Mayo Clinic Health Letter Tip of the Month - March 2003

Monday, March 31, 2003

New Approach Targets Treatment on Cells Responsible for Disease

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Doctors are finding ways to seek out and eliminate specific cells or proteins responsible for disease. This targeted approach to treatment avoids damaging or weakening other healthy cells, according to the March issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.

New treatments using this approach are already available for rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease (a chronic inflammation of the digestive tract) and some types of cancer. Treatments are being tested or studied for many other diseases including substance abuse, asthma, viral infection, coronary artery disease, sepsis and some cancers.

The method uses monoclonal antibodies, laboratory-made copies of certain proteins secreted by white blood cells. When injected into the bloodstream, monoclonal antibodies seek out cells or proteins that carry a particular protein on their surface. The antibodies bind to these targets and either neutralize the proteins responsible for the disease, or selectively cause the death of the cell carrying the protein by alerting the body's immune system to recognize the cell as a foreign invader.

There Are Many Vegetarian Choices for Healthier Eating

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The term "vegetarian" can mean different things, depending upon the types of animal-based foods — if any — eaten. There's the vegan diet, in which all animal products are avoided; the pollo-vegetarian diet, which includes chicken; and the semi-vegetarian diet, which includes only occasional meat. All vegetarian diets emphasize plant-based foods, which are associated with lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, less heart disease, lower risk of some cancers and decreased weight.

If you are considering a vegetarian diet, ask your doctor or a dietitian for information, and take note of these common misperceptions.

According to the March issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter, vegetarian diets don't:

• Include enough protein: Lentils, beans, soy, nuts, nut butters and whole-grain breads and cereals offer plenty of protein options. Although it was once thought that vegetarians had to eat certain foods in combination to get complete protein, research has shown this isn't true.
• Include enough iron: Nonmeat sources of iron include beans, peas, whole-grain breads, spinach, raisins, apricots, peaches, nuts and seeds. Eating foods rich in vitamin C with these iron-rich foods helps your body absorb iron.
• Include a lot of fat: Beware! Fat and calories add up fast if your vegetarian diet consists of french fries, ice cream, whole milk, cheese and lots of nuts.

Want to Hide Ugly Toenails? You're Not Alone

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — If you avoid sandals because of thick, yellow toenails, you aren't alone. According to the March issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter, 40 percent to 50 percent of people over age 50 have a fungal nail infection that causes thick, crumbly, ragged nails. An injury, psoriasis or poor-fitting shoes can cause similar symptoms.

If the toenail causes pain or embarrassment, talk with your doctor about treatment options. Oral antifungal drugs could help, but they carry risks that include liver damage and heart failure. Many people choose not to treat nail fungal infections but to keep the nail trimmed for comfort. Here are some tips for trimming toenails:

• Soak your feet first. Warm water softens nails.
• File. Use an emery board to thin the top of the nail.
• Clip with long-handled clippers. These resemble small pliers and offer better grip and control.
• Cut straight across. This will reduce the chance of ingrown nails.
• Wear roomy shoes. By giving your feet plenty of room, you prevent friction and wear that can cause the nail to thicken.

Mayo Clinic is a private group practice of medicine dedicated to providing diagnosis and treatment of patient illnesses through a systematic focus on individual patient needs. As a leading academic medical center in the Southwest, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale focuses on providing specialty and surgical care in more than 66 disciplines at its outpatient facility in north Scottsdale and at Mayo Clinic Hospital. The 205-bed hospital is located at 56th Street and Mayo Boulevard (north of Bell Road) in northeast Phoenix, and provides inpatient care to support the medical and surgical specialties of the Clinic, which is located at 134th Street and Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale.

Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page monthly newsletter of reliable, accurate and practical information on today's health and medical news. To subscribe, please call toll-free 1-800-333-9037, extension 9PR1.

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