SEROVERA® BLOG

Insufficient iron, vitamin levels can lead to anemia

2009-11-19T16:40:00.004-05:00

They are extremely small and most of us probably never give them any thought.

Millions of red blood cells circulate through our bodies carrying oxygen to all our tissues and taking away the carbon dioxide. When we don't have enough healthy red blood cells, we can feel lightheaded or weak and tired, even with adequate rest. This condition is known as anemia. Anemia has three main causes:

- Loss of blood or chronic bleeding.

-Faulty production of red blood cells caused by vitamin and mineral deficiencies or other conditions such as sickle cell disease.

-Red blood cells can be destroyed by toxins, drugs, infections or the body's own immune system.

Chronic bleeding can occur in the gastrointestinal tract as a result of stomach ulcers or conditions such as diverticulitis and hemorrhoids. Women of childbearing age are prone to anemia due to monthly blood loss with menstrual periods. Some anti-inflammatory medications used for arthritis can also irritate the stomach and cause bleeding.

The bone marrow is the factory that produces red blood cells. In order for the body to build healthy red blood cells, it must have enough of the mineral iron and the vitamins B12 and folic acid. Iron is found in beef, turkey, chicken, fish and shellfish. Many foods have iron added to them in processing, such as breakfast cereals, oatmeal, breads and crackers. Good plant sources of iron are beans, peas, lentils, soybeans, spinach and raisins.

Iron from foods is best absorbed when a good source of vitamin C accompanies the meal. In other words, drinking a small glass of vitamin C-fortified juice or eating a bowl of strawberries with your meat or beans will help the body use the iron. Drinking too much tea can block the absorption of iron.

Vitamin B12 is found only in animal foods such as eggs, milk, cheese and meat. When the stomach or intestines have been damaged or sections removed by surgery, vitamin B12 may not be absorbed from the food adequately. Injections of B12 may be required on a regular basis to correct the anemia.

Folic acid is found is oranges, green leafy vegetables and fortified whole grain cereal products.

Your doctor can take a series of blood tests to determine if you have anemia. A balanced diet with a variety of protein sources and lots of fruits and vegetables will help give you more energy.

This article is a reprint of
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20091110/COL0803/911100332/1292/health/Insufficient-iron--vitamin-levels-can-lead-to-anemia
The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News Nov.9, 2009

People on Immunosuppressive Therapies May Be More At Risk for Skin Cancer

2009-11-06T15:15:00.000-05:00

Researchers have found patients undergoing treatments that require immunosuppressive drugs may be more susceptible to non-melanoma skin cancers, requiring greater care with their skin treatments.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients who are being treated with immunosuppressive medications may be at increased risk for non-melanoma skin cancer, a new U.S. study says. Researchers analyzed data on 26,403 Crohn's disease patients and 26,974 patients with ulcerative colitis in order to evaluate how the use of immunosuppressive and biologic medications to treat IBD affected non-melanoma skin cancer risk.

The study found that the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer was higher in IBD patients than in a control group. Recent use (within 90 days) of any immunosuppressive medication was associated with greater risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (adjusted odds ratio 3.28), as was recent use of the thiopurine class of immunosuppressive medications (adjusted odds ratio 3.56) and recent use of biologic medications in Crohn's disease patients (adjusted odds ratio 2.07).

Persistent use of any immunosuppressive medication, which was considered use for more than one year, was strongly associated with non-melanoma skin cancer (adjusted odds ratio 4.04), the study authors noted. The association was even stronger with persistent use of thiopurine medications (adjusted odds ratio 4.27). In Crohn's disease, persistent use of biologic medications was also associated with a raised risk (adjusted odds ratio 2.18).

"The increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer in patients with IBD is likely related to the immunosuppressive medications used to treat the disease, although we can't rule out changes to the immune system itself as a result of IBD as contributing to this risk," said study leader Dr. Millie Long, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Probiotics

2009-11-03T08:26:00.004-05:00

Probiotics -- whether they are dietary supplements or foods that contain live, non-disease-causing bacteria normally found in the body -- have been shown to provide numerous benefits to your overall health. There is currently great enthusiasm for foods and supplements such as Bacteral that contain probiotics, and this enthusiasm is evidenced by the amount of commercials on television promoting such products. If you’re not familiar with probiotics, keep reading to find out some of the specific benefits you can gain from introducing probiotics into your diet.

Eating bacteria is good for you?

While it may sound absolutely ludicrous to purposely ingest billions of bacteria to improve your health that is exactly what researchers are recommending. Studies have been going on since the mid-1990s on this very subject.
There are about 100 trillion microorganisms that represent more than 500 different species that are in each and every healthy bowel. They are there because they help keep harmful pathogens at bay, making it difficult for them to do you harm. Let’s take a closer look at what probiotics can actually do.

Digestive Health

Numerous clinical studies have shown that probiotics can treat multiple gastrointestinal ailments such as IBS and lactose intolerance, as well as improve proper digestion and nutrient absorption. Probiotics are often used to help treat diarrhea.

Crohn’s Disease

Other studies have shown that probiotics may be beneficial in helping people with Crohn’s disease. Clinical trial results are mixed, but several small studies suggest that certain probiotics may help maintain remission of ulcerative colitis and prevent relapse of Crohn’s disease and the recurrence of pouchitis (a complication of surgery to treat ulcerative colitis). Because these disorders are so frustrating to treat, many people are giving probiotics a try. More research is needed to find out which strains work best for what conditions.

