The volume and consistency of media medical misinterpretation recently is truly amazing. Some, usually immune to conspiracy theories, are wavering. This newsletter addresses the most grievous of these errors. Next newsletter will have some of my thoughts about a surprisingly controversial topic - stretching.

As the local medical community continues to struggle with the economy, I want to thank you for your support. Government-determined insurance reimbursement rates for Sonoma County, with some of the highest living costs in the country, are set at one of the lowest rural levels on the west coast. The other day I learned that one of the most established family practice docs in Santa Rosa joined Kaiser because he was tired of dealing with these issues. The real world knowledge physicians acquire through years of experience and learning from our patients is invaluable. It is shocking that this very experienced and well-regarded felt so unsupported. I recognize the commitment you make by coming to see me. Sonoma County patients and physicians have all been struggling somewhat but hopefully it is worth the struggle and improvement is coming.
BTW- No final determination on the office relocation.... Yet.

Best, Michael Carlston, M.D.
www.carlstonmd.com 
707-545-1554

Researchers from the MIND Institute at UC Davis announced that they discovered over 100 blood protein abnormalities in children with autism. Autism has become increasingly common but, at the same time, not very easy to diagnose. A blood test could change that. Also, early diagnosis or maybe even blood test screening could lead to early treatment.

Four years ago a study of nearly 3,000 healthy elderly people found that vitamin D reduced risk of fractures by 22%. Two new studies of elderly patients with osteoporotic fractures (fractures resulting from thin bones) have been interpreted to show that taking calcium and vitamin D does not reduce fractures. Actually there was a consistent reduction in fracture rate but that reduction was not large enough, given the size of the studies, to achieve statistical significance. The correct interpretation (and fairly obvious common sense) is that elderly individuals who have already suffered a broken bone related to osteoporosis will not be helped by taking vitamin D and calcium as much as they will by more aggressive medical therapy.

The biggest media splashes about the evils of supplementation have centered on antioxidants. As I have written (seemingly every newsletter) in response, these studies have had crippling weaknesses.

The last one about vitamin E and heart disease strangely used statistics to disprove its own findings of lung cancer prevention, but then chose not to apply that same rigorous statistical analysis to test the reliability of the adverse effect associated with E. In other words, they seemed determined to disprove beneficial effects, but not so determined to convincingly prove bad effects. Also, the subjects already had significant health problems. probably altering responses. There was a high likelihood of a medication interaction with the vitamin as well. Most importantly, the type of E (there are 8 major varieties in the E family and different forms of each) was not considered.

Researchers boosted antioxidants in mice by genetic engineering and found that the mice lived 20% longer on average. These were mice not people. This was genetic engineering, not swallowing supplements. It did give very strong proof that antioxidants block aging health declines.

Remember not to jump to conclusions in any direction.

A nice little study of elderly Chinese patients found that listening to recorded “soft” music before bed markedly improved their sleep. For 45 minutes at bedtime the subjects listened to one of 6 different recordings. Those listening to “soft”, “sedating” music fell asleep faster, reported better sleep quality and felt better during the daytime. Also the effects were cumulative. Patients improved week by week through the three week study.

Most discussion about adverse effects of medication for chronic conditions centers on long term consequences. Some of you may remember that a few years ago I very nearly accepted a teaching position at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Researchers there recently completed a rather frightening study of the toxicology of Ritalin. After only three months of taking the medication, they found that every one of the 12 children they studied had chromosomal abnormalities associated with cancer.

Many of us worry about the potential for problems with genetically modified foods. I read a report the other day that I found hard to “swallow”. To help increase rice outputs, scientists are genetically engineering rice to be more resistant to herbicides. That way they can use lots of it, kill the competing plants and leave the rice free to flourish. Disgustingly (sorry for the editorialism, but I am appalled), Japanese scientists are using a human gene for this purpose. They must have missed the movie GODZILLA. I find this idea frightening, not to mention seriously weird.