A nuclear heart scan is a type of medical test that allows your doctor to get important information about the health of your heart. During a nuclear heart scan, a safe, radioactive material called a tracer is injected through a vein into your bloodstream. The tracer then travels to your heart. The tracer releases energy, which special cameras outside of your body detect. The cameras use the energy to create pictures of different parts of your heart.
Nuclear heart scans are used for three main purposes:
To provide information about the flow of blood throughout the heart muscle. If the scan shows that one part of the heart muscle isn’t receiving blood, it’s a sign of a possible narrowing or blockage in the coronary arteries (the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to your heart). Decreased blood flow through the coronary arteries may mean you have coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD can lead to angina, heart attack, and other heart problems. When a nuclear heart scan is performed for this purpose, it’s called myocardial perfusion scanning.
To look for damaged heart muscle. Damage may be due to a previous heart attack, injury, infection, or medicine. When a nuclear heart scan is performed for this purpose, it’s called myocardial viability testing.
To see how well your heart pumps blood out to your body. When a nuclear heart scan is performed for this purpose, it’s called ventricular function scanning.
Usually, two sets of pictures are taken during a nuclear heart scan. The first set is taken when the heart is beating fast due to you exercising. This is called a cardiac stress test. If you can’t exercise, your heart rate can be increased using medicines such as adenosine, dipyridamole, or dobutamine.
The second set of pictures is taken later, when the heart is at rest and beating at a normal rate.
Monday, January 14, 2008
What Is Cardiac Catheterization?
Cardiac catheterization (KATH-e-ter-i-ZA-shun) is a medical procedure used to diagnose and treat certain heart conditions. A long, thin, flexible tube called a catheter is put into a blood vessel in your arm, groin (upper thigh), or neck and threaded to your heart. Through the catheter, doctors can perform diagnostic tests and treatments on your heart.
Sometimes a special dye is put into the catheter to make the insides of your heart and blood vessels show up on x rays. The dye can show whether a material called plaque (plak) has narrowed or blocked any of your heart’s arteries (called coronary arteries).
Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in your blood. The buildup of plaque narrows the inside of the arteries and, in time, may restrict blood flow to your heart. When this happens, it’s called coronary artery disease (CAD).
Blockages in the arteries also can be seen using ultrasound during cardiac catheterization. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of the heart’s blood vessels.
Doctors may take samples of blood and heart muscle during cardiac catheterization, as well as do minor heart surgery.
Cardiologists (doctors who specialize in treating people who have heart problems) usually perform cardiac catheterization in a hospital. You’re awake during the procedure, and it causes little to no pain, although you may feel some soreness in the blood vessel where your doctor put the catheter. Cardiac catheterization rarely causes serious complications.
Sometimes a special dye is put into the catheter to make the insides of your heart and blood vessels show up on x rays. The dye can show whether a material called plaque (plak) has narrowed or blocked any of your heart’s arteries (called coronary arteries).
Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in your blood. The buildup of plaque narrows the inside of the arteries and, in time, may restrict blood flow to your heart. When this happens, it’s called coronary artery disease (CAD).
Blockages in the arteries also can be seen using ultrasound during cardiac catheterization. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of the heart’s blood vessels.
Doctors may take samples of blood and heart muscle during cardiac catheterization, as well as do minor heart surgery.
Cardiologists (doctors who specialize in treating people who have heart problems) usually perform cardiac catheterization in a hospital. You’re awake during the procedure, and it causes little to no pain, although you may feel some soreness in the blood vessel where your doctor put the catheter. Cardiac catheterization rarely causes serious complications.
vitamin information
As active weight lifters, what role do vitamins play in improving our performance? We know there important but what do vitamins actually do?
I'd like to breifly provide some vitamin information about the role that vitamins and minerals play in the muscle building process.
First of all, Vitamins are necessary for growth, health, and metabolism. Vitamins perform highly specific metabolic functions, especially in energy metabolism and are vital to all our biological functions including the synthesis of muscle tissue. Which is of course, what we all want!
Here's some important vitamin information, vitamins do not actually provide energy to the body or build muscle.
What's that you say? If vitamins don't build muscle than what do they do? Vitamins actually help release energy provided by the macro nutrients such as fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
Hard workouts increase your nutritional needs. There’s no doubt about it. You must ensure that you are getting the optimal amount of vitamins in your diet.
