Labnews.co.uk…monthly update

Fancy winning an ipod nano??  Visit LabNews.co.uk for details and the latest science news.

Summer Vacation opening hours

Now we are into summer vacation, the Learning Centre opening hours have changed.

For more information visit the Learning Centres web pages.

Have a great summer!!

Natural Medicines…monthly update

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database eUPDATE and eCE

Here are just a few of the hundreds of updates we’ve made to Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database this month. You can learn more about these and thousands of other natural medicines by accessing the Database. Plus you can get fully-accredited continuing education credits. • Vitamin D deficiency is more common than most of us think. This is due to increased use of sunscreens, spending more time indoors, and less efficient vitamin D absorption as people age. Darker skin and living at higher latitudes also increase risk. Some people should be tested for deficiency such as elderly housebound individuals; those with renal disease or persistent nonspecific musculoskeletal pain; patients with osteoporosis, celiac or inflammatory bowel disease; or those on anticonvulsants. The best measure of vitamin D levels is 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL are considered deficient. Optimal levels may not be reached until 30 or 40 ng/mL. Recommend taking 400 to 800 IU/day for adults under age 50 and 800 to 1000 IU/day for age 50 and up to prevent deficiency. Explain that 400 IU/day of vitamin D is not enough to decrease fractures in older adults. Doses up to 2000 IU/day are safe. • Epicor is a new supplement used to stimulate immune function and prevent upper respiratory infections such as the common cold. Epicor contains a specific formulation of brewer’s yeast that appears to stimulate immune system markers. Manufacturer-sponsored clinical research shows that taking Epicor 500 mg/day for 12 weeks reduces the risk of developing cold symptoms and shortens the duration of symptoms compared to placebo. Explain to patients that this is promising, but very preliminary. More evidence is needed to confirm these findings. • Calcium might INCREASE the risk of heart attack according to preliminary research. In a clinical trial, older women who took calcium for 5 years had a significantly increased risk of heart attack. Researchers originally speculated that taking calcium would DECREASE heart attack risk because it lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. Now some researchers speculate that extra calcium ends up in arteries and might exacerbate atherosclerosis. Keep in mind that this is very preliminary evidence. It’s way too soon to say that calcium increases cardiovascular risk. There is solid evidence that taking calcium has other benefits such as decreasing the risk of fracture. Advise women to get the recommended amount of 1200 mg/day from diet and supplements combined.

LabNews.co.uk…Monthly update

Visit LabNews.co.uk for the latest science news and event information.

*Free* interactive online tutorials

The BBC have produced a series of free, fun interactive tutorials regarding the human body.

Tutorials include the senses, skeleton and organs within the human body.

Visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody to test your knowledge of the human body…needless to say, I didn’t score particularly well!!!

ONLINE Interlibrary Loan forms…

Following lots of requests from staff and students, we now have interlibrary loan forms available online.

Visit http://www.wlv.ac.uk/lib/interloan to downlaod a copy.

The forms can be filled in on screen but you must print and sign them before bringing them to the Learning Centre.

Contact the Leanring Centre for further details.