Why Do Some Patients Do Not Respond Well to Anti-Depressive Medications?

The answer to this question may be found in genetics. A gene with the name MKP-1 may hold the key to whether a patient will respond to anti-depressive medications or not. Patients who do not respond to the anti-depressive medications have twice as much of MKP-1 in their brain as those who respond to medications. This finding may explain why up to 40% of patients suffering from depression do not do well on anti-depressive drugs. The answer may be as simple as having too much of this "depression gene" in their brain.

Why Do Some Women Have Difficulty in Getting Pregnant in Their Thirties?

New genetic research may have the answer for why some women may experience difficulties in getting pregnant if they delay having babies until they are in their thirties. It appears that there are four genes that cause 1 out of 20 women to experience an early menopause (in their forties). These genes explain that women's ability to bear children begins to decline at least 10 years of becoming menopausal. Say, if a woman with the four genes is set to have her menopause at age 45 (the average age for menopause in industrialized nations is 50), then her ability to bear children is diminished starting at age 35. This 35-year old woman will have a hard time to conceive versus another woman who does not have the four genes. Genetic testing for the presence of the four genes may become available in a clinic near you soon.

Niacin Effect on Platelets: Actual Data From One Subject

A steady decrease in platelets count was observed while taking niacin (300 mg/day). Once niacin stopped, a sharp rebound in platelets count was observed. The data are actual observations taken over a period of approximately 6 months.

Total Cholesterol vs. LDL Level: A Predictive Model

A predictive model is suggested for estimating the Serum LDL concentration (mg/dL) from Total Serum Cholesterol (mg/dL) in the same person. The predictive model has the following mathematical expression:

LDL Level = -26.92 + 0.808 (Total Serum Cholesterol)

The p value for this model was less than 0.0001. Also, 88.7% of the variability in LDL is explained by the Total Serum Cholesterol. For example, a person has a Total Serum Cholesterol of 200 mg/dL. His estimated LDL concentration in serum is:

LDL Level = -26.92 + 0.808 (200) = 134.68 mg/dL

The clinically acceptable range for Total Serum Cholesterol in adults is 100 to 199 mg/dL and that for LDL is less than 100 mg/dL. It should be emphasized that other factors also contribute to the Serum LDL level, however their contributions to the variability in Serum LDL according to this model is less than 12%.

What Do Poll Results Mean? A Simple Explanation

We are less than 2 weeks away from voting this year. November is approaching fast. Polls are everywhere. The Tea Party, an outspoken segment of the Republican Party, is already announcing its winners this November. You would wonder how do they know? The answer to this question is based on polling a sample from the population and asking them for whom they are going to vote for this November. This is an example: Suppose that 3,000 individuals selected by random from the population asked about their voting target. Also say that 53% of them indicated that they would vote for candidate Y this election season. Well, the 53% figure is just an "observed" value from a sample. To predict what would happen in November based on this figure we will need to know the margin of error for this measurement. Suppose that the margin of error was 4 percentage points, then we could predict that the "true percentage" of voters in November who would vote for this candidate will be anywhere between 51% and 55%. This is always qualified by stating the degree of confidence we are reporting our estimate [51% - 55%]. The common confidence level for these estimates is 95%. In summary, and according to the polls, 53% indicated in a sample of 3,000 that they would vote for candidate Y in November. Our estimate is that the true percentage of people voting for this candidate will be anywhere between 51% and 55% in November, with 95% confidence (i.e., there is a 5% chance that our estimates are incorrect).

Catholic Faith and Evolution

Just for the sake of clarity, Catholic faith does not teach that evolution is not real. The Catholic Church recognizes that God created everything including evolution of species. I was never taught in the Catholic Church that evolution is a theory we are supposed to oppose. While it is important to stress on the fact that a supreme being, God, has created the universe and everything in it, it is also of importance not to contradict scientific facts just because they are not found in the Bible. Yes, God created the human being according to the Book of Genesis, however it does not tell us exactly how Adam and Eve looked like. God created man in his image; that is the spirit of man was pure. Do you really think that God physically looks like us. Think again. The Bible talks about the spiritual birth of man in the image of God. Biology explains how man evolved over time.