That’s why you may want to add certain vitamins to your nutritional game plan for building muscle. Keep in mind that vitamin supplements should not replace food. Your body can get almost all the nutrients it requires from a balanced diet.
Your body absorbs nutrients best from food. However, you might want to think of adding a vitamin supplement as good insurance. Adding a daily multi vitamin and antioxidant containing 100% of the daily values may be a good move. I like to think of it as covering my nutritional bases
Certain vitamins belong to a group known as antioxidants which fight off disease causing chemicals known as free radicals. Very important.
Here is a partial list of some important vitamins and their functions:
Vitamin information- Vitamin A
Function:
Vitamin A helps to maintain the skin, bone and tooth growth
Sources:
Vitamin A is plentiful in vegetables such as carrots, beans, yams, and spinach. Also found in liver, egg yolks, and whole milk.
Notes:
Vitamin comes in two forms, carotene and retinol.
Vitamin information- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Function:
Vitamin B1 plays a very important part of the energy conversion process. Vitamin B1 helps your body in breaking down carbohydrates to energy. Necessary for the maintenance of a healthy nervous system, growth, and muscle tone
Sources:
Bran flakes, wheat germ, whole grains, pork, liver and dried beans.
Notes:
Refined foods often depletes Vitamin B1 from carbohydrates.
Vitamin information- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Function:
Vitamin B2 helps your body in releasing energy from protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Vitamin B2 also helps in the maintenance and growth of tissues.
Sources:
Eggs, milk, liver, eggs, whole grain breads, cereals, meats and legumes.
Notes:
An important part of energy metabolism and supports skin care and vision.
Vitamin information- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Function:
Vitamin B3 is used in energy metabolism and supports skin care. Vitamin B3 also helps to support the nervous system and digestive system.
Sources:
Tuna, chicken, liver, breads, cereals and legumes.
Vitamin information- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)
Function:
Helps transform amino acids and fats into glucose. Fatty acid oxidation
Sources:
Found in a lot of whole foods.
Vitamin information- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Function:
Vitamin B6 helps in the conversion of stored liver and muscle glycogen into energy. Also helps in protein metabolism.
Sources:
Liver, bananas, fish, whole grains, nuts, vegetables, meat and chicken.
Notes:
Used in amino acid and fatty acid metabolism.
Vitamin information- Vitamin B9 (Folic acid)
Function:
Regulation of growth. Helps breakdown protein. Also necessary for normal production of red and white blood cells.
Sources:
Liver and leafy green vegetables.
Vitamin information- Vitamin B12
Function:
Vitamin B12 helps in the production of red blood cells. Also helps metabolize carbohydrates, protein, and fat.
Sources:
White fish, cheese, lean meat, liver, chicken, eggs, and dairy products.
Notes:
Daily requirements are usually low since the liver stores large amounts of Vitamin B12
Vitamin information- Vitamin C
Function:
Vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron and in the production of collagen. Helps maintain normal connective tissues. May help protect against exercise induced tissue damage.
Sources:
Citrus fruits and juices, oranges, green peppers, cabbage, potatoes, broccoli and tomatoes.
Notes:
Vitamin C is an antioxidant and may be help to decrease tissue damage caused by heavy exercise
Vitamin information- Vitamin D
Function:
Vitamin D assists in maintaining strong bones and teeth
Sources:
Cod liver oil, liver, egg yolks, sunlight (your skin converts sunlight to vitamin D).
Notes:
Vitamin D can be toxic if taken in excess. An excess of vitamin D can cause calcium deposits in soft tissues such as the kidneys, arteries and joints.
Vitamin information- Vitamin E
Function:
Vitamin E helps to prevent the destruction of red blood cells. Vitamin E also helps to improve blood flow by helping to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.
Sources:
Green vegetables, raw seeds, vegetable oils, nuts, wheat germ, eggs, and whole grains
Notes:
Vitamin E is an antioxidant and may be help to decrease tissue damage caused by heavy exercise
Vitamin information- Vitamin H (Biotin)
Function:
Helps in the breakdown of fats
Sources:
Egg yolks and liver
Vitamin information- Vitamin K
Function:
Vitamin K helps control blot clot rate. Involved in glycogen formation and bone formation.
Sources:
Brussel sprouts, broccoli, leafy vegetables, tomatoes, cauliflower, milk, and yogurt.
