Acomplia: A New Weight Loss Blockbuster Drug?

The prospect that a promising new anti-obesity drug, rimonabant, may be available as early as 2006 is exciting news indeed for millions of obese and seriously overweight Americans and Europeans. The drug, which will be marketed as Acomplia, has been hailed by some doctors on the basis of interim study results as potentially a major breakthrough in treating obesity.

Dr. Grossman's Comments: Americans have grown wary of claims made by anti-obesity medications. Drugs like Xenica (blocks fat absorption), Meridia and phentermine (decrease appetite) have turned out to have bothersome and often unacceptable side effects. The specter of "fen-phen" comes to mind, where patients took a combination of two drugs which proved exceptionally effective at curbing appetite and reducing weight, but was found to also cause damage to heart valves. If this new drug, rimonabant, which will be sold under the trade name ACOMPLIA, proves to be free of these safety issues, it would be a boon to many Americans. In the interim, by following the principles outlined in my new book, Fantastic Voyage: Live Long Enough to Live Forever, coauthored with Ray Kurzweil, you will be able to lose weight and keep it off by following some simple and fundamental eating guidelines. In almost every case, it is better to maintain health through a healthy lifestyle than by taking a drug; yet, for the many people who still have difficulty losing weight, Acomplia may be very useful.

Read more... Study: Highly Encouraging Two-Year Trial Results Reported for Acomplia

Vitamin D May Help Treat Prostate Cancer

Thanks to a discovery announced last week, millions of men suffering from advancing prostate cancer now have reason for hope. A presentation at the conference on vitamin D and cancer, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute, gave men a reason to be optimistic where hopelessness once reigned. A group from the University of Toronto reported the first human trials of a deltanoid (vitamin D compound) that appear to both help fight prostate cancer and to fight it without causing any side effects.

Dr. Grossman's Comments: Vitamin D is an inexpensive supplement that is being shown to be valuable in an increasing number of conditions. A few pennies worth of vitamin D a day may prove to be a useful adjunct in the treatment of prostate cancer. 2000 IU of vitamin D a day is a safe dose for most men, but a blood test for 25OH vitamin D (ask for this specific test) should be performed after 4 weeks on this dose to assess that the proper amount is being taken.

Read more... Vitamin D may help treat prostate cancer

Low Fat Diet Does NOT Decrease Prostate Cancer Risk
by Terry Grossman M.D.

Despite conventional recommendations that a low-fat diet can be protective against prostate cancer, a new study suggests "Dietary intervention over a 4-year period with reduced fat and increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and fiber has no impact on serum PSA levels in men.The study also offers no evidence that this dietary intervention over a 4-year period affects the incidence of prostate cancer during the 4 years."

Dr. Grossman's Comments: Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men, and eventually will be diagnosed in 1 in 6 men. The recent study from Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York suggests that lowering dietary fat in itself had little impact in deverlopment of prostate cancer over 4 years. There are several steps men can take to lower risk of prostate cancer:

• Lower the Ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 Dietary Fats
• Drinking freshly squeezed vegetable juice
• Eating freshly ground flax seeds
• Taking Vitamin D
• Avoiding cow's milk
• Selenium 400 mcg per day
• Vitamin E 400 units

Read more... Lack of effect of a low-fat, high-fruit, -vegetable, and -fiber diet on serum prostate-specific anti

Want to Lose Over a Pound a Week Without Cutting Calories?

Want to lose a pound or more a week without really trying? It sounds too good to be true, but new research suggests it may be possible by making small changes in your diet.

The key: replacing some of the high-calorie foods you eat with fruits, vegetables, and other water-dense foods that keep you just as full.

Young women taking part in a Pennsylvania State University study ate a whopping 800 fewer calories a day and never missed them when this eating approach was combined with a 25% reduction in overall portion size.

Read more... WebMD Health

Drug Reviewer Says 5 Medications OK'd by FDA Besides Vioxx Pose High Risks and Should Be Pulled

At least five medications now sold to consumers pose such high risks that their sale should be limited or stopped, said a government drug reviewer who raised safety questions earlier about the arthritis drug Vioxx.

In testimony Thursday before the Senate Finance Committee, Food and Drug Administration reviewer David Graham cited Meridia, Crestor, Accutane, Bextra and Serevent. Drug makers defended the use and safety of their products.

Graham contended the country is "virtually defenseless" against a repeat of the Vioxx debacle. Dr. Steven Galson of the FDA rejected that comment as having "no basis in fact."

Dr. Grossman's Comments:

In the case of these 5 listed drugs, there are other older, safer drugs available, as well as safe and effective complementary therapies.

Read more... Expert Warns Against 5 FDA-Approved Drugs

The Stem Cell Gold Rush
by Kristen Philipkoski

Scientists around the country who study embryonic stem cells may be mourning four more years of President Bush's restrictive funding policy, but California scientists are throwing a party, and top researchers in less-funded states are hoping for invitations.

In the Golden State, stem cell researchers will see a windfall of $3 billion over the next 10 years, averaging about $300 million a year, thanks to the passage of Proposition 71, the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative. It shouldn't be difficult to entice the best minds in the country to move to a place where their work is fully supported by a state known for its mild climate.

Dr. Grossman's Comments: The Bush Administration's near total ban on the use of federal funds for embryonic stem cell research has stymied U.S. research efforts into developing therapeutic uses for this potentially revolutionary therapy. California voters have taken the initiative and voted with their tax dollars to spend $3 billion over the next 10 years on stem cell research.

The best and brightest stem cell researchers will move to California to avail themselves to the new California state funding in lieu of federal funding.

While embryonic stem cells may possess enormous potential, there are significant barriers to their practical application in the treatment of human patients. Serious time, research, and money are still needed to move this therapy from the laboratory into the world of patient care. Countless patients are hoping these therapies will come to fruition in time for them. California voters have taken a giant step in the right direction to help them. Hopefully other states will follow in their lead...

Read more... The Stem Cell Gold Rush

Healthy (and Tasty) Thanksgiving Eating

One of the many good things about Thanksgiving is that the traditional festive meal doesn't have to be unhealthy. There are far worse things to eat during the holidays than white-meat turkey and vegetables. And what's even better say the experts, is that by dropping fat and adding flavor, you can make your Thanksgiving a day of good nutrition that your whole family will enjoy.

Read more... Thanksgiving: Skim Fat, Add Flavor

Longevity Evaluations at FMI
by Ardis Boyd – Practice Manager

We are entering a new frontier of medicine wherein you can now take control of your health, discover your genetic tendencies, and make INDIVIDUALIZED lifestyle choices that will extend your life. Dr. Grossman, our medical director, developed our longevity program after working with thousands of patients from all over the world during the past 10 years. By undergoing one of our Longevity Evaluations, you will join individuals who have come to visit us from all parts of the U.S. and around the world to gain the knowledge and tools to live longer, healthier, and younger lives. You will accomplish this by undergoing a comprehensive series of the latest medical tests available.

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