly took a prenatal vitamin are less likely to develop a brain tumor. The study, published in the September... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on October 27, 2006 02:51 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Cola Linked to Weak Bones in Women Consumption of cola, or carbonated beverages, has been associated with low bone mineral density in teenage girls, and now a new study finds similar results in women. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published results of a large analysis of more than 2,500 men and women. It looked at cola consumption, including regular, diet, caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks. They then measured bone mineral density in several areas of the hip and spine to determine any... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on October 15, 2006 12:23 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Exercise Helps Combat Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment Another report supports the wide range of benefits exercise offers to those diagnosed with cancer. In a small study of women undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer regular exercise reduced the occurance of anemia, a common side effect. Radiation treatment can cause anemia by damaging or destroying red blood cells and also by affecting the production of new cells. Women with severe anemia can suffer more severe fatigue and depression and also lose the ability... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on October 15, 2006 11:57 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment For Hot Flashes Hot flashes, a common symptom of menopause, has various treatment alternatives ranging from hormone replacement therapy to herbal supplements. Now acupuncture can be added to that list according to a study from the Stanford University School of Medicine. The study was small, with only 29 women participating. Each woman was randomized to 7 weeks of acupuncture or a sham treatment, with women not knowing which treatment they recieved. The results, published in Fertility and Sterility,... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on October 10, 2006 01:02 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) More Negative Effects of Smoking During Pregnancy Women are encouraged to quit smoking once they become pregnant for the health of developing baby. Smoking during pregancy has been proven to negatively effect the function of the placenta and can result in risks for both mother and baby. Women who smoke are more likely to have preterm labor, low birth weigh babies, and more medical intervention. Babies born to mothers are more likely to have breathing difficulties at birth and suffer from respiratory... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on October 6, 2006 04:33 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Folate Supplementation Still Important In US According to the most recent report from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) folate intake in the general population is still below targeted values. In 1998 the FDA implemented a folic acid enrichment program aimed at women of childbearing age, the young, and the elderly. Folate, or folic acid, is involved in the production of DNA, cellular replication, and when deficient can result in neural tube defects (NTD). The FDA's original goal was to have... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on October 6, 2006 02:22 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Progestin Affects Hearing Loss in Elderly Women According to a new study, progestin, a hormone commonly used to treat menopause, may increase the risk for hearing loss in elderly women. The report was presented in the September Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It is the first to document negative effects of progestin on hearing. A total of 124 women age 60-85 were used in the study. Women were either on estrogen alone, estrogen with progestin, or no hormones. A rigorous... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 30, 2006 10:51 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Uterine Fibroids and Phytoestrogens Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that have weak estrogen and anti-estrogen activity. They have been proven in clinical trials to effect certain hormone dependent conditions including menopause and cancer. A recent study from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle looked at the relationship between uterine fibroids and phytoestrogens. Uterine fibroids are benign growths that occur in women. A common condition, fibroids usually result in increased bleeding during menses and painful cramping. They can increase... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 29, 2006 12:47 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Weight Gain During Pregnancy Affects Newborn New evidence published in the September issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that the amount of weight a woman gains during pregnancy affects the health of her newborn. In the study information about weight gain and birth outcome of more than 20,000 single live births was analyzed. Researchers at the University of California San Francisco were interested in the relationship between maternal weight gain and neonatal health. In 2005 the American College of Obstetricians and... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 27, 2006 02:04 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy Many factors affect the person we become as adults. Genetics and environment play the largest role in shaping our adult selves. These two factors affect everything from the way we look to our personalities. A large share of research has been focused on understanding how genetics and environment shape personality including mood disorders and addictions. When thinking about alcohol addiction it is understood that certain genetic factors can increase one risk for alcoholism later in... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 23, 2006 01:06 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Antidepressants Increase Pregnancy Related Complications According to a new study from Canada, the use of certain antidepressants in pregnancy may not be as safe as previously assumed. The study was published in the August issue of Archives of General Psychiatry. It stated that selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, may increase pregnancy and neonatal complications. For the study researchers at the University of British Columbia examined birth records and prenatal history of more than 120,000 live births. Out of this... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 22, 2006 12:30 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Aspirin May Help Prevent Miscarriage A new study from Israel found that taking aspirin may help prevent miscarriage. The researchers at Sheba Medical Center wanted to test the hypothesis that blood clots forming in the placental vessels may be responsible for a percentage of recurrent miscarriages. Aspirin acts on metabolic processes in the body to reduce clotting via platelets. It is generally recommended to prevent heart attack in individuals with known risk factors for thrombosis, which can also cause strokes.... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 22, 2006 12:10 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Carbon Monoxide As A Treatment? We often think about danger when the words 'carbon monoxide' are spoken. But a preliminary laboratory study may have found a positive effect of carbon monoxide. According to a report in The American Journal of Pathology carbon monoxide may be a viable treatment alternative for pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia can be a fatal condition that develops during pregnancy. It is composed of several key clinical features including high blood pressure, edema, and protein in the urine. Women... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 18, 2006 10:30 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Women at Greater Risk of Depression with Approaching Menopause Many women do not realize that changes in mood can be a symptom of approaching menopause. While having depression at this time in life is more common, it is not considered normal. Women who experience depressed mood during perimenopause are more likely to have suffered from depression earlier in life, or had postpartum depression or depression associated with menstrual cycles. Women do not commonly experience depression for the first time once they reach menopause. There... