VERY interesting! Maybe it is not cholesterol but "ACAT2, a cholesterol transforming enzyme"
Eliminating enzyme dramatically reduces cardiovascular disease: "How does cholesterol in our diets end up as artery-clogging plaque that can cause heart attacks and strokes? Research in animals suggests that a little-studied enzyme may play a major role - and that drugs to target it could dramatically reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. "
The good news is that new medicines will likely be made to target ACAT2.
The bad news? ACAT2 seems to also affect monounsaturated fats (at least in monkeys):
" Evidence suggests that a diet high in mono-unsaturated fats, which include olive oil, nuts and nut butters, avocado and sesame seeds, may stimulate transformation by ACAT2.
In a study of monkeys, those that were fed a diet high in monounsaturated fat got just as much heart disease as monkeys that were fed saturated fat, even though their levels of "bad" cholesterol decreased."
Friday, April 29, 2005
The New York Times > Health > Studies Cast Doubt on Use of Calcium in Some Cases
The New York Times > Health > Studies Cast Doubt on Use of Calcium in Some Cases: "
Studies Cast Doubt on Use of Calcium in Some Cases
By ANAHAD O'CONNOR
Published: April 28, 2005
Despite what doctors have long recommended, regularly taking calcium and vitamin D does not prevent fractures in older people who have broken a bone or who have osteoporosis, according to two large studies released yesterday."
interesting, and disappointing. But before you get too discouraged and throw away your calcium, consider this from later in teh article:
"experts called the findings important but cautioned that they did not apply to most people.
Just people older than 70, a majority of them women with previous bone injuries, were included in the studies.
Because vitamin D and calcium are widely considered early preventive measures, it is no surprise that the studies failed to find them effective in people who already had osteoporosis or signs of it, said Dr. Steven R. Goldstein, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the New York University medical center."
Studies Cast Doubt on Use of Calcium in Some Cases
By ANAHAD O'CONNOR
Published: April 28, 2005
Despite what doctors have long recommended, regularly taking calcium and vitamin D does not prevent fractures in older people who have broken a bone or who have osteoporosis, according to two large studies released yesterday."
interesting, and disappointing. But before you get too discouraged and throw away your calcium, consider this from later in teh article:
"experts called the findings important but cautioned that they did not apply to most people.
Just people older than 70, a majority of them women with previous bone injuries, were included in the studies.
Because vitamin D and calcium are widely considered early preventive measures, it is no surprise that the studies failed to find them effective in people who already had osteoporosis or signs of it, said Dr. Steven R. Goldstein, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the New York University medical center."
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Best to Eat Like the Greeks After Heart Disease
Still more evidence suggesting that a Mediterranean diet is good for you!
Yahoo! News - Best to Eat Like the Greeks After Heart Disease: "People with heart disease who stick to a so-called Mediterranean diet -- heavy on fish and vegetables, and low on saturated fats -- tend to live longer than those who follow different diets, new research suggests."
"those who ate a more Mediterranean diet were nearly 30 percent less likely to die during follow up, which lasted close to four years."
"Based on these findings, lead author Dr. Antonia Trichopoulou at Athens Medical School and Harvard University in Boston told Reuters Health that she would "absolutely" recommend a Mediterranean diet for everybody diagnosed with heart disease.
A Mediterranean-style diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts. It includes few saturated fats like the ones in red meat but plenty of healthier fatty acids like those found in olive oil. It also features moderate amounts of red wine. "
Yahoo! News - Best to Eat Like the Greeks After Heart Disease: "People with heart disease who stick to a so-called Mediterranean diet -- heavy on fish and vegetables, and low on saturated fats -- tend to live longer than those who follow different diets, new research suggests."
"those who ate a more Mediterranean diet were nearly 30 percent less likely to die during follow up, which lasted close to four years."
"Based on these findings, lead author Dr. Antonia Trichopoulou at Athens Medical School and Harvard University in Boston told Reuters Health that she would "absolutely" recommend a Mediterranean diet for everybody diagnosed with heart disease.
A Mediterranean-style diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts. It includes few saturated fats like the ones in red meat but plenty of healthier fatty acids like those found in olive oil. It also features moderate amounts of red wine. "
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
BBC NEWS | Health | Processed meat cancer risk link
Yes we sell them, but....please do not eat too many hotdogs!
