Natural Condition » Comments http://www.naturalcondition.com Informative articles about life, health, and medicine, by Matthew E. Nolan. Sun, 10 Aug 2008 15:48:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Inside the Mind of A Drug Rep by Jennifer http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/292786892/ Jennifer Sun, 18 May 2008 10:55:35 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/?p=67#comment-85 An ophthalmologist recently charged my elderly mother $20 for an over-the counter eye drop. When she got home, the label read "Not for sale". It was a sample from the drug company. There is definitely a place for drug rep visits to inform doctors of suitable medicines but I was shocked a doctor would be so unethical as to charge for samples! An ophthalmologist recently charged my elderly mother $20 for an over-the counter eye drop. When she got home, the label read “Not for sale”. It was a sample from the drug company. There is definitely a place for drug rep visits to inform doctors of suitable medicines but I was shocked a doctor would be so unethical as to charge for samples!

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/04/30/inside-the-mind-of-a-drug-rep/#comment-85 Comment on Inside the Mind of A Drug Rep by Beata http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/281238863/ Beata Thu, 01 May 2008 02:07:31 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/?p=67#comment-79 That's very interesting to see in print. I've been hanging out with drug reps ever since I was [b]old enough to steal pens and mugs and clipboards... I wonder what sort of subliminal influence they have on my future practice already. haha oh no! That’s very interesting to see in print. I’ve been hanging out with drug reps ever since I was [b]old enough to steal pens and mugs and clipboards… I wonder what sort of subliminal influence they have on my future practice already. haha oh no!

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/04/30/inside-the-mind-of-a-drug-rep/#comment-79 Comment on Diet Coke Linked to Cancer, “SIDS” by Matthew E. Nolan http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/262883736/ Matthew E. Nolan Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:38:13 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/?p=60#comment-69 Bryanth: You are correct, the myaspartameexperiment.com thing is not a joke, at least not to the author. However, there are appropriate avenues for scientific research, and feeding a bunch of rats in your basement some sweetener is not one of them. In fact, the 'experiment' is almost unethical; every institution that does animal testing is required to have a review board to oversee ethical concerns. The site is utterly sensational, confusing (mixes pictures of rats from different experiments), and has neither the structure nor the rigor of a real investigation. Most importantly, the author overuses italics for emphasis, which immediately discounts the validity of the work. <a href="http://www.sweetpoison.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The site you reference</a>, however, looks to offer a much more legitimate assessment of the dangers of aspartame, so thank you for the link. Bryanth:
You are correct, the myaspartameexperiment.com thing is not a joke, at least not to the author. However, there are appropriate avenues for scientific research, and feeding a bunch of rats in your basement some sweetener is not one of them. In fact, the ‘experiment’ is almost unethical; every institution that does animal testing is required to have a review board to oversee ethical concerns. The site is utterly sensational, confusing (mixes pictures of rats from different experiments), and has neither the structure nor the rigor of a real investigation. Most importantly, the author overuses italics for emphasis, which immediately discounts the validity of the work.

The site you reference, however, looks to offer a much more legitimate assessment of the dangers of aspartame, so thank you for the link.

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/04/01/diet-coke-linked-to-cancer-sids/#comment-69 Comment on Diet Coke Linked to Cancer, “SIDS” by Bryanth http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/262786829/ Bryanth Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:17:32 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/?p=60#comment-68 Unfortunately, this private study is not an April food joke. http://myaspartameexperiment.com Unfortunately, this private study is not an April food joke.

http://myaspartameexperiment.com

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/04/01/diet-coke-linked-to-cancer-sids/#comment-68 Comment on Diet Coke Linked to Cancer, “SIDS” by Justin http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/262409296/ Justin Wed, 02 Apr 2008 04:16:00 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/?p=60#comment-66 I never thought I would live to see the day that the Natural Condition Rick Rolled me. Well played. I never thought I would live to see the day that the Natural Condition Rick Rolled me. Well played.

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/04/01/diet-coke-linked-to-cancer-sids/#comment-66 Comment on Bodyweight and Mortality: A Dubious Relationship by Matthew E. Nolan http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/258722073/ Matthew E. Nolan Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:55:16 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/26/bodyweight-and-mortality-a-dubious-relationship/#comment-63 Rene: Are you saying in your last sentence that there is really no reason for national alarm about obesity? If so, I would have to disagree. Setting the mortality associated with obesity aside (the paper I wrote about certainly confuses the issue), there is an enormous economic cost for overweight and obesity: as much as $78 billion in the US. While it is not conclusive that hefty people are much more likely to die of their condition, they unequivocally suck more dollars out of the healthcare system. See <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/economic_consequences.htm" title="http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/economic_consequences.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">this report by the CDC</a> for more information. Rene:
Are you saying in your last sentence that there is really no reason for national alarm about obesity? If so, I would have to disagree. Setting the mortality associated with obesity aside (the paper I wrote about certainly confuses the issue), there is an enormous economic cost for overweight and obesity: as much as $78 billion in the US. While it is not conclusive that hefty people are much more likely to die of their condition, they unequivocally suck more dollars out of the healthcare system.

