Tuesday June 24 / 2008

Tuesday June 24 / 2008

12:10: The Health Roundup with Jay McQueen.

12:12: The Suicide Prevention Community Council of Hamilton's Annual General Meeting is coming up tomorrow night, Wednesday, June 25, 2008 @ 7:00 p.m.
Guests: Lorraine Grypstra & Jackie Candlish, Public Health Nurses and Members of the Suicide Prevention Council of Hamilton.

12:20: What’s the number one rule when it comes to managing a chronic condition? Following doctor’s orders. But, according to a new study of Canadians living with arthritis, that is exactly what they are NOT doing.
Guest: Dr. Carter Thorne, Toronto-area Rheumatologist.

12:35: When we think itchy, red, dry skin, we often think of winter’s wrath. With the rising temperatures, humidity, and even increased levels of smog or pollutants, itchy, red, dry skin is just as prevalent – in fact, it worsens when temperatures yo-yo between hot and cold, as they typically have this year.
Guest: Dr. Charles Lynde, Toronto Dermatologist.

12:45: Rexall Radio Health Matters segment.

Guest: Irene Hogan.

St.John’s Wort

St. John’s wort is a plant that has been used for centuries for health purposes, such as for depression and anxiety. It is also referred to as Hypericum perforatum. St. John’s wort can be visually recognized by leaf and flower type. Yellow, five petaled flowers approximately 20 mm across occur on or around June 24th, which is John the Baptist’s birthday. Wort refers to an old English term, which means plant. How the compounds of St. Johns’ wort actually work is not yet fully understood, but several studies have been done, and the theories and conclusions are presented; St. John’s wort might work by preventing nerve cells in the brain from reabsorbing the chemical messenger serotonin, or by a protein involved in the body’s immune system. Some believe that hyperforin is the major constituent responsible for antidepressant activity, and it has been shown to inhibit the uptake of 5-HT, dopamine, noradrenaline, GABA and glutamateIn. It may decrease alcohol intake, the constituent hyperforin (found in the plant) appears to be responsible for decreasing alcohol consumption. Hyperforin a major constituent has also been found to have antibacterial properties, in ultra purified form a concentration of 0.1mg/ml kills methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. One analysis found St. John’s wort may benefit people with minor depression; these benefits may be similar to those from standard antidepressants. St. John’s wort appeared to produce fewer side effects than some standard antidepressants. The most common side effect from St. John’s wort include dry mouth, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, increased sensitivity to sunlight and fatigue. St. John’s wort has been used for centuries for mental conditions, pain and a wide variety of other health conditions. Today, St. John’s wort is used mainly for anxiety, mild to moderate depression and disorders. In Europe St. John’s wort is widely prescribed for depression, however in the United States and Canada it is not prescription required, and can be obtained as a herbal supplement. St. John’s wort has shown to cause multiple drug interactions mainly through induction of cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP3A5, but also CYP2C9. This results in the increased metabolism of these drugs, resulting in decreased concentration and clinical effect. The principle constituent thought to be responsible is hyperforin.

Examples of drugs causing clinically-significant interactions with St. John’s wort;
• Antiepileptics = carbamazepine, phenytoin
• Antiretrovirals = non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors
• Benzodiazepines = alprazolam, midazolam
• Hormonal contraception = combined oral contraceptives ( can reduce up to 50%
• Immunosuppressants = calcineurin inhibitors, ciclosporin, tacrolimus
• Others = digoxin, methadone, omeprazole, phenobarbitone, theophylline, warfarin, levodopa

St. John’s wort is native to Europe but can commonly be found in Canada in dry ground of roadsides, meadows and woods. St.John’s wort is now grown as a cash crop and produces 20 percent of the worlds supply.


Nadine Janacek Rexall #0202 Blog Reporter