The Health FAQs

Dietary Sources of Vitamin C

noreply@blogger.com (tjzhuo) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 19:21:00 +0000

Food sources of vitamin C are ranked by milligrams (mg) of vitamin C per standard amount; also calories in the standard amount. (All amounts listed provide 20% or more of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 90 mg/day for adult men.)

Food, Standard Amount	Vitamin C (mg)	Calories
Guava, raw, ½ cup	188	56
Red bell pepper, raw, ½ cup	142	20
Red bell pepper, cooked, ½ cup	116	19
Kiwi fruit, 1 medium	70	46
Orange, raw, 1 medium	70	62
Orange juice, ¾ cup	61 to 93	79 to 84
Green bell pepper, raw, ½ cup	60	15
Green bell pepper, cooked, ½ cup	51	19
Grapefruit juice, ¾ cup	50 to 70	71 to 86
Vegetable juice cocktail, ¾ cup	50	34
Strawberries, raw, ½ cup	49	27
Brussels sprouts, cooked, ½ cup	48	28
Cantaloupe, ¼ medium	47	51
Papaya, raw, ¼ medium	47	30
Kohlrabi, cooked, ½ cup	45	24
Broccoli, raw, ½ cup	39	15
Edible pod peas, cooked, ½ cup	38	34
Broccoli, cooked, ½ cup	37	26
Sweet potato, canned, ½ cup	34	116
Tomato juice, ¾ cup	33	31
Cauliflower, cooked, ½ cup	28	17
Pineapple, raw, ½ cup	28	37
Kale, cooked, ½ cup	27	18
Mango, ½ cup	23	54

Source: USDA/HHS Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005

Nutrient values from Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 17. Foods are from ARS single nutrient reports, sorted in descending order by nutrient content in terms of common household measures. Food items and weights in the single nutrient reports are adapted from those in the 2002 revision of USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 72, Nutritive Value of Foods. Mixed dishes and multiple preparations of the same food item have been omitted from this table.

Dietary Sources of Iron

noreply@blogger.com (tjzhuo) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 19:13:00 +0000

Food Sources of Iron ranked by milligrams of iron per standard amount; also calories in the standard amount. (All amounts listed provide 10% or more of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for teenage and adult females, which is 18 mg/day.)

Food, Standard Amount	Iron (mg)	Calories
Clams, canned, drained, 3 oz	23.8	126
*Fortified dry cereals (various), about 1 oz	1.8 to 21.1	54 to 127
Cooked oysters, cooked, 3 oz	10.2	116
Organ meats (liver, giblets), cooked, 3 oza	5.2 to 9.9	134 to 235
*Fortified instant cooked cereals (various), 1 packet	4.9 to 8.1	Varies
*Soybeans, mature, cooked, ½ cup	4.4	149
*Pumpkin and squash seed kernels, roasted, 1 oz	4.2	148
*White beans, canned, ½ cup	3.9	153
*Blackstrap molasses, 1 Tbsp	3.5	47
*Lentils, cooked, ½ cup	3.3	115
*Spinach, cooked from fresh, ½ cup	3.2	21
Beef, chuck, blade roast, cooked, 3 oz	3.1	215
Beef, bottom round, cooked, 3 oz	2.8	182
*Kidney beans, cooked, ½ cup	2.6	112
Sardines, canned in oil, drained, 3 oz	2.5	177
Beef, rib, cooked, 3 oz	2.4	195
*Chickpeas, cooked, ½ cup	2.4	134
Duck, meat only, roasted, 3 oz	2.3	171
Lamb, shoulder, cooked, 3 oz	2.3	237
*Prune juice, ¾ cup	2.3	136
Shrimp, canned, 3 oz	2.3	102
*Cowpeas, cooked, ½ cup	2.2	100
Ground beef, 15% fat, cooked, 3 oz	2.2	212
*Tomato puree, ½ cup	2.2	48
*Lima beans, cooked, ½ cup	2.2	108
*Soybeans, green, cooked, ½ cup	2.2	127
*Navy beans, cooked, ½ cup	2.1	127
*Refried beans, ½ cup	2.1	118
Beef, top sirloin, cooked, 3 oz	2.0	156
*Tomato paste, ¼ cup	2.0	54

Food Sources of iron are ranked by milligrams of iron per standard amount; also calories in the standard amount. (All amounts listed provide 10% or more of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for teenage and adult females, which is 18 mg/day.)
aHigh in cholesterol.

*These are non-heme iron sources. To improve absorption, eat these with a vitamin-C rich food.
Source: USDA/HHS Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005

Nutrient values from Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 17. Foods are from ARS single nutrient reports, sorted in descending order by nutrient content in terms of common household measures. Food items and weights in the single nutrient reports are adapted from those in the 2002 revision of USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 72, Nutritive Value of Foods. Mixed dishes and multiple preparations of the same food item have been omitted from this table.

