by Jill Weisenberger, M.S., R.D., C.D.E.

If you are among the fortunate one-third of the population who is at a “healthy weight”, does it also mean that you are fit and healthy? Likewise if you are overweight, does it mean that you are not fit or healthy? Researchers recently studied these questions and reported their finding in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

They analyzed data of 5440 US adults, and found that approximately 29 percent of the obese men and 35 percent of obese women had no metabolic risk factors for heart disease. About 30 percent normal-weight men and 21 percent normal-weight women showed at least two metabolic abnormalities. The researchers looked at blood pressure, triglycerides, blood glucose level, HDL (good) cholesterol and indicators of insulin resistance and inflammation.
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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

I have read and reread the obesity articles in the August 11/25, 2008, Archives of Internal Medicine attempting to glean a take-home message. They’ve been all over the news because they surprisingly concluded that about a third of overweight and obese people are at low risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. As if that weren’t enough, around a quarter of those at normal weight are at high risk.

So what is it about the fat that’s different? What do we do with this data?

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Today, I am excited to introduce a new video series from the American College of Physicians that highlights research findings from their journal, Annals of Internal Medicine, along with other pertinent medical news.

For each video we add (including this one), I will make comments here on the blog.

This week, the video explains a recent study on prehypertension–and finds that many develop the problem at a young age.

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

With the FDA debating on diabetes drugs and heart disease, what can you do in the meantime to make sure you’re safe? Well, there just happens to be a proven, all-natural, drug-free method–without the extra-risk worries. What is it? You may have guessed.

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

So you’re diabetic. Your cholesterol is high, and you’re overweight; you’re at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. You start on medicine that lowers your sugar … but increases your risk for cardiovascular disease even more. Not good.

This is the dilemma in which patients, physicians and drug companies find themselves. Some studies have suggested that certain diabetes drugs may be worsening heart-disease risk. What to do?

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By James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Retirement before age 65 increases your risks of heart disease and stroke. Researchers posted a study in the March 1, 2008 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology after studying 16,827 Greek men and women for 7.7 to 12.5 years. Retirement age ranged from less than 45 to over 65. For every 5 extra years of working the total deaths were ten percent less than the retired at that age.

They took into account variables such as weight, activity, smoking, alcohol and gender. At enrollment they excluded people with chronic diseases such diabetes, stroke, cancer and heart disease. Most of the increased deaths seen in the early retirees were from heart diseases and strokes.

The cause of the increased mortality is unknown. I have often speculated about people who seem to be healthy and work into older ages, then when they finally retire tend to die soon afterwards. I have wondered whether it was just their age, or if they had lost a major reason for living. This study seems to lean toward the latter.

But that does not mean that there are a lot happy, early retirees who live long lives. Perhaps it has something to do with having a purpose to live, for instance, family, friends, hobbies or volunteering.

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Some studies have actually shown an increase in the incidence of heart attacks (MI’s) during the Christmas holidays. Others have shown that the risk of death from these MI’s is higher also (possibly due to shorter medial staffing during the holidays). So the obvious reaction should be to try your best to decrease your risk of an MI.

The Vanderbilt physicians offer valuable advice toward this end. However, I think they left out a key factor, which is stress. There are so many things going on with the gift giving, parties, traveling, family reunions, etc. Good stress can affect you as much as bad, and it is additive. So plan ahead a little to limit it. (more…)