Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/12317
4A – Daily News – Monday, June 21, 2010 Vitality & health (MCT) — Something strange is hap- pening in the sunscreen aisle. Shelves that had been stocked with bottles claim- ing SPF, or sun protection factor, ratings of 30 now have products that trumpet SPF ratings of 55, 70, even 110-plus. But a new study of 500 beach and sports sun- screens recommends just 8 percent of the products tested. According to the 2010 Sunscreen Guide from the Environmental Working Group, the issues involve ingredients, inadequate sun protection and application methods. The report from the Washington-based environmental research group says 60 percent of beach and sport sunscreens contain the chemical oxybenzene, which is linked to hormone disruption. About 40 percent include retinyl palmitate, a type of vitamin A that the group says may hasten the development of skin can- cer. "We also don't recommend sprays and powders because of the inhalation risk," said Sonya Lunder, an EWG senior ana- lyst. Nor does the group advocate prod- ucts with SPF ratings greater than 50 because they may protect from sunburn but provide a false sense of protection from UVA, the ultraviolet light that caus- es damage to the skin, including prema- (MCT) — Many chronic diseases now faced by Americans are preventable, and as health care dollars shrink, prevention becomes a lot more appealing to the average consumer. Osteoporosis is one of those preventable diseases. Osteoporosis literally means "porous bones" and predicts a significantly increased risk of fracture. Most osteoporotic fractures occur in the hip, spine and wrist. Hip and spine fractures in particular can be debilitating, and many people who fracture a hip never walk again. Drugs can treat osteoporosis, but their effectiveness is limited and they have a lot of side effects. The best treatment by far is prevention: regu- ture aging and skin cancer. The Personal Care Products Council responded to the EWG Sunscreen Study with a statement, calling the study "unscientific," "unsubstantiated" and "baseless." "For more than 30 years, consumers have trusted and relied on sunscreen products ... The safety and efficacy of sunscreen products have been thoroughly studied and tested by scientists and regu- latory authorities throughout the world," said John Bailey, chief scientist for the Personal Care Products Council, a national trade association representing 600 member companies that manufac- ture, distribute and supply most personal- care products marketed in the U.S. "We test all of our products and we stand by the testing of our products," said Beth St. Raymond, director of sun care for Energizer Personal Care, maker of the Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic sun- care products. "We adhere to Food and Drug Administration guidelines, so when we see a report like EWG's, our concern is that people will feel uncomfortable about using sun protection. We have the right products, they're effective, they're safe and we want to make sure people are using them to protect themselves from any sort of damage from the sun." lar exercise, healthy nutrition, adequate vita- min D, calcium and the like. Recent data suggest that another way to pre- vent osteoporosis is to minimize the use of cer- tain prescription med- ications, including meds for depression and heartburn. Studies over the past 10 years have suggested that the main class of drugs used to treat depression, the "SSRIs," are associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. SSRIs include Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and Celexa, and they are some of the most widely prescribed drugs in the world. Data presented last month at the American Psychiatric Association meeting have reinforced the concern over osteo- porosis. Researchers in Canada looked at the Manitoba Healthcare Database between 2000 and 2007 and found that those people who were taking SSRIs were 40 percent more likely to have osteoporosis. The Canadian Multi- centre Osteoporosis Research group has also reported that the risk of fractures in adults over the age of 50 who use SSRIs on a daily basis was twice as high as those who were not tak- ing these drugs. Scientists hypothe- size that SSRIs con- tribute to osteoporosis by interfering with the formation of healthy bone. While SSRIs may be a lifesaver for people with severe depression, recent data have sug- gested that the drugs may not be much better fitness Do sunscreens give a false sense of security? MCT file hoto Some sunscreen products are not living up to their claims. Integrative medicine: In health, prevention usually cheaper than treatment than a placebo pill for people with only mild to moderate depression. Still, millions