Howard G. Smith, MD, AM
PENTA Medical Network
617-488-9699
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RoundUp - 3rd Week of February 2024
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Best Of Dr. Howard Smith News Reports
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Good and Bad News For Vegetarian Children
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3qUXcArtZ2/
Best of: May 2022
Children on vegetarian diets grow just as well and are as well nourished as meat-eaters. But…. These kids do have a tendency to be underweight. These conclusions from a Canadian study of 8907 children from 6 months of 8 years of age studied from 2008 to 2019. Those children exclusively eating plant-based diets had statistically similar body mass indices, heights, iron levels, Vitamin D values, and cholesterol levels as those who consumed a wider range of foods including meat. The vegetarian kids nearly nearly twice as likely to be underweight as defined as being below the third percentile for BMI. With exclusively plant-based diets becoming all the rage in both Canada and the US, the pediatric researchers conducting this study emphasize the importance of consistent growth monitoring for those children consuming these more narrow ranges of foods.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220502094813.htm
#vegetarian #children #nutrition #malnutrition
vegetarians, children, nutrition, malnutrition
Heart Failure Very High For Obese Women With Late Menopause
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3qVjCfLHJU/
Best of: May 2022
Obese women experiencing menopause after age 55 were 3 times more likely to experience often-deadly heart failure compared to women with normal body weight. Cardiovascular researchers at UC-Davis analysed the risk of congestive heart failure for 4441 women in 4 communities across the US including those in Minnesota, Maryland, North Carolina, and Mississippi looking at the apparent impact of excess weight and obesity. Their analysis showed that frank obesity increased heart failure risk more than 11 fold for those with late menopause at 55 years or older and more than 8 fold for those with earlier menopause at 49 years or younger. The study confirmed previous findings that even women with normal body weights were at risk for heart failure if their periods ceased at 45 years or younger since such women tended to put on weight as they aged. The bottom line: carrying excess weight strains the heart. This life-giving muscular organ can only take so much abuse before it wears out. So what you say. I’ll just get a transplant. Don’t count on it. Fact is, available replacement hearts are relatively scarce and the waiting list is long.
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.121.024461
#heartfailure #obesity #menopause #transplantation
heartfailure, obesity, menopause, transplantation
Drink Coffee For Healthier Hearts and Longer Lives
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3qWZTFLHHi/
Best of: March 2022
Drinking 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, fewer dangerous heart rhythms, and more healthy years of life. These conclusions come from a series of studies to be presented at the upcoming American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Sessions. Two to three cups of coffee a day were the sweet spot of consumption for a 10-15% lower risk of developing coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrthymias, and death. Coffee drinking even helps those who already have heart disease with a lower risk of dying. Then too, coffee drinkers with atrial fibrillation did not experience coffee-driven exacerbations of that problem with a daily cup of coffee but rather a 20% lower risk of death. The benefits of coffee were associated with consumption of either brewed or instant coffee. These studies show that heart benefits have a U-shaped relationship to coffee drinking. This emphasizes that, as with most interventions, moderation is the best policy.
#coffee #heartdisease #atrialfibrillation #death
coffee, heartdisease, atrialfibrillation, death
Teaching Your Kids To Be Creative
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3qXfJSrCpD/
Best of: March 2022
Creativity CAN be taught to children, and professors of English at the Ohio State University now report a better method. The traditional approach called divergent thinking that focuses on problem-solving and working memory expansion hasn’t cut it. Instead the OSU profs recommend the narrative method successfully used by novelists. This narrative method uses 2 techniques. The first is to encourage children to create new worlds in their minds. This meshes with their love of other worldly video games. The other is perspective-shifting that encourages the child to pretend they are someone else and create a story from another’s point of view. Studies have shown that young children are naturally more creative than adults. Their creativity appears to be blunted by our formal educational systems that emphasizes rigid logic and rote fact memorization. We as parents and grandparents must oppose that tendency by playing creativity coaches during the precious early years we have with our children. Use the narrative techniques to do just that.
https://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nyas.14763
#creativity #divergent #narrative #storytelling
creativity, divergent, narrative, storytelling
Healthy Sleep Prevents Fatal Heart Disease
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3qYdRVL1iS/
Best of: Nov 2020
Consistently satisfying sleep may reduce your chances of dying from a worn out heart by 42%. Epidemiologists at Tulane University followed a huge UK population of 408,802 patients over a 10 year period looking for correlations between sleep patterns and the development of congestive heart failure. Over those 10 years, 5221 developed heart failure. This disease incidence was 34% lower in those with no daytime sleepiness, 17% lower in those without insomnia, 12% lower for those sleeping 7 to 8 hours a day, and 8% reduced for early risers. Congestive heart failure can be deadlier than cancer. Its only cure is a heart transplant. Protect your ticker by sleeping soundly and exercising consistently.
