Flashes

That's not a hot flash, that's a power surge.

SARS Scare

With all of the media attention on the spread of SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, it is difficult to know how much each of us is at risk. An excellent source of information is the Health Canada website, which offers a special section on SARS, written in clear language and updated daily. The site provides information on symptoms and diagnosis, risk factors, a summary of current research, and travel advisory tips. There is also a special section on SARS for Health Professionals. Call 613-957-2991 or visit: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/protection/warnings/sars/questions6.html

FDA Approves Low Dose HRT

The American Food and Drug Administration has approved a lower dose of Prempro, the combination HRT that was recently studied in the Women's Health Initiative, and reported to cause more health risks than health benefits for long-term use in healthy menopausal women. The new dosage, manufactured by Wyeth, has 28% less estrogen and 40% less progestin than the original Prempro. The new, lower-dose Prempro, referred to by doctors as "Prempro .45" contains .45 estrogen and 1.5 progestin (medroxyprogesterone) for the treatment of specific symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. The original formulation of Prempro (Prempro .625) will also remain available for prescription.

The FDA report states that hormone therapy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms should be used at the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible duration. This new, lower-dose Prempro offers women who choose to go on HRT an additional option for treatment. In their announcement, the FDA also reminds health practitioners that HRT should not be used to prevent heart disease, heart attacks or strokes. www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00878.html

Estrogen-Androgen Formulations to Be Re-examined

The FDA has announced that it will re-examine combined estrogen-androgen products previously approved in 1976 to treat menopausal hot flashes because there is no clear scientific evidence that androgen (male hormones) contributes to the alleviation of hot flashes. The FDA, however, has not removed these products from the market while they are being re-examined for approval since there is no documented public health or safety issue associated with them.

Estrogen-androgen products are also commonly used to treat female sexual dysfunction, though the FDA has not approved them for this purpose. Currently, two American products are made up of androgen and estrogen, Estratest and Estratest H.S., both sold by Solvay Pharmaceuticals. www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01210.html

Vitamins for Health

A recent review of studies spanning from 1966 to 2002 demonstrates what our health practitioners have been telling us all along: a multivitamin daily is good for your health. Researchers from the Harvard Medical School of Public Health found that while overall vitamin deficiency in the well-fed Western world is rare, it is still common for many of us to be deficient in one or several important vitamins, particularly vitamins D, E, B6, B12 and folic acid. The researchers also found that a deficiency in one or more vitamins is associated with a variety of chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis. For once, the remedy is easy: the researchers conclude that all adults should take one multi-vitamin pill daily.

However, there may be adverse effects if you take too many vitamins or high-dose vitamins, particularly in combination with other supplements. A new study by the Food Standards Agency in the UK states that many high-dose supplements may cause serious health risks, and some supplements may cause irreversible harm if taken over a long period at a high dosage. So be sure to talk to your health practitioner about the dosage that is right for you.

According to the study, the following high-dose supplements may cause adverse health reactions:

*Chromium in the form of chromium picolinate may have the potential to cause cancer; consumers are advised not to take chromium in this form. The FSA has consulted on a proposal to ban its use in the manufacture of food supplements in the UK. Having 10mg/day or less in total of chromium in other forms is unlikely to cause any harm.

*Levels of vitamin C above 1000mg/day could cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Similarly, high intakes of calcium (above 1500mg/day) and iron (above 17mg/day) may result in similar symptoms in some people. These symptoms should disappear once people stop taking the supplements.

*There are some substances that may have irreversible harmful effects if taken for long periods at the highest supplemental doses. These include beta-carotene (especially for smokers and those exposed to asbestos), nicotinic acid, zinc, manganese (especially for older people) and phosphorus.

*Current advice on vitamin B6 is being reemphasized. The Agency advises against taking more than 10mg/day of vitamin B6 from dietary supplements unless acting on medical advice. High intakes taken over a long period of time can lead to a loss of feeling in the arms and legs.

From the Food Standards Agency, UK.

Copyright Initiatives for Women's Health, Inc. May/Jun 2003
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