Dr. Gwen's Women's Health Podcasts

School bathroom habits impact life-long bladder health: Opening the door to the girls room. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/society-for-womens-health-research/school-bathroom-habits_b_8265730.html

The Toxins in Feminine Hygiene Products (The Atlantic)

Society for Women's Health Research: http://swhr.org/

S.1014 - Personal Care Products Safety Act114th Congress (2015-2016) https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1014

A new study reported in JAMA Oncology suggests increasing the recommended 150 minutes of exercise to 300 minutes/week can reduce fat levels enough to lower the risk of developing breast cancer. Friedenreich CM, Neilson HK, O'Reilly R, et al. Effects of a High vs Moderate Volume of Aerobic Exercise on Adiposity Outcomes in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol. Published online July 16, 2015. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2015.2239.

I review a recent article in the New York Times about "Young Women's Heart at Risk". Heart disease is the number 1 killer for women and symptoms are different than the typical male experience.

This report comes out of NPR and reviews the data that comes from polling performed from 2010-2014 for the World Values Survey.

Dr. Morse discusses the new Pap Guidelenes and reviews an early release article regarding use of probiotics in reducing blood pressure.

Controlled Trials Screening for Cervical Cancer -

http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspscerv.htm

Effect of Probiotics on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized,

Hypertension. 2014;HYPERTENSIONAHA.114.03469published online before print July 21 2014

http://hyper.ahajournals.org/content/early/2014/07/21/HYPERTENSIONAHA.114.03469.lon

In the first report I review a recent study that notes a diet rich in tomatoes may lower risk of breast cancer.

Reference

Llanos A.A., Peng J., Pennell M.L., Krok J.L., Vitolins M.Z., Degraffinreid C.R., & Paskett, E.D. (2013). Effects of tomato and soy on serum adipokine concentrations in postmenopausal women at increased breast cancer risk: A cross-over dietary intervention trial. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. [Epub ahead of print].

The second study reviews the association between hypercholesterolemia and psoriasis.

Reference

Wu S., Li W.Q., Han J., Sun Q., & Qureshi A.A. (2013). Hypercholesterolemia and risk of incident psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in US Women. Arthritis & Rheumatism. doi: 10.1002/art.38227. [Epub ahead of print]

Follow-up data from the Women's Health Initiative regarding the safety of the use of hormones in menopause reaffirms complex mix of risks and benefits. In addition, I discuss the recent headlines regarding the relationship of statin use to the development of cataracts (as well as increased blood sugar).

The wonder drug Aspirin may help prevent melanoma, along with breast, colorectal cancers and heart disease. In addition, the FDA has raised a "heart alert" on Z-packs (Azithromycin).

A new approach to encourage exercise, focus on the benefit of "feeling good" may make people more motivated to exercise. In the second study new research supports that overweight and obese people are at no greater risk of developing or dying from heart disease or cancer, compared with normal weight people as long as they are metabolically fit despite excess weight.

The first report focuses on the perspective of obesity as disease that was recently considered at the American Medical Association meeting. Various issues are reviewed looking at pros and cons. In the second report, a recent study suggests that drinking a moderate amount of alcohol as part of a healthy lifestyle may benefit women's bone health, lowering their risk of developing osteoporosis.

The first report reviews the interesting finding that tart cherries may help millions reduce inflammation to manage pain. The second study revisits the hormone replacement therapy issue and reviews the findings of a government panel that confirst that estrogen and progestin replacement theray should be used sparingly, only to ward off the most intense symptoms of menopause (for short term use) and not to protect against chronic disease.

The first study reports that increased intake of cruciferous vegetables (greens, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli) during the first 36 months after breast cancer diagnosis was associated with a reduced risk for total mortality, breast cancer-specific mortality and recurrence in a dose-response pattern. In the second report, long-term use of estrogen hormone therapy (without progesterone) may increase breast cancer risk.

In the first report I review new guidelines for papsmears by the US Preventive Task Force and the American Cancer Society released earlier this week. In the second report I review a research study that looked at telling people to choose healthy foods isn't working and propose a better solution may be to let people eat whatever they want--just not to increase their calories over time.

The first report reviews the benefits of dark chocolate and supportive, loving relationships on heart health. The second study reviews the benefits of a Mediterranean diet on protection of blood vessels in the brain that may reduce risks of stroke and memory loss.

Analysis of data from the US Nurses' Health Study (started in 1976) resulted in the conclusion that women who drink 15 grams or less of alcohol a day (the equivalent of one drink of any alcoholic beverage) at midlife may be healthier when older than women who do not drink at all, who consume more than two drinks a day, or who consule four drinks or more at one time.

Just a couple of servings of potato a day can reduce blood pressure in obese or overweight people with high blood pressure. Best choices are purple potatoes, cooked in the microwave and without all the "fixin's". Changing warning signs that focus on patient safety such as "Wash Your Hands to Protect Your Patients" from "Wash Your Hands to Protect Yourself" may increase handwashing compliance among healthcare workers according to new research.

The first report (NY Times) provides more information on the Harvard study that concludes that eating everything in moderation is simply wrong and that what you eat is important. Biggest contributors to weight gain include (in order) french fries, potato chips, sugar-sweetened drinks, red meats and processed meats, other forms of potatoes, sweets and deserts, refined grains, other fried foods, 100% fruit juice and butter. Foods that contribute to weight loss/control include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and most importantly yogurt. Other influences to weight gain that were supported include length of sleep each night, amount of television watched, alcohol intake and smoking. The second report validates prior research supporting that weight has the strongest effect on the sex hormones that increase breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women (British Journal of Cancer).

The food pyramid is gone and in it's place is MyPlate. This is reviewed (good and bad) and for more information be sure to bookmark "http://www.choosemyplate.gov/".

The second report reviews findings from a Harvard School of Public Study of more than 120,000 individuals over four years which found that eating potatoes significantly increased calories over time and those that ate nuts and yogurt lost weight. The study challenges the conventional wisdeom of "calories in, calories out" and instead purporst and "all foods are not equal and just eating in moderation is not enough".

In the first review, I discuss a recent report from the journal Nature Genetics that has identified on how master regulator gene may contribute to a cascade of metabolic effects in other genes. This gene (KLF14) is linked to type 2 diabetes and cholesterol and is a "master switch" that controls other genes found in fat in the body. In the next report, the importance of recognizing early symptoms of coronary artery disease in women is discussed. These include: jaw discomfort, back pain, heartburn, feeling light-headed, and, cold clammy skin. Heart disease is the number one killer of women and it is important to be proactive.