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.050792
#sleep #heartfailure
sleep, heartfailure
Vitamin D Insufficiency May Drive Female Infertility
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3qZ0j3rzcC/
Best of: May 2020
Low vitamin D levels may link to a woman’s inability to conceive. A recently published Chinese study analyzed 154 women treated at a fertility center looking at vitamin D levels and the presence of toxic immune cells in their uterine linings. Low vitamin D levels correlated with numbers of killer lymphocytes and scavenging macrophages in the endometrial linings of women unable to become and remain pregnant. Vitamin D supplementation appears to reduce the populations of these immune cells present. Women experiencing infertility should have their vitamin D levels checked. If levels are low, normalization via food supplements or sunlight exposure may well improve the chances of a blessed event.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/aji.13243?af=R
#infertility #vitamind #macrophages #killerlymphocytes
infertility, vitamind, macrophages, killerlymphocytes
Foods That Trigger Dementia
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3qaqzCrmSB/
Best of: April 2020
Food families associated with dementia include processed meats, starches, and sugary, fatty snacks. Epidemiologists at France's University of Bordeaux and Harvard Medical School studied 627 participants analyzing their dietary habits and the incidence of dementia over a 12 year follow up period. Those developing dementia consumed diets centered around animal-based foods including many nitrite-containing processed meats. They frequently co-consumed starchy breads, pasta, and rice, snack foods including pastries, and high fat dairy items such as yogurts and cheese. Those free of dementia consumed diets centered on plant-based products emphasizing healthier fruits and vegetables and a high degree of food variety. Relatively meat-less moderation is the key.
https://n.neurology.org/content/neurology/early/2020/04/21/WNL.0000000000009399.full.pdf
#dementia #meat #plants #moderation
dementia, meat, plants, moderation
Constant Infant Correction Sensitizes The Brain To Anger
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3qbvzfx5DW/
Best of: March 2019
If a parent constantly corrects an infant, that child’s brain becomes more sensitive to angry vocalizations. Investigators at Britain’s University of Manchester studied 40 six month old infants and their mothers utilizing the novel neuroimaging technique of Near Infrared Spectroscopy. This permits the study of a baby’s brain activation by maternal vocalizations without the noise of MRI. Infants as young as 6 months can differentiate happy and unhappy vocal rhythms. The researchers found that those babies whose mothers repeatedly corrected them developed nerve networks that preferentially respond to angry vocalizations. This study underscores the exquisite sensitivity of infant humans. Parents need to monitor their own and each other’s interactions with their children and realize how much their behavior imprints their offspring in both negative as well as positive ways. Good parenting is creating a safe, happy environment for your child by constructing boundaries in a playful and positive manner.
Chen Zhao, Georgia Chronaki, Ingo Schiessl, Ming Wai Wan, Kathryn M. Abel. Is infant neural sensitivity to vocal emotion associated with mother-infant relational experience? PLOS ONE, 2019; 14 (2): e0212205 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212205
#anger #infant #parentalcorrections #happy #helicopterparenting
anger, infant, parentalcorrections, happy, helicopterparenting
Dry Throat
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3qcwFJL88H/
Best of: Oct 1991
Dr. Smith speaks with a caller to WBZ Radio about throat dryness and a “lump in the throat.”
#throat #dryness #globus #humidification #guaifenesin #mucinex #wbznewsradio
throat, dryness, globus, humidification, guaifenesin, mucinex, wbznewsradio
Alcohol and Heart Disease
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3qepPGLVnY/
Best of: Sep 1991
Dr. Smith speaks with Charles Hennekens MD, DrPH, formerly the Chief of Preventive Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Harvard Professor of Medicine and currently Research Professor of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University. They discuss whether alcohol use is good or bad for your heart and your health.
#heart #alcohol #tobacco #hennekens #alcoholism #wbznewsradio
heart, alcohol, tobacco, hennekens, alcoholism, wbznewsradio
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CPSC Recalls
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Multiply Branded Crib Mattresses Can Suffocate Your Baby
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3tNW0fLpvi/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission, Biloban, and Magik & Kover are recalling Spring Spirit, Biloban, and Magik & Kover Pack and Play Mattresses. These crib mattresses do not meet federal safety standards for thickness and labeling. They create suffocation hazards for infants.