See this report by the CDC for more information.

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/26/bodyweight-and-mortality-a-dubious-relationship/#comment-63 Comment on Bodyweight and Mortality: A Dubious Relationship by Rene http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/258695613/ Rene Thu, 27 Mar 2008 01:43:26 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/26/bodyweight-and-mortality-a-dubious-relationship/#comment-62 The more important figures are those that adjusted for the confounding factor of smoking. Those clearly show a reduced mortality among both overweight and mod obese (most of the people labeled obese in our country) to age 60. With advancing age, obesity, even the most obese, was irrelevant to mortality, whereas being underweight is associated with a notably greater risk. But the bottom line is that all of these relative risks are statistics and not impressive enough to support any of the obesity hype. The more important figures are those that adjusted for the confounding factor of smoking. Those clearly show a reduced mortality among both overweight and mod obese (most of the people labeled obese in our country) to age 60. With advancing age, obesity, even the most obese, was irrelevant to mortality, whereas being underweight is associated with a notably greater risk. But the bottom line is that all of these relative risks are statistics and not impressive enough to support any of the obesity hype.

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/26/bodyweight-and-mortality-a-dubious-relationship/#comment-62 Comment on Bodyweight and Mortality: A Dubious Relationship by Marilyn http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/258533238/ Marilyn Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:47:55 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/26/bodyweight-and-mortality-a-dubious-relationship/#comment-61 If you search in cardiology journals, you will find a number of studies of people with heart disease that show lower risk of events/mortality for people with higher BMIs. So far as I know, no one has come up with an explanation for these results. If you search in cardiology journals, you will find a number of studies of people with heart disease that show lower risk of events/mortality for people with higher BMIs. So far as I know, no one has come up with an explanation for these results.

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/26/bodyweight-and-mortality-a-dubious-relationship/#comment-61 Comment on Monosodium Glutamate … Yum(ami) by Gopal chaudhari http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/256320008/ Gopal chaudhari Sun, 23 Mar 2008 02:03:40 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/08/monosodium-glutamate-yumami/#comment-58 please sir send me flowdiagram of making monosodium glutamte by fermentation process. please sir send me flowdiagram of making monosodium glutamte by fermentation process.

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/08/monosodium-glutamate-yumami/#comment-58 Comment on Promising Outlook for HIV Transmission by Matthew E. Nolan http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/250980945/ Matthew E. Nolan Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:10:05 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/02/05/promising-outlook-for-hiv-transmission/#comment-53 Great point. In fact, in a recent article in Nature Medicine outlines that very concern. The author cited the director of the UNC Center for Infectious Disease as saying, "We have an HIV epidemic,and suggesting that some people with HIV can have sex without a condom will only create confusion and make it worse." You can find the article <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nm0308-227b" rel="nofollow">here</a>. In general, the idea of choosing to not disclose information to the public is a very paternalistic one. Not that I am necessarily opposed to it, and in this case it might be quite relevant, but it is something to consider heavily as it has a real impact on the quality of people's lives. Thanks for your comment. Great point. In fact, in a recent article in Nature Medicine outlines that very concern. The author cited the director of the UNC Center for Infectious Disease as saying, “We have an HIV epidemic,and suggesting that some people with HIV can have sex without a condom will only create confusion and make it worse.” You can find the article here.

In general, the idea of choosing to not disclose information to the public is a very paternalistic one. Not that I am necessarily opposed to it, and in this case it might be quite relevant, but it is something to consider heavily as it has a real impact on the quality of people’s lives.

Thanks for your comment.

