THE PONCHATOULA TIMES, NOVEMBER 11, 2010, PAGE 6
Health
Fish oil does not prevent
Alzheimer's Disease
By DR. RANDOLPH HOWES M.D., PhD
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Longtime medical columnist for The Ponchatoula Times, the
author is an accomplished surgeon, medical inventor, and Country music recording
artist. Dr. Howes grew up on his parents' Ponchatoula strawberry farm. He is a
graduate of St. Joseph, Ponchatoula High School, Tulane - two doctorates, followed
by a residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in plastic surgery. He says he is "re-
tired" now in Kentwood.)
Omega-3 fish oil supplement producers have claimed curative
powers for diseases such as cancer, heart disease, dementia, ADD,
ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, obses-
sive compulsive disorder, headaches and migraines.
Also, it was claimed to de-
crease aggressive behavior,
prevent learning disabilities
and make kids smarter. Unsup-
ported aggressive advertising
has led to "soaring sales for fish
oil."
However, disappointing
studies are now coming forth
and supplements do not have
the same benefits as do natural
foods containing these same in-
gredients. Even though claims
of being "heart healthy" persist,
a large German study gave fish
oil or dummy capsules to more
than 3,800 people who had suf-
fered a recent heart attack and
found that after a year, there
was no difference between fish
oil pills or placebo.
But, there is more bad news
for fish oil. Even though data
from a trial of over 800 older
people initially showed that
those who eat plenty of oily fish
seem to have better cognitive
function, a new study has found
that omega-3 pills, promoted as
boosting memory, did not slow
mental and physical decline in
older patients with Alzheimer's
disease.
This $10 million project stud-
ied nearly 300 men and women,
aged 76 on average, with mild to
moderate Alzheimer's disease.
They were randomly assigned
to take either the omega-3 fish
oil pill (DHA) or dummy pills
daily for 18 months. Results
were similar in both groups, in
that DHA provided no benefits
in slowing Alzheimer's symp-
toms nor did the pills work in
a subgroup of participants with
the mildest Alzheimer's symp-
toms.
The researchers concluded,
"There is no basis for recom-
mending DHA supplementation
for patients with Alzheimer dis-
ease."
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Dr. Howes
Laurie Ryan, program direc-
tor of Alzheimer's studies at the
Institute on Aging, called the
results discouraging. Thus, A1-
zheimer's disease remains basi-
cally untreatable and the "fish
oil gold rush" may be slowing.
In the America that I love,
we realize that generally di-
etary supplements do not work,
except in cases of known defi-
ciencies or malabsorption syn-
dromes. Still, sales of dietary
supplements bring in about $23
billion annually. We know that
eating more heart-healthy ome-
ga-3 fats provided no additional
benefit in a study of heart attack
survivors who were already get-
ting good care.
There is little harm to fish
oil when the ratio of omega-6 to
omega-3 are properly balanced.
Please remember the words
of expert, Dr. Lichtenstein, "We
need to be a little more cautious
about the prediction of individ-
ual benefit of any nutritional
supplements. People are so will-
ing to embrace the simple an-
swer, as if it's possible to crack a
capsule over a hot fudge sundae
and undo the harm of harmful
diets and lack of exercise." But,
give me a chocolate sundae. I'll
take my chances.
Calling All
Clowns!
The Louisiana Clowning
for Safety Organization is
sponsoring a Clown School
November 17-19 in Pon-
chatoula. Seen in the pho-
to is the 'professor" Mark
Ruffennack, better known
as BillyClub. Ruffennack is
a retired Police Officer from
Phoenix Arizona who has
more than 25 years of expe-
rience in the art of clown-
ing and entertainment with
a purpose- to keep children
safe and to teach them safe-
ty messages in a fun and cre-
ative environment. (Courte-
sy Photo)
Calling All
Clowns
Special to The Times
The Louisiana Clowning for
Safety organization is inviting
all clowns, magicians, and those
interested in the entertainment
and education of young children
to join them for a 2 and ½ day,
one-of-a-kind event.
This will be a unique train-
ing school where students re-
ceive professional guidance in
the art of clowning. The class
will be held at Alack Culinary
Equipment and Supply, Train-
ing Room, 17420 Hwy.190,
Hammond, La.
