ParkandShopBlog

"Evidence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk is present in the blood of adolescents who consume a lot of fructose, a scenario that worsens in the face of excess belly fat, researchers report.

2012-01-25T22:13:00.000-05:00

From ScienceDaily (a GREAT site: check them out!)

"Evidence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk is present in the blood of adolescents who consume a lot of fructose, a scenario that worsens in the face of excess belly fat, researchers report.

"An analysis of 559 adolescents age 14-18 correlated high-fructose diets with higher blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin resistance and inflammatory factors that contribute to heart and vascular disease.

Heavy consumers of the mega-sweetener also tend to have lower levels of cardiovascular protectors such as such as HDL cholesterol and adiponectin, according to researchers at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Health Sciences University"

Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have A Dream" Speech - YouTube

2012-01-16T02:16:00.001-05:00

In Honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Inadvertent new recipe: cold oatmeal

2011-12-06T10:45:00.000-05:00

Image by TheCulinaryGeek via FlickrInadvertent new recipe: cold oatmeal

Sometimes the best findings are not by a planned strategy, but by mistake. Such was my finding that cold oatmeal is REALLY good!

I was rushing out the other day to work with BonaResponds (who is in need of local volunteers over break with all of the students gone, but that is another story) and just made some oatmeal. But I got sidetracked and was going to be even later than normal to meet so I threw the already made oatmeal into the refrigerator. When I came back in the evening I was starving, so I tried the oatmeal. It was excellent! So good in fact I have made it a couple of times since.

Hint add raisins and a bit of extra water!

Extra hint: add chia seeds if you have them!

Benefits:

You can make it ahead.
Good for you.
Have for a snack throughout the day.
Tastes wonderful!
Cheap

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T16:21:00.001-05:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM ALL OF US, Pie by Nicole

Can of Soup a Day Linked to High BPA Levels in Urine

2011-11-24T00:51:00.001-05:00

Can of Soup a Day Linked to High BPA Levels in Urine:

"Eating just one 12-ounce serving of canned soup a day for five days straight may lead to more than a 1,000% increase in the amount of the controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in your urine, a new study shows.

BPA is a chemical used in the manufacturing of many metal food and beverage cans, among other uses.

The canned soup study did not look at how -- or even if -- the BPA spike in urine affects health. This is a major sticking point for many critics of the study who caution against overinterpreting the findings."

Sugary drinks hurt even skinny women's hearts - TODAY Health - TODAY.com

2011-11-14T13:27:00.000-05:00

Sugary drinks hurt even skinny women's hearts - TODAY Health - TODAY.com:

"Whatever the form — sweet tea, soda, or coffee drinks that look like desserts — women who drank two or more sweet beverages a day were at an increased risk for heart disease, even if they did not gain weight over the five-year study, according to the findings presented Sunday at the American Heart Association's meeting in Orlando, Fla"

Fatty Foods Addictive as Cocaine in Growing Body of Science - Bloomberg

2011-11-06T00:32:00.000-04:00

Fatty Foods Addictive as Cocaine in Growing Body of Science - Bloomberg:

A growing body of medical research at leading universities and government laboratories suggests that processed foods and sugary drinks made by the likes of PepsiCo Inc. and Kraft Foods Inc. (KFT) aren’t simply unhealthy. They can hijack the brain in ways that resemble addictions to cocaine, nicotine and other drugs.

“The data is so overwhelming the field has to accept it,” said Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. “We are finding tremendous overlap between drugs in the brain and food in the brain.”

BBC News - Aspirin and cancer prevention

2011-10-31T12:41:00.000-04:00

BBC News - Aspirin and cancer prevention:

DO NOT GO CRAZY ON THIS...go ask your doctor.

"New research from Newcastle University seems to support the theory that aspirin may have a preventive effect.

Also published in the Lancet, it shows that, over two years, taking aspirin reduced the incidence of bowel cancer by 63% in a group of 861 people who were at high risk of the disease because they had Lynch syndrome.

Last year's study had been designed to look at preventing heart disease, but it also found that long-term use of aspirin reduced deaths from cancer by around 25%."

Eating your greens can change the effect of your genes on heart disease

2011-10-13T13:01:00.000-04:00

Eating your greens can change the effect of your genes on heart disease

"The researchers discovered the gene that is the strongest marker for heart disease can actually be modified by generous amounts of fruit and raw vegetables. The results of their study are published in the current issue of the journal PLoS Medicine.
"We know that 9p21 genetic variants increase the risk of heart disease for those that carry it," said Dr. Jamie Engert, joint principal investigator of the study, who is a researcher in cardiovascular diseases at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and associate member in the Department of Human Genetics at McGill University. "But it was a surprise to find that a healthy diet could significantly weaken its effect.""

