Dr Bob's Newsletter - November 2004 by Robert Roy MD

Omega 3 Fish Oil - New Claims

Coming in a fish counter near you. Yes, you heard me right. The FDA has issued a new label that can be added to certain fish that contain Omega 3 oil. It basically states that research has shown that these oils MAY reduce the risk of coronary disease (hardening of the arteries). The amount of the oil will also be given on the label.

Dr Bob's Take: Yes, it well known that certain fish like lake trout, salmon and tuna, have significant amount of the omega 3 oils and these are good for us. Olive oil is also another oil that is beneficial.

Cholesterol - How Low Shall We Go

There has been a great deal of discussion in medical circles about the current published target for our cholesterol levels (see below). We are now seeing that there is more improvement noted if the cholesterol total is below 200mg.

Of other significance are the levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol). We are seeing more evidence that the lower the LDL goes the better off we are. Once again it is important that you know your own levels and what the current normals should be. Here are the current recommendations from the American Heart Association (AHA).

Risk Total Cholesterol LDL (bad cholesterol) HDL (good cholesterol)

desireable at or below 200mg at or below 129mg 40 - 50mg male 50 - 60mg female

moderate risk 200 - 239 mg 100 - 129 mg below 40 male & female

high risk 240mg and above 130 - 159mg = borderline 160 - 189mg = high 190mg or more = very high below 40

Dr Bob' Take: I am a firm believer of the science that states we are what we eat and where we are from. We have both genetics and food that represent our cholesterol. It is very important for all of us to get within the goals of the treatment regimen set up by your physician. The final goals are not written yet but will be over the next several years. Here is a "Heart Profiler" that you may find useful from the AHA.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1516

NEW NEWS Potential Warning with Bextra

On Nov 10th there was a suggestion by the FDA that there may be some unwanted cardiac events with this medication. This medication is another "cox2" meds which is somewhat similar to Vioxx. There was small study where Bextra was given intra-venously and then followed with oral Bextra where the death rate was higher than it should have been.

Dr Bob's Take: it is too early to have a definitive call on this but I would err on the side of caution.

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BIO:

I have several websites, physician-on-health.com and orchids-plus-more.com. A physician by training with 20 yr expereince as a family doc. Developing these websites has been an interest for many years.

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