About 20,000 of the Spirit and Biloban mattresses were sold in the US and about 1200 of the Magik & Kover were sold on Amazon.com.
Stop allowing your infant to sleep or play on these mattresses and contact Biloban via email at recall@biloban.com or Magik & Kover by email at bruandoli@126.com in order to get a free refund or more information.
(The computer recorded this story as Dr. Smith has laryngitis.)
#biloban #springspirit #magikandkover #crib #mattress #thickness #labeling #suffocation #recall
biloban, springspirit, magikandkover, crib, mattress, thickness, labeling, suffocation, recall
ATTN: GUN OWNERS: Multiple Brands of Gun and Personal Safes……Aren’t Safe
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3tOUgrLqbu/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission, Bulldog, Machir, BBRKINand Awesome are recalling Bulldog Magnum Biometric Pistol Vaults, Magnum Biometric Pistol Vaults with Shelf, Magnum Biometric Top Load Pistol Vaults, Machir Biometric Personal Safes, BBRKIN Biometric Gun Safe model number QCJJ0, and Awesome Biometric Gun Safes due to a biometric lock defect that allows anyone to open these safes leading to injuries and deaths.
About 33,500 Bulldog safes were sold at Bass Pro Shops, Walmart and firearm stores nationwide and online at www.Amazon.com, About 24,820 Machir safes were sold in the US at Walmart stores and online at walmart.com and machir.com. About 2200 BBRKIN safes were sold on Amazon.com. About 60,000 Awesafes were sold at Walmart stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com and Walmart.com.
Stop relying on the biometric feature, disable it on the Machir safes, remove the batteries, and only secure these safes using a key. Contact Bulldog at 1-888-799-8001 or via email at recall@bulldogcases.com to obtain a repair kit or a free replacement safe. Contact Machir at 1-888-505-5195 or via email at Info@machir.com to receive a free replacement safe after you email a photo of the disabled biometric reader. Contact BBRKIN via email at support@bbrkin.com to receive a repair kit or a free replacement safe after you email a photo of the disabled biometric reader. Contact Awesafe via email at recall@awesafeus.com to receive instructions on disabling the biometric feature and to receive a free replacement safe after you email a photo of the disabled biometric reader.
(The computer recorded this story as Dr. Smith has laryngitis.)
#bulldog #machir #BBRKIN #awesafe #gun #personal #safe #biometric #recall
bulldog, machir, BBRKIN, awesafe, gun, personal, safe, biometric, recall
MSR Camping Cooking Pots Have Dangerously Loose Handles
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3tPY_mrKty/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Cascade Designs are recalling MSR camping cooking pots as their handles loosen and detach leading to hot food and liquid spills with scalds and burns. Recalled models include Reactor, Trail Lite and PocketRocket Stove Kits.
About 60,655 were sold in the US, about 15,220 were sold in Canada, and about 35 were sold in Mexico at outdoor stores.
Stop cooking with these dangerously defective cooking pots. Contact Cascade Designs Inc. at 1-800-531-9531 to receive a free replacement handle/lifter after you email a photo of your defective pot.
(The computer recorded this story as Dr. Smith has laryngitis.)
#MSR #camping #cooking #pots #handles #detach #burns #recall
MSR, camping, cooking, pots, handles, detach, burns, recall
IKEA USB Chargers Can Shock You
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3tQGw-LRnl/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and IKEA now recall ÅSKSTORM 40W USB Chargers since the power cable insulation deteriorates leading to electrical shock and burn hazards.
About 22,600 chargers were sold in the US and about 10,250 were sold in Canada at IKEA stores and online at IKEA.com.
Stop using these chargers and return them to any IKEA store for a refund. You can also contact IKEA at 1-888-966-4532 to arrange a return and refund.
(The computer recorded this story as Dr. Smith has laryngitis.)
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/IKEA-Recalls-USB-Chargers-Due-to-Burn-and-Electric-Shock-Hazards
#IKEA #USB #charger #cord #shock #burns #recall
IKEA, USB, charger, cord, shock, burns, recall
EVAS Propane Tanks Leak
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3tRCdTrTeK/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Worthington are recalling EVAS 20 lb. propane exchange cylinders since they leak creating fire and burn hazards.
About 146,160 tanks were sold at AmeriGas’ propane cylinder exchange suppliers in New Hampshire and Eastern Massachusetts from July 2023 through August 2023 or by other propane cylinder exchange suppliers after those dates.
