The association between parent-reported postnatal secondhand tobacco smoke exposure in the home and neurobehavioral disorders (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, and conduct disorders) among children younger than 12 years in the United States was examined using the 2007 National Survey on Children’s Health. A total of 6% of 55 358 children (aged < 12 years) were exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) in the home. The weighted prevalence and 95% confidence intervals of each of the children’s neurobehavioral outcomes were 8.2% (7.5–8.8) with learning disabilities, 5.9% (5.5–6.4) with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and 3.6% (3.1–4.0) with behavioral and conduct disorders. Children exposed to SHS at home had a 50% increased odds of having ≥2 childhood neurobehavioral disorders compared to children who were not exposed to SHS. Boys, older children (especially those aged 9 to 11 years), and children living in households with the highest poverty levels were at greater risk. The authors concluded that the findings of the study, which are associational and not necessarily causal, underscore the health burden of childhood neurobehavioral disorders that may be attributable to SHS exposure in homes in the United States. Pediatrics. 2011 Aug;128(2):263-270. PMID: 21746720.
Dose-response relation found between physical activity and cognitive function
A cross-sectional analysis examined the dose−response association between physical activity and cognitive function in Chinese subjects. A total of 27,651 participants aged 50 to 85 years were recruited from 2003 to 2008 and cognitive function was assessed by the delayed 10-word recall test (DWRT). Information on potential confounders, including demographic and anthropometric characteristics, socioeconomic position, lifestyle, and disease history, was collected by standardized interview and procedures. Most participants were classified as physically active (53.1%), with 42.4% moderately active and 4.5% physically inactive. Significant dose−response relations were found across quintiles of metabolic equivalent value (METs) with DWRT score in participants with or without good self-rated health (all p for trend < 0.001). In participants with poor self-rated heath, those in the fifth quintile of METs compared to the first quintile had a significantly reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment by 28% (p < .01; p for trend = .006). The association between physical activity and DWRT score remained significant after adjustment for depression. The authors concluded that a significant dose−response relationship between physical activity and cognitive function was found and that the association was more pronounced in participants with poor self-rated health. Ann Epidemiol. 2011 Jul 22. PMID: 21784658.
New Chapter announces acquisition of Canadian distribution rights
New Chapter, Inc. has announced the acquisition of its Canadian distribution rights by its newly formed subsidiary, New Chapter Canada, Inc. New Chapter Canada acquired the distribution rights of New Chapter products from the Canadian company, Advantage Health Matters. Beginning immediately, New Chapter Canada will introduce new bilingual packaging, brochures, national advertising, and a new bilingual Canadian website. New Chapter Canada’s newly appointed General Manager, Disa Pratt, believes that “Gaining control of our distribution rights gives us the ability to have a more direct relationship with retailers. We can now more fully utilize our soul to soul marketing approach in better serving our customers.”
Montreal will host the 22nd edition of the World Cancer Congress in 2012
The World Cancer Congress (WCC) has been held in many cities around the world since 1933. For the first time, it will take place in Canada in 2012 (August 27-30) at the Palais des Congrès in Montreal. Organized by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in collaboration with the Canadian Local Host Committee (LHC) composed of the Fondation québécoise du cancer, McGill University, and Université de Montréal, the WCC is expected to attract more than 3000 participants and world leaders in the fight against cancer from 120 countries. The 2012 WCC will provide education and training opportunities throughout the program including interactive meetings, forums, workshops and sessions.The program consists of four tracks, each directly linked to one or more of the World Cancer Declaration targets: 1) prevention and early detection; 2) cancer care and survivorship; 3) palliation and pain control; and 4) systems in cancer control. The preliminary program along with online services (registration and hotel services) will be launched on November 4th, 2011 (www.worldcancercongress.org).
Chiropractors cautioned against insurance fraud
The Toronto Star has reported that practitioners’ signatures and/or credentials are being utilized for insurance fraud without the professional’s knowledge. The article titled Shady clinics bill 1.3 billion in bogus car insurance claims scam, was written by Michele Henry and published on July 13, 2011 in the Toronto Star. It states, “Insurance companies only pay out if treatment is given by a regulated health professional — a doctor, chiropractor, physiotherapist, or massage therapist. It appears that [bogus] clinics sometimes steal a professional’s information. In other cases, a professional briefly worked in the clinic and left behind a college- issued registration number and electronic signature.” Henry also writes, “Health care professionals from all disciplines say the province must do something to stop their credentials from being misused.” Insurance investigators claim that more than 300 clinics in the Greater Toronto Area loosely connected in fraudulent rings are working this system.