BBC NEWS | Health | Processed meat cancer risk link: "Dr Ute Nothlings, of the Cancer Research Center at the University of Hawaii, who led the research, said: 'The results suggest that carcinogenic substances related to meat preparation, rather than their inherent fat or cholesterol content, might be responsible for the association.'
Dr Nothlings said the increased cancer risk from processed meat could be due to the chemical reactions that occur during the preparation of processed meats.
They said such reactions could produce carcinogenic chemicals such as heterocyclic amines or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Professor Tim Key, Deputy Director of Cancer Research UK's Epidemiology Unit, said the study provided an 'interesting perspective' into a possible association between processed meat and pancreatic cancer.
But he added: 'The weight of research has yet to verify a definite link between the two."
BBC NEWS | Health | Processed meat cancer risk link: "Dr Ute Nothlings, of the Cancer Research Center at the University of Hawaii, who led the research, said: 'The results suggest that carcinogenic substances related to meat preparation, rather than their inherent fat or cholesterol content, might be responsible for the association.'
Dr Nothlings said the increased cancer risk from processed meat could be due to the chemical reactions that occur during the preparation of processed meats.
They said such reactions could produce carcinogenic chemicals such as heterocyclic amines or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Professor Tim Key, Deputy Director of Cancer Research UK's Epidemiology Unit, said the study provided an 'interesting perspective' into a possible association between processed meat and pancreatic cancer.
But he added: 'The weight of research has yet to verify a definite link between the two."
MyPyramid.gov - United States Department of Agriculture - Home
The new Food PYRAMIDS are out. Short version? Eat your fruits and vegetables and get plenty of exercise.
MyPyramid.gov - United States Department of Agriculture - Home
MyPyramid.gov - United States Department of Agriculture - Home
Yahoo! News - Chili, Broccoli Help Prevent Cancer - Studies
Now do not get your hopes up too high, as the tests are still quite preliminary, but they are encouraging!
Yahoo! News - Chili, Broccoli Help Prevent Cancer - Studies: "In our studies, we decided to look at two particular cancers -- ovarian and pancreatic -- with low survival rates, to ascertain the contribution of diet and nutrition to the development of these cancers,' said Sanjay Srivastava, who led the study.
'We discovered that red chili pepper and broccoli appear to be effective inhibitors of the cancer process.'"
"Srivastava said he and colleagues tested capsaicin, which makes peppers hot, against pancreatic cancer cells in a lab dish."
What will come from this? In addition to more calls to eat well, it is likely that there will be new anti-cancer drugs:
" "Our results demonstrate that capsaicin is a potent anticancer agent, induces apoptosis in cancer cells and produces no significant damage to normal pancreatic cells, indicating its potential use as a novel chemotherapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer," Srivastava said."
Good stuff! and Good Luck!
Yahoo! News - Chili, Broccoli Help Prevent Cancer - Studies: "In our studies, we decided to look at two particular cancers -- ovarian and pancreatic -- with low survival rates, to ascertain the contribution of diet and nutrition to the development of these cancers,' said Sanjay Srivastava, who led the study.
'We discovered that red chili pepper and broccoli appear to be effective inhibitors of the cancer process.'"
"Srivastava said he and colleagues tested capsaicin, which makes peppers hot, against pancreatic cancer cells in a lab dish."
What will come from this? In addition to more calls to eat well, it is likely that there will be new anti-cancer drugs:
" "Our results demonstrate that capsaicin is a potent anticancer agent, induces apoptosis in cancer cells and produces no significant damage to normal pancreatic cells, indicating its potential use as a novel chemotherapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer," Srivastava said."
Good stuff! and Good Luck!
Green Tea May Curb Prostate Cancer in Men at Risk
Wow, it was quite the day for teas!
Yahoo! News - Green Tea May Curb Prostate Cancer in Men at Risk: "The investigator performed a trial involving men with high-grade PIN, who were given an inactive placebo preparation or one containing 600 milligrams of GTCs daily, 'equivalent to 12-15 cups of green tea infusion, that is about two times the average intake in Asian countries.'