Is Evolution Real?

Yes. Evolution is no longer a theory. It happens daily. There are species that vanish and others replace them every day. If you are not watching you would not have known it. For politicians who do not believe in evolution I feel sorry for you. I really do. Are you serious you do not believe in evolution? Okay. Here is another one, Earth is not flat; it is a globe. Surprised! I think neither of these two facts are in the Bible, but they are true. The Bible was not meant to be a textbook for biology. Do not confuse it with your high school biology text. It is a religious book. For evolution, I recommend reading a biology book or two. Happy reading.

Chile Gave Us A New Hope

The latest miners rescue in Chile gave everyone of us a renewed faith in the human race. For a while I thought trust is a dying commodity, that goodness is becoming a rarity, and optimism is a thing of the past. But, here came the rescue mission in Chile. If you were human at all, you would have felt the same emotions that I felt. Being scared and worried, hopeful, scared again, more hope, praying, a tear or two, claustrophobic, feeling joyful, smiling again, crying one more time, hugging the coach and waiting, mesmerizing, laughing with tears, and joyful again because I felt human again. Chile gave me hope that we are not turning back to monkeys. For a while I thought evolution is going backward. Human beings are acting like animals. Hate, wars, destruction, abuse, neglect, fear, sadness, torture, famine, crimes, abandonment, but HOPE concurred them all. Chile, perhaps you are a small country, but you acted like a GIANT. A giant of hope. Thank you.

Monday is Columbus Day

This coming Monday is Columbus Day. It commemorates the discovery of America by Columbus, the first "illegal alien".

Are We Alone?

Logic dictates that planet Earth cannot be unique in the Universe. Whether you believe in a creator or you do not, it is highly improbable that our beautiful planet is the only one that supports life. Scientists just discovered a new planet "similar" to ours some 20 light-year away. (If we could travel by the speed of light it would take us 20 years to get there.) Many believe that our planet is being visited by extraterrestrial aliens (ET). The intention of their visits, if they are true, remain unknown. I would argue that such ETs have mastered the ability to prolong their lives so much so that they could travel long distance and reach their destination alive. I hope it is true that we are being visited by such beings. Perhaps they could teach us a thing or two about extending our lives, a matter I get interested in it by the day as I get older. ET, if you are reading this blog post, please leave me a comment. Wouldn't you? I am waiting.

Where to Get Organic Herbs

A new list on this site will include herbal resources. Please check this list often on this page as we will be updating the information on it periodically. BMP does not have any affiliation with any of these companies. This list is provided as an educational information. Always investigate the quality and the safety of herbal products on your own before you make the purchase. Many herbs/botanicals have interactions with drugs or on their own they could result in severe injuries and even death. Always (no exceptions) consult with your physician before you take anything related to your health. He/she is the one who "supposedly" has all the information on your medical history and can make a decision whether an herb or botanical is good for you. Wishing you the best of healthy life.

Papaya Leaves Tea Infusion

Papaya leaves are known to produce an increase in the blood platelets count. A tea infusion of Papaya dry leaves may be prepared by boiling a cup of water and then adding one teaspoonful of the dried leaves. Cover the tea and let it sit on the counter for about 8-10 minutes. Drink while it is hot. For sweetening the tea, add some organic honey. Purchase the organic variety of Papaya leaves.

Proton Pump Inhibitors

New studies are emerging on the link between heart attack and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These studies are showing an increase in the risk of heart attack by 25% for those patients who take PPIs on a daily basis for a long time. PPIs are normally used to suppress acid secretion from the stomach for those who suffer from acid reflux disease (GERDS). Some of the PPIs are now available over-the-counter and do not require a physician prescription. Consult with your primary health provider about your use of PPIs before initiating treatment.

