Are You Getting Too Much Calcium?

Written by yvonnethornton on June 18th, 2012

Growing up, I’m sure your mother, like mine, urged you to drink milk to help keep your bones strong.  While it’s true your bones do need calcium and Vitamin D, it is also possible to get too much.  Nobody is at risk of overdosing on Calcium because of the milk they drink, but women who take calcium supplements to slow osteoporosis, could very well be at risk.

According to the Heidelberg study, a long-term cancer and nutrition study of 24,000 women in Germany, those who took a combination of vitamins, minerals, and calcium tablets were 86 percent more likely to have a heart attack than those who did not take supplements.  This data is puzzling researchers, since previous studies suggested that supplements could reduce the risk of heart problems, obesity, and diabetes.  This new study had more participants and was done over a much longer period of time though, causing some to change their minds about the benefits of supplements.  In fact, the German study showed only a 10% benefit when it came to women with osteoporosis who took the calcium supplements.  They also found that diets high in calcium rich foods did not seem to increase the risk of heart problems, but the calcium tablets did.  They believe this may be due to the way the different forms are absorbed.  When you take supplements, you get a lot of the vitamin or mineral at once, while working it into your diet allows your body to absorb smaller amounts throughout the day.

In other words, mom scores again; you should be eating and drinking your calcium.  And don’t forget about Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the absorption of calcium from the intestines. Vitamin D comes from the diet and the skin. Vitamin D production by the skin is dependent on exposure to sunlight. So, take a brisk walk in the sun and perhaps, one would not need to overdose on calcium tablets alone.  If you are suffering from osteoporosis and your physician has recommended calcium tablets though, you may want to speak with them about taking several smaller doses throughout the day or lessening your dose while upping your dietary intake.  As usual, maintaining our health the good old fashioned way turns out to be the best strategy.

 

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WWDD?!!!

Written by yvonnethornton on June 17th, 2012

Daddy—Donald E. Thornton (1925-1983)

Happy Father’s Day!   It has been 30 years since my Dad passed away at 57 years of age.  He was too young to die, but there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him.  There are so many instances in which I say to myself, “What Would Daddy Do?”.  The answer to that question often solves the problem immediately!!  He was a humble man, an honorable man, and a person who saw the future for his five daughters (when no one else did).  With his prescience, he guided me and my sisters to careers virtually unheard of when I was a child.  Women as doctors?!  Black women as doctors?!  What a hoot!  Impossible!!

Yet, with his vision, persistence, love and determination, we realized his dream for all of his daughters becoming physicians (doctors).  That lofty goal was achieved over and over again in my family and is chronicled in my two memoirs, “The Ditchdigger’s Daughters” and “Something to Prove”.  Long before his dream for us to become doctors, he took it upon himself to get us out of the housing projects of New Jersey and build our home (with our Mom serving as his hod carrier).  He was a genius.  Daddy was a cross between Bill Cosby and Rocky. His indomitable spirit has lived on in each one of his daughters.  Although, we did not all become physicians, in one generation, he spawned two MDs, one oral surgeon (DDS), and one attorney (JD) and PhD., and the remaining living daughters of Donald and Itasker Thornton are all doctors.

He and my mother were a formidable team and great parents, as well.  I have fashioned my parenting skills after both of them.  Because they were lovingly strict, I have benefited from their life lessons and have taught my children those same lessons.  Education was revered in our family and it was our only way to get out of poverty and enjoy the mainstream world of privilege and success.  My son, is a physician and my daughter is a well-educated woman with Columbia and Stanford degrees.

I owe it all to my Dad (and Mom) who supported us, loved us, sacrificed for us and gave us a chance to succeed.

— Yvonne S. Thornton, M. D., M. P. H.

May You Rest In Peace

 

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Is Your Brain Influencing Your Weight

Written by yvonnethornton on June 14th, 2012

Losing weight when you are obese is a serious challenge, likewise gaining weight when you are anorexic.  This difficulty stems from the habits we create for ourselves and consequently, the conditioning our brains receive.  When you need to overcome an eating disorder, it’s not just a matter of willpower, but studies suggest it’s also a matter of remapping brain circuitry, and that’s no easy task.

As of 2008, one in every 200 US women suffered from Anorexia and more than two out of every three were overweight or obese.  That means millions of American women are struggling with their weight every day.  For this reason, scientists in the Developmental Brain Research Program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine wanted to find out how eating behavior was related to dopamine pathways, similar to those found in drug addictions.  They compared the brain activity of 63 women who were either anorexic or obese to those of normal weight and found that “reward circuits in the brain are sensitized in anorexic women and desensitized in obese women.”  Basically, this means that anorexic women get much more pleasure and satisfaction out of a sweet treat than someone who is obese.  As with drug tolerances, it takes much more of those foods we love to satisfy the cravings of someone who is overweight.  Anorexic women on the other hand, might feel like they’ve had too much, a sugar overdose so to speak, after partaking in a single serving.  More research needs to be done to determine the precise role of the brain’s reward system when it comes to eating disorders, but so far, it seems that it definitely has some part in regulating food intake.

