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what’s happening in health? by shannon wongvibulsin| design by barbara wong
RESEARCH AND NEW FINDINGS ANTIBACTERIAL SOAPS - MORE HARM THAN GOOD?
total wellness ▪ winter 2014
AN APPLE A DAY MAY SAVE THOUSANDS OF LIVES
Although statins are the common drugs prescribed to individuals with high risk for cardiovascular disease, Oxford University researchers have recently found that consuming an apple each day without increasing overall caloric intake could save a comparable amount of lives. The scientists examined individuals over the age of 50 residing in Britain and used data modeling to determine the influence of placing this group on statins versus eating an apple a day. From this analysis, the researchers predicted about 9,500 fewer deaths per year if the entire population over the age of 50 used statins. However, with an apple a day, they found a similar benefit: “8,500 fewer deaths from heart disease and stroke every year.” Since more research is still necessary, individuals currently on statins should not attempt to replace their medications with apples. However, these patients may benefit from adding an apple a day to their diet while still continuing with their statin medications.3-4
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HIGH TESTOSTERONE LEVELS MAY RESULT IN WEAKER IMMUNE SYSTEMS
Recent research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) found that men with higher levels of testosterone are more likely to be unresponsive to a vaccine against the H3N2 flu strain. This finding suggests that higher levels of testosterone correspond to weaker immune systems. In the study, the vaccine was given to male and female participants. Afterwards, the scientists measured the subjects’ responses to the vaccine by examining the expression of genes and proteins related to the immune system. From this analysis, the researchers found that high-testosterone males had the weakest response to the vaccine, while low-testosterone males responded roughly in an equal manner to females.5
AT UCLA TRANSIT DIFFERENCES IN AIR POLLUTION BETWEEN LA NEIGHBORHOODS
After collecting real-time air pollutant concentration measurements in 4 Los Angeles neighborhoods (Boyle Heights, downtown Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, and Mar Vista), UCLA researchers found that there were very large differences in pollutant levels between these communities based upon measurements taken in the summer afternoons. Specifically, they discovered that the Mar Vista community (also known as the North Westdale neighborhood) has “possibly among the highest concentrations of any neighborhood in the Los Angeles area.” This high level of pollution could be due to the fact that the community is greatly impacted by the pollutants resulting from aircraft activities at the Santa Monica Airport. Rather than focusing on smog and ozone levels, this research (published in Atmospheric Environment) is novel in that it examined differences in freshly emitted pollutants at the neighborhood level.6 t w References 1 “Antibacterial soaps come under FDA scrutiny.” mnt.com. (2013). 2 “FDA: Antibacterial soaps could pose health risks.” usatoday.com. (2013). 3 “An apple a day could save thousands of lives, study indicates.” foxnews.com. (2013). 4 “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” bmj.com. (2013). 5 “Testosterone may make men likely to get the flu, study finds.” nbcnews.com. (2013). 6 “UCLA study: L.A. neighborhoods show striking differences in transit-related air pollution.” newsroom.ucla.com. (2013).
1 5 in
deaths annually are caused by cigarette smoking
1/3 approximate fraction of cancers that are preventable
22
nd
rank of US healthcare system among 27 highincome nations in terms of efficiency
left (in order): andydidyk/istockphoto; dcdr/ istockphoto; right: original illustrations by karen yuen
Because of the widespread use of “antibacterial” soaps and body washes, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a proposed rule that requires manufacturers to submit data to demonstrate that their “antibacterial” products are safe as well as more effective than plain soap and water. There is uncertainty whether the key components (triclosan and triclocarban) are actually effective germ-killing ingredients. Additionally, there are potential health risks associated with the use of these products. For example, antibacterial ingredients may interfere with hormone levels. Furthermore, some are concerned about the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. As a result, if companies cannot submit data to the FDA by December 2014 that demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of their “antibacterial” products over plain soap and water, these products will need to be reformulated or relabeled to stay on the market.1-2
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