Dr. Gwen's Women's Health Podcasts

Scientific evidence indicates that calcium and vitamin D play key roles in bone health. The current evidence, however, does not support other benefits for vitamin D or calcium intake. Higher levels have not been shown to confer greater health benefits, and in fact, they have been linked to other health problems, challenging the concept that "more is better." Recommended Calcium/Vitamin D Dietary Reference Intakes are available at: http://iom.edu/Reports/2010/Dietary-Reference-Intakes-for-Calcium-and-Vitamin-D/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/2010/Dietary-Reference-Intakes-for-Calcium-and-Vitamin-D/calciumvitd_lg.jpg

Women who have an alcoholic drink or two in midlife turn out be in healthier overall in their old age, a new study presented at the American Heart Association annual meeting in Chicago is reviewd. Also discussed is another study presented at the meeting examining the need to have teens cut down on salt intake to prevent future hypertension, heart diease and risk of stroke.

The first report (July 14, 2010 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition) review the potential benefits of a Mediterranean diet and breast cancer risk reduction for postmenopausal women. The findings endorse use of olive oil compared to vegetable oils that contain tumor promoting omega-6 fatty acids (corn oil, soybean oil). The second report summarizes a intervention for weight loss that includes physical activity (60 minutes of brisk walking) and controlled dietary meals for obese and severely obese individuals reported in JAMA (October 27, 2010). Class II obesity is defined as a BMI of >35 and Class III obesity is a BMI >40.

October is "pink" month (breast cancer awareness) and I review a recent report (published in the July 2010 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention) that suggests that fish oil may reduce ductal breast cancer (not lobular). So start eating fish! The second report is a study in which scientists in Hong Kong and Australia report how different body measurements correspond to female attractiveness. The study was published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology and found that young, tall and long armed women are considered to be the most attractive.

I review a new study that examines the potential genotoxicity of exposure to disinfection by-products among swimmers in a chlorinated pool. The second review is a study that supports use of a low-carb diet with high-plant-source diets such as beans, peas, or nuts.

The following foods are recommended to help "prevent" cancer. 1) Soy: 8-10 grams tofu, soy nuts, soy milk, or edaname a day to prevent breast and prostate cancer. 2) Berries: One cup/day for antioxidants to help ward off cell damage that can lead to cancer and other diseases. 3) Broccoli: 1/2 cup of cooked broccoli or other cruciferous veggies a day to aid in prevention of colorectal cancer. 4) Onions: 1/4 cup of onions, garlic, leeks or shallots for several anti-cancer agents. 5) Tomatoes: 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw tomatoes three times/week to help prevent prostate cancer. Adding 3 daily servings of "rainbow vegetables" (red, yellow, orange, white, green or purple) provides even more disease-preventing micronutrients. Source: Roethel, K. (August 9, 2010). 5 of nature's best cancer-preventing food. Retrieved from: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/09/DDP81EMK07.DTL&type=health The second article explores the sex differences in pain experiences.

An LA Times health article summarizes a British Medical Journal (BMJ) article and concludes that widespread use of calcium supplements may increase heart attack risk. A rebuttal article from the original report in the BMJ is also discussed with the conclusion that the meta-analysis from the article has limitations and that the analysis should not dissuade consumers from taking calcium supplements. Women should talk with their physicians about their current and long-term needs and discuss how much calcium they are getting in their diets and supplement accordingly in combination with vitamin D.

Wearing two-inch heels five or more days per week shrinks a woman's calf muscle fibers. Stilleto lovers should stretch frequently to keep muscles and tendons strong. Also discussed is a new report that notes a potential link between the use of household cleaners and air fresheners and breast cancer.

The first review discusses five fitness and nutrition myths and reviews their flaws. In the second review, a research report is reviewed that reports that black women are satisfied in general with their bodies and refute the white, thin prototype.

In the first report, I review plans for a nurse researcher at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing that describes plans to examine the importance of regular, muscle-building exercise on long-term health. The second report expands on the established positive association between postmenopausal weight and breast cancer.

Consuming carbohydrates with high glycemic index (an indicator of how quickly a food affects blood glucose levels) appears to be associated with the risk of coronary heart disease in women but not men. Also reviewed is a research report that found that explosure to three common chemical classese (phenols, phthalates and phytoestrogens) in young girls may disrupt the timing of pubertal development, and put girls at risk for health complications later in life.

Middle-aged women are 3 times more likely to have had a stroke than men. In the second report, I review 5 health myths.

Breast cancer patients who exercise and drink tea on a regular basis may be less likely to suffer from depression than other patients. In the second study, I talk about a new study that argues even thin people can face health risks from fat; it's called "normal weight obesity".

The first report summarizes a longitudinal study of 57,000 women in the California Teacher's Study and determined that breast cancer risk increased with higher levels of exposure from secondhand cigarette smoke. The second report summarizes the potential risk from chemicals (leading to potential cancer risk) and concludes with the recommendation to avoid microwaving food in plastic or putting plastics in the dishwasher. Safe plastics are marked on the bottom of the container with the numbers 1, 2, 4, or 5. AVOID any container that has the number 3, 6 or 7.

This report summarizes research that notes that a simple one-minute eye-movement exam performed at the bedside worked better than an MRI to distinguish new strokes from other less serious disorders in patients complaining of dizziness, nausea and spinning sensations.