Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5ty_m6Ll32/ You might say: Doc….We’ve heard over and over that charcoal grilling produces carcinogenic compounds that might later trigger cancer.  Now, though, Stanford University chemists have uncovered yet another genetic risk associated with cooking foods at high temperatures.   We know that our food comes from plants and animals, but we never think about the fact that the food contains its own DNA.  The researchers have studied the considerable damage that occurs to this food DNA when you heat and super heat it.  They then proved with tracer studies that fragments of this damaged food DNA is incorporated into mammalian cells not only in the test tube but also in the lining cells of test animals.  The higher the cooking temperatures the greater the DNA damage.   So think about this the next time you are grilling or, for that matter, cooking pizza in a high temperature oven.  We don’t yet know what harm this damaged food DNA may trigger over time.  But…..This latest

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5tyNkdLpIo/   Babies breastfed for at least 4 months perform significantly better on their English and Math achievement tests at age 16 than those never breastfed.  This from a British study of 5000 kids born between 2000 and 2002.   Tabulating the teen’s scores on the British General Certificate of Secondary Education or GCSE tests, those breastfed for 4-6 months versus never scored 2.1 points higher, those breastfed 6-12 months scored 2.6 points higher, and those breastfed more than 12 months scarred 3.1 points higher.   Bottom line: breastfeeding for at least 4 months is associated with better teen test scores.  Breastfeeding may not be the cause, but it is associated with other parental choices that help produce academically successful children.   https://adc.bmj.com/content/early/2023/05/04/archdischild-2022-325148   #breastfeeding #testing #academics #adolescents #parenting

 Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5txiCDrV4j/ More than half of people of all ages admit to a fear of clowns or so-called coulrophobia. A survey of 987 participants by South Wales psychologists reveals that 53.5% of us have some fear of clowns,  Compare this with other phobias where 3.8% have a fear of animals, 3% have a fear of needles, 2.8% have a fear of heights, 2.3% fear weather, 2.2% fear closed spaces and 1.3% fear flying.   Those admitting coulrophobia were questioned further to discover the reasons for their fears.  The most common reasons included:  Bizarre facial features: exaggerated and distorted human features; inability to read a clown due to a mask or facial makeup. Unpredictable behavior. A previous disturbing interaction with a clown. Creepy clown stories in movies and on tv. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1109466/full   #clowns #fear #coulrophobia 

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5twslyrt5F/ Men who regularly lift or move heavy objects at work enjoy a 44% higher sperm count and a 46% higher sperm concentration compared with those who do not move heavy objects as part of their occupational activities.  Harvard researchers studied 377 male partners of couples undergoing infertility workups and used surveys to elicit information about their physical activities during working hours.   The men had a median age of 36 years and were 87% caucasian.  Of the group, 12% lifted or moved heavy objects occupationally, 6% noted heavy physical exertion at work but no interaction with weighty objects, and 9% had evening or rotating work shifts.  The highest levels of physical exertion and working evening and/or rotating shifts were associated with not only more sperm both also higher testosterone and estradiol hormonal levels.   The study did not involve those who lift weights recreationally, but it stands to reason that men who work in offices could optimize t

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5tvj9lrGXS/ Nearly one one every three pediatric admissions for burns is due to scalding from a hot bowl of noodles.  This from a  University of Chicago review of 790 children under 18 years of age.  The data showed that 31% of the burns were due to instant noodles, that those with ramen burns compared with those due to other causes were slightly older, 5.4 yrs vs 3.8 years, that boys were more often burned than girls, that black children were more likely to be injured than those in other racial groups, 91% vs 75%, and that unsupervised children were more often burned, 37% to 21%.  If you plan to serve instant noodles to your kids, check the temperature and supervise the meal.   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305417923000050?via=ihub   #ramen #noodles #children #burns #africanamerican

 Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5tu0z_ruaY/ Listening to music you love lowers your pain threshold.  Dutch anesthesia-pain researchers studied the perception of pressure- and electrically-induced pain in 415 subjects.  Tolerance for both types of pain was better for those listening to their preferred brands of music rather than music they found annoying.  One odd finding: listening to music you hate prior to that you love improved its pain-reducing effect.   https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0280036   #pain #music #preferred #disliked

Limp Handshakes Associated With Depression   Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5ttozjLsY5/   Those with a strong handgrip have a 26% lower risk of depression as years go by.  This the conclusion after a study of 115,600 older Europeans living in 24 different countries over a 7 year period.     The investigators found a dose-response relationship between handgrip power and risk of depression for both men and women.  The association seemed somewhat stronger for women than for men.    The association may be due to the fact that physical strength is an indicator of an overall level of health and well-being.  Then too, those who firmly grip the hands of those they meet is an indication of a positivity that cascades through through their social and work lives.   https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/doseresponse-association-of-handgrip-strength-and-risk-of-depression-a-longitudinal-study-of-115-601-older-adults-from-24-countries/5D9FF0D78CF22036C3F4FF2A593F8F64   #ha