Anemia a.k.a Iron Deficiency

noreply@blogger.com (tjzhuo) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 19:10:00 +0000

The following information is adapted from:Recommendations to Prevent and Control Iron Deficiency in the United States. MMWR 1998;47 (No. RR-3) p. 5

What is iron and why do we need it?

Iron is a mineral needed by our bodies. Iron is a part of all cells and does many things in our bodies. For example, iron (as part of the protein hemoglobin) carries oxygen from our lungs throughout our bodies. Having too little hemoglobin is called anemia. Iron also helps our muscles store and use oxygen.
Iron is a part of many enzymes and is used in many cell functions. Enzymes help our bodies digest foods and also help with many other important reactions that occur within our bodies. When our bodies don't have enough iron, many parts of our bodies are affected.

What is iron deficiency and why is it a concern?

Iron deficiency is a condition resulting from too little iron in the body. Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency and the leading cause of anemia in the United States.¹
The terms anemia, iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia often are used interchangeably but equivalent. Iron deficiency ranges from depleted iron stores without functional or health impairment to iron deficiency with anemia, which affects the functioning of several organ systems.²
Iron deficiency is a concern because it can:

Iron deficiency can delay normal infant motor function (normal activity and movement) or mental function (normal thinking and processing skills).^3-6
Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy can increase risk for small or early (preterm) babies.^7-8 Small or early babies are more likely to have health problems or die in the first year of life than infants who are born full term and are not small.
Iron deficiency can cause fatigue that impairs the ability to do physical work in adults.^9-10 Iron deficiency may also affect memory or other mental function in teens.¹¹

What causes iron deficiency?

Iron deficiency has many causes. (See table below for a summary). These causes fall into two main categories:
1. Increased iron needs
Many common conditions can cause people to need additional iron:

Because of their rapid growth, infants and toddlers need more iron than older children. Sometimes it can be hard for them to get enough iron from their normal diet.
Women who are pregnant have higher iron needs. To get enough, most women must take an iron supplement as recommended by their healthcare provider.
When people lose blood, they also lose iron. They need extra iron to replace what they have lost. Increased blood loss can occur with heavy menstrual periods, frequent blood donation, as well as with some stomach and intestinal conditions (food sensitivity, hookworms.)

2. Decreased iron intake or absorption (not enough iron taken into the body)
The amount of iron absorbed from the diet depends on many factors:

Iron from meat, poultry, and fish (i.e., heme iron) is absorbed two to three times more efficiently than iron from plants (i.e., non-heme iron).
The amount of iron absorbed from plant foods (non-heme iron) depends on the other types of foods eaten at the same meal.
Foods containing heme iron (meat, poultry, and fish) enhance iron absorption from foods that contain non-heme iron (e.g., fortified cereals, some beans, and spinach).
Foods containing vitamin C (see Dietary Sources of vitamin C) also enhance non-heme iron absorption when eaten at the same meal.
Substances (such as polyphenols, phytates, or calcium) that are part of some foods or drinks such as tea, coffee, whole grains, legumes and milk or dairy products can decrease the amount of non-heme iron absorbed at a meal. Calcium can also decrease the amount heme-iron absorbed at a meal. However, for healthy individuals who consume a varied diet that conforms to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the amount of iron inhibition from these substances is usually not of concern.
Vegetarian diets are low in heme iron, but careful meal planning can help increase the amount of iron absorbed.
Some other factors (such as taking antacids beyond the recommended dose or medicine used to treat peptic ulcer disease and acid reflux) can reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and the iron absorbed and cause iron deficienc

Who is most at risk?

Young children and pregnant women are at higher risk of iron deficiency because of rapid growth and higher iron needs.
Adolescent girls and women of childbearing age are at risk due to menstruation.
Among children, iron deficiency is seen most often between six months and three years of age due to rapid growth and inadequate intake of dietary iron. Infants and children at highest risk are the following groups:
- Babies who were born early or small.
- Babies given cow's milk before age 12 months.
- Breastfed babies who after age 6 months are not being given plain, iron-fortified cereals or another good source of iron from other foods.
- Formula-fed babies who do not get iron-fortified formulas.
- Children aged 1–5 years who get more than 24 ounces of cow, goat, or soymilk per day. Excess milk intake can decrease your child's desire for food items with greater iron content, such as meat or iron fortified cereal.
- Children who have special health needs, for example, children with chronic infections or restricted diets.

Signs and Symptoms of Iron Deficiency

Too little iron can impair body functions, but most physical signs and symptoms do not show up unless iron deficiency anemia occurs. Someone with early stages of iron deficiency may have no signs or symptoms. This is why it is important to screen for too little iron among high risk groups.
Signs of iron deficiency anemia include¹²

Feeling tired and weak
Decreased work and school performance
Slow cognitive and social development during childhood
Difficulty maintaining body temperature
Decreased immune function, which increases susceptibility to infection
Glossitis (an inflamed tongue)

How is iron deficiency detected?