Urogenital Health

Probiotics are also beneficial in maintaining urogenital health. This is due to the fact that the vagina is like the intestinal tract, a finely balanced ecosystem. The dominant Lactobacilli strains normally make it too acidic for harmful microorganisms to survive. But the system can be thrown out of balance by a number of factors, including antibiotics, spermicides, and birth control pills. Probiotic treatment that restores the balance of microflora may be helpful for such common female urogenital problems as bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, and urinary tract infection. Both Oral and vaginal administration of Lactobacilli may help in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, although there isn’t enough evidence yet to recommend it over conventional approaches.

Other Conditions

Research is still being done on the health benefits of probiotics, but early studies show that probiotics may be helpful in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, preventing colon cancer, improving immune function, improving mineral absorption and reducing inflammation. There’s indication that probiotics may even aid in weight loss. With the popularity of probiotics on the rise, it’s likely that research on these benefits will ramp up.

Are probiotics safe?

The best part of probiotic therapy is that it is generally considered safe due to the fact that they are already in the digestive system. This also means that probiotics are typically free of side effects, except for people that have an impaired immune function. This is why it is important that if you are going to “self medicate” to address any of the above conditions with probiotics, you talk with your doctor or healthcare provider so that he or she is aware of what you are doing.

This article is a reprint of
http://www.alternativehealthjournal.com/article/probiotics_what_they_are_and_why_you_need_them_part_2/2532 The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News Oct. 28

Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Might Increase Cancer Risk

2009-10-30T21:13:00.001-04:00

Long-term use of thiopurines bears further study, researchers say

The use of thiopurine drugs to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increases the risk of cancers related to viral infection, according to a new study.

IBD includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Thiopurine drugs are used to suppress the immune system in order to maintain remission in IBD patients.

For this study, French researchers analyzed data on 19,486 IBD patients (60 percent with Crohn's and 40 percent with ulcerative colitis or unclassified IBD) who were followed for a median of 35 months.

At the start of the study, 30 percent of patients were taking thiopurines, 14 percent had discontinued them, and 56 percent had never received thiopurines. During the study, 23 patients developed malignant lymphoproliferative disorders (LD) -- cancers that are associated with viral infection, particularly those linked to Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection.

Of the 23 patients with LD, 22 had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and one had Hodgkin's lymphoma. Incidence rates of LD were 0.90 per 1,000 patient-years in those receiving thiopurines, 0.20 per 1,000 patient-years in those who'd discontinued the drugs, and 0.26 per 1,000 patient-years in those who'd never taken thiopurines.

The researchers calculated that IBD patients taking thiopurines had a more-than-five-fold increased risk compared to those who'd never received the drugs. Older patients, men, and those who'd had IBD for longer were also at increased risk of LD.

"Extrapolating our results, the absolute cumulative risk of (LD) in young patients receiving a 10-year course of thiopurines remains low (less than 1 percent) and does not undermine the positive risk-benefit ratio of these drugs. For elderly patients and unlimited treatment periods, the question should be addressed in dedicated studies," wrote Laurent Beaugerie, a professor at Hospital Saint-Antoine, Paris, and colleagues.

The study appeared online Monday and in an upcoming print issue of The Lancet.

"Although we recognize the slightly increased risk of lymphoma, these agents will probably remain one of the cornerstones of treatment. Nonetheless, physicians should be cautious when prolonged combined and deep immunosuppression is needed to achieve disease control," Dr. Geert D'Haens, of the Imelda GI Clinical Research Centre and University Hospital Gasthuisberg in Belgium, and Dr. Paul Rutgeerts, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, wrote in an accompanying editorial.

SOURCE: The Lancet, news release, Oct. 18, 2009

Lactose Intolerance

2009-10-28T16:00:00.003-04:00

Lactose intolerance is the inability or insufficient ability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the cells lining the small intestine. Lactase breaks down lactose into two simpler forms of sugar called glucose and galactose, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream.

Not all people with lactase deficiency have digestive symptoms, but those who do may have lactose intolerance. Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate some amount of lactose in their diet.

People sometimes confuse lactose intolerance with cow milk allergy. Milk allergy is a reaction by the body’s immune system to one or more milk proteins and can be life threatening when just a small amount of milk or milk product is consumed. Milk allergy most commonly appears in the first year of life, while lactose intolerance occurs more often in adulthood.

What causes lactose intolerance?

The cause of lactose intolerance is best explained by describing how a person develops lactase deficiency.

Primary lactase deficiency develops over time and begins after about age 2 when the body begins to produce less lactase. Most children who have lactase deficiency do not experience symptoms of lactose intolerance until late adolescence or adulthood.

Researchers have identified a possible genetic link to primary lactase deficiency. Some people inherit a gene from their parents that makes it likely they will develop primary lactase deficiency. This discovery may be useful in developing future genetic tests to identify people at risk for lactose intolerance.

Secondary lactase deficiency results from injury to the small intestine that occurs with severe diarrheal illness, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or chemotherapy. This type of lactase deficiency can occur at any age but is more common in infancy.

Who is at risk for lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is a common condition that is more likely to occur in adulthood, with a higher incidence in older adults. Some ethnic and racial populations are more affected than others, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, and Asian Americans. The condition is least common among Americans of northern European descent.

Infants born prematurely are more likely to have lactase deficiency because an infant’s lactase levels do not increase until the third trimester of pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

People with lactose intolerance may feel uncomfortable 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming milk and milk products. Symptoms range from mild to severe, based on the amount of lactose consumed and the amount a person can tolerate.

Common symptoms include

•abdominal pain
•abdominal bloating
•gas
•diarrhea
•nausea

What are the complications of Crohn’s disease?

2009-10-21T14:14:00.003-04:00

Intestinal blockage can occur in people with Crohn’s disease. Blockage occurs because the intestinal wall thickens or swells from inflammation and scar tissue. Ulcers can also cause tunnels to form through the inflamed areas of the intestine or even the healthy parts. These tunnels are called fistulas. Sometimes pockets of infection, called abscesses, can form in and around the fistulas. Fistulas can be treated with medicine, but sometimes surgery is needed.

