Multivitamin use does not reduce the overall death rate nor the risk of cardiovascular disease nor most common cancers, according to recent results from the Women’s Health Initiative, which studies over 160,000 postmenopausal women.
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A two-year study of over 800 overweight men and women concluded that high or low fat, protein or carbohydrate content made no difference in weight loss. Overall weight loss was modest, but not insignificant. But regular attendance at group or individual counseling sessions provided substantial benefit. NEJM 2.26.09
Tom Daschle avoided or evaded substantial taxes for free use of a car and driver. Do you think that behavior is acceptable in the leader who is supposed to revamp our entire health care system?
The OHC weight management group dined tonight at the Atlantic Sea Grill in Acton. Good food, well-focused and productive discussion.
Jim Lehrer reported on the massive problems in primary care in Massachusetts in a piece on the News Hour on Jan 6, 2009.
Quest Laboratory vitamin D levels have apparently been unreliable for the past two years, according to the NY Times.
The flu virus for 2008-09 in the US appears to be unresponsive to Tamiflu (oseltamivir), but appears to remain responsive to Relenza (zanamivir) or amantadine. We have given most OHC patients flu shots.
A year ago, I wrote a letter to my Harvard Medical School alumni magazine, reflecting on the demise of primary care and my consequent transition to Orchard Health Care. I thought the subject might interest you.
The JUPITER study (just published in the New England Journal of Medicine) solidly demonstrates that treatment of healthy middle-age and older people with low cholesterol values but elevated levels of an inflammatory marker (high-sensitivity CRP) with a powerful statin (Crestor) can substantially reduce the incidence of heart attacks, strokes and death. We need to reconsider our use of this test and its place in our approach to cardiovascular risk evaluation and treatment in each of our patients.
A new study, code-named Jupiter, has been released at the cardiology meetings in New Orleans, showing that Crestor (a statin drug) reduces heart disease and stroke in people whose cholesterol levels were already low, but where one test (the C-reactive protein) was elevated. What does this mean for you?