Although the involvement of your brain circuitry might make your battle with weight loss or weight gain more intimidating, all is not lost.  Recent brain research shows that with gradual habit changes and regular conditioning, we can change the neural pathways in our brains.  As with any addiction, kicking the habit isn’t easy, but once you train your brain, your new, healthier habits should help keep you on track.

 

– Yvonne S. Thornton, M. D., M. P. H.

 

 

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Get inside Women’s Issues Live Every Thursday

Written by yvonnethornton on June 11th, 2012

Since becoming a physician, I have felt the increasing urge to educate women concerning the issues they face every day, whether in regards to their health, raising children, or even trying to balance a successful career with everything else women face today.  It started with my book, The Ditchdigger’s Daughters, in which I shared my experiences growing up in a family headed by a determined father who encouraged his daughters to be ambitious and independent, despite the racial prejudices of the times.  I then went on to publish two more books, Inside Information for Women and Something to Prove, hoping to help women understand just how much they can do and to inspire them to persevere.

Finding great satisfaction in writing those books, I decided to continue writing for women through this blog, Paging Dr. Thornton.  Still feeling that I had more to share though, I decided to get even more personal by creating my own radio show.  Like the book, my radio show, Inside Information for Women, will address issues that affect women and their loved ones.  At 1pm ET every Thursday, I will speak live, that’s right live, to discuss women’s health and other topics.  I will even get the chance to respond directly to audience questions when they call in during the live show at 1-800-962-1160.  Of course, if you miss it, you can still go to my On the Air page on my website where the most recent installment will be available for playback.

I am excited to find yet another medium to share my knowledge and experiences both as a physician and as a wife and mother.  I’m particularly excited to start a conversation with my audience to address issues they feel are immediately important to them.  Please join me this Thursday at 1pm ET for the next installment of Inside Information for Women.  I look forward to speaking with you soon.

 

– Yvonne S. Thornton, M. D., M. P. H.

 

 

 

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Postpartum Anemia May be Avoided with Iron Supplements

Written by yvonnethornton on June 7th, 2012

Most women know that because of their menstrual cycle, it’s a good idea to take iron supplements to replenish the minerals lost during that time of month.  Otherwise, their deficiency could lead to anemia as well as other symptoms.  What women should also realize though is that iron deficiency is a big factor in causing postpartum anemia as well.

When you give birth, you are immediately thrown into a chaotic new schedule, added responsibility, and the constant task of taking care of a very fragile new human being.  Of course, as the child’s mother, you no doubt find great joy in this responsibility, but that doesn’t make it any less exhausting.  If your iron levels after giving birth aren’t where they should be, that exhaustion can be a lot worse.  Iron deficiency can cause people to feel exhausted, to have low endurance for physical activities, to struggle with short-term memory, to find themselves unable to focus, and to feel depressed and irritable.  When a mother gives birth, it puts a lot of stress on her body, which can cause imbalances and a decrease in iron levels in particular.  This is why it’s so important for women to maintain a very different diet when they are pregnant, about to give birth, and breastfeeding.  A study in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing states very clearly that, “the increased iron requirements of pregnancy cannot be met by the typical US diet or the iron stores of most women. Therefore, if women are left unsupplemented during pregnancy, they bear a considerable risk of developing iron deficiency,” which in turn increases their risk of postpartum anemia.  Other factors that can increase that risk include short intervals between pregnancies, because they don’t allow a woman’s body time enough to recover, and cesarean deliveries, which usually include more blood loss.

If you’ve ever been through a pregnancy, you know just how much it takes out of you.  This can make it difficult to determine whether you are just “new mom tired” or medically ill tired.  This is why it is imperative that you keep your physician as up to date as possible when it comes to exactly how you are feeling, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally.  This way, you can work together to make sure your vitamins and minerals stay balanced, along with your overall well-being.

 

– Yvonne S. Thornton, M. D., M. P. H.

 

 

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Fattening Foods Give Women Yet another Reason to Cut Down

Written by yvonnethornton on June 4th, 2012

As if we need another reason to feel guilty about those fattening foods we love so much, women now need to be concerned about how those kinds of foods can impact their mental health.  While we already know that fattening foods can cause obesity, increase the risk of heart disease, and even bring on diabetes, studies now indicate the type of fat found in those foods also slows our cognitive functions.

