KNIGHT WATCH

WHY IS OBESITY STILL BIG NEWS?

Night shift workers have an increased risk of obesity. An editorial in PLoS Medicine, an online medical journal, attributed this in part to diet. Options for eating at 3 am seem to be limited to convenience stores and fast food restaurants. Night shift workers who don’t bring food from home and who don’t have time to leave the building are stuck with vending machine food. Night shift workers also tend to exercise and sleep less because of their schedules. For the 15 million Americans who work the night shift, a healthy diet could make a “night and day” difference.

Obesity may change the brain. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, rodents were fed a typical, high-fat, American diet. In just one day inflammation was found in their hypothalamus – the part of the brain that helps regulate body weight and hunger. Within a week the animals’ brains activated brain cells that repair and protect damaged neurons. Then researchers looked at brain scans of 34 humans and found obese people had more repair activity in the hypothalamus. Because researchers think this may explain why it’s hard to keep weight off, this information should be “weightlisted”.

Obese or overweight - if people eat too much, decreasing or increasing protein won’t cause weight loss. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association put 25 normal-weight people – ages 18-35 – on a low-protein diet (5%), a normal diet (15%) or a high-protein diet (25%) for 12 weeks. For the last 8 weeks everyone ate 1,000 extra calories. Although the low-protein dieters gained only half as much weight, it was because they lost muscle. They actually stored a higher percentage of calories as fat. The high-protein dieters had the opposite results. That decreasing or increasing protein can cause weight loss is a big, “fat” lie.

Weight loss surgery does more than reduce risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. It also reduces risk of heart attack and stroke. Another study published in JAMA included about 2,000 weight-loss surgery patients and a similar number of obese people. Most were in their 40’s and 50’s and all were followed for an average of 14 years. Weight-loss surgery was associated with 33% fewer heart attacks and stokes and 53% fewer deaths from both. About 200,000 weight-reduction surgeries are performed yearly in the U.S. That’s a lot of heart attack and stroke reduction too. 

 

WHAT'S BEEN FOUND ABOUT MEMORY LOSS?

Memory loss can be caused by silent strokes. These strokes don’t always cause noticeable symptoms, but they result in small pockets of dead brain cells and are found in about 25% of seniors. A study published in the journal Neurology included 658 adults age 65 and older – all without dementia. They had brain scans and were tested for memory, language skills, thinking speed and visual perception. The brain scans showed 174 of the participants had experienced silent strokes and those participants didn’t perform as well on the memory tests. Research into stroke prevention continues – with the exception of “strokes of genius”.

A fat hormone can increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. That’s according to a study published in the Archives of Neurology. Adiponectin is a hormone produced by fat cells. It helps regulate the body’s response to insulin and metabolism. Although higher levels help lower the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, higher levels were found in older women with dementia. Higher levels increased the likelihood of dementia 60% and Alzheimer’s 90%. However, older women who were fatter had lower levels of adiponectin and dementia. Although no men were in the study, they have a “fat chance” of not being similarly affected.

However, slow response times aren’t necessarily a sign of early dementia. A study done at Ohio State University asked 300 volunteers to watch asterisks flash on a computer screen. Then they were told to quickly decide whether they had been shown 31 to 50 asterisks or 51 to 70. Response times and accuracy improved with age up to a point. Accuracy remained good among seniors, but response times got slower as people got older. Because of failing memories, older people are more careful when deliberating; and this carefulness slows their decision making to “slow but sure”.

More good news – in the future a spinal tap may predict Alzheimer’s. A study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry suggests 2 biomarkers found in cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds and protects the spinal cord and brain) could predict when mild cognitive impairment will become Alzheimer’s. Both biomarkers are proteins. An increase in “tau” is associated with neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. A decrease in “beta-amyloid” is associated with plaque formation in the brain and is an earlier predictor. Alzheimer’s treatment is thought to be more effective the earlier it’s diagnosed and this study has “tapped into” an early diagnosis.

 

IS THERE MORE "I CAN" IN AMERICANS?