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on September 17, 2006 07:47 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Elective Cesarean Section Increases Risk For Newborn Death Results from a new study examining the safety of elective cesarean deliveries found an increase in infant mortality. The results were published in the September issue of Birth. The rate of c-section delivery has dramatically increased over the last decade, without a subsequent increase in maternal or neonatal complications. One of the reasons for this increase is the growing number of women who choose a cesarean delivery even though they would be a perfect candidate... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 17, 2006 02:57 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) How to Bring "Freshness" Back into Your Marriage The divorce rate in the United States is startlingly high, with approximately 40% of marriages ending in divorce. Marriage or life partnership is the vector for personal growth and a defunct relationship can be injurious to health. Divorce itself is a significant stressor and has been associated with poor health outcomes. For those individuals stuck in a rut, not feeling happy in their marriage, feeling complacent or even considering divorce, you may want to pick... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on September 15, 2006 02:21 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Working Moms Have Better Health Deciding to work outside the home after having children is a difficult decision for some moms. New research suggests working moms tend to be healthier than their stay at home counterparts in the long run, affecting their health status well into their 50s. The study was published this year in the Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health and was conducted among moms living in England. Researchers from University College London examined data reported by more... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on September 15, 2006 01:28 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Active Lifestyle Improves Breast Cancer Survival A diagnosis of breast cancer can seem fatal, but it does not have to be. To date little evidence for lifestyle modifications as preventative means have been found for breast cancer. Now a study to be released next month in the journal Cancer finds that women with active lifestyles prior to diagnosis with breast cancer have improved survival compared to women who are less active. The study was conducted in conjuction with the Fred Hutchinson... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 15, 2006 11:02 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Chemicals in Cigarette Smoke Damage Breast Cells Cigarette smoking and cigarete smoke has been linked to various cancers including throat, lung, mouth, bladder, and uterine. However, it has not been linked to breast cancer. But new research from the University of Florida in Gainsville found a mechansim by which cigarette smoke condensate damages healthy breast epithelial cells. Cigarette smoke condensate, better known as tar, contains all of the chemicals in cigarette smoke, and can be used to better assess the effects of... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 14, 2006 03:42 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Find Mr. Right By Reading His Facial Clues Psychologists suggest that finding your significant other may involve reading their facial expressions. Now research reports that women effectively pick up men's facial clues to reveal if he's good for a short-term or a long-term relationship. The study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, investigated whether women track men's facial clues for interest in children and testosterone levels. Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, presented pictures of 39 male... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on September 13, 2006 01:34 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Biofeedback Helps Overactive Bladders An overactive bladder, also known as urge incontinence (UI), is the inability to control the flow of urine and is associated with feeling the need or urge urinate. About 13 million Americans suffer from bladder control problems, and 11 million are women. Statistics show that one in four women, ages 30 to 59, have experienced at least one episode of urge incontinence. In addition, up to one half of nursing home residents are incontinent. Now... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on September 11, 2006 02:30 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Blood Pressure Associated With Women's Sexual Dysfunction According to the American Heart Association, approximately 65 million U.S. adults have high blood pressure (hypertension). About half of those with high blood pressure are women. High blood pressure is classified as systolic blood pressure of 140 or higher and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90 or higher. Hypertension has been shown to be a risk factor for male sexual dysfunction. Now research reports that high blood pressure may also increase women's risk of sexual dysfunction.... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on September 7, 2006 02:49 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Female Athletes and the Female Athlete Triad A recent review published in Current Sports Medicine Reports this month stressed the need for proper nutrition and counseling in female athletes, especially those at risk for eating disorders. The lead author, Dr. Kathe Gabel wanted to make aware the signs and symptoms of the Female Athlete Triad. The Female Athlete Triad consists of three conditions: disordered eating, amenorrhea (loss of menstruation), and osteoporosis. The review was centered on a decades old concern that many... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on August 31, 2006 11:24 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Pregnancy Affects Inflammatory Bowel Disease Relapse Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects millions in the world. Both Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease are severely debilitating and can present with varying degrees of inflammation in the digestive tract. IBD can result in poor growth, malabsorption, and anemia. Serious complications such as bowel stenosis and perforation can result in the need for bowel surgery including removal of all or part of the large or small intestines. In pregnancy there is a shift in... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on August 31, 2006 11:23 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Dramatic Changes to the Women's, Infants and Children (WIC) Food Program For the first time since its inception, the WIC food program has made some sweeping changes in the items it agrees to cover. The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food program was started in 1974 and provided assistance to low income women with children. It is a federally funded program that works similar to food stamps, but covers a smaller list of foods. Traditionally the WIC program covered dairy products, eggs, and some beverages. Other... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on August 31, 2006 11:22 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Isoflavones Boost Immune Cells in Postmenopausal Women A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that soy isoflavones affect the immune system in postmenopausal women. The study was conducted at Washington State University. Researchers wanted to determine any effect a known phytoestrogen may have on the immune system given the strong effect that estrogen exerts on the immune system. As women age and experience menopause their endogenous production of estrogen declines as the ovaries begin to shut... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on August 29, 2006 04:47 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Smoking And Sex Differences According to the UK Department of Health, there are 13 million smokers in Britain, with 8 million wanting to stop and 4 million trying to stop smoking every year. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that about 5 million people worldwide die from tobacco use. Smoking is a major preventable cause of premature death and disease. Now the Sex & Smoking study commissioned for No Smoking Day reports that women are more emotionally... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on August 19, 2006 02:29 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Breastfeeding Still Faces Barriers Research suggests that breast milk is the best nutrition for infants. Breastfed children have a lower risk of respiratory infections, ear infections and obesity. Breastfeeding is also linked to higher IQ scores. Furthermore, mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of depression and breast and ovarian cancer. However, some parts of the U.S. continue to discriminate against breastfeeding. Now a study reports on the barriers for breastfeeding in public and the workplace. The study, published... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on August 16, 2006 01:55 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) MRI Helps Breast Cancer Risk A 45 to 65 percent lifetime risk for developing breast cancer is associated with inheritance of the two breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2. Unfortunately, annual mammograms often miss breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more sensitive, it increases costs and the rate of false-positive results. Now research reports that annual MRI plus mammography is cost-effective for women at a high risk for breast cancer. The... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on August 16, 2006 01:46 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Ten CDC Recommendations for a Healthy Pregnancy Pregnancy is one of the most special and critical times in a woman's life. Not only does she have to manage her own health, she must also look out for the health of her unborn child. A multitude of texts have popped onto the bookshelves, aimed at guiding women through a healthy nine months. However, preparing the body for pregnancy is often overlooked. In April of 2006, the Centers for Disease Control outlined what it... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on August 13, 2006 07:51 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Antidepressants Increase Stillbirth Risks Antidepressants are one of the most popular drugs used in the United States, where more than 10% of Americans take these psychiatric drugs. Use of antidepressants by pregnant and nursing mothers is not advised against, with physicians weighing the risk to the child against the risk of depression in the mother. Prior research has shown that taking SSRI (serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors) drugs, like Prozac and Wellbutrin, during pregnancy can increase of the risk of... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on August 12, 2006 03:07 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Who's happier with their Sex Lives, Men or Women? Happiness with sex lives among men and women appears to be related to the degree of equality among the genders and age. But, to answer the question, across the world men on average report at least 10 percentage points higher than women. According to the results of the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors, published in the April issue of the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior, countries where males dominate females, like the Middle... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on August 12, 2006 02:43 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Chest X-rays May Increase Breast Cancer Risk In general exposure to routine, clinically necessary chest x-rays should not dramatically increase one's risk for cancer of any type. But a study published in the July Journal of Clinical Oncology found one population subset that may be at a substantially increased risk for cancer after exposure to chest x-rays. Women with the gene mutation BRCA1 or BRCA2 have an increased risk for breast cancer, based on familial susceptibility. Many factors can increase their risk... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on August 7, 2006 02:15 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Pregnancy After Fibroid Surgery Achieving pregnancy after sugery can be difficult for women with a history of fibroids, with pregnancies often resulting in miscarriage. But a new surgery technique, the keyhole procedure, was recently reported on in the journal Fertility and Sterility that showed promising results for maintaining pregnancy after surgery. The keyhole procedure consists of a laproscopic procedure that removes the fibroids via a small incision in the uterus. In this particular study fibroids were 5cm in length... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on August 3, 2006 04:57 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Review of Alternative Treatments for Menopause The Archives of Internal Medicine published a comprehensive review of clinical trials that measured the efficacy of alternative treatments for menopausal complaints such as insomnia, low libido, and hot flashes. The review gathered information from more than 48 studies, and considered about most studies to be of fair to good quality. The authors of the review concluded that little evidence exists that alternative treatments are effective for menopausal symptoms, because a only about 25% of... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on August 2, 2006 12:19 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Review of Alternative Treatments for Menopause The Archives of Internal Medicine published a comprehensive review of clinical trials that measured the efficacy of alternative treatments for menopausal complaints such as insomnia, low libido, and hot flashes. The review gathered information from more than 48 studies, and considered about most studies to be of fair to good quality. The authors of the review concluded that little evidence exists that alternative treatments are effective for menopausal symptoms, because a only about 25% of... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on August 2, 2006 12:19 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Stress Promotes Growth of Ovarian Tumors Science has been looking for proof that stress impacts cancer growth, and some scientists and doctors even believe in extreme cases stress can cause cancer. Results from a new animal study proved that cancer growth is stimulated by the hormones produced in response to stress. The results were published in the journal Nature Medicine. Stress causes the release of three primary hormones in the human body: cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Most cells in the body... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on July 31, 2006 11:04 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Ease Back Pain During Pregnancy With Water Aerobics More than 1/3 of all pregnant women will report some degree of low back pain during pregnancy. Most low back pain occurs in the second half of the pregnancy and is related to stress on the low back muscles due to increased weight in the abdominal cavity (i.e. the baby). As the baby grows, weight load increases, but so does stress on the ligaments and bony structures supporting the frame. Many doctors and midwives are... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on July 31, 2006 04:29 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Smoking During Pregnancy Increases Behavioral Problems in Children Women who smoke cigarettes are encourage to quit when they become pregnant. Cigarette smoking during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight, premature delivery, and poor oxygen perfusion during labor that can complicate delivery. New research now states that smoking during pregnancy is associated with behavioral problems in preschool age children. The study was published in the July issue of Child Development. More than 90 children were enrolled who were between the ages of 12... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on July 31, 2006 01:59 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Decreased Use of Asthma Medications During Pregnancy Once a women finds out she is pregnant, it is almost first instinct to stop all activities that may threathen or harm the developing fetus. In many cases this will affect medication use. Women will start to read each and every label of any over the counter or prescribed medication and see the phrase "do not take if you are pregnant or nursing without consulting your healthcare provider". So they will stop taking the medication... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on July 29, 2006 03:51 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Sex In Late Pregnancy Encourages Labor You probably have heard the old wive's tale that sex in the last weeks of pregnancy can help bring on labor. The tale has even been a feature on popular nightime news magazines, but until recently there has been no evidence to support the belief. This June a study was published in the widely recognized journal Obstetrics and Gynecology that supported the tale. Many healthcare providers that attend deliveries and care for women during pregnancy... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on July 29, 2006 03:25 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Black Cohosh Linked To Liver Damage Black Cohosh is a popular herb in the US and Europe used to treat menopausal symptoms in women. The herb has increased in popularity for treating menopause since the Nurse's Health Study released in 2002 stated hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk for heart disease. Black Cohosh is exceptional for treating hot flashes and other symptoms of fluctuating hormone levels that are common for women to experience while going through menopause. It has long... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on July 28, 2006 03:22 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) The Antiperspirant-Breast Cancer Debate A possible link between antiperspirant use and breast cancer risk is being debated by the medical community. Some experts believe that antiperspirants containing aluminum salts can increase a woman's risk for breast cancer. Other experts argue that that there is no link between antiperspirant use and breast cancer. There have been few studies addressing this issue. Now research reports that aluminum salts (contained in antiperspirants) may influence women's estrogenic activity. One study, published in the... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on July 22, 2006 01:51 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Stress Increases Miscarriage Risk The majority of miscarriages occur within the first three weeks after conception. Some miscarriages are due to health problems with the fetus or the mother, but other miscarriages are due to an unknown cause. Few studies have examined the association between stress and miscarriage early in the pregnancy. Now research reports that stress may increase the risk of miscarriage during the first three weeks of pregnancy. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on July 19, 2006 02:24 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Obesity Increases Risk of Breast Cancer Breast cancer awareness has made its place in American society. Most women are well aware of the dangers of undetected breast cancer, the importance of regular clinical breast exams and mammography for early detection. Most research dollars are shuttled into finding a cure for breast cancer. What we often do not hear in the popular media is how to prevent breast cancer. Of course, there is a predetermined genetic component to certain types of breast... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on July 16, 2006 06:48 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) The Keys to Happiness as a Wife With the rate of divorce near 50% in the United States, elucidating what makes partners happy in a marriage is imperative. A survey of 5000 married women published in the journal, Social Forces, in March of 2006, describes the factors that are common in women who are happy in their marriage. Some controversial findings were discovered, including women who do not work outside the home are happier than those who do. However, what comes as... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on July 14, 2006 02:54 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Women Who Take Calcium Supplement Gain Less Weight Taking a calcium supplement later in life can help protect against osteoporosis, a condition characterized by bone mineral loss. Calcium supplementation in women may also slow weight gain when compared to those who do not take a daily calcium supplement says a new study in the Journal of American Dietetic Association. Weight gain in women is common after reaching menopause. Lifestlye factors such as exercise and eating well can help curb the weight gain that... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on July 11, 2006 04:40 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Study Links Hot Flashes with Insomnia For many women menopause (or getting to it) can be a trying time in life. The period that preceeds menopause can be filled with numerous symptoms that fluctuate on a day to day basis. And believe it or not this time in a woman's life can last several years. Menopause is defined as the period after ceasation of menstruation. Peri-menopause is the period of time leading up to menopause when a woman has irregular periods.... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on July 11, 2006 03:40 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Abdominal Fat Increases Colon Cancer Risk Our risk for certain cancers may be increased depending on where those extra pounds rest according to a new study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The study followed more than 350,000 men and women in Europe to determine which lifestlye factors affected cancer risk. They found that those men and women who carry more abdominal fat may be at increased risk for developing colon cancer. The men and women in the study... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on July 11, 2006 02:58 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Health Benefits of Low Fat Dairy The popularity of dairy products as a mean to lose weight is apparent every time we turn on the TV or drive by a billboard. Got milk seems to be a catch phrase for the last decade. Not surprisingly, all the latest research on the health benefits of dairy seems to be conclusive: Consumption of low fat dairy products does a body good. Low fat dairy products offer several nutritional benefits. They are high in... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 30, 2006 10:56 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Ovarian Cancer Risk Decreased By Acetaminophen Can regular use of the popular over the counter pain reliever reduce risk of ovarian cancer? Results of a new review of all studies on ovarian cancer and acetaminophen use say YES! The review was published in the July issue of British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. After reviewing more than 8 studies that involved 746.000+ women researchers came to the conclusion that acetaminophen, when used regularly can lower the risk of ovarian cancer by as... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 30, 2006 10:17 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) More Birth Choices For Women In most states in the US women have the choice to birth in a hospital and that is it. This simple fact can explain why nationally 99% of all babies are born in the hospital. Where are the other 1% of babies born you ask? They are born at home or in a free-standing birth center. These out of hospital births are usually attended by Licensed Midwives (LM) or Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM). In some... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 30, 2006 08:56 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Americans At Increased Risk For Diabetes The risk of developing diabetes is directly linked to weight. Those individuals who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop diabetes. This risk factor is independant of any family history, dietary habits, or lifestyle factors. Simply put, the more weight on your body that is fat and not lean muscle mass, the more likely you will develop diabetes. It is also true no matter what your age is, overweigth adolescents are at just... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 30, 2006 08:00 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Soy Component Healthy For Heart Over the last few years increasing evidence has emerged that soy products are beneficial for our health. Soy contains high amounts of protein of non-animal origin, it contains compounds that modulate sex hormone metabolism in the body, it is protective against cancer, and now evidence proves compounds in soy help lower cholesterol in women. The results of a new study were published in the Journal of Clinical and Endocrinology and Metabolism this month. In the... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 30, 2006 07:52 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Obesity Worse for Pregnancy Than Asthma Woman who are pregant carry some risk for complications from the mere physiologic processes of pregnancy. Throw asthma and obesity into the equation and the risk for a serious complication escalates. But which is the main culprit? Results from a study in Detroit provide evidence that obesity is the true offender in pregnancy, and that asthma simply takes the back seat. The study was published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology this July. It looked... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 30, 2006 06:33 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Attention All Women: The 5 Rules for a Healthier Life Obviously dietary and lifestyle choices make a huge impact on health. However, women should also take time to visit their family physicians for annual exams to screen for the major causes of death, which if detected early, can be prevented. 1. Heart Smarts: Get your heart tested - More women die from heart disease (480,000) every year than men. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States in both women and... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on June 30, 2006 05:34 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Majority of Women Do Not Understand the Pap Test The launch of marketing ads for a new vaccine to prevent HPV infection which can cause cervical cancer has reintroduced the Pap test to the popular media. Unfortunately, a survey unveiled at the last annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggested the majority of women don't even understand the Pap test. Researchers asked a total of 351 women (192 completed in English, 159 completed in Spanish) seven questions regarding the Pap... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on June 30, 2006 05:23 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Vaccine to Cure HPV by Summer of 2007? HPV is an abbreviation for a virus called human papilloma virus which is commonly transferred through sexual contact. There are many subtypes of HPV and in the majority of cases, patients are unaware of infection which usually resolves without treatment in 90% of cases. However, certain subtypes like HPV-16 cause cervical dysplasia, which shows up on a Pap test and can progress to cervical cancer if not treated. Many physicians had begun to test for... More» Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on June 30, 2006 05:14 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Women Smokers Double Risk for Lung Cancer Lung cancer is the number two cause of death related to cancer in men and women in the US. Smokers and non-smokers can develop lung cancer alike. However, a history of smoking or exposure to second hand smoke dramatically increases the risk and the likelihood that one may die due to the condition. A recent study published in the Journal of American Medical Association provides insight into the differences in risk between men and women.... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 30, 2006 04:57 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Breast Cancer Risk Increased If Cadmium High More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 30, 2006 12:49 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Weight Status Post Menopause Affects Breast Cancer Risk The Journal of American Medical Association published new data this July that shows the effect of weight gain and loss on breast cancer risk in women after entering menopause. In general prior studies have shown that women who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of breast cancer because fat cells produce a form of estrogen, estrone, which can be carcinogenic. This effect was only proven in women prior to menopause, when the ovaries... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 30, 2006 11:38 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Weight Status Post Menopause Affects Breast Cancer Risk The Journal of American Medical Association published new data this July that shows the effect of weight gain and loss on breast cancer risk in women after entering menopause. In general prior studies have shown that women who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of breast cancer because fat cells produce a form of estrogen, estrone, which can be carcinogenic. This effect was only proven in women prior to menopause, when the ovaries... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 30, 2006 11:38 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) VBAC Safe After Two Prior Cesareans Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is a hotly debated topic. Many obstetricians will strictly limit who can attempt a trial of labor following a previous C-section delivery. They state that the risk of uterine rupture, where the wall of the uterus splits open, is too high and a repeat C-section is necessary for safety of mother and baby. Even more so, women who have had multiple prior C-sections are not routinely offered a trial of... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 30, 2006 11:15 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Factors That Increase Menopause Symptoms Menopause is the period in a women's life that is reached once she quits menstruating or having a cycle. During this period her ovaries cease to produce an egg as well as estrogen, the primary female hormone. The period of time leading up to menopause, termed peri-menopause it often plagued by a myriad of symptoms related to the irregular production of estrogen by the ovaries. The most common menopausal symptom experienced by women is the... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 30, 2006 10:51 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Tai Chi Improves Strength and Function in Elderly Women Elderly women who are looking to increase function and strength may have a new alternative. In a study published this month in the journal Age and Ageing brisk walking was compared to the Chinese martial art Tai Chi. In the study Tai Chi was shown to increase strength, balance and flexibility in the legs. Tai Chi was developed in China in the early 1800's. It was originally created to be a soft form of martial... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 30, 2006 12:07 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Cow's Milk Allergies May Increase Rickett's Risk In children with a cow's milk allergy, the risk of developing Rickett's may be increased. Rickett's is a condition that develops due to inadequate Vitamin D intake. It is characterized by soft bones that lack proper mineralization. In an infant Vitamin D deficiency can result in life long consequences such as stunted growth. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on June 29, 2006 11:38 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Can Drinking Coffee Protect Women? Once again, a study has shown that coffee provides some benefit to our sanity and health aside from providing a jolt of energy. Coffee in a brewed form contains very high levels of antioxidants that are effective at scavenging free radicals in the body. A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition this may showed a protective action against inflammatory conditions in women. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on June 29, 2006 11:12 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Does Less TV = Less Obesity? Research shows that a sedentary lifestyle has contributed to the obesity epidemic in the U.S. Now, two new studies report that limiting television time helps prevent obesity in adults and children. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on June 29, 2006 11:01 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Fish Oils for Fighting Fat?! A double-blind, parallel, dietary intervention trial, presented at the national meeting of the Australasian section of the American Oil Chemists' Society in Adelaide, Australia, investigated the effect of fish and/or fish oil supplementation in combination with moderate aerobic exercise in overweight participants at risk for coronary disease. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on June 28, 2006 02:58 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Treating Fibromyalgia With Acupuncture A new study conducted by the Mayo Clinic found that patients receiving acupuncture for symptoms of fibromyalgia had noted improvement. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by pain, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. There are no proven treatments for the condition and those who suffer often manage their symptoms using a combination of medications and physical medicine (to include exercise). Acupuncture has been a popular choice for individuals who suffer from fibromyalgia, however previous trials that... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 28, 2006 02:56 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Losing Weight Reduces Breast Cancer Risk A lifetime risk of 45 percent to 87 percent for developing breast cancer is associated with the inheritance of the two breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2. Now, research reports that women who carry a BRCA1 gene mutation, between ages 18 and 30, had a 34 percent reduction in the risk of breast cancer when they lost at least 10 pounds. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on June 28, 2006 02:54 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Bacterial Vaginosis and Preterm Delivery During pregnancy women's immune systems are altered and often recurrent infections can occur. As well the high levels of hormones can change the environment in the vagina, making vaginitis or vaginosis a recurring issue. Often vaginosis may go undiagnosed because many healthcare providers will account for increased discharge and different odor as normal parts of pregnancy. For women with bacterial vaginosis, the risks of delaying testing and treatment can be costly. Bacterial vaginosis is a... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 28, 2006 12:24 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) High Rate of Infertility After Ulcerative Colitis Treatment Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the large intestine. Individuals with UC will have chronic, recurring bouts of bloody diarrhea due to breakdown of the lining of the digestive tract. They may also have severe anemia due to blood loss and poor immune function due to malabsorption. Ulcerative colitis can be severely debilitating. It definately decreases the quality of life for those who have difficulty managing the disease. For many the condition... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 28, 2006 11:33 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) DHEA Helps Cervical Dysplasia The human papilloma virus (HPV) is spread through sexual contact and can cause cervical dysplasia (abnormal cells on the female cervix), a pre-cancerous condition. If left untreated, cervical dysplasia may progress to cervical cancer. HPV is the most common sexually-transmitted disease in the US and cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Statistics estimate that about 6.2 million Americans become infected with genital HPV and half a million women are diagnosed with... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on June 26, 2006 01:49 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Exercise Improves Menopause Symptoms Exercise is recommended for all age groups as part of a healthy lifestyle to help maintain optimum wellness and improve quality of life. Now research reports that regular exercise helps improve mental and physical menopausal symptoms in women. The benefits of exercise include improved bone density (decreasing the risk of osteoporosis), stronger bones and muscles, reduced body fat, lower cholesterol, and less insomnia, migraines and mood changes. In a recent study published in the Journal... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on June 26, 2006 01:36 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Waist and Hip Size Predict Heart Risks The case-control study, published in the journal Lancet (2005, vol. 366, no. 9497), compared WHR and BMI in predicting the risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack). Canadian researchers at McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Canada, analyzed the medical records of 27,098 participants in 52 countries, representing major ethnic groups. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on June 26, 2006 01:22 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Ovarian Cancer Risk Increases With Weight Women who are overweight have one more reason to lose the extra pounds. A study published in the June issue of Cancer found that women who are overweight in young adulthood and those who become overweight in late adulthood are more at risk for developing ovarian cancer. The risk is more significant for overweight women who have not have children. The study is not the first to document the connection between obesity and ovarian cancer,... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 23, 2006 02:48 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Winding Down May Lower Risk For Heart Attack For many Americans weekends simply mean more time to get stuff done around the house. We see time off from work as a way to accomplish other tasks in our lives, and not as a means to relax. This is part cultural, because we live in a go faster, do more world and also due to our own anxieties over needing to fill the time. We may need to change our thinking. According to a... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 23, 2006 02:24 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Serotonin May Link Migraine and High Libido Though we may not have heard it personally, most are aware of the old excuse "Not tonight honey, I have a headache." What is sometimes laughingly referred to as the best excuse to get of intimacy with your partner may not be true. In fact the opposite may be true. A new study published in the June issue of Headache has found a link between migraine headaches and high sex drive. The study was developed... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 23, 2006 02:01 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Weight Gain Impacts Breast Cancer This month the journal Cancer published the results of a study that show an increased risk of developing breast cancer based purely on weight gain in adulthood. The study wanted to determine if increased fat posed as a risk factor for the disease, regardless of other variables. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on June 23, 2006 01:14 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Environmental Sensitivity In Women Women diagnosed with environmental sensitivity (ES) often are limited in terms of dietary choices. Researchers in Halifax Nova Scotia surveyed the dietary habits of 12 women with environmental sensitivity to determine if the diet was adequate in terms of nutrient intake. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on June 23, 2006 12:47 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Fear of Childbirth and C-section Rate A new study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women with a fear of childbirth may be more likely to have a caesarean section if they received counseling during the pregnancy. Researchers in Sweden had orginally set out to determine the prevalence of fear of childbirth in women as well as analyze how those fears may or may not affect outcome. They enrolled 2662 women in the study from a... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 22, 2006 01:19 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Are You What You Eat? It's widely believed that a low-fat diet high in fruits, vegetables, and grains offers numerous disease-fighting benefits. Established recommendations for disease prevention include following a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol. However, a large study has recently found little evidence that following a low-fat diet reduces the risk of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, or heart disease. The results of this study have experts questioning if diet alone can prevent or reverse chronic... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on June 21, 2006 01:55 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Should Pregnant Women Avoid Canned Tuna Altogether? The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has recommended that women who are pregnant, nursing, or trying to become pregnant eat no more than one can of light tuna a week, or 1/2 can of albacore tuna a week. In some cases the recommendation is to avoid albacore and eat only light tuna if eating tuna at all. This recommendation comes from the fear that the high levels of mercury found in tuna may damage the... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 20, 2006 03:42 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Gardasil Vaccine Approved Previous research has shown that a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine can effectively prevent infection with the HPV strains that cause most cervical cancers. HPV is the most common sexually-transmitted disease in the US and cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Statistics estimate that each year about 6.2 million Americans become infected with genital HPV and half a million people are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Now the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)... More» Posted by Elaine Gavalas on June 20, 2006 02:39 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Yoga Improves Quality of Life During Radiation Treatment Breast cancer treatment almost always involves radiation. The radiation may or may not follow surgery and chemotherapy. During the treatment and for several weeks following many women will report energy is very low, physical ability is hampered, and quality of life is decreased. As well many women may struggle with feelings of depression and anxiety about their health and treatment. Mindful-based stress reduction has been proven to improve quality of life in women and men... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 19, 2006 01:18 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Study Questions Use of Iron in Pregnancy Iron deficiency anemia is common in pregnancy. It occurs due to two separate mechanisms. First is the process of hemodilution and second due to sequestration of iron by developing fetus. In order to treat iron deficiency anemia most doctors recommend that women take a daily iron supplement and increase iron containing foods in their diet. Most pre-natal vitamins also contain some iron. However, not all women will become anemic and not all women need to... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 13, 2006 02:46 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Irritable Bowel Symptoms Improved with Cognitive Therapy Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects nearly 20% of all adults at some time in their life. It has been stated that more than 35 million Americans have the condition, with women twice as likely than men to develop it in their lifetime. IBS is closely linked to stress and often conventional treatment has little success. A study was presented in Los Angeles this year at the Digestive Disease Week 2006 that reported improvement in sufferers... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 13, 2006 02:10 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Repeat C-sections Unsafe Elective cesarean section (C-section) has become an increasing trend. In the US more than 1/4 women or 25% deliver via a C-section even though the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that percentage be closer to 10%. In some countries in the world the C-section rate is much higher, with the majority of women chooosing C-section over vaginal delivery to protect bladder and bowel function as well as tone of pelvic floor muscles. A new report... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 13, 2006 01:57 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Transcendental Meditation Improves Risk Factors Associated with Heart Disease Individuals with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) are often on a list of prescription medications to treat a variety of complaints including high blood pressure, high blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) and high blood sugar (diabetes). In some cases these medications need to be adjusted numerous times to reach an optimal dose and result in several side effects that can lower quality of life. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine this month documented... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 13, 2006 11:53 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Migraine Symptoms Reduced with Antioxidant Combo Millions of individuals suffer from migraine headaches. Almost one in four women and one in ten men report having migraine headaches. Some individuals do not respond to conventional treatment. A new study published in the respected journal Headache in May of 2006 showed that a combination antioxidant treatment can be effective for those who do not respond to prescription medications. The small study tested the efficacy of a capsule containing pine bark extract, Vitamin C... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 13, 2006 11:53 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Migraine Symptoms Reduced with Antioxidant Combo Millions of individuals suffer from migraine headaches. Almost one in four women and one in ten men report having migraine headaches. Some individuals do not respond to conventional treatment. A new study published in the respected journal Headache in May of 2006 showed that a combination antioxidant treatment can be effective for those who do not respond to prescription medications. The small study tested the efficacy of a capsule containing pine bark extract, Vitamin C... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 13, 2006 11:33 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Is there a link between postpartum depression and infant colic? A new study published in the Archives of Diseases in Childhood this May found a possible link between infant colic and postpartum mood disorders in women. The study did not address causal relationships, but more so focused on the incidence of postpartum depression, infant colic, and attachment disorders. Researchers in Turkey did not determine which came first, which may not even be important. Postpartum depression is more common than one would think. It is often... More» Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 13, 2006 10:58 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Choosing the Right PMS Treatment Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a collection of symptoms that occurs near the onset of menses. Many women describe changes in mood, abdominal and pelvic, pain, bloating and food cravings as some of their primary complaints. They often take over the counter conventional remedies or pain relievers which may even be prescription strength. However, when consulting a naturopathic physician for PMS treatment, the approach is somewhat different. PMS can be further categorized according to the patient's... More» Posted by Brad Chase on May 31, 2006 10:26 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Stress and Overeating Many women who are overweight will blame increased food intake in response to stress. Stress eating and anxiety are prevalent among perimenopausal women, and can be a difficult hurdle to overcome when attempting weight loss. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 15, 2006 05:12 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Green Tea and Overweight Women In a 3-month placebo-controlled study women were given green tea extract in conjunction with a low energy diet to determine effect on weight loss, lean body mass, and total fat mass. The study was conducted in the Netherlands at Maastricht University. Results were published this December in the British Journal of Nutrition. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 15, 2006 04:52 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Breastfeeding Reduces Risk of Diabetes in Children Breastmilk is the best choice of nutrition for infants and young children, but an alarming number of mothers still choose to raise their babies on formula. Research has shown that the benefits for both mother and baby are vast, and now a new article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association 2005;294 (20):2601-2610) indicates yet another plus for nursing mothers - a lower incidence of developing type 2 diabetes. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 14, 2006 07:06 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Lactation for Type II Diabetes Prevention? Can lactation protect a woman from the development of Type 2 Diabetes? It would seem a plausible hypothesis, based on previous studies. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 12, 2006 04:24 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Men, Smokers, & Drinkers May Develop Colon Cancer Sooner Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths. Routine colorectal screening is recommended for people age 50 and older, since early detection has been shown to improve survival. Now, research reports that colon cancer may start earlier in men, current smokers, and current drinkers. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 11, 2006 07:49 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Being A Part of A Couple Impacts Your Health The debate over being single or in a relationship continues, but a new study published in Journal of Social and Personal Relationships (22;5 2005) may have the answer when it comes to happiness. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 9, 2006 03:15 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Maternal Diabetics Affect Fetal Nutrition Status Mothers with pre-existing Type I or Type II diabetes are at increased risk of having an infant with diabetes. Infants born to mothers with diabetes are also at an increased risk for developing obesity later in life. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 9, 2006 03:01 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Iron Status of Infants in "WIC" Programs Researchers in California set out to determine exact incidence of iron deficiency, anemia, and iron deficiency anemia in infant's age 12-36 months. Participants were enrolled in the WIC program in two different California clinics. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 9, 2006 02:52 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) The Consequence of Taking Antidepressants During Pregnancy Women taking antidepressants (specifically serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRI) like fluoxetine and paroxetine) during pregnancy have need to worry about the effects to their baby. Although, to date, these drugs have not produced birth defects in infants, an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (2005;293:2372-2383) shows that they cause behavioral problems in the newborn, prompting the FDA to change the category for drug safety in pregnancy. The effects observed in the newborn... More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 8, 2006 06:46 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Iron Status may Influence Hair Loss An article published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2003;121(5):) examines a measure of iron status, ferritin, in relation to different forms of hair loss in a population of women. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 3, 2006 01:11 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Hair Loss in Women Hair loss, or alopecia, in women is a psychologically disturbing condition. Our society deems luscious locks a part of female beauty, so when a woman loses her hair it has a serious impact on self-esteem. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 3, 2006 01:07 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Understanding Hair Loss An article published in American Family Physician (2003;68:93-102,107-108) reviews alopecia, including causes and medical treatment options. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 3, 2006 01:03 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Does Sun Exposure Worsen Hair Loss? An article published in Dermatology (2003;207(4):343-348) discusses some previous findings related to the effect of sun on the exposed scalp. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 2, 2006 10:27 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Can Calcium Lower Colon Cancer Incidence? The New England Journal of Medicine published the results of a study conducted in February 2006 that examined the effects of a seven year supplementation with calcium and Vitamin D on colorectal cancer incidence in postmenopausal women. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 2, 2006 10:17 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Women Outlive Men For many years, women have outlived men in countries such as the U.S., England, and Sweden. However, this has not been the case in some third world countries where medical care is scarce. Nonetheless, now for the first time, an editorial reports that women outlive men worldwide. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 2, 2006 10:12 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Vitamin D and Breast Cancer A report at the American Association for Cancer Research states Vitamin D may lower risk for developing breast cancer. The report, presented by Julia Knight from Mount Sinai Hospital, outlined relationship between cancer risk and exposure to Vitamin D. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 30, 2006 04:26 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Gingko Helps to Fight Breast Cancer Extracts of Ginkgo biloba leaves have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for millennia to treat numerous health problems. Gingko contains potent flavone glycoside antioxidants that counter free-radical activity. Now, research reports that Gingko biloba has anti-cancer effects and may help fight breast cancer. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 30, 2006 10:22 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Exercise and the Woman's Heart Heart disease is the top cause of death in women in the US. Not being physically fit is the most important risk factor for heart disease and cardiac death. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 30, 2006 10:16 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Calcium, Strength Training Thwart Osteoporosis Few studies have investigated the interactive effects of calcium intake, exercise, and hormone therapy on osteoporosis. However, newer research reports that a combination of daily calcium intake and strength training exercise effectively prevents osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 17, 2006 07:46 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Exercise: More Important During Pregnancy? Women who are pregnant are always counseled on the importance of exercise. Exercise during pregnancy helps protect against excessive weight gain, high blood pressure, and the development of toxemia of pregnancy. It also improves birth outcome. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 11, 2006 09:51 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Do Antioxidants Help Pre-Eclampsia? It has been recommended to increase the intake of Vitamin C and Vitamin E, two antioxidant vitamins, in order to prevent the onset of pre-eclampsia. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 11, 2006 01:50 AM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) The Risks Associated with Sleep Loss Sleep loss can significantly affect your health, safety, work performance, and quality of life. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) reports that over 70 million of American adults suffer from insomnia. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 10, 2006 06:22 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Does Nail Health Define Your Overall Health Status The health and condition of our nails reflects our overall health status. "The nails can be windows to a patient's overall health, and while the nail itself is dead tissue, the areas under the cuticle and beneath the nail are alive," says dermatologist Richard K. Scher, M.D., professor of clinical dermatology at Columbia University Medical School, in a news release. More» Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 10, 2006 06:04 PM Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) Folic Acid and Spina Bifida