People with Crohn’s disease often don’t get the nutrients they need. If you have Crohn’s disease, you may not get enough protein, vitamins, or calories in your diet. If you aren’t getting nutrients, it may be because you

-have an upset stomach that keeps you from eating enough
-may be losing protein in the intestine
-may not be able to absorb nutrients from your food

Other problems that some people with Crohn’s disease suffer from are arthritis, skin problems, swelling in the eyes or mouth, kidney stones, and gallstones.

UF researchers find triggers in cells’ transition from colitis to cancer

2009-10-13T16:18:00.002-04:00

University of Florida researchers have grown tumors in mice using cells from inflamed but noncancerous colon tissue taken from human patients, a finding that sheds new light on colon cancer and how it might be prevented.

Scientists observed that cancer stem cells taken from the gastrointestinal system in patients with a chronic digestive disease called ulcerative colitis will transform into cancerous tumors in mice.

The finding, now online and to be featured on the cover of the Thursday (Oct. 15) issue of Cancer Research, may help explain why patients with colitis have up to a 30-fold risk of developing colon cancer compared with people without the disease.

New understanding of the link between colitis and cancer could lead to diagnostic tests that would evaluate tissue taken from patients with colitis for signs of cancer stem cell development, thereby identifying patients who may be at greater risk for cancer.

“Ultimately it would be great if we could prevent colitis or treat colitis so it never gets to the cancerous stage,” said UF colorectal surgeon Dr. Emina Huang, who is a member of the Program in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at UF’s McKnight Brain Institute and the UF College of Medicine.

Although colonoscopy is very effective in screening and preventing colon cancer for most people, for patients with colitis no diagnostic tests work well because the inflamed tissue makes identification of precancerous changes difficult.

According to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, approximately 700,000 people have colitis in the United States. The National Cancer Institute estimates that cancer of the colon and rectum will claim the lives of about 50,000 people this year.

UF scientists gathered colitic tissue from humans and chemically screened it for colon cancer stem cells, also called tumor initiating cells. These cells were then isolated and monitored in mice to see if tumors would grow.

Huang said these findings shed light on that fact that it may not be just the cancer “seed” cell, but the “soil” — in this case inflamed colon tissue — that plays a role in the development of cancer.

“Is it the seed, is it the soil or is it their interaction?” she said. “We think probably both, but now we have a new way to look at it and a new method of attack.”

Dr. B. Mark Evers, a professor and vice chair of surgery at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, said the study emphasizes the emerging role of the surrounding inflammatory tumor microenvironment on tumor growth and subsequent metastasis.

“Dr. Huang and her group have identified a potentially important mechanism to explain why long-standing inflammation of the colon predisposes patients to the development of cancer,” said Evers, who is director of the Lucille P. Markey Cancer Center in Lexington, Ky.

To further understand the role of the “seed” and “soil” interaction, UF researchers paired colon cancer stem cells with normal, colitic and cancerous human cells taken from the scaffolding layer of the large intestine. The cells were implanted into mice to analyze growth rates. The combination of tumor cells and normal scaffolding tissue cells grew at the slowest rate. Tumor cells paired with cancerous tissue grew at an intermediate rate, and tumor cells paired with the colitic tissue grew at the fastest rate.

Huang said they found heightened levels of two immune system hormones called interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in the cells from the colitic and cancerous tissues, which had the faster growth rates.

When UF researchers decreased the expression of these hormones within the cells, the tumor growth drastically decreased. When the hormones returned, the tumors began to grow again.

“We don’t understand the transition at the molecular level so we are trying to figure out what we can target to interfere, intervene or inhibit that transformation of the benign colitic cells,” she said. “The thought is if we can create a therapy to decrease function of these hormones, we may be able to prevent or inhibit cancer growth.”

Clinical trials looking at the role of one of these hormones in humans are under way in England, Huang said.

This article is a reprint of http://news.ufl.edu/2009/10/12/colon-cancer/ The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News Oct. 12

Gene Variant Raises Crohn's Disease Risk

2009-10-09T16:52:00.002-04:00

Common Gene Linked to Inflammatory Bowel Disease Susceptibility

A gene variant common in whites is linked to Crohn's disease, an intriguing new study suggests.

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In IBD, the delicate balance of the gut ecosystem is disrupted by an excessive inflammatory immune response.

People who carry the gene variant make less of an inflammation-dampening enzyme called CD39. This may tip the immune balance toward IBD, suggest David J. Friedman, MD, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and colleagues.

"Our data indicate that CD39 [gene variants] are associated with inflammatory bowel disease in humans," the researchers conclude. Their report appears in the Sept. 29 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The researchers fed mice a chemical that gives them IBD. Specially bred mice lacking the CD39 gene had worse IBD than mice with a normal version of the gene.

All humans have a CD39 gene. But some have a version of the gene linked to lower CD39 levels. Friedman and colleagues identified a genetic marker for low CD39 production. They then looked for this marker in 1,748 patients with Crohn's disease and in 2,936 people without IBD.

They found that the genetic marker was significantly more common in people with Crohn's disease. Moreover, people without IBD were more likely to carry two copies of the high-CD39 gene, while those with Crohn's disease were more likely to carry two copies of the low-CD39 gene.

Genetics are not destiny. Not everyone with the low-CD39 gene has or will have IBD. Even having two copies of the gene only increases a person's risk of Crohn's disease by 27%.

But since about 40% of whites of European ancestry carry at least one copy of the gene, its effects across the entire population should be quite large.

Moreover, the gene may affect more than IBD. It's also linked to kidney disease in people with diabetes and to blood clots in the arteries.

The researchers plan to perform more extensive studies of the role of the CD39 gene in IBD.

