Obesity Drug Pulled for Heart Attack Risks
January 25th, 2010
dailymail.co.uk
By Daniel Martin and Jenny Hope
Tens of thousands of patients have been ordered to stop taking a popular fat-busting drug suspected of raising the risk of heart attacks and stroke. The European Medicines Agency last night suspended the licence of the drug Reductil, which was taken by 86,000 Britons last year.
The safety watchdog fears it could threaten the health of the overweight and obese – although it says any side-effects should not be fatal. However, some 17 deaths have been linked to the drug in Britain since 2001 – six of which were caused by heart attacks and strokes.
Some 1,105 suspected adverse reactions have been reported, a third of them serious.
Last night doctors and pharmacists were told to stop handing out Reductil.
And experts urged everyone who takes it to make an appointment with their GP to discuss alternative ways of losing weight.
It is the second popular antiobesity drug to have its licence suspended. Two years ago, the EMA suspended Acomplia over fears it could lead to suicidal thoughts.
The agency came to its decision on Reductil after examining an international clinical trial, which showed that its main ingredient – sibutramine – increases the risk of heart problems. Sibutramine tricks patients’ brains into making them feel full, meaning they eat up to 20 per cent less.Last night, Dr June Raine, of the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, said: ‘Evidence suggests that there is an increased risk of non-fatal heart attacks and strokes with this medicine that outweigh the benefits of weight loss, which is modest and may not be sustained in the long term after stopping treatment.
‘Prescribers are advised not to issue any new prescriptions for Reductil and to review the treatmentof patients taking the drug. Pharmacists are asked to cease dispensing the medicine.
‘There are no health implications if people wish to stop treatment before seeing their doctor.’
The international trial examined by EMA followed 10,000 patients over six years. It found a 16 per cent increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Many of those who took part in the trial had cardiovascular problems – even though one of the listed side effects of the drug is that it can raise blood pressure. The agency said that although the drug was off limits to those with heart problems, those needing it were likely to have undiagnosed cardiac conditions because of their weight.
It pointed to studies which showed that weight loss achieved with Reductil was often modest and may not be maintained after stopping. This meant the benefits did not outweigh the cardiovascular risks.
Reductil is made by Abbott Laboratories and its official side effects are listed as high blood pressure, insomnia, constipation and dry mouth.
It is prescribed to those who have made serious attempts to slim by other means, such as dieting and exercise. Treatments cost the NHS about £45 a month.
Last night, Eugene Sun of Chicago-based Abbott said: ‘Many people benefit from sibutramine and we respectfully disagree with the committee’s opinion and recommendation to suspend the medicine.
‘However we will act promptly to comply with the committee’s recommendations.’
David Haslam of the National Obesity Forum said he was surprised by the decision and knew of no study proving that Reductil had led to a death from a heart attack or stroke.
The EMA’s decision leaves Orlistat as the only anti-obesity drug still freely available in the UK.
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Good for Your Body Study Connects Fiber With Biology
November 23, 2009
Natural News
By S.L. Baker
You probably know that getting enough fiber in your diet can keep constipation at bay and it can lower high cholesterol levels, too. Now Australian researchers have found another reason why the indigestible part of plant-based foods, known as roughage, is good for you — it plays an important role in keeping your immune system healthy and in preventing specific diseases.
When fiber moves through the digestive tract it remains mostly unchanged, working as a type of internal broom. Then, in the colon, bacteria interact with roughage. Fermentation takes place, producing compounds called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which are known to help soothe ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory gut condition. Probiotics and prebiotics, beneficial bacteria found in kefir, yogurt and nutritional supplements, affect the healthy balance of gut bacteria and have been documented to help the symptoms of two other inflammatory diseases, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
But what is the connection between fiber, “good” intestinal bacteria and the healing of disorders marked by inflammation? In a study just published in the science journal Nature, Sydney-based scientists say they’ve found the answer to that question. They’ve discovered a mechanism that explains how a plant-based diet rich in fiber works with beneficial gut bacteria and the immune system to promote health and potentially prevent a host of diseases.
Kendle Maslowski, a PhD student, and Professor Charles Mackay from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, working in collaboration with the Co-operative Research Center for Asthma and Airways, have demonstrated that a molecule dubbed GPR43 expressed by immune cells and previously shown to bind SCFAs reduces inflammation. They found that mice lacking the GPR43 gene have increased, unresolved inflammation in their bodies because their immune cells can’t bind to and use SCFAs.
So how does this information translate into helping human health? “We’re now beginning to understand that from the moment you’re born, it’s incredibly important to be colonized by the right kinds of gut bacteria. The kinds of foods you eat directly determine the levels of certain bacteria in your gut,” Maslowski explained in a statement to the press. “Changing diets are changing the kinds of gut bacteria we have, as well as their by-products, particularly short-chain fatty acids. If we have low amounts of dietary fiber, then we’re going to have low levels of short chain fatty acids, which we have demonstrated are very important in the immune systems of mice.”
Professor Mackay pointed out in the press statement that the notion what you eat might have profound effects on immune responses and inflammatory diseases has never been taken seriously enough. “We believe that changes in diet, associated with western lifestyles, contribute to the increasing incidences of asthma, Type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. Now we have a new molecular mechanism that might explain how diet is affecting our immune systems,” he stated.
The scientists conclude that their current research provides compelling reasons to eat a diet rich in unprocessed whole foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds. “The role of nutrition and gut intestinal bacteria in immune responses is an exciting new topic in immunology, and recent findings including our own open up new possibilities to explore causes as well as new treatments for inflammatory diseases such as asthma,” said Professor Mackay.
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Here Are a Few of My Natural Cures Revealed!
August 20, 2009 by KT
Filed under Kevin's Blog
This week I revealed my secret natural cures to such ailments as; allergies, constipation, pain, acid reflux, heart burn, insomnia, snoring, AND emotional issues!
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**For heartburn and acid reflux, click here to learn about the Dr. Jeff McComb’s plan and here for Dr. Morter’s Health System.
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**For allergies, click here for an energy-based allergy relief program.
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**For constipation, first do Dr. Coldwell’s Be Pure Cleanse by clicking here and then click here to purchase products from QN Labs.
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**For insomnia, click here to purchase a Magnetico Sleep Pad and never have a restless night of sleep again!
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**To eliminate snoring, click here to purchase Snor Enz.
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**For a full detox retreat, Kevin recommends We Care Spa. Click here for more information on this holistic health spa.
For the full list, click here and listen to Wednesday’s Show.
The Kevin Trudeau Show: 08-19-09
Today, Kevin broadcasts live from Budapest, Hungary! Find out why healthcare should never be nationalized, why things in America are worse than you could possibly imagine and what YOU can do to get Kevin on the radio 5 days a week!
Plus, don’t miss Kevin’s secret natural cures to:
Allergies
Constipation
Pain
Acid Reflux
Heartburn
Insomnia
Snoring
Emotional issues
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