September 13, 2007

12:10: The Health Roundup with Jay, Jamie and Jimmy.

12:20: Quick: What were you like as a kid?  Were you afraid of the
dark? Did you climb trees?  Or were you the one showing off
somersaults at your parents' dinner party, rather than politely
serving hors d'oeuvres to their guests?  Those memories - and the
words you use to describe them - hold the key to understanding the
person you are today.
Guest: Best-selling author and renowned psychologist
Dr.Kevin Leman.

12:35: Here's a scary story:  According to a new study, only a tiny
proportion of Canadians who should be screened for colorectal
cancer are actually receiving the test. This is significant
because colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of
cancer related deaths in Canada.
Guest: Dr. Jeff Kolbasnik, general surgeon at the Milton
site of Halton Healthcare Services, he's also the Chief
of Surgery there, and the Vice-President of the Ontario
Association of General Surgeons. 

12:45: DayNight Pharmacy Segment.
Guest: Irene.

A daily multivitamin and mineral supplement may improve depression
symptoms amongst the elderly. Dietary supplement Selenium.

Suggestions from a new trial study from the University of Sheffield,
report that regular supplementation of hospitalized older people
with multivitamins and minerals improved mental health compared to a
placebo. It was reported that at the end of the study levels of
folate and vitamin B12 in red blood cells and the plasma
respectively,increased significantly in the MVM group but decreased
in the pacebo group. Significant differences were also reported for
symptoms of depression scores between the groups, with beneficial
effects observed for patients in the supplementation group
regardless of the initial level of depression of the individual,
ranging from no depression to severe depression.  No differences in
cognitive function scores. Both folate and vitamin B12 are important
for the nervous system at all ages, but in older people where
deficiencies are known to be common even in relatively healthy
persons, low folate and vitamin B12 status affects mood, cognitive
and social functions.
So what is Selenium?  Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential
to good health but required only in small amounts.  Selenium is
incorporated into proteins to make selenoproteins, which are
important antioxidant enzymes.  The antioxidant properties of
selenproteins help prevent cellular damage from free radicals. Some
believe these toxins are cancer causing. Selenoproteins help
regulate thyroid function and play a role in the immune system.
Selenium can be found in some meats and seafood. Some nuts also
contain selenium. Recommended dietary intake for selinium is 55 ug
a day.  Seniors who have low blood levels of selenium have a
significantly greater incidence of weaker muscles, also researcher's  
have found that those who had low plasma concentrations of selenium
were 69% more likely to have poor hip, knee and grip strength.
Selenium supplements can reduce the decline in muscle strength that
occurs with age.