Immediately stop using these tanks and return them to any AmeriGas Propane Exchange retail location for a free replacement tank. For more info about the recall, contact Worthington at 1-888-520-1304 or via email at propanecylinders@realtimeresults.net.
(The computer recorded this story as Dr. Smith has laryngitis.)
#EVAS #propane #tank #leakage #fire #burns #recall
EVAS, propane, tank, leakage, fire, burns, recall
Toshiba Dynabook Laptop AC Adapters Light Up
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3tRvzlLeeU/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Toshiba are recalling all Toshiba branded Dynabook laptop computer AC adapters as they overheat and spark creating fire and burn hazards.
About 15.5 million of these AC adapters were sold with laptops or as replacements in the US and about 1.3 million were sold in Canada at retail outlets and online at Toshiba.com.
Stop using these recalled AC adapters and contact Dynabook at 1-800-457-7777 or via email at dba-acadapter2024@dynabook.com to check if your particular adapter is included in the recall and to receive instructions regarding obtaining a free replacement. You will need to email a photo of your AC adapter with the power cord cut to receive the replacement.
(The computer recorded this story as Dr. Smith has laryngitis.)
#toshiba #dynabook #acadapter #overheating #sparking #fires #burns #recall
toshiba, dynabook, acadapter, overheating, sparking, fires, burns, recall
Bell Soquel Youth Helmets Have Faulty Straps
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3tSfRoLpmL/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Bell Helmets are recalling Bell Soquel Youth Helmets as their strap anchors detach from the helmet when force is applied violating federal safety regulations for bike helmets. The helmet will not offer head protection in a crash situation. Affected helmets have a date code of 8/21 or earlier.
About 2,425 of these helmets were sold in the US and about 2,400 were sold in Canada at Fred Meyer, Walmart and other stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com.
Stop allowing your children to use these recalled helmets and contact Bell Helmets at 1-800-456-2355 (Option 3) or via email at consumersupport-bell@bellhelmets.com to receive a refund. To obtain the refund, you must email a photo of your helmet with cut straps.
(The computer recorded this story as Dr. Smith has laryngitis.)
#bell #helmet #bicycle #youth #soquel #straps #injury #recall
bell, helmet, bicycle, youth, soquel, straps, injury, recall
Frigidaire rear-controlled ranges Have Faulty Controls
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3tTZ1iLCIT/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Electrolux Group have recalled Frigidaire rear-controlled ranges manufactured from October through November 2023 as they have defective control panels. The controls detach from the appliance posing shock and electrocution risks.
About 1,800 of these ranges were sold in the US and about 130 were sold in Canada at Lowe’s and other appliance stores nationwide and online from October 2023 through December 2023.
Stop using these recalled ranges and contact the Electrolux Group at 1-877-232-6822 or via email at rangeuirecall@electrolux.com to check if your range is in the recall and to arrange for a free installation of a replacement control panel.
(The computer recorded this story as Dr. Smith has laryngitis.)
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Electrolux-Group-Recalls-Frigidaire Rear-Controlled-Ranges-Due-to-Electrical-Shock-and-Electrocution-Hazards
#frigidaire #range #controls #shock #electrocution #detachment #recall
frigidaire, range, controls, shock, electrocution, detachment, recall
Electric Char-Broil Smokers Can Shock You
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3tUUtxLqY4/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Chair-Broil company now recall Char-Broil Digital Electric Smokers as they leak electricity leading to shock hazards.
About 211,700 electric smokers were sold in the US and about 3,440 were sold in Canada at Lowe’s, Menards, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, Target and other stores nationwide, and online at Amazon.com, HSN.com and Charbroil.com.
Stop using these defective electric smokers and contact Char-Broil at 1-833-206-4647 or via email at recall@charbroil.com to receive a free repair kit with instructions regarding how to install a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter or GFCI.
(The computer recorded this story as Dr. Smith has laryngitis.)
#charbroil #smoker #shock #recall
charbroil, smoker, shock, recall
Ocean State Mini-Greenhouses and Garden Beds Overheat
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3tVB-ZLEmr/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Ocean State Job Lots are recalling Calipso Combi and Tiller & Rowe Growing Table-Mini Greenhouses and Raised Garden Beds due to overheating with creation of fire and burn hazards.
About 12,800 of these units were sold at Ocean State Job Lot stores in New England and by Home Lot online at Amazon, Ebay and Walmart web sites.
