inshape Cyber-tips
A Newsletter Publication of the Inshape Medical Clinics
(November 1- December 31, 2011)
Richard L. Neil, M.D., Editor

NIGHTTIME ASPIRIN MAY REDUCE DAYTIME BLOOD PRESSURE
Researchers in Spain randomly gave 244 hypertensive adults 100 mg of aspirin at bedtime and compared them with another group that took aspirin only in the morning when they woke up. The average daytime systolic blood pressure of the nighttime aspirin users dropped 5.4 points and their bottom figure dropped 3.4 points. The blood pressure of the daytime aspirin users did not change.

HOLIDAY HOURS
Please note that all Inshape offices will be closed at times during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. In addition to Thanksgiving the offices will be closed the Friday after Thanksgiving. Also the offices will be closed on Monday the week after Christmas as well as Friday of the same week.
It is advisable to check the calendar on the computer for the appropriate office hours at least 48 hours before you intend to visit any of the offices to make sure no last minute changes have taken place. Each office will be open on one day the week following Christmas.

HCG FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
For years the FDA has been warning dieters that the use of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is not an appropriate chemical for sustained weight loss. In spite of these warnings there has been a recent surge in its use by injection or orally in drops.
The cornerstone of this program is a 500 calorie diet in addition to the hormone. A 1995 analysis of this program has shown that HCG weight loss is rapid but is most likely due to the so-called "placebo effect" and severe calorie restriction, not the hormone. Crash diets like this with severe caloric restriction can lead to serious health problems. When the body doesn't get the protein it needs it can scavenge protein from vital organs like the heart which can cause sudden death, warns Davie Katz, MD founding director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center and an adviser to Prevention Magazine. In addition severe caloric restriction can lead to depression, headaches and potentially to blood clots. Be careful!

BREAKFAST IN COLONIAL AMERICA
Colonial Americans did not have orange juice, eggs and bacon for breakfast. They were more likely to have cider or beer and gulp down a bowl of porridge that had been cooking slowly over the embers from last night's fire. If you want to lose weight you are well advised to avoid the practices of colonial Americans and have a hearty breakfast with foods that will sustain you during the day and reduce your hunger in the evening.

DANGEROUS DATING
Thirty-five percent of the people who use personal ads for dating are already married.

SPECIAL holiday DISCOUNT As a special “Christmas present” [although a day or so late] we will offer a free Vitamin B12 shot to any and all patients who come for their medication visit between December 27-29, 2011. You must cut out this coupon and bring it with you in order for it to be redeemed. NO EXEPCTIONS! (If you have never used Vitamin B12 and are curious about how it works and if it will work for you, now is your chance to try it free!)