August 4, 2008
Great article from the New York Times about how we’ve stopped trusting our doctors.
Thinking about it myself; I currently have a doctor I trust. However, I’ve had doctors in the past I thought might kill me if there was anything I required actual medical attention for.
I think our discontent stems from two aspects of our medical system: HMO’s and prescription drug advertising.
In the past, you were a doctor’s patient. You were their customer. There was an incentive for the doctor to be attentive to your needs because you could go somewhere else.
Now most doctors work for an HMO. The HMO is the customer, not you. Doctors make their pay by who many ailments they cure, not by the return visits that rapport with a patient might encourage. Doctors then have no incentive to build a warm fuzzy relationships with their patients, only to treat them and get them out of the room. In fact, the time it takes to establish the warm-and-fuzzies keeps the doctor away from patients, meaning less in the HMO’s pocket for his salary.
Perhaps, it’s time to look at the HMO system…
July 23, 2008
There has been much concern expressed about the consumption of soy protein by men. Supposedly, eating soy protein can reduce testosterone levels in men.
This claim doesn’t live up to scrutiny. Here’s the basis of the concern: One man, in one study, saw a significant reduction in testosterone. And he had a testosterone level 200% above normal. Here’s a link to that study. No need to run around like Chicken Little.
A more recent study found NO decrease in testosterone. Click here to read it.
So, one can make there own mind up. Personally, I think that the issue deserves more study before one avoids soy protein, and we should see if soy may have testosterone regulation benefits.
Also, there is no dispute about the heart benefits. The FDA has granted this health claim for soy: “25 grams of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.”
So, check out Pax’s protein, formulated to attack heart risks!
July 16, 2008
Current research suggests that a blood pressure reading from simply an arm cuff may not give a full picture of one’s arterial health. A new study suggests that getting an ankle brachial index test might give doctors a better view of what’s going on in one’s body. Click here for a description of the study.
Essentially, measuring an ankle brachial index is simple. One measures your blood pressure with a blood pressure cuff on both the arm and ankle and comparing the systolic pressures between the two.
The index allows doctors to better understand the peripheral cardiovascular health the legs. The closer the ratio is to 1:1, the better your cardiovascular health.
A large difference between ones arm and ankle systolic pressure might signify poor cardiovascular health. A recent study found that a “low” ankle brachial index meant double the ten-year mortality rate from a coronary event.
We should emphasize that all studies describe the ankle brachial index as a tool for more accurately measuring ones cardiovascular health along with other tools, like the Framingham risk score. But, it might be worth while to ask your doctor about getting an ankle brachial index at your next physical.
For more information on the ankle brachial index click here.