This article is a reprint of http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/news/20090928/gene-variant-raises-crohns-disease-risk The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News Sep. 29

Colon cancer risks: High-fat diet, family history play role

2009-10-05T17:29:00.003-04:00

Cancers of the colon and rectum will affect one of 17 people. These cancers of the lower digestive tract are the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and Europe. Colorectal cancers are treatable if detected in the early stages. Experts recommend screening for colon cancer beginning at age 50 and screening by age 45 for those with a family history of cancer or those of African-American heritage.

Current screening tests include annual testing of the stool for blood and colonoscopy. Colonoscopy involves using a scope with a tiny camera to look at the lining of the large intestine.

Researchers in Germany are also working on a new blood test that may help find colon cancer. The lining of the intestinal tract can develop small pre-cancerous growths called polyps which can usually be removed during a screening colonoscopy. If these polyps are not removed, they can become cancerous.
Risk factors for developing colon cancer are:

•Family history of colon cancer or colon polyps.

•Low-fiber, high-fat diet. Colorectal cancers are associated with a diet high in fat and calories that lacks enough fiber or roughage. Add more fruits and vegetables and whole grains to your daily diet. Limit fried and fatty foods. Cut back on added fats such as butter, margarine, salad dressing, mayonnaise, gravies and sauces.

•A sedentary lifestyle. Regular physical activity can reduce the risk for colon cancer. Experts recommend daily activity of at least one hour. Walking, biking, swimming, chair aerobics and most sports are great.

•Diabetes and obesity. Insulin resistance and excess weight increase the risk of developing colon cancer and the risk of death from it.

•Smoking and alcohol use.

•Inflammatory intestinal conditions. Chronic intestinal problems like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can increase risk.

•Older age. About 90 percent of all colon cancer occurs in people over age 50.
Many people do not experience any unusual symptoms. Make an appointment to see your health care provider if you notice any change in your bowel habits that lasts more than two weeks, blood in your stool or persistent abdominal cramping or gas. If you have any unplanned weight loss, weakness or fatigue, get a checkup.

This article is a reprint of
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090929/COL0803/909290355/1292/health/Colon-cancer-risks--High-fat-diet--family-history-play-role The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News Sep. 29

Acute diverticulitis occurring more frequently in younger patients in urban U.S. populations

2009-09-29T13:23:00.001-04:00

Acute diverticulitis, a disease in which pouches called diverticula protrude through weak spots in the colon and become inflamed, is more widespread among younger U.S. urban populations than is currently believed, says a new study by researchers from the University of Maryland in Baltimore.

The study, conducted by Eram Zaidi, MD, and Barry Daly, MD, evaluated the records of 100 patients diagnosed with acute diverticulitis within a recent four-year period, 77 of whom had severe enough diverticulitis to warrant hospital admission. Fifty of the patients in the study were between the ages of 20 and 50, with 19 of those patients being younger than 40 years old, and fifty were over the age of 50. The results showed that the disease occurred just as often in the younger age bracket as in the older patients, with the disease frequently being severe in both age groups.

According to Dr. Daly, the results were surprising in light of what is commonly understood about this disease. "Traditionally, acute diverticulosis has been considered a disease of the over 50 year age group. Many radiologists and other physicians do not recognize that acute diverticulitis is now a disease that may occur at any age in adult life and do not consider it as a possible cause when younger adults present with abdominal pain."

The cause of this trend is currently under study. "We are examining the relationship between acute diverticulitis and overweight body habitus, as there appears to be a strong association between the rising incidence of acute diverticulitis in younger adults and the evolving obesity epidemic in this country," said Dr. Daly.

According to the study, the disease may likely become an even greater health problem in the U.S. "The results of this study may help change the perception that acute diverticulitis is a disease that only affects those over 50, and also highlight the value of CT in making this diagnosis. Acute diverticulitis is already a common disease and may become an even greater health problem if patients start to develop it at an earlier age--recurrent attacks and need for surgical resection of the colon are more likely to occur," said Dr. Daly.

This article is a reprint of http://psychcentral.com/news/archives/2004-05/arrs-ado042804.html The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News

Scientists Find How Bacteria in Cows' Milk May Cause Crohn's Disease

2009-09-24T22:11:00.004-04:00

Cow's Milk has been implicated in many health problems including, but not limited to: allergies, asthma, bone and joint diseases, constipation, type-1 diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, nervous system disorders, and skin rashes. Now research shows that Cow's Milk may also be the underlying cause of Crohn's Disease.

Scientists at the University of Liverpool have found how a bacterium, known to cause illness in cattle, may cause Crohn's disease in humans. Crohn's is a condition that affects one in 800 people in the UK and causes chronic intestinal inflammation, leading to pain, bleeding and diarrhoea.

The team found that a bacterium called Mycobacterium paratuberculosis releases a molecule that prevents a type of white blood cell from killing E.coli bacteria found in the body. E.coli is known to be present within Crohn's disease tissue in increased numbers.

It is thought that the Mycobacteria make their way into the body's system via cows' milk and other dairy products. In cattle, it can cause an illness called Johne's disease - a wasting, diarrhoeal condition. Until now, however, it has been unclear how this bacterium could trigger intestinal inflammation in humans.

Professor Jon Rhodes, from the University's School of Clinical Sciences, explains: "Mycobacterium paratuberculosis has been found within Crohn's disease tissue but there has been much controversy concerning its role in the disease. We have now shown that these Mycobacteria release a complex molecule containing a sugar, called mannose. This molecule prevents a type of white blood cells, called macrophages, from killing internalised E.coli."

