Nov 18, 2012 | Community Outreach, Diet and Nutrition, Holistic Health
Low vitamin D levels are associated with depressive symptoms. That is the main conclusion by researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the Cooper Institute in Dallas in a cross-sectional study of 12,564 participants. Given this finding, is vitamin D the new wonder pill for depression?
Why the focus on vitamin D?
For the past five years, prominent studies disclosed the risks associated with vitamin D deficiency. In 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found that the evidence supported the importance of vitamin D along with calcium in promoting bone health, but not for other health outcomes. In contrast, the studies of Pearce (2010) and Holick (2007) associated vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for various medical conditions, including autoimmune diseases, vascular disease, infectious diseases, osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers.
What does the latest study on vitamin D for depression suggest?
Using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), higher vitamin D levels were associated with a significantly decreased risk for depression. The Dallas study reported that participants with higher vitamin D levels were 0.92 times less likely to have depression compared to participants with lower vitamin D levels. Note that the study found stronger association particularly for those who had previous history of depression.
What can we learn from the study?
Based on findings from different studies, it is important for patients to be screened on vitamin D levels to determine the risks and threats to bone health, and mental health as well. It is clear that vitamin D is a critical supplement for bone health, and its role in preventing depression has been emerging in recent studies.
How much vitamin D supplement do I need?
On these aspects, it is helpful to start with the IOM recommendations for bone health. At all age levels, except for those over 70 years old, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is 600 International Units (IU) daily. For persons older than 70, the RDA is 800 IUs. (The IUs are boldly printed on the labels of over-the-counter vitamin D.) For the upper limits, the IOM concluded that intakes more than 4,000 IUs of vitamin D per day increase the risk for harm. Please note that the Dallas study does not indicate the recommended intake levels for vitamin D with reference to depression.
How should I consult with my health care provider?
In the next visit to your health care provider, it would not hurt to ask for vitamin D levels in your blood draws. It is also certainly helpful to tell your provider what other supplements you take regularly. This is important because, by doing so, you can help prevent adverse drug reactions and unfavorable interactions among the medications and supplements you take.
Above all, it is not only ourselves that we need to consider for the vitamin D screening and subsequent supplementation; we need to suggest screening to our loved ones as well. In light of the Dallas study, it is highly recommended for those with history of depression to have vitamin D level screenings. That suggestion could spell the difference in taking away depression during the holidays and beyond.
Nov 13, 2012 | Family Medicine, Holistic Health
The use of antibiotics to treat the common cold has the potential to significantly harm your health. How we diagnose and treat these illnesses is of utmost importance, not so much with regards to attempting to “cure the cold,” but rather to not offer ineffective and inappropriate prescription medications, specifically in the form of antibiotics. Incorrectly prescribing antibiotics increases the likelihood of adverse drug reactions, increased expenditures within a limited health care budget and, perhaps most importantly, worsens the already present problem of antibiotic resistance.
What is an Upper Respiratory Infection and What Causes it?
An upper respiratory infection is defined as an infection caused by a pathogen (an agent that can cause a disease) that occurs in the nose, sinuses and/or throat. The symptoms of an upper respiratory infection are body aches, low-grade fevers, nasal congestion, sinus pain and pressure, sore throat, and cough that can last from a few days to approximately two weeks.
By far, the most common pathogens that cause these infections are viruses (as opposed to bacteria). It is vital to understand that viruses and bacteria are very different classes of pathogens that are not treated the same and it is your physician’s job to determine which of these microorganisms is most likely causing your infection.
Generally speaking, if your symptoms are relatively mild as described above, your physician should diagnose you with a viral infection and it is important to understand that the color of your mucus, even if it is yellow or green, is not predictive of having a bacterial infection and is, therefore, not a reason to request or prescribe antibiotics.
Antibiotics and Drug Resistance
Antibiotics simply do not work to alleviate or shorten the duration of colds. In fact, using antibiotics in this setting can be quite harmful. Although enormously beneficial for the treatment of bacterial infections, over the past 70 years antibiotic use has also been associated with bacteria adapting to them, a process better described as “drug resistance,” which, in turn, has rendered these medications less effective. Unfortunately, one of the prime reasons that bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics is their misuse in treating the common cold.
If a patient is infected with drug-resistant bacteria it is more likely that he or she will have a difficult time eradicating the infection. The first-line antibiotic will not be effective, the infection may linger or progress, and additional antibiotics will be required that are expensive and may have side effects. Hospital stays can be prolonged and the patient will be more likely to die as a result of the infection.
How Best to Treat a Cold
So, what can be done to alleviate this situation? To begin, learn to recognize the symptoms of a cold caused by virus (described above). If you think that you have a cold, it is best to rest, drink plenty of fluids and use a nasal saline spray to lessen nasal congestion. It is also ok to use acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen to help relieve pain or fever. Consider judicious use of over-the-counter cold remedies, which may alleviate some of your symptoms but have not been proven to shorten the duration of your illness.