Bettuzzi reported that, after a year, only 1 man among 32 in the GTC group developed prostate cancer, a rate of only 3 percent. In contrast, 9 out of 30 men treated with placebo developed prostate cancer, for the expected rate of 30 percent."
Bettuzzi is Dr. Saverio Bettuzzi from the University of Parma in Italy. The story is from Reuters Health.
Yahoo! News - Green Tea May Curb Prostate Cancer in Men at Risk: "The investigator performed a trial involving men with high-grade PIN, who were given an inactive placebo preparation or one containing 600 milligrams of GTCs daily, 'equivalent to 12-15 cups of green tea infusion, that is about two times the average intake in Asian countries.'
Bettuzzi reported that, after a year, only 1 man among 32 in the GTC group developed prostate cancer, a rate of only 3 percent. In contrast, 9 out of 30 men treated with placebo developed prostate cancer, for the expected rate of 30 percent."
Bettuzzi is Dr. Saverio Bettuzzi from the University of Parma in Italy. The story is from Reuters Health.
Tea May Help Prevent Diabetes And Cataracts
Tea May Help Prevent Diabetes And Cataracts: "Add another line to the list of benefits from drinking tea: New research in animals suggests that tea may be a simple, inexpensive means of preventing diabetes and its ensuing complications, including cataracts. The report, scheduled to appear in the May 4 print issue of the American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, was published March 31 on the journal's Web site."
And to that, it is important to note that both Green and Black tea were shown to be beneficial!
""Most people, scientists included, believe that green tea has more health benefits than black tea," says Joe Vinson, Ph.D., a chemist at the University of Scranton (Penn.) and lead author of the paper. In combination with Vinson's earlier research showing that green tea and black tea equally inhibit atherosclerosis -- a major risk factor for heart disease -- the findings suggest that both drinks could play a part in curbing two of the most widespread maladies in the United States today."
Make mine chai! :)
And to that, it is important to note that both Green and Black tea were shown to be beneficial!
""Most people, scientists included, believe that green tea has more health benefits than black tea," says Joe Vinson, Ph.D., a chemist at the University of Scranton (Penn.) and lead author of the paper. In combination with Vinson's earlier research showing that green tea and black tea equally inhibit atherosclerosis -- a major risk factor for heart disease -- the findings suggest that both drinks could play a part in curbing two of the most widespread maladies in the United States today."
Make mine chai! :)
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Yahoo! News - First Week Critical in Childhood Obesity - U.S. Study
I am surprised by this one! The first week?!?! tied to adult obesity.
Yahoo! News - First Week Critical in Childhood Obesity - U.S. Study: "Writing in the American Heart Association journal
Circulation, they said each additional 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of weight gained during the first eight days of life increased a baby's risk of becoming an overweight adult by about 10 percent.
The study also helps reinforce recommendations that mothers breast-feed their babies.
'For a variety of health reasons, the American Association of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding during a baby's first six months of life,' Stettler said. Breast-fed babies are less likely to be overweight"
Yahoo! News - First Week Critical in Childhood Obesity - U.S. Study: "Writing in the American Heart Association journal
Circulation, they said each additional 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of weight gained during the first eight days of life increased a baby's risk of becoming an overweight adult by about 10 percent.
The study also helps reinforce recommendations that mothers breast-feed their babies.
'For a variety of health reasons, the American Association of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding during a baby's first six months of life,' Stettler said. Breast-fed babies are less likely to be overweight"
Thursday, April 14, 2005
10-15 onions are here!
Yet another sign of spring! New crop 10-15 onions are here!
10-15 Onions are so named as traditionally they are planted on October 15 (that is 10/15). They have been bread to be extra sweet and to not cause as many tears.
FAQ About Onions - Via-Texas
10-15 Onions are so named as traditionally they are planted on October 15 (that is 10/15). They have been bread to be extra sweet and to not cause as many tears.
FAQ About Onions - Via-Texas
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Fish, Soy Oil Supplements May Cut Heart Death
It was a really small study, but the results are encouraging.
Fish, Soy Oil Supplements May Cut Heart Death: "researchers report in the April issue of Chest. Omega-3 fatty acids have been studied for their effects on heart health, depression, and arthritis.