Over 6000 women participated in the Women’s Health Study at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.  Researchers overseeing the study took surveys about the types of foods they ate and with what frequency before and after the study.  They also performed cognitive function tests at the beginning of the study, after two years, and then again when the study was finished after four total years.   What they found was that certain foods impacted how fast cognitive decline happened.  Olivia Okereke, a doctor from the Department of Psychiatry reported that, “when looking at changes in cognitive function, what we found is that the total amount of fat intake did not really matter, but the type of fat did.”  Their results showed that women who ate a lot of foods high in saturated fats had a cognitive decline much more significant than those who ate foods high in monounsaturated fats or who had less fat in their diet altogether.  In other words, those who ate foods with animal fats, like red meat, dairy products, and butter, were less likely to maintain a sharp mind compared to those who ate plant fats, like avocado and olive oil.

Although this study is revealing, you won’t find me giving up my favorite ice cream or opting out of that nice juicy steak once in a while, and that’s ok.  By simply reducing how often we eat foods like this or replacing their saturated fat ingredients with monounsaturated fats, we can do a lot to keep our minds sharp and our bodies fit.  I guess it’s finally time to try that olive oil ice cream I’ve been hearing about!

 

– Yvonne S. Thornton, M. D., M. P. H.

 

 

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Sleep Yourself Thin

Written by yvonnethornton on May 31st, 2012

When you are a parent, you do not always get a lot of opportunity for sleeping.  You do not get a lot of time for yourself in general really.  You have work to take care of, children to manage, and somewhere in there, a body to consider.  The fact is though, with our busy American lifestyles, the health of our bodies simply seems to take a back seat.  Unfortunately, this has caused many of us to become overweight, or even worse, obese and diabetic.  A recent study shows though, that if we could all just find enough regular time to sleep, we might be able to stay slimmer and healthier in general.

Right now, nearly two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese.  Even more concerning is how many of these people are progressing into diabetes.  The CDC cites diabetes as a health issue for 8.3% of Americans and a whopping 79 million show signs of prediabetes.  While poor diet and little to no exercise are obvious causes for such an epidemic, stress and sleep schedules also play a role.   A recent study by researchers at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard Medical School in Boston found that “lack of sleep or disrupted sleep patterns…may lead to an increased risk of diabetes and obesity.”  The study involved tracking the effects of disrupted sleep routines in participants by shifting their sleeping time from 10 hours a night, to just 5.6 hours per 24 hour period.  This sleep restriction and pattern disruption caused 32% of participants to have decreased insulin secretion when they ate and lower metabolic rates, which led to high blood sugar levels bordering on pre-diabetic.  If they had continued the study for a year, they estimated that these levels could have caused them to gain about 12.5 additional pounds of body weight in one year.  When you add these conclusions to the hectic lifestyle of working American parents, it is no wonder so many are struggling with their weight.

When we are young, we spend a lot of time fighting our parents over daily naps and early bed times, but once we grow up, we find it even harder to put ourselves to bed.  Perhaps this study will help us hardworking adults realize that it is no use staying up all night stressing about our busy lives, if it only gives us fewer nights to live.

 

– Yvonne S. Thornton, M. D., M. P. H.

 

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Just Because You’re On the Pill, Doesn’t Mean You Won’t Get Pregnant

Written by yvonnethornton on May 28th, 2012

With contraception so much in the news lately, it seems that we have heard all there is to say about it.  A recent study regarding birth control though, has something quite different to say that definitely deserves our attention.  It’s evident from the attention that political contraceptive debates received that there are a lot of women in the US who take the pill or some other form of birth control.  According to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology though, many of those women wrongly assume that their contraception is infallible.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, 99% of women of reproductive age who have had sex use contraception.  That’s a lot of women, but Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that a shocking 45% of those women believe that contraception can prevent pregnancy 100% of the time.  With so many people taking birth control under this false assumption, it’s obvious there’s a need for education and media exposure.  While the pill, which is the most popular form of contraception, is mostly successful at preventing pregnancy, it can indeed fail between 2%-9% of the time.  And that’s the failure rate if you remember to take it every single day.  The failure rate can increase when women miss pills, are in their first month of taking the pill, switching dosages, or taking medications like antibiotics, migraine medications, or antidepressants.  Condoms have an even bigger failure rate of 15%-24%. This is why it’s so important for women to discuss their birth control options with their physician, and that discussion should include how effective each option is.  The rates of contraception failure with respect to perfect use and average use are outlined in my health book, Inside Information for Women.  Hopefully, that chapter will give you a better understanding of the types of contraception offered, their effectiveness and their applicability to your lifestyle.