Scientists have previously shown that people with Crohn's disease have increased numbers of a 'sticky' type of E.coli and weakened ability to fight off intestinal bacteria. The suppressive effect of the Mycobacterial molecule on this type of white blood cell suggests it is a likely mechanism for weakening the body's defence against the bacteria.

Professor Rhodes added: "We also found that this bacterium is a likely trigger for a circulating antibody protein (ASCA) that is found in about two thirds of patients with Crohn's disease, suggesting that these people may have been infected by the Mycobacterium."

The team is beginning clinical trials to assess whether an antibiotic combination can be used to target the bacteria contained in white blood cells as a possible treatment for Crohn's disease.

The research was funded by Core and the Medical Research Council and is published in Gastroenterology.

This article is a reprint of
http://www.naturalnews.com/022673_bacteria_disease_cows_milk.html

FDA confirms 3 new infections linked to Tysabri

2009-09-23T16:06:00.003-04:00

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration says it confirmed three new cases of a potentially lethal brain inflammation linked to the multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri.

There have been 13 reported cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML, since mid-2006. The reports are the first confirmed new cases since June. While the disease is rare, the FDA says the risk appears to increase as patients remain on Tysabri.

Tysabri is marketed by Biogen Idec Inc. and Elan Corp. PLC, for multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease. All the PML cases are linked to its use in multiple sclerosis.

The drug was approved in November 2004 and pulled from the market the next year due to PML reports. It was reintroduced in July 2006, and Biogen said it is used by 43,000 patients.

This article is a reprint of
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ippwxxzjAF82sudsjYmdZBIvYhdwD9ASDEU80/ The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News. Sep 23, 2009‎

Multiple Sclerosis and Crohn’s Disease Drug Tysabri Linked to Rare, Deadly Brain Infection

2009-09-18T15:20:00.001-04:00

Tysabri, a drug prescribed to tens of thousands of multiple sclerosis patients and also used to a lesser extent to treat the form of irritable bowel syndrome called Crohn’s disease, has been linked to more than a dozen cases of a potentially deadly opportunistic infection of the brain.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a viral brain infection that has been reported in at least 13 Tysabri patients since 2006 when marketing of the drug resumed, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Tysabri was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in November 2004, but was quickly removed from the market after some users developed PML. The drug was later allowed back on the market after stronger warning labels about the risks of PML were added to Tysabri’s labeling.

Tysabri is approved to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis and moderate to severe cases of Crohn’s disease. However, less than two percent of Tysabri use in the United States is for Crohn’s disease and the vast majority of patients taking the drug are being treated for multiple sclerosis.

Also, no cases of PML have been reported in patients taking the drug for Crohn’s disease. All of the infections have been reported in multiple sclerosis patients taking Tysabri.

The use of Tysabri also has been found to cause liver toxicity and malignant melanoma in some users. The problems developed shortly after the drug was administered.

By most estimates, more than 43,000 patients around the world are currently taking Tysabri, including more than 30,000 who have been taking the drug for more than a year and another 10,000 who have been on it for more than three years. The drug is made by Biogen Idec Inc.

Drug safety officials have taken repeated actions against Tysabri to warn users and prescribing physicians about the risks of injury from the drug.

In April 2009, federal regulators warned Biogen about Internet advertisements for Tysabri the FDA said falsely promoted the drug without emphasizing the risks of PML and other serious health complications.

Then, in September 2009, a new study concluded that Tysabri put patients at greater risk of developing PML by awakening the virus that causes the disease and making the virus even stronger.

This article is a reprint of http://www.attorneyatlaw.com/2009/09/multiple-sclerosis-and-crohns-disease-drug-tysabri-linked-to-rare-deadly-brain-infection/ The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News. Sep 18, 2009‎

What is IBD?

2009-09-15T17:10:00.000-04:00

IBD encompasses two main diseases, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease. However, there are important differences between the two conditions. Crohn's disease can show up in any portion of the digestive tract from the rectum up to the esophagus, while ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon. IBD is a chronic disease that typically causes inflammation and pain in the intestines, but especially the colon. The degree of inflammation varies between individuals but is characterized by intestinal bleeding, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, pain, weight loss, and sometimes fever. IBD does not remain static over time. People experience flare-ups and then periods of relative calm.

Obesity may increase risk of diverticulitis

2009-09-10T13:43:00.000-04:00

Obese people appear to be at increased risk for diverticulitis and for bleeding diverticula, results of a new study indicate.

Diverticula are small pouches that form in the lining of the colon and are very common in older adults. Diverticulitis occurs when the diverticula become inflamed and infected, which can be a serious, even life-threatening, problem. Diverticula may also bleed, which can be an equally serious problem.

"A number of digestive diseases have been associated with obesity," note Dr. Lisa L. Strate, of the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, and colleagues. "Some of the obesity-related (factors) believed to play a role in these disorders may also influence diverticular complications, most notably the link between obesity and chronic inflammation."

To investigate further, the team examined data for 47,228 men enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-up study. They were between the ages of 40 and 75 years and free of diverticular disease when the study began in 1986 and were followed until 2004.

A total of 801 cases of diverticulitis and 383 cases of diverticular bleeding occurred during follow-up, according to the report, published in the journal Gastroenterology.

The analysis showed that obese men were 78 percent more likely to develop diverticulitis and 219 percent more likely to develop diverticular bleeding than were normal weight men.

Similarly, a big waistline increased the odds of diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding by 56 and 96 percent, respectively.

Lastly a high waist-to-hip ratio was also linked to both problems, regardless of whether the man was obese or not.

"An association between body fat and diverticular complications has important clinical implications," they conclude, "given the increasing prevalence of these disorders and the considerable risk of recurrent complications."

SOURCE: Gastroenterology, January 2009.

