tea helpful for osteoporosis

Research has long shown the antioxidant properties and health benefits of drinking tea, but new findings suggest that tea may also have significant preventative properties against chronic disease.

Recent findings were discussed Wednesday at the Fifth International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Human Health in Washington, D.C.

"If there's anything that can confidently be communicated to the public, it's the ability of tea to be associated and demonstrated in the primary prevention of chronic disease," says meeting chair Jeffrey Blumberg, a professor in Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, Boston.

One of those is osteoporosis, the "brittle bone" disease. Green tea in particular may help reduce the risk for fractures and improve bone mass, a leading health concern as people age, suggests a study by researchers at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. "Osteoporosis is a non-curable disease and prevention is key," said Chwan-Li "Leslie" Shen, associate professor of pathology.

In a six-month trial of 171 postmenopausal women with low bone mass, researchers found participants had improvements in bone formation by consuming 500 mg of green tea polyphenol capsules a day, the equivalent of four to six cups of tea, alone or in conjunction with practicing tai chi. Tai chi is a gentle form of exercise based on Chinese martial arts.

Green tea promoted bone remodeling within three months of consumption and reduced oxidative stress damage, Shen said. "Bone loss can be slowed. You can slow the progression. You can delay the onset of osteoporosis."

New medicine rheumatoid arthritis

This is an oral therapy – only avaiable in Japan:
In a clinical study of iguratimod administered as a monotherapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the agent demonstrated superiority over placebo and non-inferiority compared to an existing DMARD (salazosulfapyridine). In addition, in a trial of iguratimod in combination with methotrexate (MTX), the standard of care, conducted in rheumatoid arthritis patients who did not achieve satisfactory benefit with MTX alone, patients who were administered a combination of the two agents demonstrated favorable tolerability as well as significant improvements compared to those treated with placebo (MTX-only arm) in the study’s primary endpoint of ACR20 response rate at Week 24. Out of all the orally-administered anti-rheumatic drugs currently approved in Japan, iguratimod is the first agent evaluated in domestic clinical trials to demonstrate efficacy as an add-on therapy to MTX in patients who did not achieve satisfactory benefit with MTX alone

Anti-inflammtory diet for arthritis

Many types of foods can lessen inflammation in the body.  Examples are foods containing ginger, garlic , turmeric.  In addition diets high in Omega oils are good.  These include fish especially salmon, tuna and tilapia, cod, avocados, nuts such as walnuts and almonds.  Lean proteins such as chicken and fish and soya are advisable.  dairy products, especially low fat yogurt are beneficial.  Include at least 5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruits.  It is preferable to eat the vegetables closer to a raw or undercooked state.  Dark green and brightly colored vegetables have phytochemicals that are useful.  Avoid processed foods and meats, foods high in sodium, white breads, excessive starchy foods, and sugars.  There is no real evidence that night shade plants such as tomatoes, potatoes, egg plant or citrus fruits worsen arthritis. 

For Rheumatologists, Orthopedic doctors, Family doctors taking care of Bone and joint problems in Dubai , Abu Dhabi UAE

The 2nd Bone & Joint Conference is coming back to the Primary Healthcare Congress during the Abu Dhabi Medical Congress on the 16th of October, 2012.  After a successful conference last October, this This October 15th 2012, Abu Dhabi UAE This year’s program is looking to provide a comprehensive and in-depth one day agenda once again.   Covering new topics and the latest advances, there will be four sessions throughout the day: Orthopaedics Workshop, Back Pain Session, Rheumatology and General Rheumatology.  The presentations are geared towards GPs, who often see such cases and would benefit from learning the appropriate methods of diagnoses and treatment from specialists. Accreditation Statement The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.   Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Participants claiming CME credit from this activity may submit the credit hours to the American Osteopathic Association for Category 2 credit. Advisory Board: Dr. Donald Ford, Cleveland Clinic Dr. Humeira Badsha, Dr. Humeira Badsha Medical Center Dr. Chris Whately, Medcare Hospital What are the main topics covered in this event? Orthopaedics Workshops Back Pain Session Physiotherapy Rheumatology Lupus

Arthritis in Arab patients (Rheumatology Dubai)

There is limited published data about arthritis in Arab patients.  A research study led by Drs. Thuraya Arissi in Doha , Robert Plenge in Harvard, and supported by Dr. Badsha in Dubai and others in jordan, SA, Syria, is attempting to determine which genes are associated with Rheumatoid arthritis in Arabs.  If you are of Arab ancestry, have rheumatoid arthritis and wish to participate please contact Dr. Badsha at info@drbadshamedical.com.

Rheumatologist in Dubai, UAE

Dr Badsha new location : Dr. Humeira Badsha Medical center, Beach Park Plaza , Jumeira Beach Road Next to Neurospinal hospital.  Phone +9714-3856009.  Email info@drbadshamedical.com

website: www.drbadshamedical.com

New Oral medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis!!

An FDA advisory committee has voted 8-2 in favor of recommending approval of the oral JAK inhibitor tofacitinib for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
The agency's Arthritis Advisory Committee voted Wednesday that the efficacy and safety data support the use of tofacitinib for adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.
The panel was unanimous in its assessment of the drug's overall efficacy. "The evidence was compelling and was at least as good as for other biologics," said panelist Maria E. Suarez-Almazor, MD, PhD, of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
The efficacy was demonstrated in five phase III studies in which the primary endpoint was met, showing American College of Rheumatology 20% response rates ranging from 17% to 33% for the 5 mg dose and from 23% to 39% for the 10 mg dose.
"Statistically significant increases were seen on ACR20, 50, and 70 response rates in all five studies," said Nikolay Nikolov, MD, an FDA clinical reviewer.
Less clear was the efficacy as demonstrated on radiographic outcomes, which were assessed in only one study.
Analysis of this structural outcome was hampered by the fact that very little radiographic progression was seen in the placebo group.
In addition, the change in modified total Sharp scores seen in the 10 mg group appeared to be driven by one or more statistical outliers, and the small effect size was influenced by missing data and imputation methods.
"Radiographic outcome studies are difficult to do with limitations on the duration of placebo controls," said panel member David Blumenthal, MD, of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
"We don't need certainty about radiographic outcomes today. That can be followed during postmarketing," Blumenthal added.
There also was considerable discussion about safety concerns that were raised in the phase III trials.
One area of concern was serious infections, which were seen at a rate of three per 100 patient-years, and most commonly were pneumonia and skin and soft tissue infections.
There also were 12 cases of tuberculosis, mostly in countries where the incidence is high, and 19 cases of serious herpes zoster.
Richard Riese, MD, PhD, of Pfizer noted that the company intends to have an action plan for zoster, in which immunization will be encouraged and follow-up data collected.