Metagenics partners with Vitamin Angels to help children with vitamin A deficiencies
Metagenics, Inc. has announced that it will partner with Vitamin Angel’s Operation 20/20 outreach program to eliminate vitamin A deficiency among infants, children and pregnant mothers worldwide. For every two bottles of Metagenics’ omega-3 fish oil supplements that is sold, Metagenics will fund nutritional support for a child under five years of age for one year. “We are proud to partner with Vitamin Angels in an international program to reduce mortality and sickness in some of the most vulnerable and underserved populations in the world,” said Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., FACN, FACB, the chief science officer for Metagenics, Inc. “Our mission at Metagenics is to help individuals achieve optimum health. Now, people can help a child in need to be healthy, while also improving their own health when purchasing two bottles of our omega-3 fish oil supplements.” “With Metagenics’ help, Vitamin Angels is now reaching over 24 million children in the U.S. and in 40 countries around the world,” said Howard B. Schiffer, president and founder of Vitamin Angels. “For the children and mothers we are serving, these vitamins are giving them a chance to lead full and productive lives. We are honored to have Metagenics as a partner in this important effort.”
Multivitamin quality varies widely
Laboratory test results of 60 multivitamins have shown that a supplement cannot be judged by its label or by its price. “Consumers should know that multivitamins vary widely in quality,” said Tod Cooperman, MD, president of ConsumerLab.com, White Plains, NY. “Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot to get a good multivitamin.” ConsumerLab.com’s latest report on multivitamins sold in the U.S. and Canada (including three products for pets) found that the contents of the bottle do not always match the claims on the label. Eight multivitamins contained less of an ingredient than claimed, two contained more than claimed, one multivitamin intended for pets was contaminated with lead, tablets of another multivitamin failed to properly disintegrate, and three supplements listed ingredients in ways that did not comply with FDA requirements. Surprisingly, there was almost no connection between price and quality. Many inexpensive multivitamins (ranging in price from 3 to 14 cents per day) passed every test. At the same time, several relatively expensive products (some costing more than 50 cents or even more than $1 a day) failed ConsumerLab.com’s review. This review is available online.
Life Science Nutritionals launches adult essentials gummies with EPA/DHA
Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited (ONC), the provider and supplier of MEG-3® brand Omega-3 EPA/DHA ingredients has announced the launch of Adult Essentials Gummies Omega-3 and Enhanced Multivitamin, both with Omega-3 EPA/DHA. These two new omega-3-containing adult gummies are part of Life Science Nutritionals’ new line of all natural gummy vitamins formulated for adults – the first of its kind in Canada. Every 10 g serving (four gummies) of all natural Adult Essentials Omega-3 gummies provides 100mg omega-3 EPA/DHA, has no artificial sweeteners or colours, and contains nine essential vitamins. The enhanced multivitamin is the first to be enriched with fish oil and is approved by Health Canada. “While awareness about the importance of Omega-3 EPA/DHA at all life stages continues to grow, Canadians are still not consuming adequate amounts,” says Jon Getzinger, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of ONC. “Incorporating EPA/ DHA into a multivitamin is a progressive step by Life Science Nutritionals, and we’re proud to be a part of this innovative product.” Adult Essentials Gummies are available at drugstores and supermarkets nation-wide.
Vitamin D sales increased in 2010
An article in the Nutrition Business Journal stated that the year 2010 was another banner one for vitamin D, with supplement sales up another 30%. Vitamin D basked in the glow of promising research with more than 1000 studies looking at the vitamin’s effect on health conditions veering far beyond bone health to immunity, inflammation, and even protection against some forms of cancer. Consumer awareness of Vitamin D’s importance was also on the rise, especially after TV’s Dr. Oz began touting its benefits and the importance of supplementation for adequate daily intake.
Vitamin D and cancer campaign launched by the Vitamin D Council
The Vitamin D Council, a nonprofit educational corporation based in California, launched their “Vitamin D and Cancer” campaign, presenting 20 detailed summaries of the evidence on the role of vitamin D in preventing cancer. The summaries can be found under the “Health conditions” tab on the Vitamin D Council website (http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health-conditions/cancer/). The Vitamin D Council hopes the campaign will spread more awareness about the importance of vitamin D sufficiency and the dangers of vitamin D deficiency. Some vitamin D and cancer facts that are presented in the summaries include: 1) many studies have found solar ultraviolet-B (UVB) and vitamin D associated with reduced risk of breast, colon, and rectal cancer; 2) randomized controlled trial with 1100 IU/ day vitamin D3 plus 1450 mg/day calcium found a 77% reduction in all-cancer incidence; 3) geographical studies have found reduced risk in mortality rates for 20 types of cancer in regions of higher solar UVB doses; 4) observational studies have found that the risk of breast, colon, and rectal cancer fall as vitamin D blood levels rise at least up to 40 ng/mL (100 nmol/L); 5) those who develop nonmelanoma skin cancer may have produced enough vitamin D to reduce their risk of internal cancers; 6) those with higher vitamin D blood levels at time of cancer diagnosis had nearly twice the survival rate of those with the lowest levels; and 7) higher UVB exposure early in life has been found associated with reduced risk of breast and prostate cancer.