Certain foods may be the best medicine for lowering 'bad' cholesterol - latimes.com

2011-08-25T10:34:00.000-04:00

Certain foods may be the best medicine for lowering 'bad' cholesterol - latimes.com:

"...new research has found that when it comes to lowering artery-clogging cholesterol, what you eat may be more important than what you don't eat.

Released online Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Assn., the study found that incorporating several cholesterol-lowering foods — such as soy protein and nuts — into a diet can reduce bad cholesterol far more effectively than a diet low in saturated fat.

In fact, the authors assert, levels of LDL, the "bad" cholesterol, can drop to half that seen by many patients who take statins..."

The 'heart attack proof' diet? - CNN.com

2011-08-21T02:42:00.001-04:00

The 'heart attack proof' diet? - CNN.com:

" For more than 20 years, the Cleveland Clinic doctor has tried to get Americans to eat like the Papua New Guinea highlanders, rural Chinese, central Africans and the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico.

Follow his dietary prescription, the 77-year-old Esselstyn says, and you will be "heart attack proof" -- regardless of your family history.

"It's a foodborne illness, and we're never going to end the epidemic with stents, with bypasses, with the drugs, because none of it is treating causation of the illness," Esselstyn says.

The Esselstyn diet is tough for most Americans to swallow: no meat, no eggs, no dairy, no added oils."

BTW the Tarahumara Indians are showcased in the Born to Run book. HIGHLY recommended! Here is a good video on them.

Eating dried plums prevent osteoporosis - The Times of India

2011-08-20T20:38:00.000-04:00

Eating dried plums prevent osteoporosis - The Times of India:

"The group that consumed dried plums had significantly higher bone mineral density in the ulna (one of two long bones in the forearm) and spine, in comparison with the group that ate dried apples.

This, according to Arjmandi, was due in part to the ability of dried plums to suppress the rate of bone resorption, or the breakdown of bone, which tends to exceed the rate of new bone growth as people age.

Arjmandi encourages people who are interested in maintaining or improving their bone health to take note of the extraordinarily positive effect that dried plums have on bone density."

Phys Ed: How Chocolate Can Help Your Workout - NYTimes.com

2011-08-03T10:49:00.000-04:00

Phys Ed: How Chocolate Can Help Your Workout - NYTimes.com:

Good news: eating chocolate and also exercising may create a synergistic response in the body:

"The muscles of all of the animals that had been given epicatechin contained new capillaries, as well as biochemical markers indicating that their cells were making new mitochondria. Mitochondria are structures in cells that produce cellular energy. The more functioning mitochondria a muscle contains, the healthier and more fatigue-resistant it is."

But alas the news is not all good:

"“A very small amount is probably enough,” Dr. Villarreal said. Extrapolating from his group’s mouse data, he said, five grams of dark chocolate daily, or just a sixth of an ounce — about half of one square of a typical chocolate bar — is probably a reasonable human dose if your aim is to intensify the effects of a workout."

It goes on to say that too much chocolate may even reverse the findings. Maybe you can have too much of a good thing.

Chew More, Eat Less?

2011-08-01T20:15:00.000-04:00

Chew More, Eat Less?:

Interesting:

From the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition:

Main findings:

"participants ate 11.9% fewer calories in the meal where they chewed 40 times per bite compared to the meal where they only chewed 15 times per bite.

In both the lean and the obese participants, chewing 40 times per bite resulted in lower blood levels of ghrelin (a hormone that stimulates appetite) and higher levels of cholecystokinin (CCK, a hormone that signals fulness and tells the stomach to slow down digestion), than chewing 15 times per bite."

Taking daily aspirin to prevent a heart attack? Don't stop, warn doctors - HealthPop - CBS News

2011-07-21T11:17:00.000-04:00

Taking daily aspirin to prevent a heart attack? Don't stop, warn doctors - HealthPop - CBS News:

The conclusion of this one: Once you start, don't start without the help of a doctor:

"Doctors have long said taking daily low-dose aspirin helps prevent a myocardial infarction, or heart attack. But a new study warns these patients that they shouldn't stop taking aspirin- or they could die.

Spanish researchers report that patients who stop taking daily low-dose aspirin are 60 percent more likely to have a heart attack within a year."

Some really fast, easy, and good for you recipes

2011-07-16T02:36:00.001-04:00

Image via WikipediaI feel bad I have not done the blog like I had hoped when I started it. I have only been linking to stories, I rarely give comments to or write my own articles, so I will try again:

* I had one of the best dinners I have had in years tonight. (indeed maybe since my first night in Barcelona back in 2008). Mushroom, spinach, and Newman's Sockarooni sauce. I cooked the mushrooms (about 5 minutes), the spinach (about 3 minutes) in a frying pan with some garlic and oregano. Then for the last minute I added the tomato sauce. Amazingly good and fast. (Clean up: one bowl, one frying pan, one spoon).

