Vitamin D has direct effects on muscle strength modulated by specific vitamin D receptors in muscle tissue. Clinical trials of older individuals at risk of vitamin D deficiency show benefits form taking vitamin D supplements on strength, funciotn and balance in a dose related pattern, HA Bischoff-Ferrari et al have reviewed publications in this topic…
Read moreI have always felt that by reading papers from other scientific disciplines it is possible to learn new techniques which are well tried in another context . A series of 3 papers in Critical reviews in Food Science and Nutrition is a case in point. The papers are applied to thresh hold intakes for toxins,…
Read moreIn his 1972 paper “More is different”, Philip Anderson claimed that the behaviour of multi-component physical systems may cannot be understood from the laws that govern their component or microscopic parts – known as emergent or complex behaviour. This idea of Andersons is different form that of Stephen Hawking, who believes that when all fundamental…
Read moreA new theory for the causation of Alzheimer’s is being promoted. An article in Nature and expanded in a review in the same journal suggests that the underlying cause of the condition is not a β-amyloid but a close relative. That an amyloid related mechanism in the brain is responsible. This prunes neuronal connections in…
Read moreThe influence of different types of exercise on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases has rarely been investigated. The aim of a study by Pitsavos et al in the QJM 2009 was to evaluate the effect of adding resistance exercise to aerobic activities on lipid-lipoprotein profile, in a representative sample of men and women from the…
Read moreThis is a very good trial of the use of dietary fibre in the treatment of IBS.Increasing the intake of dietary fibre (either insoluble or soluble) is a universally advocated for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome No previous study on this treatment had been undertaken on its effects in the primary care setting, where…
Read moreRelative risks of obesity Greatly increased risk ( > 3) Metabolic Type 2 diabetes, gallbladder disease. hypertension, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, non-alcoholic fatty liver Direct effect Sleep apnoea, breathlessness, asthma, social Isolation, depression, daytime sleepiness/fatigue Moderately increased risk( 2-3) Metabolic Coronary heart disease, stroke, gout Direct effect Osteoarthritis, respiratory disease, hernia, psychogical problems Moderately increased risk…
Read moreObesity is a health hazard.Leff and Heath in a review in British Medical Journal 26 Sept 2009 p 740-746 stateThe surgical treatment of obesity can only be proposed if1. the BMI ( kg/m2) over 40unless they have co-existing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea when 35-40 suffices.2. failed to significantly loose weight…
Read moreBritain has been self sufficient in wheat for ever. Sufficient is grown ( 14 m tonnes in 2009). However there are new factors affecting this sufficiency.A biofuel refinery in Wilton North Tees will consume one tenth of the British wheat production. Which shaves off the flexibility from our wheat resources.The wheat that is used is…
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