July 29th, 2010 by Dr. Mercola
Humans lack a key enzyme found in many animals and plants that reverses severe sun damage. For the first time, researchers have witnessed how this enzyme works at the atomic level to repair sun-damaged DNA.
Scientists were able to observe the enzyme, called photolyase, inject a single electron and proton into an injured strand of DNA. These subatomic particles healed the damage in a fraction of a second.
According to Physorg:
“[Researchers] synthesized DNA in the lab and exposed it to ultraviolet light, producing damage similar to that of sunburn, then added photolyase enzymes. Using ultrafast light pulses, they took a series of ‘snapshots’ to reveal how the enzyme repaired the DNA at the atomic level.”
July 29th, 2010 by Dr. Mercola
A new analysis by the Environmental Working Group suggests Americans are being exposed to bisphenol-A through a surprising route: paper receipts.
EWG found bisphenol-A on 40 percent of the receipts it collected from supermarkets, automated teller machines, gas stations and chain stores. In some cases, the total amount of BPA on the receipt was 1,000 times the amount found in the epoxy lining of a can of food.
According to the Washington Post:
“Sonya Lunder, a senior analyst with the environmental group, says BPA's prevalence on receipts could help explain why the chemical can be detected in the urine of an estimated 93 percent of Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
Research suggests that low doses of bisphenol-A can interfere with your endocrine system and cause a range of health effects, including reproductive problems and cancer.
July 29th, 2010 by Dr. Mercola
A new survey of child psychiatrists indicates that insomnia is a major problem among children in mental health treatment. What’s more, at least a quarter of these patients are given sleep medication.
To address the issue of insomnia, an overwhelming 96 percent of the clinicians recommended at least one prescription medication in a typical month and 88 percent recommended an over-the-counter medication. The sleep medications prescribed ranged from antihistamines to sedating medications to antidepressants.
According to Eurekalert:
“The researchers report that past studies have found that behavioral treatments such as relaxation techniques, sleep restriction and cognitive behavioral therapy are effective for childhood insomnia ... [L]ittle data exists about the safety and effectiveness of pharmacotherapy for the treatment of insomnia and other sleep disturbances in children and adolescents. In addition, there are currently no medications specifically approved for use as hypnotics in children under the age of 18.”
July 29th, 2010 by Dr. Mercola
The cutest dancing baby ever!
July 28th, 2010 by Dr. Mercola
After seeing patients die or suffer serious complications following Lap-Band surgery, Dr. Neelu Pal began quietly calling patients about to undergo the procedure, telling them she feared for their safety. She was fired weeks after hospital authorities learned about it.
During her time at NYU Langone Medical Center's Surgical Weight Loss Program, Pal witnessed two surgeons -- Dr. Christine Ren and Dr. George Fielding -- implant gastric bands into as many as 20 patients in a single day. Fielding and Ren are also paid consultants of Allergan Inc, the Botox and breast implant maker which is the leading manufacturer of the gastric band.
And their business could soon increase even more if U.S. regulators grant permission to perform the procedure on overweight teens.
Reuters reports:
“Ren was an investigator in an Allergan-sponsored clinical trial studying the use of bands on teens. And the company has an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking approval to market the device to teens as young as 14. A decision could come any time.”