Vitamin information
Minerals
Apart from vitamins, minerals are also required for growth, maintenance and repair of the body. They help supply oxygen to cells, improve digestion, and help keep the body in balance. Minerals also participate in the proper functioning of the muscular and nervous systems.
The tissues in your body contain fluids on the inside of cells and in the spaces between cells. In these fluids are electrolytes. Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals or ions.
The electrolytes help regulate water balance on either side of the cell membranes and also help make muscles contract.
The two main electrolytes are sodium and potassium. Potassium helps regulate fluids on the inside of cells while sodium helps regulate fluids on the outside of cells.
For optimum functioning, electrolytes must be kept in balance.
Here is a partial list of minerals and there functions
Vitamin information- Sodium
Function:
Maintenance of fluid balance on either side of cell walls. Also helps in muscular contractions and nerve transmissions
Source:
Found in most foods
Vitamin information- Potassium
Function:
Maintenance of fluid balance on either side of cell walls. Assists in the conversion of glucose to glycogen. Helps in muscular contractions and never transmissions.
Source:
Fruits and vegetables, bananas, and potatoes
Vitamin information- Calcium
Function:
Essential for blood clotting, muscle contractions, and nerve transmissions. Also helps with bone and teeth formation
Sources:
Green leafy vegetables and dairy products.
Vitamin information- Chlorine
Function:
Helps maintain water balance by regulating pressure.
Source:
Kelp, table salt
Vitamin information- Magnesium
Function:
Helps in neuromuscular contractions. Also helps the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins.
Source:
Whole grains, green vegetables, and legumes
Vitamin information- Phosphorus
Function:
Helps stimulate muscular contractions. Helps metabolize carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Also assists in energy production.
Sources:
Chicken, fish, Meats, whole grains, and nuts.
Vitamin information
Antioxidants
Anti what? Antioxidants have been getting a lot of attention lately in the sports industry. Antioxidants, mainly beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and the minerals selenium, zinc, copper, and manganese have been generating a lot of excitement regarding their disease fighting properties.
Antioxidants help fight free radicals or rather chemicals naturally produced by the body that cause irreversible damage to cells. Free radicals can leave your body open to such diseases as cancer, advanced aging, degenerative diseases, and cardiovascular diseases.
What causes free radicals? Nobody knows for sure but certain environmental factors such as cigarette smoke, radiation, exhaust fumes, certain drugs, stress and too much sunlight contribute to the increase in free radicals.
Oddly enough, steady exercise and weight lifting seems to increase the amount of free radicals in the body. No one really knows why exercise increases free radicals in the body but it is important to understand that there are ways to combat free radicals.
It is important to build up your immune systems while weight training and getting enough antioxidants is one way to do it.
Vitamin information- Vitamin C
When you get a cold, what’s the first supplement you reach for? I’m guessing it’s vitamin C. Vitamin C is an essential part of our diets and operates in the formation of connective tissues. Vitamin C is also involved in immunity, allergic responses and wound healing.
As an anti oxidant, vitamin C also helps keep free radicals from destroying the outer cells. As a weight trainer, a cold or infection can side line you pretty quick. Vitamin C can help cut the risk of respiratory infections and boost immunity.
The best sources of vitamin C come from citrus fruits and juices, green peppers, kiwi, cantaloupe and green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin information- Vitamin E
As an antioxidant, vitamin E has been shown to protect against after workout muscle damage and the free radical production that follows.
Part of vitamin E’s job is to scavenge free radicals produced by weight lifting therefore saving tissue from damage. Vitamin E also seems to prevent the destruction of oxygen carrying red blood cells which means improved oxygen delivery to your muscles during exercise.
The best sources of vitamin E come from wheat germ, seeds, nuts, fish oils, and vegetable oils.
Vitamin information- Beta Carotene
Once beta carotene is ingested by the body, it is converted to vitamin A as the body needs it. Beta carotene destroys free radicals after they’ve formed and may help reduce muscle soreness after weight lifting.
The best sources of beta carotene comes from carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, and cantaloupe.
It is important to note that vitamins and minerals do not directly build muscle or supply energy. Vitamins and minerals have very precise functions that help synthesis muscle tissue and in the metabolism of energy.
Supplementing with a vitamin and minerals will not boost the body’s muscle building abilities but rather enure that you have the optimal amounts to enhance the bodies ability to help synthesis muscle tissue and metabolize energy.
