October 2014 – Dr. Walt Larimore

30Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Consumer groups urge FDA to ban dangerous chemicals in pizza boxes

General Health

The Washington Post reports in its “Federal Eye” blog that although US manufacturers stopped “using a hazardous chemical in pizza boxes and other food wrappers three years ago,” consumers could still be exposed to it because foreign firms “can still use perchlorate and perfluorocarboxylates.” (more…)

30Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Study: Another diet myth exploded: gradual weight loss no better than rapid weight loss

General Health

Forbes reports that according to a study of 204 obese adults published in the journal Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, there is “no support” to the belief that weight is “likely to stay lost if it is the product of a rapid weight loss.” (more…)

29Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

FDA advisory panel votes to keep strong warning on smoking-cessation medication Chantix

General Health

The Wall Street Journal reports that a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel rejected Pfizer’s efforts to remove boxed warnings of neuropsychiatric dangers on Chantix (varenicline), a smoking-cessation medication. (more…)

29Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Number of children exposed to liquid nicotine increasing due to e-cigs

General Health

The AP reports that “the number of children exposed to the liquid nicotine” has increased as “the e-cigarette industry has boomed,” according to poison control workers. (more…)

28Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

USPSTF recommends screening all adults over 45 for diabetes

General Health

Nephrology News & Issues reported that the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recommended that “primary care physicians should screen all adults over age 45 for diabetes every three years.” (more…)

28Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Mediterranean diet reverses the chances of heart disease and diabetes

General Health

Reuters reports that a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests that a Mediterranean diet augmented with more olive oil and extra nuts may reverse development of the metabolic syndrome, thereby reducing the chances of heart disease and diabetes. (more…)

27Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Study: One in eight SIDS cases occur among babies placed on sofas

General Health

The New York Times reports that according to research published in the journal Pediatrics, approximately “one in eight” cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) appear to “occur among infants who have been placed on sofas.” (more…)

27Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Study: 93% of new parents make errors installing infant car seats

General Health

The Huffington Post reported that according to research to be presented today at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference, “more than 90 percent of new parents at one Oregon Hospital made at least one key error in installing their newborn’s car seat or in positioning the newborn in the seat.” (more…)

25Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Study: Smoking causes 14 million related ailments

General Health

Reuters reports that research from the Center for Tobacco Products at the US Food and Drug Administration published in JAMA Internal Medicine has found that around 14 million major medical conditions are the result of smoking. (more…)

25Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Number of concierge physicians increasing

General Health

ABC World News reported, “the average American family makes two trips a year to the emergency” department, but what about if the physician came to them in their home? (more…)

24Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Flu shot requirement for preschools gaining steam

General Health

The Wall Street Journal reports that more preschools are beginning the require flu vaccinations prior to enrollment, with New York City being the latest to mandate this requirement. (more…)

24Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Do-it-yourself flu vaccine may be a possibility in the future

General Health

The AP reports a study sponsored by the US Military Vaccine Agency, with results presented at a meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, has found that “military folks who squirted [MedImmune’s FluMist] vaccine up their noses were as well-protected as others who got it from health workers.” (more…)

23Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Study: New menu items last year contained 12% fewer calories

General Health

The Wall Street Journal reports that large restaurant chains have been recently introducing lower-calorie menu items that could help mitigate the country’s obesity epidemic. (more…)

23Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Physical activity enhances cognitive performance in kids

General Health

The New York Times “Well” blog reported that according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, physical activity appears to enhance cognitive performance in youngsters. (more…)

22Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

CMS grants national coverage for new colon cancer test

General Health

Modern Healthcare reports that the CMS “has granted national coverage for a new screening test for colon cancer that uses a patient’s DNA to detect molecular alterations associated with the disease.” (more…)

22Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Public safety groups want clearer warnings for Chantix

General Health

The AP reports public safety groups are asking the FDA to increase the boxed warnings on Chantix (varenicline), the smoking-cessation medicine by Pfizer, by using more specific language. (more…)

21Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Research: Not all gluten sensitivity may be attributed to celiac disease