Your doctor or healthcare provider will do blood tests to screen for iron deficiency. No single test is used to diagnose iron deficiency. The most common tests for screening are

Hemoglobin test (a test that measures hemoglobin which is a protein in the blood that carries oxygen)
Hematocrit test (the percentage of red blood cells in your blood by volume)
These tests show how much iron is in your body. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels usually aren't decreased until the later stages of iron deficiency, i.e., anemia.

Sometimes other blood tests are used to confirm that anemia is due to iron deficiency. These might include

Complete blood count (to look at the number and volume of the red blood cells)
Serum ferritin (a measure of a stored form of iron)
Serum iron (a measure of the iron in your blood)
Transferrin saturation (a measure of the transported form of iron)
Transferrin receptor (a measure of increased red blood cell production)

How is iron deficiency treated?

If you are found to have an iron deficiency, it is important to see your healthcare provider for treatment. Your treatment will depend on factors such as your age, health, and cause of iron deficiency.
If your doctor or health care provider thinks that you have iron deficiency she or he may prescribe iron supplements for you to take and then ask that you return after a period to have your hemoglobin or hematocrit tested.
If your healthcare provider determines that the iron deficiency is due to a diet low in iron, you might be told to eat more iron-rich foods. Your health care provider may also prescribe an iron supplement for you.

Again, it is important to be diagnosed by your healthcare provider because iron deficiency can have causes that aren't related to your diet. Your healthcare provider's recommendations will be specific to your needs.

What can I do to prevent iron deficiency?

In general, you can eat a healthful diet that includes good sources of iron. A healthful diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat free or nonfat milk and milk products, lean meats, fish, dry beans, eggs, nuts, and is low in saturated fat, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars.
In addition to a healthful diet that includes good sources of iron, you can also eat foods that help your body absorb iron better. For example, you can eat a fruit or vegetable that is a good source of vitamin C (see table on Dietary Sources of vitamin C) with a food or meal that contains non-heme iron (see table below for Dietary Sources of Iron). Vitamin C helps your body absorb the non-heme iron foods you eat, especially when the food containing non-heme iron and the vitamin-C rich food are eaten at the same meal.
The following recommendations are for specific groups who are at greater risk for iron deficiency.

Babies

If possible, breastfeed your baby for at least 12 months and starting at 4 to 6 months of age, give your baby plain, iron-fortified infant cereal and/or pureed meat. Just two or more servings a day can meet a baby's iron needs at this age. Meats should be home prepared or commercially prepared plain pureed (chopped until smooth in a blender) meats.
When your baby is about 6 months of age, include a feeding per day of foods rich in vitamin C with foods that are rich in non-heme iron to improve iron absorption.
If you can't breastfeed, use iron-fortified formula.
Don't give low-iron milks (e.g. cow's milk, goat's milk, and soy milk) until your baby is at least 12 months old.
If your baby was born early or small, talk to your doctor about giving iron drops to your baby.
If your baby can't get two or more servings per day of iron rich foods (such as iron-fortified cereal or pureed meats), talk to your doctor about giving iron drops to your baby.

Young children (aged 1–5 years)

After your child is one year old, give no more than three 8 ounce servings of whole cow, goat, or soy milk per day. After your child is 2 years old, low fat or nonfat milks should be used in place of whole milks. Vitamin D-fortified milk is a good source of calcium and vitamin D, but not iron.
Give your child a diet with iron-rich foods such as iron-fortified breads and iron-fortified cereals and lean meats. See Dietary Sources of Iron
Include fruits, vegetables or juices that are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps your child absorb non-heme iron especially when the food that is a source of non-heme iron and the vitamin C-rich food are eaten at the same meal. See Dietary Sources of Vitamin C.

Adolescent girls and women of childbearing age

Eat iron-rich foods. See Dietary Sources of Iron.
Eat foods that are vitamin C sources. Vitamin C helps your body absorb non-heme iron especially when the food that is a source of non-heme iron and the vitamin C-rich food are eaten at the same meal. See Dietary Sources of Vitamin C.
Eat lean red meats, poultry, and fish. The iron in these foods is easier for your body to absorb than the iron in plant foods.

Pregnant women

Eat iron-rich foods. See Dietary Sources of Iron.
Eat foods that are vitamin C sources. Vitamin C helps your body absorb non-heme iron especially when the food that is a source of non-heme iron and the vitamin-C rich food are eaten at the same meal. See Dietary Sources of Vitamin C below.
Eat lean red meats, poultry, and fish. The iron in these foods is easier for your body to absorb than the iron in plant foods.
Talk to your doctor about taking an iron supplement.

How much iron do I need?

If you have already been diagnosed with iron deficiency, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about treatment. For healthy individuals, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iron is listed in the following table.