Think of supplementing with a quality vitamin/mineral supplement as covering your nutritional bases.
I'd like to breifly provide some vitamin information about the role that vitamins and minerals play in the muscle building process.
First of all, Vitamins are necessary for growth, health, and metabolism. Vitamins perform highly specific metabolic functions, especially in energy metabolism and are vital to all our biological functions including the synthesis of muscle tissue. Which is of course, what we all want!
Here's some important vitamin information, vitamins do not actually provide energy to the body or build muscle.
What's that you say? If vitamins don't build muscle than what do they do? Vitamins actually help release energy provided by the macro nutrients such as fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
Hard workouts increase your nutritional needs. There’s no doubt about it. You must ensure that you are getting the optimal amount of vitamins in your diet.
That’s why you may want to add certain vitamins to your nutritional game plan for building muscle. Keep in mind that vitamin supplements should not replace food. Your body can get almost all the nutrients it requires from a balanced diet.
Your body absorbs nutrients best from food. However, you might want to think of adding a vitamin supplement as good insurance. Adding a daily multi vitamin and antioxidant containing 100% of the daily values may be a good move. I like to think of it as covering my nutritional bases
Certain vitamins belong to a group known as antioxidants which fight off disease causing chemicals known as free radicals. Very important.
Here is a partial list of some important vitamins and their functions:
Vitamin information- Vitamin A
Function:
Vitamin A helps to maintain the skin, bone and tooth growth
Sources:
Vitamin A is plentiful in vegetables such as carrots, beans, yams, and spinach. Also found in liver, egg yolks, and whole milk.
Notes:
Vitamin comes in two forms, carotene and retinol.
Vitamin information- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Function:
Vitamin B1 plays a very important part of the energy conversion process. Vitamin B1 helps your body in breaking down carbohydrates to energy. Necessary for the maintenance of a healthy nervous system, growth, and muscle tone
Sources:
Bran flakes, wheat germ, whole grains, pork, liver and dried beans.
Notes:
Refined foods often depletes Vitamin B1 from carbohydrates.
Vitamin information- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Function:
Vitamin B2 helps your body in releasing energy from protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Vitamin B2 also helps in the maintenance and growth of tissues.
Sources:
Eggs, milk, liver, eggs, whole grain breads, cereals, meats and legumes.
Notes:
An important part of energy metabolism and supports skin care and vision.
Vitamin information- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Function:
Vitamin B3 is used in energy metabolism and supports skin care. Vitamin B3 also helps to support the nervous system and digestive system.
Sources:
Tuna, chicken, liver, breads, cereals and legumes.
Vitamin information- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)
Function:
Helps transform amino acids and fats into glucose. Fatty acid oxidation
Sources:
Found in a lot of whole foods.
Vitamin information- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Function:
Vitamin B6 helps in the conversion of stored liver and muscle glycogen into energy. Also helps in protein metabolism.
Sources:
Liver, bananas, fish, whole grains, nuts, vegetables, meat and chicken.
Notes:
Used in amino acid and fatty acid metabolism.
Vitamin information- Vitamin B9 (Folic acid)
Function:
Regulation of growth. Helps breakdown protein. Also necessary for normal production of red and white blood cells.
Sources:
Liver and leafy green vegetables.
Vitamin information- Vitamin B12
Function:
Vitamin B12 helps in the production of red blood cells. Also helps metabolize carbohydrates, protein, and fat.
Sources:
White fish, cheese, lean meat, liver, chicken, eggs, and dairy products.
Notes:
Daily requirements are usually low since the liver stores large amounts of Vitamin B12
Vitamin information- Vitamin C
Function:
Vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron and in the production of collagen. Helps maintain normal connective tissues. May help protect against exercise induced tissue damage.
Sources:
Citrus fruits and juices, oranges, green peppers, cabbage, potatoes, broccoli and tomatoes.
Notes:
Vitamin C is an antioxidant and may be help to decrease tissue damage caused by heavy exercise
Vitamin information- Vitamin D
Function:
Vitamin D assists in maintaining strong bones and teeth
Sources:
Cod liver oil, liver, egg yolks, sunlight (your skin converts sunlight to vitamin D).
Notes:
Vitamin D can be toxic if taken in excess. An excess of vitamin D can cause calcium deposits in soft tissues such as the kidneys, arteries and joints.
