Noise

Attended a lecture on Noise tonight. Though there promised to be indications for health, there were but a few. Noise is being considered like the new chaos theory and there are both helpful and harmful elements of it when considered scientifically. However at the level of the human organism, we are not evolved to live an environment that is as noisy as ours. In the pre-historic environment in which early hominids lived, the world was a much quieter place. Loud, sudden and jarring noises were more likely to be cataclysmic events and often life threatening, so these early hominids had a strong adrenal response which allowed them to fight or flee. Though we are exposed to loud and sudden sounds on a much more regular basis, we have not evolved beyond the adrenal response of our ancestors.

In addition to this panic response, which may be sub clinical or undetected, noise interferes with our sleep and affects our hearing. A JAMA article estimated that 15% of American teens have levels of hearing loss comparable to the elderly - the article may or may not have attributed these levels of hearing loss to the use of headphones attached to devises capable to high decibel levels, but the speaker certainly did. He advised the responsible and careful use of such devises, because hearing loss can be insidious, resulting in a positive feedback loop where the listener continues to raise the volume on their [brand redacted] portable listening devises as their hearing diminishes, which only results in further damage.

The environmental impact of noise pollution also cannot be overestimated. Studies have shown that certain songbirds and humpback whales have had to raise the volume of their songs in noisy environments. The effect of this on mating amongst these animals is undetermined. The speaker also implicated low frequency sonar in the deaths of several beaked whales which have washed up dead, bleeding from the ears, a few hours after sonar experiments.

Aside from these negative impacts of noise, the way that noise may amplify an intentional signal was also discussed. Scientists are experimenting with this utilization of noise in the field of nanotechnology. Examples were given of how some crayfish and crickets use noise to amplify the vibrations caused by their natural predators, how the paddle fish of the midwest can only detect zooplankton within an ideal noise range and how neurons that act like switches may benefit from some level of noise. The more relatable example may be the way that someone hard of hearing may actually be able to hear a bit better in a slightly noisy room. And the author sited how a bit of background noise actually helped him concentrate when studying and taking examinations.

All About Eggs

From Mother Earth News (Oct-Nov 2007)

Eggs from pasture raised hens (compared to USDA data for commercial eggs):

• 1/3 less cholesterol
• 1/4 less saturated fat
• 2/3 more Vitamin A
• 2x more omega-3 fatty acids
• 3x more vitamin E
• 7x more beta carotene

Another important distinction is that for most people, eating a moderate amount of eggs in the diet does not have a large impact on their blood cholesterol levels. In fact, eggs may be a healthy source for essential fatty acids (commonly called Omega-3's) as shown above. Most of the cholesterol circulating in our bodies is actually produced in the liver and not absorbed into our blood stream from our diets. However, our diets do have a strong impact on our cholesterol level. The culprits, such as sugar and saturated fat, act through hormonal mediators to stimulate the liver's production and distribution of cholesterol.

Weighty Issues

I remember an article I read a few years ago about how cavalier people were about judging and censuring smokers. The writer complained that strangers would approach her and ask "don't you know that smoking is bad for you?" Yes, the surgeon general warned her - it's written right on the pack. The author predicted that this kind of unsolicited advise would creep into other areas of personal choice, and specifically mentioned food and obesity.

It seems that we're getting there - I've read scores of articles lately on weight, obesity and diet. While food is my passion, it's disheartening to see the cultural obsession we have with fat, in food or people. The UTNE Reader has several articles on obesity including Shame on US: How an obsession with obesity turned fat into a moral failing, Love Your Fat Self and The Food Police. Even these diverse offerings don't touch on the cultural and historical value placed on big, heavy, healthy bodies.

Here's another video that I really like - mostly because of the statement: it's just a number. I want to help people acheive a healthy weight, but I also want people to have a healthy relationship with their food and their body. And I don't want to ever hear another person apologize to strangers for being fat. (Yes, this really happens.)

Flu Vaccine

I get a lot of questions about the flu vaccine. My answer is always to open my palm pilot and read them this memo:

"There is no evidence that any influenza vaccine thus far developed is effective in preventing or mitigating any attack of influenza . . . . They are worthless."
--Dr. J Anthony Morris, research virologist and one time Chief Vaccine Control Officer of the FDA. Dismissed for making such comments.

This video provides a more comical take.

Everyone's (Not) An Expert

While going through school and now as I'm setting up my practice, I work for New Seasons Market. One day a week, I work in the Wellness Department and part of my duties are to help people find and choose appropriate products. Often they just want to be pointed in the right direction, but sometimes they want serious advice. I happen to be a physician, but not everyone in my department is, and even I refer these more serious questions to our customers' physicians or pharmacists. It's important to know who is and is not a good reference for health related information. Health food store employees can

• help you find products
• tell you what products are good for certain conditions
• can tell you what they or other customers have experienced with such a product
• help you choose a specific product when there are several similar products available

Health food store employees should not

• make promises or guarantees about the effects of products
• prescribe products to you
• diagnose your symptom or illness
• pressure you to buy or use a specific product

Even more importantly, your postal worker, milkman, hair stylist and dog walker should not do those things. Keep in mind the source of information you are receiving about your health - my hair stylist gave me some great advise on weight loss - drink more water and walk 30 blocks a day - followed by some not-so-good advise - eat whatever you want. I overhear customers sharing their experiences with one another at the store all the time - this is great perspective, but just remember that you and your health care team are the best sources of information about your own health.

Average Day Philosophy

Great article in this months UTNE: Have an Average Day: Enjoying the ordinary is extraordinary.

I can't even come up with a good summary of how much I love this article. It's freeing just to read it. Here's my system of cumulative rewards :

Write on health related topics for 5-10 minutes a day.
That's 25+ minutes per week
That's 100+ minutes per month
That's 1200+ minutes per week.

At an average of just 10 words per minute, that's 12,000 words or 240 pages.
If I was of a mind to, I could write a book at that pace...if I was of a mind to.