Knee Injuries Limit Future Athletic Activity
December 18, 2005
A study from East Germany shows that athletes who tear
the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in their knees will have
permanent knee damage if they return to competitive sports
(Arthroscopy, June 2005). The anterior cruciate ligament runs
from the top bone of the knee to the bottom one and prevents the
top bone from sliding forward when the foot hits the ground
during running and walking. If it is torn, the knee becomes so
unstable that a person will have difficulty walking, so all torn
anterior cruciate ligaments must be repaired.
In this study, East German Olympic athletes who tore
their knee ligaments in 1963-1965, and returned to competition
after having their ligaments repaired, were examined 10 and 20
years later. Virtually all had severe knee cartilage damage and
more than half had total knee replacement surgery.
Athletes with repaired torn ACLs probably should never
run or jump again, although they may be able to pedal a bicycle.
Another study showed that people who have broken cartilage in
their knees can walk and cycle, but should not run or jump.
To keep your bones from wearing down at the joints,
their ends are covered with a thick white gristle called cartilage.
Even one bleed into a joint damages its cartilage forever. Doctors
cannot replace or heal broken cartilage, they can only replace
entire knee joints. Operating and removing broken cartilage
probably increases a person's chances of needing a knee
replacement, particularly if the exerciser continues to run and
jump. Shearing forces on the knee are very great during walking
downhill and running, and minimal during walking on level ground
and cycling. So people who have ever damaged cartilage in their
knee should walk on level ground, swim or cycle, and avoid
running and jumping.
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Reports from DrMirkin.com
Which types of arthritis respond to antibiotics?
How does exercise affect insulin and cholesterol levels?
Can chronic vaginitis be cured?
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Dear Dr. Mirkin: My 80-year-old mother is seven inches shorter
than she used to be. Can I keep this from happening to me?
The bones of your spine are separated by pads called
discs. As you age, these discs dry out and become smaller.
However, regular exercise compresses and relaxes these discs
as you move up and down. This helps to keep the discs from
shrinking and maintains your height. Regular exercise also helps
to strengthen bones and keep them from bending or being
crushed. One study from Israel showed that people who
exercise regularly lose only half as much height as people who
never exercise -- just 2.6 centimeters compared with 5.5
centimeters. If you have not already started exercising to
prevent heart attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol and loss of mental function, and just to keep you
feeling good, you should exercise to help you stand taller as you
age.
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Dear Dr. Mirkin: What foods are high in iodine?
The most reliable source is iodized salt. Saltwater fish
and shellfish, eggs and dairy products are also good sources of
iodine. The iodine content of plants depends on the soils in
which they are grown, so is hard to predict.
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Dear Dr. Mirkin: I'm a vegetarian and am concerned by news that
soybeans may be unhealthy. Should I stop eating soy products?
All plants contain chemicals that are healthful and
chemicals that can harm us. Fortunately for us, our ancestors
learned which plants are edible and healthful, and taught us to
avoid those that are poisonous. However, if you eat very large
amounts of one food, you can poison yourself, even though
reasonable amounts are harmless or beneficial.
For example, soybeans contain genistein, a weak
estrogen that may help to prevent breast cancer. They contain
omega-3 fatty acids that help prevent heart attacks, and are
loaded with fiber that helps to prevent diabetes. But they also
contain small amounts of trypsin inhibitors that increase risk for
pancreatic damage and cancer in animals. Hemagglutinins in
soybeans could cause clots to form and travel to the lungs.
Goitrogens in soybeans block thyroid function to increase your
need for that hormone. Estrogen-like genistein in soybeans could
stimulate immature lobules in breast tissue of infants to increase
risk for breast cancer many years later. Phytates in soybeans
and many other plants can block the absorption of minerals.
However, you would need to eat very large amounts of
soy products to get any of these negative effects. Enjoy a
moderate amount of soy foods, but do not let health claims lead
you to eat huge amounts of soy to the exclusion of other foods.
A healthful diet is a varied diet.
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More Holiday Recipes - Featuring SALMON
Salmon shows up in lots of Diana's favorite recipes for
entertaining. Almost everyone likes the flavor, and its pretty color
adds eye-appeal to your buffet.
Smoked Salmon Salad
Chilled Salmon Mousse
Salmon Steaks with Portobello Mushrooms
List of Diana's Healthful Recipes