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5tsz3NLceS/ Those regularly consuming almonds in advance of unexpected, sudden vigorous exercise report less fatigue and muscle soreness as well as better leg and back strength. North Carolina investigators report this association following their randomized study of 64 middle aged men and women.   The experimental group ate 57 grams of almonds daily for one month before the 90 minute exercise challenge while the controls ate fiber bars.  The almond-eater’s reduced pain and suffering was associated with 69% higher muscle levels of agents that stimulate faster metabolic recovery.  The investigators attribute this phenomenon to the polyphenols in almond skins.   So, do exercise consistently.  To minimize the pain associated with planned and unplanned physical exertion, empty those jars of almonds.   https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.1042719/full   #almonds #exercise #pain #soreness #polyphenols

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5tpUxzr0vr/ The greater the intensity of road cycling training on a given day, the lower the moods of those cyclists the following day.  Researchers at Barcelona’s Laboratory of Sports Psychology and Sport Research Institute carefully monitored 5 recreational road cyclists over a 6 week period.   Captured was data that reflected the cyclists actual and perceived physical exertion and their cardiovascular responses on the training day and the day after.   Their mood was quantitated using a 10-point scale.   The morning after a day of intense cycling and exertion, the mood of the trainees tended to be low as did their heart rate variabilities.  This was particularly true if a trainees felt that the level of required physical exertion was beyond their capacities.   This model provides a framework for tailoring the progressive intensity of athletic training to the capabilities and needs of the trainees.  This strategy is incorporated into a number of smartphone apps.   htt

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5oDg1yuV4k/   Mindfulness meditation can reduce your guilt, but doing so may have a negative impact on your social relationships.  Psychologists at the University of Washington conducted a series of 8 experiments on 1400 participants that included 3 groups: US adults recruited online, undergrads at UPenn’s Wharton business school, and Portuguese grad students.   The initial study demonstrated that mindfulness exercises could effectively reduce guilt feelings.  Subsequent studies went on to explore the consequences of that guilt reduction.  One experiment showed that those whose mindfulness reduced their guilt were significantly less likely to provide financial compensation to someone they had wronged.  Another study showed that mindfulness-driven guilt reduction drove a reduced tendency to apologize and otherwise smooth over an abrasive social interaction.   Like many techniques, mindfulness can have negative as well as positive consequences.  The researchers found that