This information shouldn’t make anyone panic, because as a whole, birth control is fairly effective, especially when compared to not using any contraception at all, which has a failure rate is 85%! However, knowing more about failure rates should make people aware of the actual risk involved in being sexually active, even while taking birth control.  This information probably won’t cause people to think again before having sex, and it may not prevent unintended pregnancies.  At the very least though, it gives parents like me yet another reason to teach our children that sexual activity does have consequences and is better saved for a time in our lives when we are ready to be responsible for our actions.

 

– Yvonne S. Thornton, M. D., M. P. H.

 

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Exercise Beats Cancer

Written by yvonnethornton on May 24th, 2012

With more than 40% of Americans diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, it’s highly likely that you or someone you know has experienced cancer.  For this reason, we have put a lot of effort into finding cures and treatments for this devastating disease, and now, we are finally seeing some glimmer of hope in the statistics, especially in terms of prevention.  It seems that an active lifestyle, a healthy weight, and a smart diet can do a lot to reduce the risk of cancer.

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, 1/3 of cancers can actually be prevented if Americans were to commit to being physically active every day for at least 30 minutes, if they were to maintain a healthy weight throughout their lives, and if their diet would include mostly plant foods, limited red meat, and as little processed meat as possible.  If that’s not enough motivation to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle, I don’t know what is!  Unfortunately, the American diet is packed with processed meats and other unhealthy foods and our culture is getting less active by the generation.  Hopefully, these statistics are enough to create a paradigm shift and force Americans to look at the long-term effects of their choices.

For those of us in our middle-aged years already, much of the damage has already been done, but that doesn’t mean we can’t turn it around.  In fact, a recent study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute revealed that physical activity was linked to lower rates of breast and colon cancer deaths.  They found that cancer survivors, particularly breast cancer survivors, enjoyed longer lives when they exercised regularly, as compared to those who did not.  Exercise was also found to prevent reoccurring cancers. They believe the results stem from the way regular exercise effects insulin levels, inflammation, and immunity, but more studies are planned to better understand these recent results.

Between our American lifestyle, family histories, and the sheer prevalence of the disease, our risk factors for cancer only seem to be going up.  Now that we know that simply being healthy is just one way to reduce our risk though, maybe we can finally commit to getting out there and getting active.  How many more reasons do we need to take care of ourselves.

– Yvonne S. Thornton, M. D., M. P. H.

 

 

 

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A Family History of Heart Disease Doesn’t Have to Be Your Future

Written by yvonnethornton on May 21st, 2012

Heart disease is a growing problem in America.  It is the leading cause of death in both men and women, and is even more of a problem for African Americans.  For many Americans the tendency towards heart disease runs in the family, and with their fast food addiction and sedentary lifestyles, the risk only increases.  Just because you may have a history of heart disease in your family though, doesn’t mean it’s a fate you have to suffer.

Jennifer Sedbrook, an OSF Cardiovascular Service Line Leader, says that “We can control all but two of the factors that affect heart disease; family history and age.”  OSF (Order of St. Francis) Healthcare is a nonprofit Catholic health care corporation that operates a medical group, hospital system, health plan, and other health care facilities in Illinois and Michigan.  According to OSF, There are other important factors which can also increase our risk though, and those include our BMI, or body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight.  It’s important to be aware of your body and to know each of these numbers, so that if there is a change, you can alert your doctor.  Additionally, if you know your body mass index and, consequently, weight are not where they should be, you can be proactive.  By eating healthy and committing to a regular exercise routine, you can drastically reduce your risk of heart disease.  This, along with controlling the amount of stress in your life, will decrease your cholesterol and blood pressure.

Ann Ripsom, one woman in a family of 7 siblings, has lowered her own risk factors by quitting smoking, joining Weight Watchers, and getting regular check-ups with her doctor.  She decided to get involved with the OSF Women’s Heart Ambassadors after losing three of her brothers to heart disease.  Three of her other siblings have also suffered from major heart issues.  Despite such an intense family history of heart problems, Ann does not show signs of the disease and is working to help others decrease their factors too.  She says that the most important thing to do is to take control of your risk factors and do not ignore signs your body may be giving you. In addition, people need to know the various symptoms of a heart attack, which can include chest pain, jaw pain, pain in either arm, nausea, sweating, disorientation, and fatigue.

More than 616,000 people died of heart disease in 2008 alone.  That accounted for 25% of the deaths in America that year.  By becoming educated about your risk factors, these kinds of deaths can be prevented.  Knowing this information and taking steps toward prevention is the most important thing you can do.  So find out what your numbers are, start eating healthy, and above all, get active.  Don’t let your family’s history determine your future.

– Yvonne S. Thornton, M. D., M. P. H.

 

 

 

 

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