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iron by age and sex.
Age/Group	Life Stage	Iron (mg/day)
Infants	0–6 months	0.27*
	7–12 months	11
Children	1–3 years	7
	4–8 years	10
Males	9–13 years	8
	14–18 years	11
	19–30 years	8
	31–50 years	8
	51–70 years	8
	>70 years	8
Females	9–13 years	8
	14–18 years	15
	19–30 years	18
	31–50 years	18
	51–70 years	8
	>70 years	8
Pregnant Women	14–18 years	27
	19–30 years	27
	31–50 years	27
Lactating Women	14–18 years	10
	19–30 years	9
	31–50 years	9

*This value is an Adequate Intake (AI) value. AI is used when there is not enough information known to set a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA).

Source: Dietary Reference Intakes, Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board .* (PDF-86k)

More info on iron and Dietary Source for Anemia

For more information about iron, see this fact sheet about iron
Dietary Sources of Iron
Dietary Sources of Vitamin C

Warning

Iron Overload and Hemochromatosis

Iron overload is the accumulation of excess iron in body tissues. Hemochromatosis is the disease resulting from significant iron overload. Hemochromatosis can have genetic and non-genetic causes. For more information, see Iron Overload and Hemochromatosis

Alzheimer's Disease

noreply@blogger.com (tjzhuo) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 19:00:00 +0000

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia among older adults. Alzheimer’s disease involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language and can seriously affect a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. Although scientists are learning more every day, right now, they still do not know what causes Alzheimer’s disease.

Who has Alzheimer’s Disease?

As many as 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. While younger people may get Alzheimer’s disease, it is much less common. The disease usually begins after age 60, and risk goes up with age. About 5 percent of men and women ages 65 to 74 have Alzheimer’s disease, and nearly half of those age 85 and older may have the disease. It is important to note, however, that Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging.

What causes Alzheimer’s Disease?

Scientists do not yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several factors that affect each person differently. Age is the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.
Family history is another risk factor. Researchers believe that genetics may play a role in developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists still need to learn a lot more about what causes Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to genetics, they are studying education, diet, and environment to learn what role they might play in developing this disease. Scientists are finding more and more evidence that some of the risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and low levels of the vitamin folate may also increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Evidence for physical, mental and social activities as protective factors against Alzheimer’s disease is also growing.

For additional resources on aging, Alzheimer's and cognitive health, please visit:

CDC Healthy Brain Initiative

The National Institute on Aging

References

Miniño, A; Xu, J; Kochanek, KD. “Deaths: Preliminary Data for 2008.” National Vital Statistics Reports. Hyattsville, Md.; National Center for Health Statistics; 2010.
Hebert, LE; Scherr, PA; Bienias, JL; Bennett, DA; Evans, DA. “Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S. population: Prevalence estimates using the 2000 Census.” Archives of Neurology 2003;60(8):1119–1122 and Alzheimer’s Association. Early-Onset Dementia: A National Challenge, A Future Crisis. Washington, D.C.: Alzheimer’s Association; 2006; as published by the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, 2011.
Hebert, LE; Scherr, PA; Bienias, JL; Bennett, DA; Evans, DA. “Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S. population: Prevalence estimates using the 2000 Census.” Archives of Neurology 2003;60(8):1119–1122; as published by the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, 2011.
Alzheimer’s Association. Characteristics, Costs and Health Service Use for Medicare Beneficiaries with a Dementia Diagnosis: Report 1: Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey. Prepared under contract by Julie Bynum, M.D., M.P.H., Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Care, Center for Health Policy Research, January 2009; as published by the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, 2011.
Alzheimer’s Association. Characteristics, Costs and Health Service Use for Medicare Beneficiaries with a Dementia Diagnosis: Report 1: Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey. Prepared under contract by Julie Bynum, M.D., M.P.H., Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Care, Center for Health Policy Research, January 2009; as published by the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, 2011.

Excessive Alcohol Use and Risks to Women’s Health

noreply@blogger.com (tjzhuo) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 18:38:00 +0000

Although men are more likely to drink alcohol and drink in larger amounts, gender differences in body structure and chemistry cause women to absorb more alcohol, and take longer to break it down and remove it from their bodies (i.e., to metabolize it). In other words, upon drinking equal amounts, women have higher alcohol levels in their blood than men, and the immediate effects occur more quickly and last longer. These differences also make women more vulnerable to alcohol’s long-term effects on their health.¹

Reproductive Health

National surveys show that about 1 in 2 women of child-bearing age (i.e., aged 18–44 years) use alcohol, and 15% of women who drink alcohol in this age group binge drink.²
About 7.6% of pregnant women used alcohol.²
Excessive drinking may disrupt menstrual cycling and increase the risk of infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature delivery.^{3, 4}
Women who binge drink are more likely to have unprotected sex and multiple sex partners. These activities increase the risks of unintended pregnancy⁵ and sexually transmitted diseases.⁶