of pre- scriptions are written for these drugs every year. In fact, since the mid 1990s, prescrip- tions have almost dou- bled, and the amount of money spent by phar- maceutical firms to advertise these drugs has nearly quadrupled. What can you do to treat mild depression without drugs? Cogni- tive therapy and exer- cise often work won- ders, as do healthy nutrition, meditation, volunteer work and gratitude. And what about those heartburn meds? They're also bad for your bones. This past month, the FDA posted an advisory about the increased risk of osteo- porosis and fractures in people who take PPI medications, especially in high doses or for long periods of time. PPI drugs, or proton- pump inhibitors, includ- ing Prilosec, Prevacid, Aciphex, and Nexium, are powerful stomach acid suppressors. They can magically quell a bout of acid reflux, but that acid in your stom- ach isn't there by acci- dent — it's needed to help absorb a number of nutrients, including cal- cium. When you block stomach acid, you also block the absorption of calcium, so there's less available to help main- tain your bone health. And like depression, acid reflux is often treatable with lifestyle changes — maintaining a healthy weight; avoid- ing spicy, acidic or greasy foods; eating small meals; minimiz- ing your intake of caf- feine and alcohol, and not eating for at least 3- 4 hours before going to bed. gonna call? Who ya To participate in the various events and – Thank You – thanks to the generosity of these local businesses & individuals. • M & M RANCH HOUSE • ROSE HABLITZEL, ENROLLED AGENT • RED BLUFF INTERIORS • MOTHER LODE HOLDING CO. • LP BUILDING PRODUCTS • LOUISIANA PACIFIC • STATE FARM INS. KEITH THOMAS • TEHAMA ESTATES • CALIFORNIA WALNUT CO., INC. • MR. PICKLE’S SANDWICH SHOP • AIRPORT AUTO REPAIR • JOHN WHEELER LOGGING D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 • KAY STEPHENS, MD • QRC • GREENWASTE OF TEHAMA • TRI COUNTIES BANK • MOSS LUMBER & HARDWARE • BRETNEY SUTTERFIELD • HOYT-COLE CHAPEL OF THE FLOWERS • TEHAMA COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS • FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE CO. • SUSANNE WHALEN, DMD INC • PLACER TITLE CO. NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION Please help sponsor a classroom subscription Call Kathy at (530) 527-2151 to find out how. Through the Newspapers in Education program, area classrooms receive the Red Bluff Daily News every day activities at the Here’s who to call about: Lawn Mower Races: Bob Carrel at 308-2102 Horseshoe Tournament: Steve Joiner at 528-0799 Strong Man Competition: Troy Lalaguna at 528-8656 Talent Contest: Sonja Akers at 736-1702 Teen Miss Competition: Sonja Akers at 736-1702 Vendors Welcome! Local food vendors: 20% on gross sales Commercial vendors: Donation requested For vendor information call Mark Eidman at 527-5920 x13 See you at the Fairgrounds on Independence Day Best Fireworks Display in the North State! Kids’ games – Carnival – Car Show … and much more! Some people also notice significant relief when they simply reduce their intake of refined carbs like white flour and sugar. So, if you've been on SSRIs or PPIs for a long time, and you're over the age of 50, we encourage you to speak with your doctor about your bone health. If it's medically appropriate, you may want to try weaning off these drugs under the guidance of your physician. If that's not feasible, then you ought to be screened for osteoporo- sis. And if you're looking for additional ways to help keep your bones healthy, be sure you're getting enough calcium and vitamin D every day, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, limit your sodium intake, do your weight-bearing exercise and avoid cola beverages. Medical recall (MCT) — The Food and Drug Administration and the maker of a wide range of over-the-counter medi- cines have announced a new addition to a wide- ranging recall of popular medicines that started in December. The latest recall urges consumers who may have purchased certain 100-count packages of Benadryl Allergy UltraTab tablets and 50-count pack- ages of Extra-Strength Tylenol Rapid Release Gels to stop using these products and contact the manufac- turer (either by logging on here or by calling 1-888- 222-6036), about refund or replacement. McNeil Consumer Products says these med- ications should have been included in the recalls issued in January. House – Apartment FOR RENT Classified Line Ads June Special! Online re-publication in FREE TOP LISTINGS RENTALS $11 Value on the front page at www.redbluffdailynews.com 60,000 unique visitors monthly Daily News Classified (530) 527-2151 D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY THE V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5