By: Jennifer Newell
Published: Monday, 4 May 2009

The confirmation process took nearly two months, but it is even more since the President took office, and Obama has attempted to fill the post of Health and Human Services secretary. But April 28, Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas was finally confirmed in the position to which he was appointed by Obama, and she seemed ready to hit the ground running. With the H1N1 virus of the new history and a strong health reform agenda pending guide, Sebelius to get the right to work.

The task of finding a secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been more difficult for President Obama planned. His confidence in his first candidate, former U.S. Senator, Tom Daschle, has finally failed when Daschle owed over $ 100,000 in back taxes, prompting the candidate to withdraw his name. Another political figure soon at the forefront of discussions, and March 2, Obama was officially announced that Sebelius to accept the appointment. The two-term governor was a strong supporter of Obama during his presidential campaign and shared their views on health care reform.

His many titles to the Secretary of HHS position includes many reforms in his state of Kansas under his government, such as the expansion of prevention and wellness programs, reducing administrative costs in the health care system and after updating its technology, and implementation of health insurance identification cards. Its role in the development of control health care costs Commission is also a feather in the cap of his appointment.

But Sebelius would be easy confirmation that the Republicans who oppose his views on the reform of health care taken away from its record and life with a microscope. The main objection to Sebelius appears to be related to his previous veto of abortion restrictions in the laws of his state and his friendship with a medical abortion, and tax returns filed amended due to errors in the past which has raised some eyebrows. However, during its hearings, the issues seem more focused on their views on universal health care and requires medical insurance, to which she responded that there are ways to achieve this objective in a cost effective and efficiently.

Sebelius seems to be managing his interrogation in court with ease, and with the support of Republican Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback of Kansas - the description appears eminent. And as the H1N1 virus to spread more quickly than expected in the United States, citizens and political pressure the Senate to confirm Sebelius, who could take over at HHS and become a face of calm before the storm danger of panic.

Finally, on 28 April 2009, the U.S. Senate Kathleen Sebelius confirmed that the new Secretary of HHS. Hours of debate before the vote is finally recorded as 65-31. There were nine Republicans who voted with the majority of Democrats, including Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, and Judd Gregg. And many supporters of Sebelius was quick to praise Sebelius confirmation, including Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Billly Tauzin of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, AFL-CIO, John Sweeney, President, Nancy Keenan of NARAL Pro -Choice America, and Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

No time to lose, was flown to Washington, DC, and sworn in by President Obama. "I am delighted to have Kathleen Sebelius as my new Secretary of Health and Human Services," has begun. "Obviously, we have much to do to ensure that health care affordable for the American people, to resolve critical issues as food security. But we wanted to swear in his right because we have a major public health problem requiring immediate attention and which is the H1N1 influenza ... I am pleased that we Sebelius Secretary to head ... I am convinced that, given his experience as governor, before managing the crisis, which has worked on public health issues, as has been in public life, it is the right person at the right time to employment. "

Sebelius quickly responded with gratitude, and that she was "honored to serve."

Within two days, announced the measures taken in the treatment of H1N1. The United States government was ready to buy 13 million treatment courses for the national strategic stockpile of the fight against influenza in general, despite treatment including the H1N1 virus, known as swine flu. In addition, 400,000 treatments will be sent to Mexico to help stop the spread in their country of origin.

"In this outbreak of the flu virus is spreading throughout the country," Sebelius said, "We have taken steps to ensure states have the resources they need. The 13 million new treatments that are going to buy will allow us to replace the national stockpiles and ensure that we are prepared to give the American people with the treatment they need to stay healthy. "

With that, Sebelius began his tenure as secretary of HHS.

By: Neomi Heroux
Published: Saturday, 2 May 2009

Unless you live in a cave in recent years, he has seen or read ads Hydroxycut. Galbe women and men to show their weight loss and the new organs of the positive effects of supplements in the diet, which lists the control of appetite, weight loss, energy, and enhance its positive effects.

On May 1, the Food and Drug Administration warned consumers to stop using the popular line of weight loss. The agency reported receiving 23 reports of adverse health effects in Hydroxycut users, including one death and one person who needs a liver transplant. Other reported problems include heart problems and a type of muscle damage that can lead to kidney failure.

The Hydroxycut products widely available throughout the country, including chain stores and GNC Vitamin Shoppe, are used by body builders and diet. The manufacturer IOVATE of Health Sciences in Oakville, Ontario, reported sales of more than 9 million units mark in 2008, according to the FDA.

Vitamin Shoppe and GNC have been reported Hydroxycut removing products from their websites and stores. A spokesman for the GNC said: "As soon as we become aware of potential problems with another product, to take immediate action, as we did in this situation." Both companies have stopped selling STARCAP, another brand of weight loss for several months because it contains a powerful diuretic prescription.

The memory is part of a series of incidents that raise the question whether the FDA authority to regulate the dietary supplement industry to protect consumers. The problem is the difference between which, by definition, prevent or cure disease, and dietary supplements, which can not claim to treat specific diseases or symptoms.