 Americans are working more and socializing less. According to a 2011 nationwide survey of 900 adults, 28% of employees felt overworked, almost 50% missed or were late for at least 3 social events last year because of work and 70% were better at fulfilling work responsibilities than family ones. When asked how they felt in relation to their job in the past month, the responses were: tired – 44%, stressed – 43% and underpaid – 35%. However, 31% felt confident, 27% felt valued, 25% felt content and 21% felt excited. The survey was sponsored by Ultimate Vodka –working more to increase business too.

The 40% of Americans who say they are active in religious organizations are more likely to be active in civic and social groups. The Pew Research Center found that religiously active people spend more than twice as much time participating in group activities. For example, 24% of Americans were involved in sports or recreation leagues for themselves or for their children (25% RA’s/17% NRA’s). Twenty-two percent were involved in charitable groups (34% RA’s/15% NRA’s). Fifteen percent were involved in political parties (22% RA’s/10% NRA’s). Therefore, I guess that it’s not surprising NRA’s were more likely to be political independents.

The average American consumes 1,926 pounds of food yearly. That’s almost a ton! This startling fact and its breakdown come from the Department of Agriculture. Dairy: 630 pounds of milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream. Meat and Poultry: 185 pounds of chicken, turkey, pork and beef. Wheat and other grains: 197 pounds. Fruit: 273 pounds – but most is water weight. Vegetables: 415 pounds – but most is corn and potatoes. Sweeteners: 141 pounds – including 42 pounds of corn syrup. Fats: 85 pounds – butter, as well as oils. Converted into calories this food represents 2,700 daily AND explains why one-third of Americans are obese.

More American women are becoming gun owners. In fact, target shooting is one of the fastest-growing, female sports. Female participation has almost doubled in the U.S. in the past decade – growing to almost 5 million since 2001. To become more female-friendly the target shooting industry is providing pink pistols and purses with holster slots. However, learning self-sufficiency isn’t the only reason women enjoy shooting. They say it also increases concentration, relieves stress and provides a sense of peace. Hmmm, I remember when women’s “target shooting” was just a quick trip to the discount store with a red bull’s-eye logo.

 

WHO IS HAVING GOOD IDEAS?

 The “List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness” is the idea of Lake Superior University and is compiled of nominations from around the world. “Amazing” topped 2012’s list of 12 words or phrases primarily because of overuse on reality television and by daytime talk show hosts. Others making the list were “ginormous”, “baby bump”, “man cave”, “shared sacrifice”, “the new normal” and “thank you in advance”. The list was started by the university’s PR department on New Year’s Day 1976 and has gotten “wordier” over the past 37 years.

There are also new ideas for hotels. At Stockholm’s Arianda Airport you can stay in a Boeing 747. It has 25 four-person, dormitory-style rooms and the cockpit contains a double-bed, luxury suite. In Ottensheim, Austria and Bottrop-Ebel, Germany you can stay at a Das Park Hotel. The rooms are giant, concrete drainpipes - complete with double beds and electricity. At the Crane Hotel in Harlingen, Netherlands 2 people can stay dockside with luxury accommodations in a shipping crane. The included breakfast is delivered by an internal lift. I suppose the new looks of these hotels could qualify them as “ho-ho-hotels”.

Even the Federal Aviation Administration had a good idea. On December 21, 2011 it issued new rules to prevent pilot fatigue. Scheduled duty was limited to 9-14 hours, depending on the time of the pilot’s first flight and the number of time zones crossed. Scheduled flying time was limited to 8-9 hours, with pilots flying at night having fewer flying hours. Also pilots have a minimum of 10 hours rest between duties. Although passenger carriers have 2 years to make the changes, the new rules don’t apply to cargo carriers. The FAA determined it would be too costly – which seems “plane foolish”.

In closing, maybe paper towels weren’t a good idea. In a Canadian study published in the American Journal of Infection Control, 6 towel brands commercially sold in Canada were all contaminated. However, towels made of recycled paper were the most contaminated, having bacteria concentrations 100-1,000 times higher. Recycled paper contains binding ingredients like starches and fillers, which can serve as food. Contaminated machinery in paper mills can also cause contamination. Of the 17 bacterial species found, the most common was Bacillus, which has been linked to food poisoning. Although no illness has yet been attributed to paper towels, researchers continue their “paperwork”.