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5Yp7gpLAeV/ The Food and Drug Administration and the Shawnee Milling Company now recall 5 lb.bags of Food Club brand All Purpose Flour with Best if Used by date 03/07/2025.  This flour contains undisclosed milk or eggs. This flour has been sold in New York and in Ohio. Return this flour to the place of purchase for a refund.  For additional information, call Shawnee at 1-800-654-2600. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/shawnee-milling-company-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-and-egg-5lb-food-club-all-purpose-flour #shawnee #flour #allergy #milk #eggs #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5YpRder2Kz/ The Food and Drug Administration and Geissler’s Supermarket Inc. have recalled all Geissler’s sushi products due to the presence of undeclared egg, wheat, or milk.  Those with an allergy to these foods, with a gluten sensitivity, or with celiac disease could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume these products.  Affected are sushi products with a sell by date of 3/27-28/2024. Affected are sushi products with a sell by date of 3/27-28/2024. Do not consume this sushi.  Return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.  Additional information is available by phone at 1-860-623-0176 or by email at office@geisslers.com. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/geisslers-supermarket-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-egg-wheat-and-milk-sushi-product #geisslers #sushi #allergic #egg #milk #wheat #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5YomdMLELb/ The Food and Drug Administration and Tropicale Foods have recalled Helados Mexico mango bars in the variety pack.  These bars have salmonella contamination.  Affected are bars with a Best By date of 10/11/2025. Sold in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgina, Wisconsin, West Virgina, and Washington, DC. Do not consume these bars.  Dispose of them.  For more information and a question of refunds, contact Tropicale Foods communications department at 1-909-563-3090. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tropicale-foods-recalls-helados-mexico-mini-cream-variety-pack-because-possible-health-risk #heladosmexico #mango #bar #salmonella #infection #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5Yn6epr7PG/ The Food and Drug Administration and Lidl US are recalling Deluxe Macarons Party Edition as they contain undeclared wheat, soy, egg, milk, and tree nuts (almonds, pistachios, and coconut).  The problem is that these macrons bear non-English ingredient labeling. These macarons have been sold at Lidl US stores in Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia. Don’t consume these macarons.  Return them to your Lidl store for a full refund.  For more information, call the Lidl US Customer Care Hotline at 1-844-747-5435. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lidl-voluntarily-recalls-deluxe-branded-macarons-party-edition-due-undeclared-allergens #lidl #macarons #allergens #nuts #wheat #soy #egg #milk #gluten #celiac #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5YmnSDLHP-/ The Food and Drug Administration and FAonline Inc. now recall ForeverMen Natural Energy Boost supplements. They are contaminated with the phosphodiesterase inhibitors sildenafil and tadalafil commonly prescribed for erectile dysfunction.  These drugs do not belong in supplements and pose a danger for those taking nitrate drugs such as nitroglycerine. If you have this product, do not use it.  Contact FAonline INC. at the email faonline6520@gmail.com for more information and a refund. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/forevermen-supplements-recalled #forevermen #phosphodiestereseinbitors #nitrates #hypotension #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5Yl2ZMLQrx/ The Food and Drug Administration and Abdallah Candies now recall some boxes of Abdallah Candies 8 oz. sea salt almond alligators.  These boxes are mislabeled with chocolate covered cherry labels rather than the almond labels.  Those with an allergy to almonds could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product.  These mislabeled candy boxes with a code of 0315 were sold nationwide during the month of March. Return this box of candies to the place of purchase for a full refund.  For additional information, call Abdallah Candies at 1-800-348-7328. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/abdallah-candies-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-almond-abdallahs-8-oz-sea-salt-almond-alligators #abdallah #candy #chocolate #almond #alligators #cherries #allergy #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5YlICgrzWP/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and BJ’s Wholesale Club now recall Berkley Jensen Citronella 72-inch Tiki Torches.  The top of the torch tends to break open or fall off while lit leading to burns. About 90,000 of these tiki torches were sold at BJ’s. Stop lighting and using these tiki torches.  Empty the fuel reservoirs and return the torches to BJ’s for a full refund. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/BJs-Wholesale-Club-Recalls-Berkley-Jensen-Citronella-72-inch-Tiki-Torches-Due-to-Burn-Hazard #tiki #torch #bjs #burns #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5YkdZ7LDea/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Pure Brands of California are recalling Purefog High Density Natural Fog Juice Liquid, Long Lasting, Water Based.  This liquid degrades before the expiration date and may contain fungus.  Breathing this fog can induce a fungal pneumonia.  This liquid is designed for use with fog machines rated at 400-1500 watts. About 3,300 jugs of this fog liquid have been sold on amazon.com. Immediately stop using this fog liquid, pour it down the drain, and contact Pure Brands at 1-888-622-6536 or via email at support@purebrandsoc.com for a full refund. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Pure-Brands-of-California-Recalls-PureFog-Juice-Liquid-Due-to-Risk-of-Mold-Exposure-Sold-Exclusively-on-Amazon-com #fog #purebrands #mold #fungus #pneumonia #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5Yi-giLgET/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Polaris Industries are recalling Model Year 2022-2023 Snowmobiles equipped with PATRIOT BOOST Engines.  The fuel lines of these engines leak creating fire and burn hazards. About 7,000 of these snowmobiles were sold in the US and about 3,100 were sold in Canada.  Remember too that these snowmobiles have been recalled in February 2022, August 2022, November 2022, May 2023, and August 2023. Stop fueling and riding these snowmobiles and contact Polaris or a Polaris dealer to schedule a free fuel line inspection and repair.  Reach Polaris at 1-800-765-2747 for more information. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Polaris-Recalls-Snowmobiles-Equipped-with-PATRIOT-BOOST-Engines-Due-to-Fire-Hazard-Recall-Alert #polaris #snowmobile #fuelline #leakage #fire #burns #recall 

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C5Yh_MUrvvA/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Forias Direct as recalling Forias pack and play mattresses.  This memory foam mattress violates multiple federal safety standards for crib mattresses including thickness and labeling.  The mattress creates suffocation hazards. About 1900 of these crib mattresses have been sold at amazon.com. Stop using these crib mattresses. Cut the mattress in half and send a photo to customer.care@forias.com and receive a full refund.  https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Forias-Pack-and-Play-Mattresses-Recalled-Due-to-Suffocation-Hazard-for-Infants-Violations-of-the-Federal-Safety-Regulation-for-Crib-Mattresses-Sold-Exclusively-on-Amazon-com-by-Forias-Direct-Recall-Alert #forias #crib #packandplay #mattress #thickness #labeling #suffocation #recall