This time, increased heart rate variability -- a marker of the changes in time intervals between heartbeats -- was noted in a small group of patients who tried fish oil or soy oil supplements for a brief time. Increased heart rate variability has been linked to a lower risk of sudden heart death."
Fish, Soy Oil Supplements May Cut Heart Death: "researchers report in the April issue of Chest. Omega-3 fatty acids have been studied for their effects on heart health, depression, and arthritis.
This time, increased heart rate variability -- a marker of the changes in time intervals between heartbeats -- was noted in a small group of patients who tried fish oil or soy oil supplements for a brief time. Increased heart rate variability has been linked to a lower risk of sudden heart death."
Antioxidant-rich diets reduce brain damage from stroke in rats
More good news!!!! Eat your veggies!
Antioxidant-rich diets reduce brain damage from stroke in rats: "'I was amazed at the extent of neuroprotection these antioxidant-rich diets provided,' said Dr. Bickford, a researcher at the USF Center for Aging and Brain Repair and James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital. 'The size of the stroke was 50 to 75 percent less in rats treated with diets supplemented with blueberries, spinach or spirulina before the stroke.' "
"The clinical implication is that increasing fruit and vegetable consumption may make a difference in the severity of a stroke," Dr. Bickford said. "It could be a readily available, inexpensive and relatively safe way to benefit stroke patients."
The study was supported by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Veterans Administration.
Antioxidant-rich diets reduce brain damage from stroke in rats: "'I was amazed at the extent of neuroprotection these antioxidant-rich diets provided,' said Dr. Bickford, a researcher at the USF Center for Aging and Brain Repair and James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital. 'The size of the stroke was 50 to 75 percent less in rats treated with diets supplemented with blueberries, spinach or spirulina before the stroke.' "
"The clinical implication is that increasing fruit and vegetable consumption may make a difference in the severity of a stroke," Dr. Bickford said. "It could be a readily available, inexpensive and relatively safe way to benefit stroke patients."
The study was supported by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Veterans Administration.
Friday, April 08, 2005
More proof that the Mediterrean Diet is good for you!
From Health Central:
"Older folks who follow a modified Mediterranean diet high in fish, fruit and vegetables tend to live longer.
"Older folks who follow a modified Mediterranean diet high in fish, fruit and vegetables tend to live longer.
That's the conclusion of a major study involving almost 75,000 seniors in nine countries. The findings, published online in the British Medical Journal, lend more support to a diet many experts consider one of the healthiest around."
Monday, April 04, 2005
Garlic may improve respiration---Larry King must be so proud!
HealthTalk CA reports that Garlic Does It Again: "Consuming garlic or even supplements, has long been asssociated with medicinal properties, such as reducing blood pressure and cholesterol to treating different types of cancer. The new study, by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers suggests small daily doses of allicin, the active chemical ingredient in garlic, appears to improve blood circulation in the lungs of rats and assist breathing."
"Study co-author David Ku said garlic isn't toxic, so adding it to one's daily diet is a reasonable approach, especially for people with respiratory and pulmonary ailments. Humans would have to eat two cloves of raw garlic a day to obtain the equivalent amount of allicin given to rats in the study."
Want a good way to get garlic? Toast Monk's bread and then rub the garlic on the hard toast. Instant Garlic bread with virtually none of the fat!
"Study co-author David Ku said garlic isn't toxic, so adding it to one's daily diet is a reasonable approach, especially for people with respiratory and pulmonary ailments. Humans would have to eat two cloves of raw garlic a day to obtain the equivalent amount of allicin given to rats in the study."
Want a good way to get garlic? Toast Monk's bread and then rub the garlic on the hard toast. Instant Garlic bread with virtually none of the fat!
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Cranberries may be good for arteries
Forbes.com:: "In a study in pigs, cranberry juice helped relax blood vessels clogged with high blood cholesterol and narrowed by atherosclerosis, according to a study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine."
In an interview with MedicalNewsToday, co-author JEss Reed commented that while teh amount of cranberries needed to replicate the study would be high, the more important way to understand teh study is to look at total daily intake of polyphenols from all sources and that this level was more easily achievable.
