Laterlife Healthwise - 73
April 2006

Fish oils and statins

The health benefits of eating oily fish and taking Omega-3 supplements have been questioned recently. A review online in the British Medical Journal casts doubt on the efficacy of Omega-3 to prevent heart disease. The benefits are not clear from the evidence, says the new report. Cardiovascular disease is one of the biggest health problems in the UK and causes around 238,000 deaths per year. This year, an extra 3.3 million people will become eligible for statins to treat heart disease, thanks to new NHS guidelines. Recently, statins have been hailed as a wonder drug which can decrease the harmful cholesterol in the blood that can cause heart attacks and strokes.

Other research suggests that a combination of omega-3 fish oil and statins could be even more effective at saving lives. Omega-3 supplementation alongside statins has been highlighted in research supported by The American Heart Association. And in Japan, researcher Mitsuhiro Yokoyama, of the Division of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Medicine at Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, concluded, ‘The results appear to justify the use of omega-3 fatty acids since they can add to the beneficial effects of statins’.

Statins work by blocking cholesterol production in the body through inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA. Fish oils have a long history linking them with protection against cardiovascular disease. So it's still worth taking a daily supplement or eating fatty fish such as mackerel, herring, salmon, trout, tuna a couple of times a week, though it's worth noting the slightly ambiguous words of the Japanese researcher.....'appear to...' and 'can add to...' .

Not a dry eye in the house

Not a dry eye in the house

More on fish oils.... Dry eye syndrome is a condition affecting older people, and there are indications that oily fish again might help, according to a large-scale study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Nearly 32,500 women aged 45-85 were assessed for fish oil intake.

Those who ate plenty of oily fish experienced a decreased incidence of dry eye syndrome, leading researchers to conclude that oily fish is protective. Tuna consumption was particularly associated with the results. Tuna contains omega 3 and 6.

HRT latest

According to a study in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, HRT (hormone replacement therapy) can make some women incontinent. The new study involved 2,763 postmenopausal women who tested the drug against a placebo.

The study found that the HRT group was almost twice as likely as the placebo group to suffer incontinence, a problem that began soon after starting on the drug. Researchers aren't sure why this happens, but they say that doctors should warn women about it before they start on HRT.

If you don’t want to take HRT, you can help yourself in other ways:

• exercise for 20-30 minutes (walking will do) 3 or 4 times a week - this not only helps maintain fitness but reduces heart disease risk and strengthens bones

• maintain a healthy diet, including foods with calcium - not just milk products but salmon and green leafy vegetables. Calcium slows down bone thinning and helps prevent fractures.

• drink a small glass or 2 of red wine to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

• wear layers of clothing to peel off if you suffer from hot flushes

• have a glass of water beside the bed; wear cotton nightwear and sleep with the window open if you suffer from night sweats

• enjoy the sunshine when possible (using SPF) - this stimulates vitamin D production which helps the body absorb calcium - essential for healthy bones and teeth

• if you smoke, stop; smoking can make symptoms worse and increase loss of bone density

Black cohosh, soy isoflavones, sage extract, evening primrose oil are among the complementary remedies that can make the menopause easier.

Read all about it

The RNID catalogue offers a range of products to help deaf and hard of hearing people. You will find such products as smoke alarms, alarm clocks, doorbells for sale at reasonable prices. Contact the RNID on information@rnid.org.uk  or ring 0808 808 0123 or textphone 0808 808 9000 and ask for their catalogue.

They also have a tinnitus helpline: tel 0808 808 6666 textphone 0808 808 0007.
And they sell equipment for deaf and hard of hearing people too. Email solutions@rnid.org.uk . And see the stuff on their website www.rnidshop.com . If you would prefer a text-only version paste http://www.rnid.org.uk
/newsletter.txt  into your browser.


Latest on asthma

Just a few things to know if you suffer from asthma: feather pillows are less likely to host potentially harmful fungi than synthetic ones…. A type of vitamin D could help people who can’t take steroids breathe more easily….A new asthma drug, Omalizumab, has been developed for allergic asthma symptoms that can’t be controlled by existing medicines.

And as if you haven’t already guessed - regular exercise is safe for asthma sufferers, and improves heart and lung function. For advice on asthma contact www.asthma.org.uk/adviceline

In edition 72:-   

In edition 72 of  healthwise Helen covers 6 new topics:

Breathing technique for chest problems

You might want to try Buteyko breathing techniques.

Self-monitoring hypertension

Home measurement of blood pressure is best for the elderly with hypertension

Calling all allergy sufferers

All too often allergy symptoms are not taken seriously...

Dangers of an underactive thyroid

This condition can lead to heart problems over time.

Still trying to give up smoking

You might want to consider herbal cigarettes

New online befriending service from Cancer Research UK

Cancer Research UK is currently testing a new befriending service via the internet.

Index to all previous Healthwise editions

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Maximise your memory

This work provides detailed instructions, illustrations and sample exercises that show the reader how to build a system of personalized frameworks for storing and recalling information on demand.        

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