Healthcare Update
Restaurants Slow to Drop Menu Choices with Trans Fat
Products free of trans fat are hitting the snack shelves of supermarkets across
the country, but restaurants have been slow to follow. Made-to-order foods like
french fries and fried chicken are frequently cooked in shortening or oil containing
high levels of trans fat. A cheap, easy-to-use and readily available food additive,
the government recently began emphasizing the importance of cutting trans fat
out of everyday eating routines due to its link to heart attacks, bad cholesterol
and the reduction of good cholesterol.
In a process called hydrogenation, trans fat is created when liquid vegetable
oils are turned into hardened fats such as shortening or margarine. These harder
fats give baked goods their texture and can stand up to high temperatures long
enough to fry multiple batches of fries, chicken, fish and onion rings.
Beginning next year, trans fat must be listed on food labels, enabling shoppers
to pick out the best foods for their health. The labeling requirement has driven
the development of fat-free cookies, chips, crackers and other snack foods.
Since restaurants have no such labeling requirement, they have been slow to
banish trans fat from their menus. However, some restaurants, such as Legal
Sea Foods and Ruby Tuesday’s, are making the move from hydrogenated oils
to trans fat-free canola and vegetable oil. The switch to trans fat-free oils
is estimated to add only a penny to the cost of an individual order of french
fries.
While interest groups are pushing the FDA to require restaurants to disclose
their use of trans fat, doctors and scientists who developed the new dietary
guidelines set a specific trans fat limit of one percent of daily calorie intake,
though the Agricultural and Health and Human Services department amended the
recommendation to “as low as possible.” Restaurants, which provide
one in five meals in the U.S., seem to be changing counter to health guidelines—the
fastest growing menu option last year was fried chicken.
Caution Added to Cholesterol Drug Crestor
Crestor, a common cholesterol drug, is being re-labeled with a cautionary statement
suggesting a reduction in starter doses for Asian-Americans and patients with
severe kidney disease. The drug is part of a group of medications called statins,
which have been linked to rare cases of serious muscle damage.
A recent clinical trial found that levels of Crestor in Asian patients were double
those of Caucasians taking the same dose, therefore increasing the chance of muscle
damage. The new label urges physicians to start Asian patients, those with severe
kidney damage and those taking cyclosporine to begin Crestor doses at five milligrams,
the lowest possible level, compared with the maximum dose of 40 milligrams.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prompted the change in an ongoing effort
to notify the public of potentially significant emerging safety information that
effects their health choices and well-being. Although Crestor has drawn criticism
for reported muscle damage, the FDA emphasizes that the occurrence of side effects
is no higher than with any other statin drug, and that the benefits of the drug
often outweigh the potential risks. According to its manufacturer, AstraZeneca,
Crestor has been prescribed to more than 4.3 million patients.
Legislation Introduced to Extend Chiropractic Benefits in Military’s
TRICARE Program
Military retirees, dependants and survivors may soon have the opportunity to receive
covered chiropractic care in their local community. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama
has reintroduced legislation that would extend TRICARE chiropractic health benefits
beyond those who are directly enrolled in active duty. The ACA has been closely
involved in discussions concerning legislation, HR 999, and has been committed
to building strong bi-partisan support among pro-chiropractic members of Congress.
A bill similar to HR 999 was introduced last year during the 108th Congressional
session, but was not signed into law, thus prompting the introduction of a new
bill. After introduction, the new Rogers-backed bill must garner another set of
co-sponsors on both a House and Senate bill before it can be signed into law.
TRICARE, a health care program for active duty and retired members of the uniformed
services, their families and survivors, combines both military and civilian health
care services. In Oct. 2001, chiropractic care became a permanent benefit for
active duty service members at active duty sites. There are currently 42 Military
Treatment Facilities that offer chiropractic care. Until now, family members,
survivors and retirees have only been able to obtain chiropractic care at their
own expense.
Most Americans are Uninformed About Genetically Modified Foods
A recent survey suggests that Americans pay little attention to news about genetically
modified food, and are willing to believe unsubstantiated rumors rather than seek
out facts. The survey, conducted by the Food Policy Institute at Rutgers-Cook
College, collected data from 1,200 Americans responding to questions regarding
the genetic modification of foods. Although most of the survey participants said
they were interested in the phenomenon and had opinions about it, few had the
background and tools necessary to make an informed assessment.
Genetically modified foods (GM) involve the transfer of genes from one plant or
animal to another with the purpose of expressing a desired trait, such as increased
productivity, larger size or pest resistance. It is estimated that as much as
80 percent of processed foods contain a component from a genetically modified
crop, be it cornstarch, canola oil, soy flour, lecithin or cottonseed oil.
According to the survey, fewer than half of Americans (48 percent), are aware
that such products exist at their local supermarket, and fewer than a third (31
percent ) realize that they regularly consume GM foods. Despite knowing very little
about the technology, 27 percent of Americans approve and 23 percent disapprove
of GM foods, while the majority (49 percent) said they were unsure.
Health Panel Recommends Up to 90 Minutes of Daily Exercise
A recent panel featuring doctors and scientists recommended that people get 60
to 90 minutes of moderate exercise everyday—a marked increase from the 30
minutes previously recommended. The panel’s 25 page report is intended to
update the government’s food pyramid and general health recommendations.
The panel recommended that people participate in 30 minutes of activity a day
to prevent chronic disease, 60 minutes to prevent unhealthy weight gain and 60
to 90 minutes on most days for people who were previously overweight and trying
to keep the weight off. Additionally, the panel recommended eating fewer calories,
more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as drinking more low-fat milk
and ingesting less fat. The strict exercise guidelines are a response to the poor
health of Americans, 60 percent of whom are overweight and 30 percent are obese.
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