Setting a goal of walking 10,000 steps a day could motivate you to become active enough to gain the health benefits of exercise. You count steps automatically with a pedometer. Regular exercise also helps keep lost weight from returning. Thanks to the Internet, you can waste spend hours reviewing features of pedometers before you make a purchase. Consumer [...]
Entries from February 2010
February 27, 2010
Alcohol Habit (Especially Wine) Started in Middle-Age Reduces Heart Attack and Stroke
Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding. His mother asked him to do it. Of all the miracles he performed and could have performed, I wonder why this is the first one recorded in the Holy Bible. We have known for years that low or moderate alcohol consumption tends to lower the risk of [...]
February 24, 2010
Recipe: Arizona’s Baked Cheesecake (low-carb)
My daughter, Arizona, enjoys baking. I’m nudging her into low-carb baking since I miss my sweets. I’m still low-carbing, so I can’t eat a lot of what she bakes. Arizona is used to the commercial cheesecakes based on a pre-mixed box: you mix then refrigerate. The one below is more work, but I think well worth the [...]
February 19, 2010
Drug Review: Insulin
I was going to do a brief review of insulin therapy here, but I found a good one at About.com. So why re-invent the wheel? If interested, click through to the article by Michael Bihari, M.D.: Insulin for type 2 diabetes: What you need to know. Steve Parker, M.D.
February 17, 2010
Brief Drug Review: Pramlintide
Pramlintide is sold in the U.S. as Symlin. It’s only used in patients already taking meal-time rapid-acting insulin. Pramlintide may have a role in treatment of overweight type 2 diabetics inadequately controlled on insulin, or who experience weight gain refractory to diet and exercise. Remember that drug names vary by country and manufacturer. This is a brief review; consult your physician [...]
February 15, 2010
Drug Review: Colesevelam
Colesevelam is used primarily to reduce elevated levels of LDL cholesterol. It’s sold in the U.S. as WelChol. Remember that drug names vary by country and manufacturer. This is a brief review; consult your physician or pharmacist for details. Class: Bile acid sequestrant How does it work? Unclear Uses Colesevelam is FDA-approved for treatment of [...]
February 13, 2010
Drug Review: Dipeptidyl-Peptidase-4 Inhibitors (sitagliptin and saxagliptin)
The two dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitors available in the U.S. are sitagliptin (sold as Januvia) and saxagliptin (sold as Onglyza). Vildagliptin is available in other countries. Remember that drug names vary by country and manufacturer. This is a brief drug review; consult your physician or pharmacist for details. How do they work? DPP-4 inhibitors decrease both fasting and [...]
February 11, 2010
Drug Review: GLP-1 Analogues (exenatide and liraglutide)
GLP-1 analogues available in the U.S. are exenatide (sold as Byetta) and liraglutide (sold as Victoza). They are sometimes referred to as GLP-1 receptor agonists. They are not considered first-choice drugs, but instead are typically used in combination with other drugs (except insulin). Remember that drug names vary by country and manufacturer. This is [...]
February 10, 2010
Another Sacred Cow Slaughtered: Fruits and Vegetables DON’T Prevent Cancer
We’ve been told by the authorities repetitively that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables will lower our risk of cancer. However, a recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition says that ain’t so. Fire up the grill—we’re havin’ steak tonight! Researchers looked at data from over 450,000 participants (men and women over 50) in the National Institutes [...]
February 9, 2010
Drug Review: Sulfonylureas
Sulfonylureas (SUs) in 2010 are still the most widely used drugs for treatment of type 2 diabetes. At least six different SUs are in common usage in the U.S., including glipizide, glimiperide, and glyburide. They are often prescribed for patients who do not respond adequately to lifestyle modification and are intolerant of metformin, the usual first-choice drug. Sulfonlylureas make [...]