 

HOW CAN WE AVOID ALZHEIMER'S?

 Lifestyle changes can delay or prevent late-life Alzheimer’s, which affects people in their 80’s and 90’s – especially if the changes begin in midlife. Being physically fit is the most important factor in keeping the brain young. Being socially active and mentally engaged in new and challenging ways are two other factors. Moderate exercise increases the size of the shrinking hippocampus – the part of the brain responsible for forming memories. Exercise also maintains healthy blood flow to the brain – important because blood vessels make up one-third of the brain’s volume. It seems you can’t start to early to avoid late-life Alzheimer’s.

Nutrition also helps prevent Alzheimer’s. Because brain and heart health are very closely related, a heart-healthy diet is essential. Safflower and sunflower oils plus nuts and green vegetables are good sources of anti-oxidant-rich vitamin E, which significantly lowers Alzheimer’s risk. Four ounces of fatty fish (lake trout, salmon, sardines, tuna) – eaten at least twice weekly - increase Omega-3 fatty acids, which aid mental function. Finally, the spice turmeric protects the brain and is thought partly responsible for the much lower rate of Alzheimer’s in India. Considering Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S., think “newtrition”.

A study published in the journal Neurology shows how nutrition affects our brain. The blood of 104 elderly volunteers was tested for a variety of nutrients. The volunteers were also given tests to measure memory and thinking abilities and 42 of them had MRI scans to measure brain size. Those who tested high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D (fish) plus vitamins C, E and B (vegetables) were less likely to have brain shrinkage and more likely to test well than those eating trans fats (margarine, packaged foods, baked goods, fast food). According to this, trans fats are a “brain drain”.

However, flu shots don’t increase Alzheimer’s risk. There is no research showing an additive in the shot is responsible for difficulties with thought, memory and language. In fact, a Canadian study of more than 4,000 adults showed past exposure to several vaccines – including flu vaccine – was linked to reduced risk of Alzheimer’s. Other research has shown getting an annual flu vaccine was linked to lower risk of death in the elderly. Annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older – but especially for those under 5 and over 50. Obviously, we should let our doctors “call the shots”.

 

WHY DOES OUR HEALTH HAVE SO MANY IF'S?

If your nose runs when you are exercising, you’re one of the 10%-20% of Americans with “exercise induced rhinitis”. EIR is much like allergic rhinitis, also called hay fever or nasal allergies; and the symptoms are similar – congestion, sneezing, itchiness and runny nose. It is more common in people who have allergies and in people who exercise outdoors. It’s also more common in winter. Although the exact cause of this condition isn’t known, medical research is pointing to pollution, specifically nitrogen dioxide found in car exhaust. When cars run, so do EIR noses.

If you have acid reflux, you’re one of the 60 million Americans who experience it at least monthly. However, 15 million experience it daily. A Norwegian study conducted from 1995 to 2009 found the number of people who frequently experienced symptoms almost doubled in the past decade. More women have acid reflux, but it’s more common in both sexes toward middle age. Too much stomach acid can scar the esophagus and the acid can increase the risk of esophageal cancer if chronic and untreated. Although many researchers attribute the increase in acid reflux to the increase in obesity, that explanation “wears thin” with some Americans.

If you get a cat, your risk for cat allergy almost doubles. An Italian study included 6,300 people ages 20-44 who weren’t allergic to cats. Nine years later they were tested again. Although 231 had become sensitized to cats, those who got a cat during the study were 1.8 times likelier to develop cat allergy. Those who already had allergies or asthma were 3-4 times likelier to develop cat allergy. However, 89 people who had a cat or got one during the study didn’t let their cat into their bedroom. None of them developed cat allergy. None of them “catnapped”.