The School prepares students
to work in environments other
than a circus with emphasis on
using their craft and talents
to teach young children safety
messages.
The curriculum will intro-
duce the arts of magic, pup-
petry, comedy, storytelling,
prop production and makeup
that are essential to clowning.
Ponchatoula Kiwanis
installs first female president
Ponchatoula Kiwanis President Dianne Crim is shown
giving her acceptance speech.
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FROM PAGE 2
let bowl" my friend.
Finally, how bout those Hor-
nets? At press time, the Bees
were 6-0. After an impressive
4 wins to start the new season,
the Hornets '%eat the Heat" and
defeated Miami's all-star filled
team led by LeBron James,
Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh
to improve to 5-0.
And last but certainly not
least, my wonderful fiance' Bree
rescued a kitten that was about
to be euthanized, and that little
bundle of joy has definitely made
our house a happier home.
Tony Berner honored
Tony Berner (right) is be-
ing presented the "Kenneth
J. Frahm Award" from Past
President Darrell Rousseau.
This award was given to
Berner in appreciation for
his excellent service to the
Ponchatoula Kiwanis Club.
(Kiwanis Photo)
Included in the festivities will
be a Clown Social on the night
of November 16 and a by-invi-
tation-only Clown Idol Night on
the evening of November 18 to
practice the arts.
The Clown Finale at the
Hammond area Head Start pro-
grams on the morning of No-
vember 19 will be an opportu-
nity to perform in front of a live
audience of children.
Registration fee is $80 and
includes refreshments and sup-
plies. Slots are limited to regis-
ter, or to learn more about the
program you may contact Nan-
cy Bourgeois 985-507-1797 or
Debra Huffman 225-275-1532.
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THE PONCHATOULA
C O U N TRY MARKE T
Country Market Artist
Miss J. Patrice Doolittle
Country Market artist has
collectible pieces for as
low as $20
Times Report ":
Country Market artist Miss J.
Patrice Doolittle has a booth
filled with her unique art,
including some great gift items,
such as her double-sided wood
puzzles featuring her own
paintings for just $20.
She also produces specialized
cards using her photography
enhanced by computer artwork.
Miss Doolittle specializes in
acrylic paint on wood. She is currently using window frames
as her canvas, gwing the easy illusion that you are viewing the
painted scene through the window.
"I have painted for as long as I can remember," she told an
interviewer with The Ponchatoula Times. "I remember getting
in trouble in school for drawing on my desk."
And though she says her father is a gifted painter, the artist
has no doubt regarding the source of her obvious talent.
"I believe it all comes from God and I like to spread His love
through my art. I paint a lot of nature because I like God's
creation."
While not in her studio, or displaying her art at the Country
Market, the artist works to finish a mural in the Loranger-
Husser area in a private home.
She is a product of the gifted and talented art program at
Loranger High, enhanced by study at Southeastern Louisiana
University where she studied graphic design in addition to
Spanish.
Miss Doolittle has been at the Ponchatoula Country Market
since August. "I have done commissioned work but this is
the first time setting up a booth," she said during this first in a
series report on the Country Market.
Located In
The Heart of
Ponchatoula
next to the
railroad tracks
JACKSON-VAUGHAN AGENCY INC.
Celebrating 90 years of service to Tangipahoa Parish
121 West Pine - Ponchatoula
386-3511
Call Us For All Your Insurance Needs
SPARKY WELLES
- President & Manager -
North Oaks Neurology Clinic is seeking to
evaluate an investigational medication for
patients 18 and older with Parkinson's
Disease and symptoms of lightheadedness,
dizziness or fainting upon standing.
Those who qualify for this
clinical research study may receive: ............................................................... .:: .......................... ::: ............................................................................... .................. ::
• Study-related materials for procedures at no cost
• Compensation for participation and travel.
For more information about this study, call (985) 230-7525,
NORT OA
H KS North Oaks Neurology Physicians:
_ N E U R O L O Y • Patricio S. Espinosa, MD, MPH, Principal Investigator
A Clinic of North Oaks Health System " Bilal A. Choudry, MD
2101 Robin Ave., Suite 5 • Hammond, LA * www.northoaks.org
(;osmetology
: lasses starting Jan 31st
Medical Assistant,
Medical Billing/Coding & Phlebotomy
Classes starting Jan 24
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