Vitamin D Often High in Crohn’s Disease Patients

2009-09-09T09:40:00.004-04:00

Contrary to expectations, people with the inflammatory bowel condition Crohn’s disease are likely to have excessive levels of the active form of vitamin D in their blood, researchers have found. This is associated with low bone mineral density, they report.

Dr. Maria T. Abreu from the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles led the study. She told Reuters Health, "Most doctors think that Crohn’s patients automatically have decreased vitamin D levels and encourage supplementation with vitamin D. We would like to urge doctors to check vitamin D levels before making that recommendation."

As Abreu’s team explains in the medical journal Gut, under certain circumstances too much active vitamin D can actually contribute to the breakdown of bone, leading to osteoporosis. The researchers found "inappropriately high" blood levels of the active form of vitamin D in 42 percent of the 138 people they studied with Crohn’s disease. This was true of only 7 percent of 29 patients with ulcerative colitis, another type of inflammatory bowel disease.

Also, the higher the blood levels of active vitamin D in Crohn’s patients, the lower was their bone density -- regardless of whether they were treated with steroids -- the investigators found. "We believe that high vitamin D levels are most likely a manifestation of the underlying gut inflammation," Abreu said. A high vitamin D level is "an additional risk factor predisposing to development of osteoporosis" for some Crohn’s disease patients, the team concludes. Treatment of the underlying inflammation, "may improve metabolic bone disease."

This article is a reprint of http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?id=151547 The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News. Sep 8, 2009‎

Low-fat, high-fiber diet good for the colon

2009-09-06T19:49:00.001-04:00

People who have growths or "polyps" in the colon removed can cut their risk of developing recurrent polyps by strictly adhering to a diet low in fat and high in fiber, fruits and vegetables.
That's according to a new analysis of more than 1,000 adults who took part in The Polyp Prevention Trial, which tested the impact of a low-fat, high-fiber diet on the recurrence of colon polyps -- benign growths which may raise a person's risk of developing colon cancer.

After 4 years of the trial, researchers saw no difference in the rate of polyp recurrence between the intervention group and the control group. However, the number of dietary goals met by the intervention group varied greatly, which may account for the lack of observed effect.

To investigate this theory, Dr. Leah B. Sansbury of the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, and colleagues revisited the data and looked at just how compliant the study subjects were with the low-fat, high-fiber diet.

They report in the American Journal of Epidemiology that of 821 participants in the intervention group who completed the study, 30 percent were classified as poor compliers, 45 percent as inconsistent compliers, and 26 percent as super compliers.

Subjects classified as super compliers consistently reported that they met or exceeded all of the dietary goals at all four yearly checkups.

Super compliers, Sansbury and colleagues discovered, had a 30% lower likelihood of developing a recurrent polyp, compared with controls, and nearly a 50 percent decreased odds of developing more than one recurrent polyp.

The findings support current recommendations to eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet for colon health and overall health.

SOURCE: American Journal of Epidemiology, September 1, 2009.

Appendectomy May Increase Risk of Crohn’s Disease

2009-09-03T10:42:00.002-04:00

Crohn’s disease, a rare digestive disorder, is more likely to appear in people who have had their appendix removed, according to a recent study of 200,000 people.

The study compared people who had had an appendectomy with those who had not, and found that those who had undergone the surgery were 47 percent more likely to develop Crohn’s disease, not only soon after surgery but also 10 years later, than those who had not.

Researchers are not certain whether appendicitis increases the risk of Crohn’s disease or vice versa, but hope the association will lead to an increased understanding of both conditions.

There is no known cure for Crohn's disease, which is a type of inflammatory bowel disease with symptoms that include pain, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, bleeding and weight loss.

The causes of appendicitis are also unknown, though one theory associates the condition with a lack of fiber. Researchers note that this association has not been proven.

Information on crohn's treatment visit http://www.serovera.com/crohns-disease.php

Better health, take charge: Dietary fiber will help protect your digestive tract

2009-08-31T11:26:00.003-04:00

What you should know

Almost everyone has occasional constipation, gas or abdominal cramping.

Your diet is extremely important in reducing abdominal discomfort and improving regularity. Dietary fiber -- sometimes called roughage -- is crucial in regulating your digestive tract.

Foods from plants are a primary source of dietary fiber. A daily variety of plant foods -- cereals and grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts -- can help to prevent future gastrointestinal problems in most people.

There are two basic forms of fiber: soluble (dissolves in water) and insoluble (moves through your gastrointestinal tract without dissolving in water). Both types of fiber are important to maintain your health.

Soluble fiber is good for lowering cholesterol and blood sugar (glucose levels). Soluble fiber picks up water and changes into a gel-like substance as it goes through your digestive tract. Examples of soluble fiber foods are beans, peas and lentils (legumes), oatmeal, broccoli, root vegetables (like carrots and potatoes) and many fruits -- bananas, pears, apples, prunes, plums and many berries.

Insoluble fiber is indigestible. It generally passes through your body unchanged. Insoluble fiber foods help to prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome. They can regularly push solids and liquids through your digestive system. Good sources of insoluble fiber foods include wheat bran, whole-wheat foods, nuts and seeds, and some vegetables, such as celery, green beans and zucchini, and the skin of some fruits and vegetables.

High-fiber foods may help people lose weight. People who eat high-fiber diets seem less likely to overeat. These foods often make you feel full longer. They may require more chewing. They frequently provide fewer calories per serving than many meats or high-fat foods such as chocolate cake or ice cream.

Food preferences start in early childhood. Bowel problems frequently start in childhood, and often stem from a lack of dietary fiber that leads to chronic constipation.

Most people take in only 12-18 grams of fiber each day. Many experts feel that the lack of dietary fiber intake is contributing to our obesity epidemic. Experts suggest that most adults eat 20-35 grams of dietary fiber per day.