General Health

The New York Times reports that “a growing body of research indicates that many” people who react to gluten “may be suffering a real condition called non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or NCGS,” instead of suffering from celiac disease. (more…)

21Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Study: Laundry detergent pods pose vision and breathing risks to children

General Health

NPR reports in “Shots” blog on a study that emphasizes the potential risks of laundry detergent pods to children. (more…)

20Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

FDA: OTC medicines may make people drowsy and affect driving

General Health

CBS News reports the FDA has issued a warning that some of the common OTC medicines could make people “too drowsy” and affect their ability to drive safely. (more…)

20Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Are you over age 45? It’s now recommended you be tested for diabetes

General Health

The Boston Globe “Daily Dose” blog reports that the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended in new draft guidelines that “primary care physicians should screen all adults over age 45 for” type 2 diabetes (T2D). (more…)

19Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Larimore Bi-Monthly Prayer Letter (October 19 – December 14, 2014)

Family Newsletter

In this prayer letter: PRAYER REQUESTS: (1) “Grace Prescriptions” release, (2) Other Writing Projects PRAISES AND ANSWERS TO PRAYERS: (1) First “Grace Prescriptions” Conference a great success, (2) Cancer Surgeon’s Story, (3) “Morning Glory, Evening Grace” devotional continues to grow, (4) Bryson City Trilogy touches a physician EVENTS OF THE LAST TWO MONTHS EVENTS OF THE NEXT TWO MONTHS RECENT PUBLICATIONS AND INTERVIEWS: (1) Girls’ and Boys’ Books Garner #1 Amazon.com Best-Seller Ratings, (2) 2) Girls’ Book Featured on Dr. James Dobson’s “Family Talk” Radio Program, (3) 3) Girls’ Book Featured on the Focus on the Family Radio Program, (4) 4) Article in Today’s Christian Living (more…)

18Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Consumer reports backs GMO labeling efforts

General Health

The Washington Post reports in its “Govbeat” blog that influential nonprofit watchdog Consumer Reports is backing efforts by advocates of labeling for genetically modified foods. (more…)

18Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

US life expectancy reaches record high

General Health

USA Today reports that life expectancy in the United States rose in 2012 to a record high of 78.8 years, up from 78.7 years in 2011, “according to a new report on mortality in the USA from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. “ (more…)

17Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Obscene and immoral cost of cancer medicines comes under spotlight

General Health

On the air and on its website, CBS’ 60 Minutes criticized the high cost of cancer medications. CBS correspondent Lesley Stahl said, “They are so astronomical that a growing number of patients can’t afford their co-pay.” (more…)

17Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Baby born to woman who underwent uterus transplant

General Health

The CBS Evening News reported that in a medical first, “a woman in Sweden has given birth after receiving a womb transplant.” (more…)

16Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Study: Worry linked to higher risk of Alzheimer’s

General Health

The Washington Post reports that middle-aged women who worry a lot may have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life, citing a study unveiled in American Academy of Neurology’s journal, Neurology. (more…)

16Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Acupuncture does not alleviate chronic knee pain

General Health

Reuters reports that according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, acupuncture appears not to alleviate knee pain of a chronic nature in middle-aged patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (knee OA). (more…)

15Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Study seeks to explain how exercise may safeguard mind against depression

General Health

The New York Times reports in its “Well” blog that exercise could help protect the “mind against depression through previously unknown effects on working muscles,” citing a new study involving mice that was published in the journal Cell. (more…)

15Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Researchers laud the benefits of walking

General Health

Reuters reports that researchers are increasingly finding that steady amounts of walking per day is more beneficial in reversing the negative effects of leading an otherwise sedentary lifestyle than an hour of hard exercise per day. (more…)

14Oct 2014 by Walt Larimore

Many people have not considered their preferences for end of life care

General Health

In a post for the Washington Post “Wonkblog,” Jason Millman wrote that “one of the big takeaways” from a recent Institute of Medicine report calling for “reforms for how end-of-life care is provided,” is that “plenty of people still haven’t thought these issues through,” a fact which “hasn’t changed much in the past 10 years.” (more…)