When you have a cold, it is also important to minimize the chance that you will infect those around you. Cover your face and nose when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands or use a hand-sanitizer. If your symptoms worsen, high fever develops or if you have trouble breathing, you should contact your physician right away.
Sam Altstein, DO, is a Family Practitioner at Beth Israel Medical Center.
Nov 12, 2012 | Diet and Nutrition, Exercise, Holistic Health, Integrative Medicine, Popular, Women's Health
Autumn in the Northeast is a time of dramatic change—cooling weather, a respite from the summer’s heat and humidity, the start of the new school year, beautiful colors, and a return to familiar routines at home and at work. This time of transition is also the perfect chance to pause, reflect, and take the opportunity to reconnect with and recommit to living your best life. When you live with authenticity, integrity and in the way that best serves you (and others), the rewards are immeasurable. Here are some easy steps to begin your journey:
* Become your own best health advocate. Make sure you have your annual physical exam, appropriate screening exams (mammogram, pap smear, colonoscopy, etc.), vaccinations, and dental exam and cleaning. Take your medication compliantly as prescribed. Stop smoking and drink alcohol in moderation.
* Exercise consistently. Walk to your destination and ditch the elevator and take the stairs instead. Invest in a bike and use it to explore the city. Join the gym and work out with friends. Practice yoga, jog along the riverbanks, move your body!
* Improve your diet and maintain a healthy weight. Replace fast food and processed snacks with healthful, fresh fruits and vegetables. Cook at home and use portion control. Be adventurous and try new foods. Plant a garden. Most importantly, eat mindfully and with intention.
* Ensure success and avoid failure by setting realistic, attainable goals. Replace “I can’t” with “I can!”
* Do one thing that scares you and reward yourself for embracing your fears. Challenge yourself to redefine your own limits and expand your own possibilities.
* Each year, check at least one thing off your personal “bucket list.” Don’t have a bucket list? Make one—a list of all the things you want to do in your lifetime.
* Set personal boundaries with others and speak your own truth…kindly and respectfully.
* Spend time with friends and family in person. Cell phone calls, texts, emails, Skype, Facebook and other social media tools serve a very real purpose, but they do not compare to quality time spent in the flesh with those we care about. So, call a friend and make a lunch date!
* Keep a journal and record your thoughts, experiences, goals, desires and dreams.
* Meditate and breathe. Set aside as little as 5 minutes daily to tune out the chatter and tune back into yourself and the power of your breath.
* Forgive yourself and give yourself permission to make mistakes. No one’s perfect and no one expects you to be. Forgive others their mistakes, too.
* Get involved with your community.
* Play with your kids and tell them “yes” more often than you tell them “no.”
* Make amends and end a feud. Holding onto anger and grudges serves nothing and no one.
* Make a donation and pay it forward. Give to those in need (money, time, your skills, gently used clothes, food).
* Build good karma and do at least one kind thing daily without expecting anything in return. It feels good to do good.
* Mind your manners. “Please”, “thank you” and “you’re welcome” are too often neglected.
* Engage your mind and heart. Turn off the television and computer and read a book or write a poem or letter. Take a walk. Watch the sun rise. Watch the sun set.
* Give thanks for the abundance that surrounds you and remember to see the good first and foremost
* Start each day by setting an intention.
* End each day by making an honest assessment. Remember, tomorrow gives you nothing but new opportunities.
* Enjoy your best life as you live in alignment with your most authentic and heart-centered self.
Jennifer Svahn, MD, FACS, is a Vascular Surgeon at Beth Israel Medical Center and a Registered Yoga Teacher.
Nov 6, 2012 | Holistic Health
Guest post by Abigail Strubel, MA, LCSW
Everyone knows how important it is to get a good night’s sleep, but not everyone has an easy time falling asleep. Here are 10 tips that might help you stop tossing and turning and start resting and dreaming: (more…)
Oct 18, 2012 | Holistic Health, Integrative Medicine, Pediatric Care, Pediatrics, Surgery
Guest blog post by Andrea L. Hughie, RN, MSN.
Little Samirawit Hailemariam (Sami) was introduced to the INN (Hyman-Newman Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery) at Mount Sinai Roosevelt in August of 2011. Initially a shy and guarded four year old, Sami left her family in Ethiopia to travel to New York City for advanced treatment of her life threatening venous malformation. If left untreated this dangerous collection of vessels could have caused Sami to bleed to death. In her eight months in the United States the large venous malformation that covered the entire left side of her face and mouth was significantly reduced and stabilized by the advanced technology and techniques of Dr. Alejandro Berenstein and Dr. Milton Waner. (more…)
Oct 16, 2012 | Diet and Nutrition, Health Tips, Holistic Health
The time has come to grab a basket and head out to your nearest farmers’ market or grocery store because we have reached the season for fresh fruits and vegetables! Fall is a great time to fill your crisper and kitchen counter with great-tasting fruits and vegetables for your family. Here are a couple of my favorite fall veggies and fruits to spice up the season and some reasons why you should include them on your plate. (more…)