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/02/05/promising-outlook-for-hiv-transmission/#comment-53 Comment on Promising Outlook for HIV Transmission by bongi http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/250519782/ bongi Thu, 13 Mar 2008 03:06:14 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/02/05/promising-outlook-for-hiv-transmission/#comment-52 interesting. in our country this would almost be dangerous information to the general public, bearing in mind our minister of health thinks that garlic and beetroot are effective antiretroviral interesting. in our country this would almost be dangerous information to the general public, bearing in mind our minister of health thinks that garlic and beetroot are effective antiretroviral

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/02/05/promising-outlook-for-hiv-transmission/#comment-52 Comment on Monosodium Glutamate … Yum(ami) by Matthew E. Nolan http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/249942068/ Matthew E. Nolan Wed, 12 Mar 2008 04:52:18 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/08/monosodium-glutamate-yumami/#comment-51 The hallucinations part makes it seem unlikely that it was the MSG; I don't know of any reports claiming psychotropic effects. With the hallucinations, chills and likely presence of seafood at the venue, your symptoms seem to fit more with something like ciguatera poisoning. While you may not have had fish at all, it's possible that your food was contaminated during preparation. If you want to read more, here's a link to the CDC's description: <a href="http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh6-FoodPoisoningMarine.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh6-FoodPoisoningMarine.aspx</a>. And although the mystery remains, I'm very glad nothing happened after you ate the MSG from the store! The hallucinations part makes it seem unlikely that it was the MSG; I don’t know of any reports claiming psychotropic effects. With the hallucinations, chills and likely presence of seafood at the venue, your symptoms seem to fit more with something like ciguatera poisoning. While you may not have had fish at all, it’s possible that your food was contaminated during preparation. If you want to read more, here’s a link to the CDC’s description: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh6-FoodPoisoningMarine.aspx. And although the mystery remains, I’m very glad nothing happened after you ate the MSG from the store!

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/08/monosodium-glutamate-yumami/#comment-51 Comment on Monosodium Glutamate … Yum(ami) by Emily http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/249917882/ Emily Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:54:35 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/08/monosodium-glutamate-yumami/#comment-50 I was in New York City a couple years ago on a girls outing with my mom's side of the family. One evening when we returned to our gorgeous temporary residence I had an episode where I blacked out and had small scale muscle spasms throughout my entire body. After this seizure like experience my body was forced into the fetal position while I had chills and hallucinations. I went to my doctor back home- when she discovered my dinner consisted of delectable Ruth Chang's dishes she quickly concluded that I had a reaction to the MSG levels. However, to satisfy my own curiosity I picked up some MSG at the grocery store and mixed a spoonful in with some spaghetti-o's. What a surprise. No reaction. I was in New York City a couple years ago on a girls outing with my mom’s side of the family. One evening when we returned to our gorgeous temporary residence I had an episode where I blacked out and had small scale muscle spasms throughout my entire body. After this seizure like experience my body was forced into the fetal position while I had chills and hallucinations. I went to my doctor back home- when she discovered my dinner consisted of delectable Ruth Chang’s dishes she quickly concluded that I had a reaction to the MSG levels. However, to satisfy my own curiosity I picked up some MSG at the grocery store and mixed a spoonful in with some spaghetti-o’s. What a surprise. No reaction.

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/08/monosodium-glutamate-yumami/#comment-50 Comment on In the Waiting Room with an MI by Peter http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/249842500/ Peter Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:59:03 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/11/in-the-waiting-room-with-an-mi/#comment-49 I can personally attest to the exhausting wait times in an ER in my suburban neighborhood ER after another local hospital closed its ER forcing everyone to funnel to one hospital. There are now not enough beds and patients are lined-up on guernies in the ER hallways and wait times are staggering. I can personally attest to the exhausting wait times in an ER in my suburban neighborhood ER after another local hospital closed its ER forcing everyone to funnel to one hospital. There are now not enough beds and patients are lined-up on guernies in the ER hallways and wait times are staggering.

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/11/in-the-waiting-room-with-an-mi/#comment-49 Comment on Count Something by Dr. Wes http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/248950959/ Dr. Wes Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:14:47 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/04/count-something/#comment-47 I guess I'm OK with this concept as long as doctors also "count" costs relative to outcomes. One only needs to look at the recent Vytorin controversy and the cost of simvistatin (generic) and combination therapies (like Vytorin which combines simvastatin and ezetimibe). Is the 20-fold premium on price for Vytorin worth its cost? Pharmaceutical companies, marketers, and doctors espousing the benefits of these medications for the general public (vs those with familial hyperlipidemia) need to be clearly analyzed before releasing these meds to the general public (and Medicare reimbursement). Assuming benefit, without careful analysis of cost-effectiveness, happens often in medicine, in part (as you say) because of the profit involved. I guess I’m OK with this concept as long as doctors also “count” costs relative to outcomes. One only needs to look at the recent Vytorin controversy and the cost of simvistatin (generic) and combination therapies (like Vytorin which combines simvastatin and ezetimibe). Is the 20-fold premium on price for Vytorin worth its cost? Pharmaceutical companies, marketers, and doctors espousing the benefits of these medications for the general public (vs those with familial hyperlipidemia) need to be clearly analyzed before releasing these meds to the general public (and Medicare reimbursement). Assuming benefit, without careful analysis of cost-effectiveness, happens often in medicine, in part (as you say) because of the profit involved.