Drug manufacturers are required to ensure the safety and efficacy data before it can sell the products, while dietary supplements do not need FDA approval for sale. It is assumed that manufacturers of dietary supplements are to ensure the safety and efficacy of their products. The Food and Drug Administration can act on dietary supplements that if a product is harmful or false now on sale.

The dietary supplement industry believes that existing rules are sufficient to protect consumers, because the manufacturers do their own safety tests. John Hathcock, Vice President for Science and International Affairs at the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade group, said: "Nobody goes to market without testing." He said that neither the drug manufacturers can not fully guarantee the total safety of products once the order moves from laboratory to mass movement.

Dr. Linda Katz, chief doctor of the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition said Friday that the problem is that the agency is seeking the safety of consumers in a post-marketing side of a single incident is difficult.

A new law requires manufacturers to notify FDA of any reports of serious health problems Hydroxycut officials identified one reason why the users and the body of the reports cited in medical journals for the diagnosis of liver disease Serious six people who took the supplement. Hydroxycut formula has changed over time and the product contains ingredients mixed specialties. The agency has not determined which of the ingredients can be dangerous.

IOVATE Health Sciences said that the number of adverse events reported by the FDA in the ad is relatively low compared with the millions of people have used Hydroxycut products in the last seven years. The website of the company said it was recalling the products of "prudence" and that its risk assessment is different from that expressed by the FDA.

Ano Lobb, public health researcher who has studied Hydroxycut and other supplements from Consumer Reports, May said the problem is an ingredient called hydroxycitric acid. Derived from a tropical fruit, was linked in a medical journal for liver problems. Lobb said it is likely that other supplements containing the ingredient to remain on the market. "You really pay attention to dietary supplements, including pills to lose weight," Lobb said, "the popular belief that the FDA has determined that these products are less safe and effective, and it's really not the case. When you see fantastic claims - is usually what they are. "

The Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade association representing dietary supplement industry, said the FDA and IOVATE "took appropriate action today." Steve Miller, president and CEO said the group applauded the FDA to warn consumers of potential safety problems associated with products and encouraged by the fact that health services IOVATE recalled products market, the determination of because of adverse effects can be achieved. 

Can Seaweed Battle Cancer?

By: Lara Endreszl
Published: Sunday, 3 May 2009

If you find the articles on the health effects of ginger, you know that I am an avid fan of sushi. Once in California, where there is a common sushi and fresh fish caught by the hour, the delicacy consisting of raw fish, rice, spices and seaweed, is a luxury that often take for granted. While often drool over the ginger, fresh fish, soy sauce and rice laden, science could tell me to start appreciating the thin skin of black seaweed wrapped around them instead.

While many ocean swimmers and beachgoers linked or tangled in the legs of the slimy algae, the term "algae" is actually a term for all the diversity of algae in the sea. Algae comes in red, green or brown and is harvested from a series of commercial use. Apart from the fact that an additive in products such as toothpaste, paints, cosmetics, or algae is also known as a tool to lose weight, fertilizer, as a potential biofuel, and could be the next "super food "If more is used.

In the spectrum of food, the seaweed not only for sushi or cut package in Asia and the style of soup. The algae is known throughout the world as a tasty treat and can be used in pasta as spaghetti in Italy or in a kind of bread in Scotland.

Algae has been shown to be an important source of iodine, an element that is necessary for the health and maintenance of the thyroid gland and if untreated, can lead to discomfort and possibly a goiter. The strength and elasticity of the belts are used in this body is sometimes a navigation dressing wounds and also has been documented, as in the forms of dental work. The algae has been used in many studies on the healing and hope to find acceptance within the agent against diseases such as tuberculosis, diseases such as arthritis or annoying tapeworms, including the common flu of algae. The results of these tests have been relatively inconclusive and can not generalize.

Most studies in recent years with regard to the impact of algae are against cancer. We hope to find the ability to reduce tumors algae, researchers for many years, taking into account the structures and details of this important relationship.

A study from 2005 in the Georgia Institute of Technology, a small tribe of red algae off the coast of Fiji Callophycus called serratus, which provides a new and natural cure for cancer. With ten new compounds from natural exposure to work, the researchers found that some antibacterial compounds fighters were born and have been in the laboratory against known diseases that are resistant to antibiotics. It was said that the murderers of the bacteria is based on natural algae to avoid predators and disease. Another connection is capable of killing tumor cells in the laboratory in order to activate the switch on suicide in the individual cells, the scientists used a good start for a possible new series of anti-cancer drugs. Georgia Tech biochemist, stressing that only in a test tube "and many more studies carried out.

Four years ago, the researchers speculated that if the studies continue working for at least a decade of one of these types of drugs that are available to the public. Another negative aspect of these results is one of the researchers, the dose of the drug would be incredibly high for the job and can do more harm than good to patients. Another Georgia Tech biologist Marcos is said to cure cancer is simple, but makes it easier for the patient is completely different,

"We can cure cancer with a shotgun, which cancer is not the problem .... cure cancer, but the patient is a whole other thing that is very difficult to determine. Many connections have a negative impact on cancer cells but almost none of them has in the market due to side effects that are useless. "

While it may be a while before they are capable of the capsules to prevent cancer and algae extra few inches in the center, it appears that algae are an important source of food and should not be shooed from the table.