What you should do

Eat breakfast. Check labels to see which breakfast foods are high in fiber, such as cold cereals or hot oatmeal. Breakfast can also stimulate your metabolism and your digestive system so that regularity is maintained.

Drink water regularly. Water works with fiber to improve bowel habits and to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar.

Don't add too much fiber too quickly to your diet. A large sudden increase in fiber can cause gas and discomfort.

If your family resists the idea of more fiber, hide bran, nuts and seeds in the foods that you prepare. Good places to add fiber are muffins, meatloaf, casseroles, and even cookies and salads. Buy breads with extra fiber.

Aim for 38 grams of fiber or more if you are a man and 25 grams or more if you are a woman age 50 or younger.

Promote wholesome snacks that provide extra fiber in your household. Examples include baby carrots, celery sticks with hummus, or apples coated with peanut butter. Dried fruit and whole-grain crackers are also good choices.

Buy whole-grain products when possible. Whole-grain foods are a healthier choice than white flour for most people.

Don't add only one type of fiber to your diet. Be sure to include a variety of high-fiber foods in your daily diet.

Fiber supplements can help with occasional problems, but they should not be the only source of fiber in your diet.

Experiment with new recipes to add fiber to traditional foods. For example, add black beans to your nachos or add nuts, fruits or beans to a green salad.

Read labels to be sure you are buying something that is high in fiber, but is also low in fat, salt and sugar.

Help form your children's preferences for high-fiber foods by ensuring that they are part of their diets early on.

If you have had chronic constipation, check with your doctor first to see how much fiber should be in your diet. You may need to increase fiber intake gradually to achieve normal bowel movements.

This article is a reprint of http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/aug/17/dietary-fiber-will-help-protect-your-digestive/ The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News. Aug 16, 2009‎

IBD possible Consequence of Salmonella, Campylobacter

2009-08-25T21:33:00.007-04:00

Food poisoning can lead to other adverse health effects, some of which are long-term and serious. For instance, new studies have been revealing that Salmonella and campylobacter can lead to very long-term issues with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), says Reuters.

When someone contracts a diarrheal sickness as a result of Salmonella or campylobacter, their odds of developing IBD increase as does the risk for being ill with the disease for 15 or more years following the initial infections, said Reuters. The risk is significantly higher when the person has been hospitalized for the illness, according Dr. Henrik Nielsen from Aarhaus University Hospital in Aalborg, Denmark, said Reuters, which noted that Dr. Nielsen and his colleagues reported in the recent issue of the journal Gastroenterology.

In June we wrote that a study found that people who have suffered from Salmonella or Campylobacter infections are three times likelier to develop (IBD). The risk increased to five-fold if the patient was hospitalized close to the illness, noted Reuters. More than 600,000 Americans have some kind of IBD every year.

IBD encompasses a group of disorders, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which cause the intestines to become inflamed. IBD can cause abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and bleeding from the intestines. According to WebMD previously, genetics, environment, diet, abnormal blood vessels, infections, immune-system overreaction, and psychological factors all have been cited as possible causes of IBD.

The team looked at IBD risks in 13,148 patients with documented cases of gastroenteritis that was caused by Salmonella or Campylobacter compared with 26,216 healthy people over seven and a-half years, said Reuters. The team found that first-time IBD diagnosis was more prevalent in gastroenteritis patients—107 or 1.2 percent—versus the healthy control group (at 73, or 0.5 percent), especially during the first year, reported Reuters.

Salmonella and campylobacter are among the most common pathogens associated with food poisoning and, it seems, IBD can be listed as a possible long-term consequence of these food borne infections. Unfortunately, it is not the only one. Victims of both infections are at risk of developing a form of reactive arthritis called Reiter’s Syndrome. Reiter’s Syndrome typically affects large weight-bearing joints such as the knees and the lower back. Campylobacter infections are also associated with the development of Guillain-Barré Syndrome. This potentially paralyzing illness can leave victims with mild to severe neurological damage.

Other food borne illnesses can also have long-term consequences, as well. E. coli victims sometimes require kidney transplants and may also have scarred intestines that cause lasting digestive difficulty. Even E. coli patients who supposedly recovered can experience long-term health problems later on. For instance, it is estimated that 10 percent of E. coli sufferers develop a life-threatening complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, in which their kidneys and other organs fail.

Source: http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/11957 The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News. ‎Au1 25 , 2009‎

Colonoscopy in the a.m. may have best pre-cancer detection rate

2009-08-20T21:37:00.003-04:00

Colonoscopy performed in the morning is more likely to detect pre-cancerous polyps than the same test done in the afternoon according to a study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology .

Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic analyzed results from over 3600 colonoscopies and found that not only were a higher percentage of polyps detected in these patients screened in the morning, but the detection rates dropped off as the day wore on. The authors speculated that fatigue of the GI doctors performing the procedure may have played a role in these results, but stated that the findings should be studied further.

In an accompanying editorial, Joseph Vicari, MD pointed out that the morning group of patients had a higher number of men who are more likely to have polyps than women. In addition, the morning group tended to be older and more of them had a history of polyps than the afternoon group, which could also have skewed the data. Nevertheless, he felt that if the findings could be validated in a prospective study, there might be a need to consider scheduling fewer colonoscopies in the afternoon to improve polyp detection rates.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death in the US. In 2008, about 149,000 Americans were diagnosed with the disease, and 50,000 died of it. Experts believe that adequate screening could have prevented perhaps 60 percent of those deaths.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force now recommends screening colonoscopy every ten years starting at the age of 50. If there is a family history of colon cancer or some other increased risk factor such as ulcerative colitis, screening should be done before age 50. Discuss how often is appropriate for you with your primary care physician.