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/04/count-something/#comment-47 Comment on Monosodium Glutamate … Yum(ami) by Justin http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/248690882/ Justin Mon, 10 Mar 2008 04:56:20 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/08/monosodium-glutamate-yumami/#comment-46 I found this on Digg some time ago: http://www.myaspartameexperiment.com/index.php I think it's commendable people are initiated enough to do their own such experiments, but I find this persons science questionable at best. It was still enough to make me think twice about diet soda. I found this on Digg some time ago: http://www.myaspartameexperiment.com/index.php
I think it’s commendable people are initiated enough to do their own such experiments, but I find this persons science questionable at best. It was still enough to make me think twice about diet soda.

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/08/monosodium-glutamate-yumami/#comment-46 Comment on Monosodium Glutamate … Yum(ami) by Sarah http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/248627396/ Sarah Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:07:22 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/08/monosodium-glutamate-yumami/#comment-45 yes, definitely write an article on artificial sweeteners. Unless of course you're going to write about how people shouldn't use them, in which case I don't want to hear it. Well, I guess it would be good to know... yes, definitely write an article on artificial sweeteners. Unless of course you’re going to write about how people shouldn’t use them, in which case I don’t want to hear it. Well, I guess it would be good to know…

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/08/monosodium-glutamate-yumami/#comment-45 Comment on Monosodium Glutamate … Yum(ami) by Matthew E. Nolan http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/248608461/ Matthew E. Nolan Mon, 10 Mar 2008 01:13:23 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/08/monosodium-glutamate-yumami/#comment-44 As you mention, aspartame has quite an interesting history. I do know that the original studies that showed aspartame to be a carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) were flawed. They tested the chemical on mice in doses that were several orders of magnitude larger than what any human would consume. It was the equivalent of something absurd like eating a pound of aspartame every day for a month. I hope to write an article on artificial sweeteners at some point in the near future. Thanks for the suggestion and the comment. As you mention, aspartame has quite an interesting history. I do know that the original studies that showed aspartame to be a carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) were flawed. They tested the chemical on mice in doses that were several orders of magnitude larger than what any human would consume. It was the equivalent of something absurd like eating a pound of aspartame every day for a month. I hope to write an article on artificial sweeteners at some point in the near future. Thanks for the suggestion and the comment.

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/08/monosodium-glutamate-yumami/#comment-44 Comment on Monosodium Glutamate … Yum(ami) by Justin http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/248514436/ Justin Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:14:21 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/08/monosodium-glutamate-yumami/#comment-43 Wow, never knew any of this. I do know, however, that the anti-MSG sentiment is still very much alive. I've been forewarned about it when eating Chinese(-American) food, and many restaurants even write "NO MSG!" in bold letters on their menus. The amount of misinformation floating around is startling. Speaking of, do you have any insight on more common artificial sweeteners? It seems like everyone has a different take, with conflicting studies supporting all sides. Aspartame was discovered in the 60s.... you would think we would have more concrete info now. Wow, never knew any of this. I do know, however, that the anti-MSG sentiment is still very much alive. I’ve been forewarned about it when eating Chinese(-American) food, and many restaurants even write “NO MSG!” in bold letters on their menus.

The amount of misinformation floating around is startling. Speaking of, do you have any insight on more common artificial sweeteners? It seems like everyone has a different take, with conflicting studies supporting all sides. Aspartame was discovered in the 60s…. you would think we would have more concrete info now.

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/08/monosodium-glutamate-yumami/#comment-43 Comment on Caffeine and Dehydration by Al http://feeds.naturalcondition.com/~r/NaturalCondition-comments/~3/247686262/ Al Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:22:40 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/05/caffeine-and-dehydration/#comment-42 I drink probably 3-4 cups of coffee each day. Perhaps connectedly, I sometimes have a "going" issue. Maybe if I drank more of other fluids, this might improve. On the other hand, what would I possibly do with all the time saved! I drink probably 3-4 cups of coffee each day. Perhaps connectedly, I sometimes have a “going” issue. Maybe if I drank more of other fluids, this might improve. On the other hand, what would I possibly do with all the time saved!

]]> http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/05/caffeine-and-dehydration/#comment-42