Related: Childhood Weight--Salivary Biomarkers--Diabetes Risk

A study published in PLOS ONE reports on altered levels of salivary biomarkers in obese children which indicate the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The Forsythe Institute, in Cambridge, Mass., evaluated 744 11-year-old children who were underweight, of normal healthy weight, overweight, or obese.

Salivary samples were taken after fasting and analyzed for 20 biomarkers, including insulin, C-reactive protein, adiponectin and leptin.  They found that these markers changed significantly with increasing obesity.

This is another example of how salivary testing can be used in preventive health treatment.

Source: JADA, 8/1/2014, vol. 145, no. 8, 802

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Overweight Equals Earlier Death

A paper in the New England Journal of Medicine that pooled data from 19 prospective studies that included 1.46 million white adults compared BMI Index and mortality.

The age of the adults ranged from 19 to 84, with a median of 58.  The studies ranged from 5 to 25 years in duration.  The researchers took into account differences in age, the nature of the study, physical activity, alcohol consumption, education and marital status.

The conclusion of the study was that overweight and obesity are associated with increased all-cause mortality.  All-cause mortality is generally lowest with a BMI of 20.0 to 24.9.

Source: N Engl J Med, DOI: 10,1056

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Breast Cancer Rates and Obesity

The American Society of Clinical Oncology reported a study of 80,000 women in 70 clinical trials.  The object of the study was to determine the affect of obesity on breast cancer survival.  Researchers differentiated between pre- and post-menopausal women, type of cancer (ER+ or ER-), tumor size, lymph node involvement and treatment regimens to isolate the effects of BMI on mortality.  Previous studies have already linked obesity with a greater risk of developing cancer.  The results showed that death rates were significantly higher for premenopausal obese women with estrogen-receoptor (ER+) breast cancer.

Source:  Chemotherapyadvisor

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

New Year's Resolution: Lose Weight and Lower Cancer Risk!

Pancreatic Cancer

Two recent studies significantly correlate weight loss and cancer risk:

The Journal of Clinical Oncology, reported (online 10-21-2013) data from the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, from 902 patients, and the association of pancreatic cancer survival and prediagnostic BMI.

Researchers found a significantly higher risk of death from pancreatic cancer for patients with BMI>35 kg/m (obesity) than those with a BMI of less than 25.  It is theorized that chronic alterations in systemic metabolism, associated with obesity, are the reason.

Belly Fat

A study from the Mayo Clinic, reported in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology systematically reviewed and (meta) analyzed the association between belly fat (central adiposity) and esophageal inflammation, metaplasia and adenocarcinoma.

Researchers found that, compared with patients with normal physique, those with increased belly fat (the amount of belly fat was independent from the patient's BMI and also from the existence of gastroesophageal reflux disease {GERD}),  had significantly increased risk of esophageal inflammation, erosion and cancer.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Obesity Treatment Resources

The Obesity Action Coalition and the American College of Physicians have a new free resource.  Information from the Center for Nutrition and Weight Management at the Geisinger Obesity Institute and the Washington Center for Weight Management and Research is also available.

Visit: www.obesityaction.org

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Late-Night Snack Cravings Are Natural

A study published in the journal Obesity found that the body's internal clock, the circadian system, increases hunger and cravings for sweet, starchy and salty foods in the evenings.  Some scientists even think this craving goes as far back as the days of the caveman, when eating at night increased the body's nutritional storage.  In the present day, however, it's for better or worse!  Since consuming more calories in the evening predisposes people to more energy storage, larger meals before sleep tend to be associated with weight gain.

For more details on this interesting study, see: www.eurekalert.org

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Get Off Your Duff!

Whether you're at work or at home, sitting can be hazardous to your health.  Studies show an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity and metabolic syndrome for those who sit for long periods of time.  In addition, these studies also point out that moderate exercise does not offset the increased risk.

The solution seems to be less sitting and more movement overall.  So, find the ways that you can accomplish that objective by making changes in your daily choices.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Antibiotic Failure in Obese Patients

Obesity rates are rising, and the epidemic is associated with increased rates of heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes.  Obese patients have higher rates of infection and therefore more frequent use of antibacterial medications.