Happy Sunday Morning

Early Christians used to go to church to attend a service early Sunday morning. The few thousands of early Christians had greater faith than all the millions of Christians living today. It is true we are away from the risen Lord by about 2000+ years, however we keep forgetting that the Holly Spirit lives with us as he had lived with all the generations following Christ. The Holly Spirit is here. We probably do not see him, but he is walking the streets with us, at work with us, at churches, at the grocery stores, etc. The Holly Spirit gives strength and encouragement. He has spoken through the prophets in the Old Testament and lives within the church, in each one of us, despite our failures. This is the Season of the Holly Spirit. Let us rejoice. Hallelujah.

Preventive Care

According to Western medical doctors (allopathic physicians) the extent of "preventive care" is simply the annual physical exam. While the annual physical may be a part of prevention, but by itself is just a tiny portion of preventive health. Prevention includes living healthy: mind, body, and spirit. It includes eating the healthy food, having positive thinking, and keeping in touch with the Creator. Our Creator is the source of life. He feeds us with spiritual nourishment to keep our spirit away from destruction. Being in contact with source of light gives clarity to our mind which yields a prosperous and happy life. In turn, happy life nourishes the immune system, the body's source for defence. Happy life does not allow stress to overcome it. Since stress is the cause of 80% of diseases--a scientific medical fact, happy life is also a healthy life. Physical exam may be part of preventive care, but by itself is useless. It is time for the allopathic medical establishment to realize that an 8-minute annual visit to the doctor does not, on its own, prevent disease. Health and maintaining it requires a whole life change, and a brief annual visit to the doctor cannot teach people how to live healthy. It is time for the medical establishment to emphasize on health and not on disease. It is time for the doctors to once again become teachers of health, the true meaning of the title "doctor".

Niacin Side Effects

Niacin is Vitamin B3. In addition to lowering platelets count, niacin has the potential of causing liver damage. Patients who are taking niacin should be monitored for their liver functions at minimum every three months.

Downers

Have you ever had the experience of talking to people that always bring up the negative stuff? These people focus on the bad and the ugly, the distressing and the stressing, the sad and the miserable, the stuff that really make you hate your life and yourself. There are people like that living in your neighborhood, school, place of employment, church, tennis club, soccer club, football club, baseball club, etc. that part of their enjoyment is to make you feel miserable. When they want to congratulate you on your birthday, for example, they tell you how old you are now and how fast you are closing in on the end of your life. They remind you with death and sadness, tears and miseries. Perhaps some members of your family are like that (don't we all have one or two of those?) Avoid them if you can. Avoid them like a plague. Keep them from "contaminating" your happiness. We are not created to be miserable. We are made in the image of the Almighty Joyful God. We should be joyful and happy. Keep away from those downers and enjoy life to its fullest. Amen.

Coffee and Parkinson's Disease

Drinking coffee is associated with a reduced risk of developing Parkinson's disease. About one-fourth of the population carries a version of the gene GRIN2A that is helpful in protecting individuals from developing the disease.

Colon Cancer Detection

The most useful technique for colon cancer detection currently is colonoscopy. Researchers from a Denmark-based institute are working on a simple blood test to detect colon cancer in its earliest stages. This test utilizes the "microRNA" method for detecting biomarkers that are specific for colon cancer. This technique is about to be tested in clinical trial on a relatively large scale. Most colonoscopy procedures are done on a three-year or a five-year schedule which could miss early cancer development during the period between testing. The good news is that for most colon cancer, their development from polyps into malignant tumors is slow and takes literally years to be completed.

A New Poll on BMP

We began today a new poll on Botanical Medicine Posts (BMP). This with respect to a proposed meeting for the Bloggers in the area of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Even if you are not a Blogger in CAM but interested to participate, please respond to the poll. The poll will end on December 10, 2010 at midnight. Depending on the interest we will or will not meet in Boston, MA next year. Thank you for participating. BMP

Aspirin and Niacin

Taking one aspirin tablet a day may overcome the problem of face flushing associated with taking niacin. However, the concomitant administration of these two chemicals together has a great potential for harm. They both affect the platelets in a negative way, causing potential spontaneous bleeding. In addition, taking aspirin for a relatively short period of time (several weeks) may cause ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract. These ulcers may bleed and require hospitalization. Consult with your physician before taking these agents and follow his/her advise.