Alcohol and Pregnancy

Women who drink alcohol while pregnant increase their risk of having a baby with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). The most severe form is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which causes mental retardation and birth defects.
FASD are completely preventable if a woman does not drink while pregnant or while she may become pregnant.
Studies have shown that about 1 of 20 pregnant women drank excessively before finding out they were pregnant.⁷ No amount of alcohol is safe to drink during pregnancy. For women who drink during pregnancy, stopping as soon as possible may lower the risk of having a child with physical, mental, or emotional problems.
Research suggests that women who drink alcohol while pregnant are more likely to have a baby die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This risk substantially increases if a woman binge drinks during her first trimester of pregnancy.⁸
The risk of miscarriage is also increased if a woman drinks excessively during her first trimester of pregnancy.⁹

Other Health Concerns

Liver Disease: The risk of cirrhosis and other alcohol-related liver diseases is higher for women than for men.¹⁰
Impact on the Brain: Excessive drinking may result in memory loss and shrinkage of the brain.¹¹ Research suggests that women are more vulnerable than men to the brain damaging effects of excessive alcohol use, and the damage tends to appear with shorter periods of excessive drinking for women than for men.¹²
Impact on the Heart: Studies have shown that women who drink excessively are at increased risk for damage to the heart muscle than men even for women drinking at lower levels.¹³
Cancer: Alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast among women. The risk of breast cancer increases as alcohol use increases.^14-17
Sexual Assault: Binge drinking is a risk factor for sexual assault, especially among young women in college settings. Each year, about 1 in 20 college women are sexually assaulted. Research suggests that there is an increase in the risk of rape or sexual assault when both the attacker and victim have used alcohol prior to the attack.^{18, 19}

References:

Ashley MJ, Olin JS, le Riche WH, Kornaczewski A, Schmidt W, Rankin JG. Morbidity in alcoholics. Evidence for accelerated development of physical disease in women . Arch Intern Med 1977;137(7):883–887.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alcohol use and binge drinking among women of childbearing age – United States, 2006-2010. MMWR 2012;61:534-538.
Mendelson JH, Mello NK. Chronic alcohol effects on anterior pituitary and ovarian hormones in healthy women . J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1988;245(2):407–412.
Wilsnack SC, Klassen AD, Wilsnack RW. Drinking and reproductive dysfunction among women in a 1981 national survey . Alcohol Clin Exp Res 1984;8(5):451–458.
Naimi TS, Lipscomb LE, Brewer RD, Gilbert BC. Binge drinking in the preconception period and the risk of unintended pregnancy: Implications for women and their children . Pediatrics 2003;111(5):1136–1141.
Thomas AG, Brodine SK, Shaffer R, Shafer MA, Boyer CB, Putnam S, et al. Chlamydial infection and unplanned pregnancy in women with ready access to health care . Obstet Gynecol 2001;98(6):1117–1123.
Floyd RL, Decoufle P, Hungerford DW. Alcohol use prior to pregnancy recognition . Am J Prev Med 1999;17(2):101–107.
Iyasu S, Randall LL, Welty TK, et al. Risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome among northern plains Indians . JAMA 2002;288(21):2717–2723.
Kesmodel U, Wisborg K, Olsen SF, Henriksen TB, Sechler NJ. Moderate alcohol intake in pregnancy and the risk of spontaneous abortion . Alcohol & Alcoholism 2002;37(1):87–92.
Loft S, Olesen KL, Dossing M. Increased susceptibility to liver disease in relation to alcohol consumption in women . Scand J Gastroenterol 1987;22(10):1251–1256.
Hommer DW, Momenan R, Kaiser E, Rawlings RR. Evidence for a gender-related effect of alcoholism on brain volumes . Am J Psychiatry 2001;158:198–204.
Mann K, Batra A, Gunthner A, Schroth G. Do women develop alcoholic brain damage more readily than men ? Alcohol Clin Exp Res 1992;16(6):1052–1056.
Urbano-Marquez A, Estruch R, Fernandez-Sola J, Nicola JM, Pare JC, Rubin E. The greater risk of alcoholic cardiomyopathy and myopathy in women compared with men . JAMA 1995;274(2):149–154.
Baan R, Straif K, Grosse Y, Secretan B, et al. on behalf of the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer Monograph Working Group. Carcinogenicity of alcoholic beverages . Lancet Oncol 2007;8:292–293
Smith-Warner SA, et al. Alcohol and breast cancer in women: A pooled analysis of cohort studies . JAMA 1998;279(7):535–540.
Thun MJ, et al. Alcohol consumption and mortality among middle-aged and elderly U.S. adults . N Engl J Med 1997;337(24):1705–1714.
Department of Health and Human Services. Tenth Special Report to the U.S. Congress on Alcohol and Health [PDF-264KB]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism; June 2000.
Mohler-Kuo M, Dowdall GW, Koss M, Wechsler H. Correlates of rape while intoxicated in a national sample of college women . Journal of Studies on Alcohol 2004;65(1):37–45.
Abbey A. Alcohol-related sexual assault: A common problem among college students . J Stud Alcohol Suppl 2002;14:118–128.