If you are a woman, clogged arteries present different dangers than to men. A study presented to the Radiological Society of North America included 480 patients – average age 55 – with acute chest pain. By combining CT angiographies with 13 months of follow-up, scientists discovered the risk of major cardiac events were significantly higher in women with large amounts of plaque buildup and extensive hardening of the arteries. Men had greater risk of heart attack or coronary bypass surgery when their arteries contained “non-calcified plaque” – fatty deposits that accumulate deep in artery walls. Doctors wanting to customize care will find this information “heartening”.

 

WHAT'S THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FOR AMERICANS?

Thirty-two percent of men and 34% of women were obese in 2011. A report presented to the American Heart Association predicted 43% of men and 42% of women could be obese by 2020. Some cardiovascular risk factors have decreased since 1988 – smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. However, weight gain, diabetes and pre-diabetes have increased. If these trends continue, diabetes and pre-diabetes in women could increase from 6.3% and 37% respectively to 8.3% and 44%. The numbers for men aren’t much better. It seems the U.S. has become a country of “weight-watchers” – watching their weight increase.

A mother’s relationship with her young child could cause the child to be obese as a teenager. This is the finding of a study published in the journal Pediatrics. Researchers looked at data for 977 children nationwide. The data documented relationship characteristics between mothers and their toddlers. More than 25% of the children with poor relationships with their mothers were obese by age 15 compared to 13% of the children who were close to their mothers. It seems brain areas covering emotions and stress work with areas controlling appetite and energy balance. However, mothers might want additional research “fathered”.

Morning snacking interferes with weight loss. A Study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association included 123 overweight and obese women ages 50-75. Although 97% ate snacks daily, 19% snacked between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Forty-eight percent of morning snackers ate 3 or more snacks daily compared to 38.9% of evening snackers. Morning snackers lost 7% of their body weight in a year; women who didn’t snack before lunch lost 11%. Americans are eating more frequently – not just when they’re hungry. Because “mindless eating” doesn’t mean we eat less at the next meal, we need to be “mindful”.

When older, obese women regain weight, more is regained as fat – not muscle. The study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition included 78 obese women, average age 58, who’d lost 25 pounds in a previous diet study. Data for the regainers showed a change in body composition. Thirty-three percent of the lost weight was muscle, but muscle was only 20% of the regained weight. Previous studies have shown younger people regain weight in the same muscle/fat proportion they lost it, but that’s not true for older people – and that is expected to include men. Age seems to put the fat in fate.

 

IS SCIENCE MAKING MORE SENSE?

Our DNA determines our preference in perfumes. Previous research found the MCH (major histocompatability complex) genes are related to being sexually attracted to someone else’s scent. In a study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 116 volunteers – male and female – were asked to smell 10 scents commonly found in perfumes including rose, cinnamon, cedar and moss. Although they smelled them in different concentrations and settings, the volunteers’ previously tested variations in MCH genes correlated with the perfumes they liked best. I’m guessing it won’t be long before a perfume manufacturer markets a line of perfumes called “Geneius”.

Talking about an event helps us remember it. In a study published in the journal Child Development, 46 children ages 27-51 months played with a toy for 2 days. On day 3 the children were asked if they remembered the toy and how to use it. Six years later they were shown a medal they’d received for their participation and asked if they remembered why they got it. Twenty percent remembered. They were the children who had talked more about the toy after the study. Talking about something shortly after it happens helps memory develop – unless the researchers are “toying” with us.

Birds are singing differently. According to research published in the journal Behavioral Ecology, city noise pollution is causing birds with low-pitched songs – like gray catbirds and robins – to sing at a higher pitch. Birds with high-pitched songs – like Northern cardinals – are singing at a lower pitch because buildings absorb and refract their songs. Bird song – like human speech – is learned. Science has already discovered birds hear subtle differences in their songs when choosing a mate. Because city and country birds of the same species will have different songs, “birds of a feather may no longer fly together”.

When trees branch, the smaller branches have an exact mathematical relationship to the branch they came from. Leonardo DaVinci knew that in the 1500’s. In 2011 a French physicist stated “Leonardo’s rule” mathematically. The sum of the surface areas of the two daughter branches is equal to the surface area of the mother branch. According to the French physicist, if you wanted to design a tree that was best able to withstand high winds, it would branch according to Leonardo’s rule. However, trees seem to have figured that out on their own. That information is obviously part of the “tree of knowledge”.