Vitamin information- Vitamin E
Function:
Vitamin E helps to prevent the destruction of red blood cells. Vitamin E also helps to improve blood flow by helping to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.
Sources:
Green vegetables, raw seeds, vegetable oils, nuts, wheat germ, eggs, and whole grains
Notes:
Vitamin E is an antioxidant and may be help to decrease tissue damage caused by heavy exercise
Vitamin information- Vitamin H (Biotin)
Function:
Helps in the breakdown of fats
Sources:
Egg yolks and liver
Vitamin information- Vitamin K
Function:
Vitamin K helps control blot clot rate. Involved in glycogen formation and bone formation.
Sources:
Brussel sprouts, broccoli, leafy vegetables, tomatoes, cauliflower, milk, and yogurt.
Vitamin information
Minerals
Apart from vitamins, minerals are also required for growth, maintenance and repair of the body. They help supply oxygen to cells, improve digestion, and help keep the body in balance. Minerals also participate in the proper functioning of the muscular and nervous systems.
The tissues in your body contain fluids on the inside of cells and in the spaces between cells. In these fluids are electrolytes. Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals or ions.
The electrolytes help regulate water balance on either side of the cell membranes and also help make muscles contract.
The two main electrolytes are sodium and potassium. Potassium helps regulate fluids on the inside of cells while sodium helps regulate fluids on the outside of cells.
For optimum functioning, electrolytes must be kept in balance.
Here is a partial list of minerals and there functions
Vitamin information- Sodium
Function:
Maintenance of fluid balance on either side of cell walls. Also helps in muscular contractions and nerve transmissions
Source:
Found in most foods
Vitamin information- Potassium
Function:
Maintenance of fluid balance on either side of cell walls. Assists in the conversion of glucose to glycogen. Helps in muscular contractions and never transmissions.
Source:
Fruits and vegetables, bananas, and potatoes
Vitamin information- Calcium
Function:
Essential for blood clotting, muscle contractions, and nerve transmissions. Also helps with bone and teeth formation
Sources:
Green leafy vegetables and dairy products.
Vitamin information- Chlorine
Function:
Helps maintain water balance by regulating pressure.
Source:
Kelp, table salt
Vitamin information- Magnesium
Function:
Helps in neuromuscular contractions. Also helps the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins.
Source:
Whole grains, green vegetables, and legumes
Vitamin information- Phosphorus
Function:
Helps stimulate muscular contractions. Helps metabolize carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Also assists in energy production.
Sources:
Chicken, fish, Meats, whole grains, and nuts.
Vitamin information
Antioxidants
Anti what? Antioxidants have been getting a lot of attention lately in the sports industry. Antioxidants, mainly beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and the minerals selenium, zinc, copper, and manganese have been generating a lot of excitement regarding their disease fighting properties.
Antioxidants help fight free radicals or rather chemicals naturally produced by the body that cause irreversible damage to cells. Free radicals can leave your body open to such diseases as cancer, advanced aging, degenerative diseases, and cardiovascular diseases.
What causes free radicals? Nobody knows for sure but certain environmental factors such as cigarette smoke, radiation, exhaust fumes, certain drugs, stress and too much sunlight contribute to the increase in free radicals.
Oddly enough, steady exercise and weight lifting seems to increase the amount of free radicals in the body. No one really knows why exercise increases free radicals in the body but it is important to understand that there are ways to combat free radicals.
It is important to build up your immune systems while weight training and getting enough antioxidants is one way to do it.
Vitamin information- Vitamin C
When you get a cold, what’s the first supplement you reach for? I’m guessing it’s vitamin C. Vitamin C is an essential part of our diets and operates in the formation of connective tissues. Vitamin C is also involved in immunity, allergic responses and wound healing.
As an anti oxidant, vitamin C also helps keep free radicals from destroying the outer cells. As a weight trainer, a cold or infection can side line you pretty quick. Vitamin C can help cut the risk of respiratory infections and boost immunity.
The best sources of vitamin C come from citrus fruits and juices, green peppers, kiwi, cantaloupe and green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin information- Vitamin E
As an antioxidant, vitamin E has been shown to protect against after workout muscle damage and the free radical production that follows.