Excessive Alcohol Use and Risks to Men's Health

noreply@blogger.com (tjzhuo) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 18:35:00 +0000

Men are more likely than women to drink excessively. Excessive drinking is associated with significant increases in short-term risks to health and safety, and the risk increases as the amount of drinking increases. Men are also more likely than women to take other risks (e.g., drive fast or without a safety belt), when combined with excessive drinking, further increasing their risk of injury or death.^1-4

Drinking levels for men

Approximately 63% of adult men reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days. (Men 24%) were two times more likely to binge drink than women during the same time period.⁵
Men average about 12.5 binge drinking episodes per person per year, while women average about 2.7 binge drinking episodes per year.³
Most people who binge drink are not alcoholics or alcohol dependent.^{6, 7}
It is estimated that about 17% of men and about 8% of women will meet criteria for alcohol dependence at some point in their lives.⁸

Injuries and deaths as a result of excessive alcohol use

Men consistently have higher rates of alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations than women.^{1, 9, 10}
Among drivers in fatal motor-vehicle traffic crashes, men are almost twice as likely as women to have been intoxicated (i.e., a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater).¹¹
Excessive alcohol consumption increases aggression and, as a result, can increase the risk of physically assaulting another person.¹²
Men are more likely than women to commit suicide, and more likely to have been drinking prior to committing suicide.^13-15

Reproductive Health and Sexual Function

Excessive alcohol use can interfere with testicular function and male hormone production resulting in impotence, infertility, and reduction of male secondary sex characteristics such as facial and chest hair.^{16, 17}
Excessive alcohol use is commonly involved in sexual assault. Impaired judgment caused by alcohol may worsen the tendency of some men to mistake a women’s friendly behavior for sexual interest and misjudge their use of force. Also, alcohol use by men increases the chances of engaging in risky sexual activity including unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, or sex with a partner at risk for sexually transmitted diseases.⁴

Cancer

Alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon in men.^18-20
There are a number of health conditions affected by excessive alcohol use that affect both men and women.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI). Atlanta, GA: CDC.
Levy DT, Mallonee S, Miller TR, Smith GS, Spicer RS, Romano EO, Fisher DA. Alcohol involvement in burn, submersion, spinal cord, and brain injuries . Med Sci Monit 2004; 10(1):CR17–24.
Naimi TS, Brewer RD, Mokdad A, Clark D, Serdula MK, Marks JS. Binge Drinking Among US Adults . JAMA 2003; 289(1):70–75.
Nolen-Hoeksema S. Gender differences in risk factors and consequences for alcohol use and problems . Clinical Psychology Review 2004;24:981.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System prevalence data. Atlanta, GA: CDC.
Dawson DA, Grant BF, LI T-K. Quantifying the risks associated with exceeding recommended drinking limits . Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2005;29:902–908.
Woerle S, Roeber J, Landen MG. Prevalence of alcohol dependence among excessive drinkers in New Mexico . Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2007;31:293–298.
Hasin DS, Stinson FS, Ogburn E, Grant BF. Prevalence, correlates, disability, and comorbidity of DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence in the United States . Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007;64:830-842.
Minino AM, Heron MP, Murphy SL, Kochanek KD. Deaths: final data for 2004 [PDF 3.37MB]. National Vital Statistics Report, Volume 55, No. 19, August 21, 2007. Hyattsville, MD: CDC National Center for Health Statistics.
Chen CM, Yi H. Trends in alcohol-related morbidity among short-stay community hospital discharges, United States, 1979–2005 [PDF 1.78MB]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. NIAAA Surveillance Report #80, 2007.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Traffic Safety Facts 2006 [PDF 990KB]. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Center for Statistics & Analysis. DOT HS 810 818, 2008.
Scott KD, Schafer J, Greenfield TK. The roles of alcohol in physical assault perpetration and victimization . J Stud Alcohol 1999;60:528–536.
Hayward l, Zubrick SR, Silburn S. Blood alcohol levels in suicide cases . J Epidemiol Community Health 1992;46(3):256–260.
May PA, Van Winkle NW, Williams MB, McFeeley PJ, DeBruyn LM, Serna P. Alcohol and suicide death among American Indians of New Mexico: 1980-1998 . Suicide Life Threat Behav 2002;32(3):240–255.
Suokas J, Suominen K, Lonnqvist J. Chronic alcohol problems among suicide attempters—post-mortem findings of a 14-year follow-up . Nord J Psychiatry 2005;59(1):45–50.
Adler RA. Clinically important effects of alcohol on endocrine function . Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1992;74(5):957–960.
Emanuele MA, Emanuele NV. Alcohol’s effects on male reproduction . Alcohol Research and Health 1998; 22(3):195–201.
American Cancer Society. Alcohol and Cancer [PDF–181KB]. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2006.
Donato F, Tagger A, Chiesa R, Ribero ML, Tomasoni V, Fasola M, et al. Hepatitis B and C virus infection, alcohol drinking and hepatocellular carcinoma: a case-control study in Italy . Hepatology 1997;26(3):579–584.
Baan R, Straif K, Grosse Y, Secretan B, et al. on behalf of the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer Monograph Working Group. Carcinogenicity of alcoholic beverages . Lancet Oncol 2007;8:292-293.