Source http://www.examiner.com/x-9303-Miami-Health-Care-Examiner~y2009m8d16-Colonoscopy-in-the-am-may-have-best-precancer-detection-rate The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News. ‎Au1 16 , 2009‎

Probiotics improve outcomes of gastric bypass surgery

2009-08-17T16:05:00.003-04:00

A study published in the July 2009 issue of Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery found that probiotics improve the outcomes gastric bypass surgery for weight loss. In this study patients were given either probiotics or a placebo following gastric bypass surgery. The patients receiving probiotics lost significantly more weight than the placebo group.

Several other studies have examined the potential role of probiotics in obesity and weight loss as well. Studies have found that lean individuals have higher levels of probiotics than overweight individuals. It is unknown whether taking a probiotic supplement or food is effective for weight loss, but preliminary studies have shown promising results. More studies are needed to confirm whether they can help with weight loss.

Even though we don't know for sure if probiotic foods and supplements can enhance weight loss, there are plenty of other known health benefits (colon health, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis etc.) of prebiotics and probiotics , so consider including good sources of probiotics and prebiotics as part of your daily diet.

To download and read the study, visit the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery website.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

2009-08-09T00:05:00.001-04:00

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two inflammatory bowel diseases. Inflammation of the digestive tract is common to both, but aside from that, they are distinct illnesses.

Crohn's can attack any part of the digestive tract from the esophagus to the colon. Ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, is limited to the colon - the large intestine. The inflammation in Crohn's disease affects all layers of the digestive tract. With ulcerative colitis, the inflammation remains on the most superficial layer of the tract.

One of Crohn's major symptoms is crampy stomach pain. The pain worsens after eating. Diarrhea is a prominent feature, and the diarrhea often is at its worst during the night. Rectal bleeding, night sweats, fever and weight loss are some of its other calling cards.

Medical science is still ignorant of its cause, but the immune system appears to be involved, and that bit of information comes into play in devising medicines for it.

FDA: Arthritis drugs pose cancer risk to children

2009-08-06T19:38:00.005-04:00

WASHINGTON — Federal regulators on Tuesday added stronger warnings to a group of best-selling drugs used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, saying they can increase the risk of cancer in children and adolescents.

After more than a year of review, Food and Drug Administration scientists said the drugs appear to increase the risk of cancer after they are used beyond 2 1/2 years. The agency studied several dozen reports of cancer in children taking the drugs, some of which were fatal. Half of the cases were lymphomas, a cancer that attacks the immune system.

The drugs are known as tumor necrosis factor blockers and work by neutralizing a protein that, when overproduced, causes inflammation and damage to bones, cartilage and other tissue. The drugs are prescribed to children with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disorder and Crohn's disease.

The FDA will bolster the "black box" warning on the five drugs sold in the U.S., including Abbott Laboratories' Humira, Johnson & Johnson's Remicade and Simponi, and Enbrel which is co-marketed by Amgen Inc. and Wyeth. All the products are multibillion-dollar sellers. Enbrel was the biggest moneymaker of the group with sales of $3.4 billion last year.

The action also affects Belgian drugmaker UCB's Cimzia, which launched in May.

Shares of North Chicago-based Abbott Laboratories and New Brunswick, N.J.-based J&J fell after the FDA announcement.

Along with updating the drugs' labels, the FDA is requiring companies to add information about cancer risks to the medication guides given to patients. The FDA said it is also working with the manufacturers to further define the scope of the cancer risk.

J&J said in a statement it "will coordinate closely with the FDA to ensure that health care providers, patients and caregivers are properly informed."

Amgen and Wyeth said they will continue working with regulators to evaluate "the potential risks and benefits" of their drug.

By MATTHEW PERRONE (AP)
Source: htttp://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gwU2Cj_4MEY0NDkE6OUtYyKHrBOQD99SBSSO1 The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News. Aug 4, 2009‎

Toward An Explanation For Crohn's Disease?

2009-08-03T21:10:00.002-04:00

Twenty-five per cent of Crohn's disease patients have a mutation in what is called the NOD2 gene, but it is not precisely known how this mutation influences the disease. The latest study by Dr. Marcel Behr, of the Research Institute of the MUHC and McGill University, has provided new insight into how this might occur.

When the NOD2 gene functions normally, it codes for a receptor that will recognize invading bacteria and then trigger the immune response. This study demonstrates that the NOD2 receptor preferentially recognizes a peptide called N-glycolyl-MDP, which is only found in a specific family of bacteria called mycobacteria. When mycobacteria invade the human body, they cause an immediate and very strong immune response via the NOD2 receptor.

"Now that we have a better understanding of the normal role of NOD2, we think that a mutation in this gene prevents mycobacteria from being properly recognized by the immune system," explained Dr. Behr. "If mycobacteria are not recognized, the body cannot effectively fight them off and then becomes persistently infected."

Researchers were already aware of the relationship between mycobacteria and Crohn's disease, but they did not know whether the presence of bacteria was a cause or a consequence of the disease. This new discovery associates the predisposition for Crohn's disease with both the NOD2 mutation and the presence of mycobacteria, but researchers must still determine the precise combination of these factors to understand how the disease develops.

More research is required to establish a complete explanation. From this, it is expected that new therapeutic approaches that fight the cause of Crohn's disease may be developed.

This study was funded by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The salaries of some researchers were provided by the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec.

This article was co-authored by François Coulombe, Maziar Divanghi, Frédéric Veyrier, Louis de Léséleuc, Dr. Michael B. Reed and Dr Marcel Behr from the Research Institute of the MUHC; James L. Gleason of McGill University; and Yibin Yang, Michelle A. Kelliher, Amit K. Pandey, and Christopher M. Sassetti of the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

This article is a reprint of http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709095429.htm/ The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News. ‎Jul 20, 2009‎