 

ARE WE WAKING FROM THE AMERICAN DREAM?

Most American workers don’t use all their vacation days. That was the finding of two 2011 surveys. Hotwire, the discount travel website, surveyed approximately 2,000 adults and found the average employee left 6.2 paid vacation days unused at the end of the year. A survey conducted for JetBlue Airline found 57% of about 1,000 employees didn’t use all their vacation days. That survey also found the amount of unused days averaged 11 and 33% of employees were afraid to ask for vacation in a time of job insecurity. It seems employees have become workhorses corralled by the economy.

America ranked 20^th out of 21 developed countries in parental leave. That was according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research in 2008. In 2011 Human Rights Watch criticized America for being decades behind other countries in parental leave. According to the Census Bureau, about 50% of first-time mothers between 2006 and 2008 received some type of paid maternity leave. About 43% took unpaid leave and 14% took a combination of both. Considering in the early 1980’s 37.3% of first-time mothers got some type of paid leave, progress has been in “baby steps”.

Forty percent of Americans who work as police officers have sleeping disorders, such as insomnia and sleep apnea. These officers were 63% likelier to violate safety protocols, 51% likelier to fall asleep while driving, 43% likelier to make administrative errors and 22% likelier to be injured on the job. They received 35% more citizen complaints too. The study also illustrated the connection between sleep apnea and obesity. Thirty-four percent of the officers reported having sleep apnea and 34% reported being obese – although some had one condition and not the other. Keep this information in mind if you get a ticket - don’t ask the officer to “sleep on it”.

More than 20% of American adults took at least 1 anxiety or depression medication in 2010. That’s according to Medco Health Solutions Inc. and based on 2.5 million patients. Drugs for behavioral and psychiatric disorders were most often prescribed for women age 45 and older. In fact, women were twice as likely as men to take anxiety medications. About 23% of the population in Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi and Alabama used at least 1 behavioral or psychiatric drug. However, less than 15% of the population in Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin and Michigan used them. They were in better “states of mind”.

 

HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT?

Peoples’ e-mail service may reveal the likelihood of their repaying debts. In 2011 Credit Karma (a website providing free credit scores subsidized by advertising) used its database of about 100,000 users to figure out the average credit scores of people using various e-mail services. Credit scores range from 501 to 900 – the higher the score, the likelier a person was to repay debts on time. BellSouth users had the highest score (697) followed by Comcast (688), Gmail (677), MSN (663), Hotmail (660), AOL (659) and Yahoo (641). My e-mail service wasn’t included in the study – for which I “get no credit”.

The NPD Group (a market research company) conducts a Kitchen Audit every 3 years. In 2011 the average kitchen always had yogurt, eggs, Cheddar cheese, soy sauce and solid-packed pumpkin. The average kitchen never had acai berry juice, fresh artichokes, fresh turnip, mincemeat in any form or almonds. More than 30% of American households had go-to dinner recipes they turned to at least weekly. Almost 20% had a favorite dessert they ate at least weekly. Also families of 5 or more were likelier than singles to stock marshmallows, frosting, Mexican foods and breakfast foods. I guess those provided “stock options”.

A plate’s color can affect how much food we put on it. In a Good Morning America experiment 10 volunteers – half with white plates and half with red pates – served pasta marinara to one of the other volunteers. The volunteers with red plates put an average of 2 ounces more – 200 calories – on the plates. That would result in 2 extra pounds monthly and 24 extra pounds yearly. Because there was more color contrast with white plates, the serving size was more obvious and people took less food. It seems that plates can provide a “color scheme” for losing weight.

People are hungrier in the winter. A 1991 study done at the University of Georgia tracked how much and how fast people ate from season to season. Beginning in the fall the study subjects ate about 200 calories more a day. According to some researchers, this is due to primitive impulses that prompt us to stockpile extra calories and to eat them faster because there is less daylight. Other researchers attribute the extra calories to opportunity – to more holiday feasting, better leftovers, more grazing and less outside activity. It’s up to you to decide which explanation “carries more weight”.