Alcohol Usage and Health FAQ

noreply@blogger.com (tjzhuo) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 18:25:00 +0000

There are approximately 80,000 deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use each year in the United States.¹ This makes excessive alcohol use the 3r d leading lifestyle-related cause of death for the nation.² Excessive alcohol use is responsible for 2.3 million years of potential life lost (YPLL) annually, or an average of about 30 years of potential life lost for each death.¹ In 2006, there were more than 1.2 million emergency room visits and 2.7 million physician office visits due to excessive drinking.³ The economic costs of excessive alcohol consumption in 2006 were estimated at $223.5 billion.³

Patterns of Drinking Alcohol (may not be alcoholics)
Excessive drinking includes heavy drinking, binge drinking, and any drinking by pregnant women or underage youth.

Binge drinking, the most common form of excessive alcohol consumption, is defined as consuming

For women, 4 or more drinks during a single occasion.
For men, 5 or more drinks during a single occasion.

Heavy drinking is defined as consuming
- For women, more than 1 drink per day on average.
- For men, more than 2 drinks per day on average.

Most people who binge drink are not alcoholics or alcohol dependent.⁴

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, if you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation, which is defined as no more than 1 drink per day for women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men.⁵

However, there are some persons who should not drink any alcohol, including those who are

Pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
Taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that may cause harmful reactions when mixed with alcohol.
Younger than age 21.
Recovering from alcoholism or are unable to control the amount they drink.
Suffering from a medical condition that may be worsened by alcohol.
Driving, planning to drive, or participating in other activities requiring skill, coordination, and alertness.

Immediate Health Risks

Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful health conditions. These immediate effects are most often the result of binge drinking and include the following—

Unintentional injuries, including traffic injuries, falls, drownings, burns, and unintentional firearm injuries.⁶
Violence, including intimate partner violence and child maltreatment. About 35% of victims report that offenders are under the influence of alcohol.⁷ Alcohol use is also associated with 2 out of 3 incidents of intimate partner violence.⁷ Studies have also shown that alcohol is a leading factor in child maltreatment and neglect cases, and is the most frequent substance abused among these parents.⁸
Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, and increased risk of sexual assault. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.^{9, 10}
Miscarriage and stillbirth among pregnant women, and a combination of physical and mental birth defects among children that last throughout life.^{11, 12}
Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels that suppress the central nervous system and can cause loss of consciousness, low blood pressure and body temperature, coma, respiratory depression, or death.¹³

Long-Term Health Risks
Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases, neurological impairments and social problems. These include but are not limited to—

Neurological problems, including dementia, stroke and neuropathy.^{14, 15}
Cardiovascular problems, including myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and hypertension.¹⁶
Psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicide.¹⁷
Social problems, including unemployment, lost productivity, and family problems.^{18, 19}
Cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast.²⁰ In general, the risk of cancer increases with increasing amounts of alcohol.
Liver diseases, including—

Alcoholic hepatitis.
Cirrhosis, which is among the 15 leading causes of all deaths in the United States.²¹
Among persons with Hepatitis C virus, worsening of liver function and interference with medications used to treat this condition.²²