"the equivalent consumption of dried cranberries would be 4-8 servings, or 10-20 servings of cranberry juice, in order to achieve the levels in the current study. However, the point to be emphasized is that total polyphenol intake is very low in western diets and a diet rich in polyphenols would in fact give a daily intake that is equivalent to the levels in our cranberry feeding experiments."
FWIW: I really do not like cranberry juice, but may have to start working it into my diet. I do like cranberry sauce (especially mixed with apple sauce).
In an interview with MedicalNewsToday, co-author JEss Reed commented that while teh amount of cranberries needed to replicate the study would be high, the more important way to understand teh study is to look at total daily intake of polyphenols from all sources and that this level was more easily achievable.
"the equivalent consumption of dried cranberries would be 4-8 servings, or 10-20 servings of cranberry juice, in order to achieve the levels in the current study. However, the point to be emphasized is that total polyphenol intake is very low in western diets and a diet rich in polyphenols would in fact give a daily intake that is equivalent to the levels in our cranberry feeding experiments."
FWIW: I really do not like cranberry juice, but may have to start working it into my diet. I do like cranberry sauce (especially mixed with apple sauce).
Health Benefits Help Peanuts Shed Stigma
Yahoo! News - Health Benefits Help Peanuts Shed Stigma: "Peanuts, a dietary outcast during the fat-phobic 1990s, have made a comeback, with consumption soaring to its highest level in nearly two decades and more doctors recommending nuts as part of a heart-healthy diet"
A few quotes:
*"Mothers gave us peanuts and peanut butter. Now, we've figured out that Mom was right. But it took a lot of researchers and universities to figure that out," said Don Koehler, executive director of Georgia's Peanut Commission"
*""Now we know that the type of fat found in peanuts is actually good for us," said Lona Sandon with the American Dietetic Association. "It doesn't clog our arteries like saturated fat. It helps keep the arteries clean.""
The article points out that while peanuts are heart healthy, they are high in calories, so be careful! (Of course that could help explain why I am having some trouble getting back to racing weight, as I eat probably 2 peanut butter sandwiches a day--Smucker's Low Fat Natural peanut butter in case you are wondering! No transfat, a few fewer calories, and GREAT taste!).
A few quotes:
*"Mothers gave us peanuts and peanut butter. Now, we've figured out that Mom was right. But it took a lot of researchers and universities to figure that out," said Don Koehler, executive director of Georgia's Peanut Commission"
*""Now we know that the type of fat found in peanuts is actually good for us," said Lona Sandon with the American Dietetic Association. "It doesn't clog our arteries like saturated fat. It helps keep the arteries clean.""
The article points out that while peanuts are heart healthy, they are high in calories, so be careful! (Of course that could help explain why I am having some trouble getting back to racing weight, as I eat probably 2 peanut butter sandwiches a day--Smucker's Low Fat Natural peanut butter in case you are wondering! No transfat, a few fewer calories, and GREAT taste!).
Friday, April 01, 2005
Yahoo! News - Fruit, Veggies Tied to Lower Pancreatic Cancer Risk in men
Yahoo! News - Fruit, Veggies Tied to Lower Pancreatic Cancer Risk
Short version:
Better diet lowers pancreatic cancer risk in men. It is weird that it is only in men. Not sure why.
"The findings, based on a comparison of 585 pancreatic cancer patients and about 4,779 adults without the disease, suggest that the risk of the cancer declines as fruit and vegetable intake increases."
"For reasons that are unclear, the relationship was confined to men"
"In a separate newly published study of the same group, Ghadirian and his colleagues found that the antioxidant lycopene, specifically, appeared protective against pancreatic cancer -- again, only men"
SOURCE: International Journal of Cancer, May 1, 2005.
Short version:
Better diet lowers pancreatic cancer risk in men. It is weird that it is only in men. Not sure why.
"The findings, based on a comparison of 585 pancreatic cancer patients and about 4,779 adults without the disease, suggest that the risk of the cancer declines as fruit and vegetable intake increases."
"For reasons that are unclear, the relationship was confined to men"
"In a separate newly published study of the same group, Ghadirian and his colleagues found that the antioxidant lycopene, specifically, appeared protective against pancreatic cancer -- again, only men"
SOURCE: International Journal of Cancer, May 1, 2005.
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