Part of vitamin E’s job is to scavenge free radicals produced by weight lifting therefore saving tissue from damage. Vitamin E also seems to prevent the destruction of oxygen carrying red blood cells which means improved oxygen delivery to your muscles during exercise.
The best sources of vitamin E come from wheat germ, seeds, nuts, fish oils, and vegetable oils.
Vitamin information- Beta Carotene
Once beta carotene is ingested by the body, it is converted to vitamin A as the body needs it. Beta carotene destroys free radicals after they’ve formed and may help reduce muscle soreness after weight lifting.
The best sources of beta carotene comes from carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, and cantaloupe.
It is important to note that vitamins and minerals do not directly build muscle or supply energy. Vitamins and minerals have very precise functions that help synthesis muscle tissue and in the metabolism of energy.
Supplementing with a vitamin and minerals will not boost the body’s muscle building abilities but rather enure that you have the optimal amounts to enhance the bodies ability to help synthesis muscle tissue and metabolize energy.
Think of supplementing with a quality vitamin/mineral supplement as covering your nutritional bases.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Canadian Cancer Society Announces Vitamin D Recommendation
The Canadian Cancer Society is recommending a specific amount of Vitamins D supplementation for Canadians to consider taking. This first-time recommendation is based on the growing body of evidence about the link between Vitamins D and reducing risk for colorectal, breast and prostate cancers. "The evidence is still growing in this area, but we want to give guidance to Canadians about this emerging area of cancer prevention based on what we know now," says Heather Logan, Director, Cancer Control Policy, Canadian Cancer Society. "As we find out more we will update our recommendation." In consultation with their healthcare provider, the Society is recommending that: -- Adults living in Canada should consider taking Vitamins D supplementation of 1,000 international units (IU) a day during the fall and winter. -- Adults at higher risk of having lower Vitamins D levels should consider taking Vitamins D supplementation of 1,000 IU/day all year round. This includes people: - who are older; - with dark skin; - who don't go outside often, and - who wear clothing that covers most of their skin. "We're recommending 1,000 IUs daily because the current evidence suggests this amount will help reduce cancer risk with the least potential for harm," says Logan. "More research is needed to clearly define the amount of Vitamins D that will maximize health benefits." Logan explains that Canada's geographic location was a strong factor in the Society's decision making about the recommendation. "Where a person lives is one important factor in how much Vitamins D they can produce from the sun. Because of our country's northern latitude, the sun's rays are weaker in the fall and winter and Canadians don't produce enough Vitamins D from sunlight during this time." Research findings announced today add to the mounting evidence in this area. A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that taking Vitamins D supplements and calcium substantially reduces all-cancer risk in post menopausal women. Specifically, the researchers found that the higher the levels of Vitamins D in the blood, the lower the relative risk of developing cancer. As well, another study released in May, suggests that women who consume more calcium and Vitamins D may be less likely to develop breast cancer before menopause. In addition to taking supplements, people can get Vitamins D by exposure to the sunlight and in their diets. However, Logan cautions Canadians about relying too much on getting Vitamins D through exposure to sunlight. "It's important to remember that a few minutes a day of unprotected sun exposure is usually all that is needed for some people to get enough Vitamins D," says Logan. "It's not a good idea to rely solely on the sun to obtain Vitamins D. For some people, it's possible that just a few minutes of unprotected sun exposure every day could increase skin cancer risk." Logan says a large-scale clinical trial would help provide more answers about the amount of Vitamins D needed to maximize health benefits, and the long-term risks, if any, of taking large doses of the vitamin. "The Canadian Cancer Society is looking seriously at what we can do to make this research happen. We will also be talking to our partners about this. We need to keep building on our knowledge about this important area of cancer prevention." More research is also needed about the amount of sunlight exposure needed to achieve the optimum Vitamins D level. The Society is not changing its SunSense guidelines, as skin cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Canada. The Society recommends that people reduce their exposure to the sun, particularly between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are the strongest. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher and SPF 30 if you work outdoors or if you will be outside for most of the day. At this time, the Canadian Cancer Society does not have a recommendation for Vitamins D supplementation for children. The research to date about the role of Vitamins D and cancer prevention has focused on adults. The Canadian Dermatology Association recently updated its recommendations about Vitamins D supplementation. The association's website says: "In order to lessen the health risks associated with skin cancer yet still reap the known and possible benefits of Vitamins D levels take 1,000 international units of Vitamins D supplements a day." The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and to enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Statistics of the prices generic
Abstract:
Background: Because of the scarcity of health care resources, governments have large incentives to contain high pharmaceutical expenditure growth rates. Thus, in order to influence pharmaceutical costs, governments must understand the determinants (both economic and regulatory) of competition between pharmaceutical firms, which in turn determines prices and demand for pharmaceuticals.