Antibiotic Failure

A recent study in Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf analyzed 6,179 patients to see if obese patients had higher rates of antibiotic failure than non-obese patients.  The authors took several factors into account: BMI category (overweight or obese), comorbidities, lifestyle factors (smoking and drinking), time of year (such as "flu season"), MRSA, history of antibiotic use, age, sex, and income.  They noted "first" the antibiotic prescription as a baseline and subsequent additional or modified antibiotic prescriptions or hospitalizations.
Of the study participants, 828 (13.4%) had an ATF (antibiotic failure) event during the follow-up period, of which 807 (97%) required additional prescriptions or modifications in antibiotic regimens, and 21 (3%) resulted in hospital admissions, readmissions, or death from an infectious cause.

Of the 828 patients who experienced ATF, nearly 64% were either overweight or obese.  Obese patients were significantly more likely than non-obese to have ATF.

For more information, see: www.empr.com

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Obesity Treatment Resources

The Obesity Action Coalition and the American College of Physicians have a new free resource.  Information from the Center for Nutrition and Weight Management at the Geisinger Obesity Institute and the Washington Center for Weight Management and Research is also available.

Visit: www.obesityaction.org

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Obesity as a Cause of Cancer

According to the Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Facts and Figures 2013, obesity is the second most common risk factor for cancer, after the use of tobacco products.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to classify body weight, and these are the latest statistics:

• Between the years of 2009 and 2010, 16.9% of children and adolescents, as well as 35.7% of adults in the United States were classified as obese
• Childhood obesity, between the ages of 6 and 11, has more than doubled, from 7% in 1980 to 18% in 2010
• Adolescent obesity, between the ages of 12 and 19, was 5% in 1980 and 18% in 2010
• Adult obesity, between ages 20 and 74, was 15% in 1980 and 36% in 2010

The link between obesity and cancer is believed to be that fat cells produce cytokines and the immune system response to that creates an inflammatory environment that enhances tumor growth.  The American Cancer Society believes that much of this is preventable, and recommended guidelines for both exercise and diet can be found at www.cancer.org

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Heart Attack Cause and Prevention

What you need to control

There are major risk factors for a heart attack that you can control:

• Smoking:  quit or cut back
• High blood pressure:  your doctor can prescribe medicine to
  keep it under control
• High cholesterol:  medication, a diet low in saturated fats,
  trans fat, cholesterol, sodium and added sugars
• Overweight or obesity:  lose unwanted pounds
• Diabetes:  control blood sugar with medication and diet
• Lack of physical activity:  become as active as possible

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309 (map)

Childhood Obesity and Adult Metabolic Disorders

How Childhood Obesity and Adult Metabolic Disorders Relate

There is mounting evidence linking childhood obesity to an increasing risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in adulthood. 

An extensive review article, quoted in Childhood Obesity, Oct 2010, 6(5):250-256, documents the rising prevalence of obesity in childhood and the importance of prevention and early intervention.

For more information, go to:  www.a-health-blog.com/evidence-links-childhood-obesity-to

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., 
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

How Cancer Risk and Obesity are Linked

What are the numbers?

• A body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 30 kg/m2 defines overweight
• A BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 defines obesity
• The number of overweight and obese individuals in the U.S. has consistently increased over the past 50 years
• The latest data shows 75% of adults and 33% of children are considered overweight or obese
• SEER Epidemiology data suggest that each 5-point increase in BMI results in an increased risk of developing cancer that ranges from 13% to 60% depending on cancer type

 What cancer type and what may be the mechanism?

• Esophageal, colorectal, pancreatic, kidney cell, postmenopausal breast and endometrial cancers
• weight-associated changes in the synthesis and action of sex hormones, insulin, insulin-like growth factor and other cellular growth factors
• systematic inflammation, oxidative stress and altered immune response

Moderation in both diet and exercise can be cancer preventing. More information can be found at www.chemotherapyadvisor.com

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., 
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309