Stop using these units immediately. Those purchased at Ocean State Job Lot stores may be returned to the store for a refund. Those who purchased online can obtain at refund by emailing a photo of the product marked with DO NOT USE in caps to support#mrpearl11.com. For more information, contact Ocean State Job Lot at 1-833-209-7100 or via email at customerservice@osjl.com.
(The computer recorded this story as Dr. Smith has laryngitis.)
#oceanstate #greenhouse #gardenbed #overheating #fire #burns #recall
oceanstate, greenhouse, gardenbed, overheating, fire, burns, recall
Rhino 24-foot Hot Foot Climbing Sticks Fracture
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3tVsCzrM1Q/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and FeraDyne Outdoors are recalling Rhino 24-foot Hot Foot Climbing Sticks as they break at the weld point leading to falls and lacerations. This product is used by game hunters.
About 8,900 were sold in the US at Amazon.com, Walmart.com and other sporting goods stores nationwide.
Stop using these climbing sticks and contact FeraDyne Outdoors at 1-800-787-7589 or via email at RTSL24recall@FeraDyne.com in order to get a refund and instructions regarding product returns or destruction.
(The computer recorded this story as Dr. Smith has laryngitis.)
#rhino #climbingstick #fracture #falls #injuries #lacerations #recall
rhino, climbingstick, fracture, falls, injuries, lacerations, recall
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FDA Recalls
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Rico Enchiladas Have Listeria
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3uHRX6LwPO/
The Food and Drug Administration and the Rico Brand company are recalling Rico Ready-To-Eat Cheese and Chicken Enchiladas as they contain the previously-recalled Rizo-Lopez listeria-contaminated Queso Fresco cheese. Affected are lot #s 0234, 0264, 0304, and 0334.
These enchiladas were sold in northern Utah supermarkets including Smith’s,, Harmons’s, Macey’s The Store, and Fresh Markets.
Return these products to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information, call Rico Brand at 1-801-433-9923 or email them at jorge@ricobrand.com.
(The computer recorded this story as Dr. Smith has laryngitis.)
#ricobrand #enchiladas #cheese #listeria #infection #recall
ricobrand, enchiladas, cheese, listeria, infection, recall
Baby Vitamin D Liquid Can Overdose
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3uILbkr424/
The Food and Drug Administration and Nordic Naturals are recalling Nordic Naturals Baby’s Vitamin D3 Liquid as one lot contains an overdose of Vitamin D3 due to a manufacturing error. Affected is lot number is 234909 with an expiration date of December 2025. Using this baby vitamin would lead to Vitamin D toxicity including nausea and vomiting, appetite loss, thirst, urination, and failure to thrive.
If you have this product on your shelves, return it to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information, contact Nordic Naturals by email at customerservice@nordicnaturals.com or by phone at 1-888-294-7440.
(The computer recorded this story as Dr. Smith has laryngitis.)
#nordicnaturals #vitaminD #infants #overdose #poisoning #recall
nordicnaturals, vitaminD, infants, overdose, poisoning, recall
CK and Jacksons Sandwiches Have Sesame
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3uK_dWL7uJ/
The Food and Drug Administration and Capitol Distributing have recalled CK and Jacksons Turkey and cheese sandwiches, egg sandwiches, and chicken salad on a croissant sandwiches as these products have undeclared sesame. Those with an allergy to sesame could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product.
These sandwiches were sold at convenience stores in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.state.
If you bought any of these sandwiches and you, family members, or household guests have sesame allergies, return the sandwiches to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information, call Capitol at 1-208-888-5112 or email them at ck.quality@capitoldist.com.
#ck #jacksons #sandwiches #sesame #allergy #recall
ck, jacksons, sandwiches, sesame, allergy, recall
Zingerman’s Black Magic Brownies Have Walnuts
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3uLu5xryH_/
The Food and Drug Administration and Zingerman’s Bakehouse are recalling Zingerman’s Bakehouse Black Magic Brownies due to the presence of undeclared walnuts. Those with an allergy to walnuts could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product. Affected are lots #355 and 356.
These brownies were sold in Southeast Michigan and online at zinger mans.com.
If you bought any of these brownies and you, family members, or household guests have walnut allergies, return the brownies to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information, contact Zingerman’s service department at 1-734-761-7255.
(The computer recorded this story as Dr. Smith has laryngitis.)
#zingermans #brownies #walnuts #allergy #recall
zingermans, brownies, walnuts, allergy, recall