Researchers often study off-patent drugs because of payors' expectations that once a drug loses patent, competition should ensue and costs should decline. Most studies have focused on competition between pioneers (branded off-patent drugs) and their generic equivalents because often pioneers' prices and market shares remain high after patent expiration. Few studies have modelled the determinants of competition in the generic vs. generic sphere. Moreover, preliminary evidence shows that generic prices are often not as low as expected, and that the lowest price generics often do not achieve the largest market shares.
Aim: Increased price competition amongst generics could offer health systems new opportunity for pharmaceutical savings. Therefore, this study will model determinants of price competition amongst generics to offer a newfound understanding of ways in which pharmaceutical expenditures could be contained more efficiently.
Methodology: This study conducted panel data, multivariate analysis to determine the effect that determinants of competition (market concentration, number of presentations sold, time since generic entry, etc.) have on generic prices.
This study used data from Intercontinental Medical Statistics (IMS) Health. Price and sales data is presented by drug molecule name, country, strength, package size, formulation, company name and generic/brand status. This paper studied omeprazole (a PPI) and paroxetine (a SSRI), both of which treat chronic conditions, are primarily sold through retail/outpatient pharmacies, are primarily sold in tablet/capsule form, and which have large markets that are conducive to significant sample sizes. In addition, both molecules went off patent in most countries during the study period, 2000-2005.
For comparative purposes, this study includes countries that represent different approaches to pharmaceutical regulation: 1) US—free market approach, 2) UK—regulatory approach with free market incentive, 3) Germany—free market and reference pricing, and 4) France—price controls/negotiation and reference pricing.
Findings: This study rejected the null hypothesis of perfect competition. The predicted effect of generic competition—low generic prices—is crowded out by product differentiation and reimbursement schemes. Moreover, the demand side often does not succeed in purchasing the lowest price generics.
Background: Because of the scarcity of health care resources, governments have large incentives to contain high pharmaceutical expenditure growth rates. Thus, in order to influence pharmaceutical costs, governments must understand the determinants (both economic and regulatory) of competition between pharmaceutical firms, which in turn determines prices and demand for pharmaceuticals.
Researchers often study off-patent drugs because of payors' expectations that once a drug loses patent, competition should ensue and costs should decline. Most studies have focused on competition between pioneers (branded off-patent drugs) and their generic equivalents because often pioneers' prices and market shares remain high after patent expiration. Few studies have modelled the determinants of competition in the generic vs. generic sphere. Moreover, preliminary evidence shows that generic prices are often not as low as expected, and that the lowest price generics often do not achieve the largest market shares.
Aim: Increased price competition amongst generics could offer health systems new opportunity for pharmaceutical savings. Therefore, this study will model determinants of price competition amongst generics to offer a newfound understanding of ways in which pharmaceutical expenditures could be contained more efficiently.
Methodology: This study conducted panel data, multivariate analysis to determine the effect that determinants of competition (market concentration, number of presentations sold, time since generic entry, etc.) have on generic prices.
This study used data from Intercontinental Medical Statistics (IMS) Health. Price and sales data is presented by drug molecule name, country, strength, package size, formulation, company name and generic/brand status. This paper studied omeprazole (a PPI) and paroxetine (a SSRI), both of which treat chronic conditions, are primarily sold through retail/outpatient pharmacies, are primarily sold in tablet/capsule form, and which have large markets that are conducive to significant sample sizes. In addition, both molecules went off patent in most countries during the study period, 2000-2005.
For comparative purposes, this study includes countries that represent different approaches to pharmaceutical regulation: 1) US—free market approach, 2) UK—regulatory approach with free market incentive, 3) Germany—free market and reference pricing, and 4) France—price controls/negotiation and reference pricing.
Findings: This study rejected the null hypothesis of perfect competition. The predicted effect of generic competition—low generic prices—is crowded out by product differentiation and reimbursement schemes. Moreover, the demand side often does not succeed in purchasing the lowest price generics.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
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