Statin drug warning, breast milk findings

July 23, 2008 Statin Drugs

It's one of the best hopes for a gene test that could influence how people are treated. Specifically, if they're given statin drugs to help lower cholesterol.

Researchers have found a genetic mutation is linked to a serious side effect of statins.

People with 2 copies of the gene mutation have 17 times the risk of muscle weakness if they take high doses of statins Those with just 1 copy are 4 times more likely to have the muscle trouble.

About 1 in a 1,000 statin users develop the problem. Most cases are mild and treatable, but in some cases it can lead to muscle breakdown and even kidney failure.

Breast Milk

Breast milk doesn't just offer babies good nutrition, it may also affect how a child eats later in life.

Danish scientists have found that the food mothers eat can flavor breast milk for up to 8 hours.

Licorice seems to last the longest, but banana flavor was gone within an hour.

Researchers say breast-fed children may be open to a wider range of foods than bottle-fed children.

Some mothers say they've noticed that with their own kids.