Other gastrointestinal problems, including pancreatitis and gastritis.^{23, 24}

More on Excessive Alcohol Use and its impact to Men's and Women's Health

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI). Atlanta, GA: CDC.
Mokdad AH, Marks JS, Stroup DF, Gerberding JL. Actual causes of death in the United States, 2000 . JAMA 2004;291(10):1238–1245.
Bouchery EE, Harwood HJ, Sacks JJ, Simon CJ, Brewer RD. Economic costs of excessive alcohol consumption in the United States, 2006 . Am J Prev Med 2011;41:516–24.
Dawson DA, Grant BF, LI T-K. Quantifying the risks associated with exceeding recommended drinking limits . Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2005;29:902–908.
U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010.Chapter 3 – Foods and Food Components to Reduce [PDF 967 KB]. 7th Edition, Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 2010, p. 30–32.
Smith GS, Branas CC, Miller TR. Fatal nontraffic injuries involving alcohol: a metaanalysis . Ann of Emer Med 1999;33(6):659–668.
Greenfield LA. Alcohol and Crime: An Analysis of National Data on the Prevalence of Alcohol Involvement in Crime [PDF 229 KB]. Report prepared for the Assistant Attorney General’s National Symposium on Alcohol Abuse and Crime. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 1998.
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. No safe haven: children of substance-abusing parents . New York: Columbia University. 1999.
Naimi TS, Lipscomb LE, Brewer RD, Colley BG. Binge drinking in the preconception period and the risk of unintended pregnancy: Implications for women and their children . Pediatrics 2003;11(5):1136–1141.
Wechsler H, Davenport A, Dowdall G, Moeykens B, Castillo S. Health and behavioral consequences of binge drinking in college . JAMA 1994;272(21):1672–1677.
Kesmodel U, Wisborg K, Olsen SF, Henriksen TB, Sechler NJ. Moderate alcohol intake in pregnancy and the risk of spontaneous abortion . Alcohol & Alcoholism 2002;37(1):87–92.
American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Substance Abuse and Committee on Children with Disabilities. 2000. Fetal alcohol syndrome and alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders . Pediatrics 2000;106:358–361.
Sanap M, Chapman MJ. Severe ethanol poisoning: a case report and brief review . Crit Care Resusc 2003;5(2):106–108.
Corrao G, Rubbiati L, Zambon A, Arico S. Alcohol-attributable and alcohol-preventable mortality in Italy. A balance in 1983 and 1996 . European J of Public Health 2002;12:214–223.
Corrao G, Bagnardi V, Zambon A, La Vecchia C. A meta-analysis of alcohol consumption and the risk of 15 diseases . Prev Med 2004;38:613–619.
Rehm J, Gmel G, Sepos CT, Trevisan M. Alcohol-related morbidity and mortality . Alcohol Research and Health 2003;27(1)39–51.
Castaneda R, Sussman N, Westreich L, Levy R, O'Malley M. A review of the effects of moderate alcohol intake on the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders . J Clin Psychiatry 1996;57(5):207–212.
Booth BM, Feng W. The impact of drinking and drinking consequences on short-term employment outcomes in at-risk drinkers in six southern states . J Behavioral Health Services and Research 2002;29(2):157–166.
Leonard KE, Rothbard JC. Alcohol and the marriage effect . J Stud Alcohol Suppl 1999;13:139–146.
Baan R, Straif K, Grosse Y, Secretan B, et al. on behalf of the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer Monograph Working Group. Carcinogenicity of alcoholic beverages . Lancet Oncol. 2007;8:292–293.
Heron MP. Deaths: Leading causes for 2004 [PDF–3.16MB]. National vital statistics reports; vol 56 no 5. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2007.
Schiff ER. Hepatitis C and alcohol Hepatology 1997;26 (Suppl 1): 39S–42S.
Lesher SDH, Lee YTM. Acute pancreatitis in a military hospital . Military Med 1989;154(11):559–564.
Kelly JP, Kaufman DW, Koff RS, Laszlo A, Wilholm BE, Shapiro S. Alcohol consumption and the risk of major upper gastrointestinal bleeding . Am J Gastroenterol 1995;90(7):1058–1064.

Is it okay to drink when pregnant?

noreply@blogger.com (tjzhuo) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 16:45:00 +0000

No. There is no safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant should refrain from drinking alcohol.¹⁶ Several conditions, including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders have been linked to alcohol use during pregnancy. Women of child bearing age should also avoid binge drinking to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and potential exposure of a developing fetus to alcohol.

The Health FAQs

Dietary Sources of Vitamin C

Dietary Sources of Iron

Anemia a.k.a Iron Deficiency

What is iron and why do we need it?

What is iron deficiency and why is it a concern?

What causes iron deficiency?

Who is most at risk?

Signs and Symptoms of Iron Deficiency

How is iron deficiency detected?

How is iron deficiency treated?

What can I do to prevent iron deficiency?

How much iron do I need?

Warning

Iron Overload and Hemochromatosis

Alzheimer's Disease

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Who has Alzheimer’s Disease?

What causes Alzheimer’s Disease?

For additional resources on aging, Alzheimer's and cognitive health, please visit:

References

Excessive Alcohol Use and Risks to Women’s Health

Reproductive Health

Alcohol and Pregnancy

Other Health Concerns

References:

Excessive Alcohol Use and Risks to Men's Health

Drinking levels for men

Injuries and deaths as a result of excessive alcohol use

Reproductive Health and Sexual Function

Cancer

References:

Alcohol Usage and Health FAQ

More on Excessive Alcohol Use and its impact to Men's and Women's Health

References

Is it okay to drink when pregnant?

I’m young. Is drinking bad for my health?

What health problems are associated with excessive alcohol use?

What can I do if I or someone I know has a drinking problem?

How do I know if I have a drinking problem?

What does it mean to get drunk?

Coma and death can occur if alcohol is consumed rapidly and in large amounts!!

What is the difference between alcoholism and alcohol abuse?

What is binge drinking?

What do you mean by heavy drinking?

How do I know if it’s okay to drink?

What does it mean to be above the legal limit for drinking?

Is it safe to drink alcohol and drive?

What does moderate drinking mean?

Is beer or wine safer to drink than liquor?

What is a standard drink in the United States?

What is a standard drink in the world?

Why do some people react differently to alcohol than others?

How does alcohol affect a person?