The latest prediction by the CDC is that new diabetes cases will surge in the U.S. by 2050 unless something is done about the obesity epidemic. It is estimated that 1 in 3 Americans will have the disease.

The overwhelming feeling is that the key is in prevention. The fact that people are living longer and diabetes patients are living longer after diagnosis are two more reasons that the incidence of the disease is expected to greatly increase. Weight loss through both diet and exercise is the only hope to correct this dangerous trend.

Weight loss and exercise can prevent or at least delay the patients with prediabetes from developing Type II diabetes. People at risk due to their weight, family history, ethnic background, and other factors need to get screened. bjmdjd

Material modifications since posting: none

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · diabetes · obesity · prediabetes · weight loss and exercise

I am sooooooo happy to report that the Food and Drug Administration has announced that there is no evidence that any non prescription chelation products actually rid the body of toxic metals nor are they useful in the treatment of any diseases.

Prescription chelation products for problems like iron overload or lead poisoning have long been recognized as appropriate treatments for these conditions. The non prescription products are not known to treat any conditions or diseases though they are claimed to be miracle cures for everything by some.

Chelation has long been tauted by many alternative practitioners to treat many conditions however the one treated most effectively is the practitioner’s empty back pocket. They seem to work well for that problem since patients must pay cash as the treatments aren’t recognized by most third party payers.

The FDA warned eight different companies to stop selling their products and that making unsubstantiated claims about the products is a violation of federal law. I guess it’s OK for practitioners to make unsubstantiated claims about the usefulness of chelation. bjmdjd

Material modifications since posting: none

No tags

The Food and Drug Administration announced today that Abbott Laboratories has withdrawn the weight loss drug sibutramine (Meridia) from the market. The FDA asked the company to withdraw the drug after post marketing studies revealed that the risks of cardiovascular complications outweighed the modest weight loss achieved with using the drug.

Compared to placebo there was a 16% increase in non fatal heart attack, non fatal stroke, the need for resuscitation after cardiac arrest, and death. It was felt that the problems were caused by the drug increasing blood pressure and heart rate. They also announced that the risk of problems resolved when the medication is stopped.

Doctors have been asked to stop prescribing the drug and patients have been asked to stop taking it. The FDA also advised against taking the weight loss product Slimming Beauty Bitter Orange Slimming Capsules which is sold over the Internet and contains sibutramine (Meridia) though it is not listed on the ingredients label. bjmdjd

Material modifications since posting: none

Abbott Laboratories · cardiovascular complications · Food and Drug Administration · Meridia · sibutramine

Research presented today at the American College of Emergency Physicians 2010 Scientific Assembly found that the small cups sold over the counter for dosing children’s liquid medications may be marked inaccurately causing too large of a dose to be given.

The research was done using the cups measuring water and then measuring the same liquid in an accurate scientific cylinder. The testing was done by the researchers under controlled conditions and not by an untrained person. It was felt that an untrained person  holding a screaming baby at 4 A.M. might get an even more inaccurate result than the researchers.

The type of dosing cup, how the numbers and lines were printed on the cups, and the color of the liquid used all affected the accuracy of the results. The average result in the cylinder was 0.33 milliliters greater than in the dosing cups.

Whether these findings make any difference clinically or not is not known but dosing medications in a very young infant would seem to be clinically significant as 0.33 mL is not a small amount in these patients. I might suggest to have your pharmacist check your measuring cup against one of the scientific cylinders that they keep in their work area. bjmdjd

Material modifications since posting: none

American College of Emergency Physicians · dosing children's liquid medications · dosing cups

What is the world coming to? No need to worry about dieting anymore. With laser treatments the cellulite will just melt away. For a price I’m sure.

Thursday the Food and Drug Administration cleared the way for a painless laser treatment to get rid of that cellulite. Four pads are placed on the skin overlying the affected area and left in place for ten to twenty minutes. Supposedly the fat cells open up and release fat which is then transported to areas of the body where it can be dissolved and released during exercise. It is suggested that the patient exercise for twenty to thirty minutes immediately after the treatment if possible but it can be delayed for up to twelve hours if needed. Eight to ten treatments over a four week period is suggested.

The FDA also recently approved a cold laser for cellulite reduction treatments. Get out your wallets girls (and boys). bjmdjd 

Material modifications since posting: none

cellulite · cold laser · FDA · Food and Drug Administration