* Want another fast meal? Take frozen Birdseye SteamFresh Specially Seasoned Southwestern Corn, microwave for about 1 minute, add some beans and spinach for about another 90 seconds. Serve with some salsa. Total cooking time about 3 minutes, 1 bowl. Delicious.

* One more easy, good for you treat: wash some grapes then freeze them. Surprisingly good. Probably better than even room temperature grapes if that is possible.

* Blueberries are in season. Highly recommended. My favorite fruit. Easy, fast, and good for you. Oh and SOOOO good! Try them in applesauce with walnuts. Or in Oatmeal. Or in cereal. Or by themselves. You get the idea.

‪AtGoogleTalks's Channel‬‏ - YouTube

2011-07-14T16:09:00.000-04:00

‪AtGoogleTalks's Channel‬‏ - YouTube

I had NO idea it was that easy to make your own pasta. I will have to try it sometime.

A reversal on carbs - Los Angeles Times

2011-07-14T11:17:00.000-04:00

A reversal on carbs - Los Angeles Times

"Fat is not the problem," says Dr. Walter Willett, chairman of the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. "If Americans could eliminate sugary beverages, potatoes, white bread, pasta, white rice and sugary snacks, we would wipe out almost all the problems we have with weight and diabetes and other metabolic diseases."
It's a confusing message. For years we've been fed the line that eating fat would make us fat and lead to chronic illnesses. "Dietary fat used to be public enemy No. 1," says Dr. Edward Saltzman, associate professor of nutrition and medicine at Tufts University. "Now a growing and convincing body of science is pointing the finger at carbs, especially those containing refined flour and sugar.""

Eating nuts daily could help control Type 2 diabetes and prevent complications, study suggests

2011-07-12T13:44:00.000-04:00

Eating nuts daily could help control Type 2 diabetes and prevent complications, study suggests:

"In the research, published online by the journal Diabetes Care, a team of researchers led by Dr. David Jenkins (University of Toronto Department of Nutritional Sciences; St. Michael's Hospital Risk Factor Modification Centre) reports that consuming two ounces of nuts daily as a replacement for carbohydrates proved effective at glycemic and serum lipid control for people with Type 2 diabetes.

'Mixed, unsalted, raw, or dry-roasted nuts have benefits for both blood glucose control and blood lipids and may be used as part of a strategy to improve diabetes control without weight gain,' said Dr. Jenkins"

Study Recommends Increasing Potassium to Improve Heart Health - WSJ.com

2011-07-12T01:35:00.000-04:00

Study Recommends Increasing Potassium to Improve Heart Health - WSJ.com:

"A new study suggests that in addition to cutting the amount of sodium in their diets to improve heart health, Americans should also increase consumption of a key mineral found in many fruits and vegetables: potassium.
Researchers then looked at what is called the sodium-potassium ratio. A high sodium-potassium ratio means a person consumes more sodium relative to potassium. Sodium-potassium ratios could be improved by either lowering sodium intake or raising potassium intake, or both.
The study found that people with the highest ratios were more than twice as likely to die from a heart attack compared with those with the lowest ratios. They also were 46% more likely to die from a heart-related death compared with those with the lowest ratios."

Empirical evidence for something I think I read in Runners World back in High School (Pete Pfitzinger I think?? said it.)

Secondhand Smoke May Boost Risk of Learning Problems, ADHD Secondhand Smoke May Boost Risk of Learning Problems, ADHD

2011-07-11T13:12:00.000-04:00

Secondhand Smoke May Boost Risk of Learning Problems, ADHD Secondhand Smoke May Boost Risk of Learning Problems, ADHD:

"Children exposed to secondhand smoke in the home are more likely than children in smoke-free homes to develop behavior and learning problems, according to new research. These include learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and behavior and conduct disorders.

Worse, the problems often come in twos or more.

'We found that children who are exposed to secondhand smoke in the home have a 50% increased odds of having two or three of these common neurobehavioral disorders,' says researcher Hillel Alpert, ScM, at the Harvard School of Public Health."

Avocados and your health

2011-07-08T16:20:00.000-04:00

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeI am always impressed with the quality of information from BeachBody. This is no exception. The focus is on avocado, it also talks about olives and coconuts.

Team Beachbody - Newsletters:

"The avocado. It's hard to believe, really, that something so rich and buttery-tasting is a fruit. To me, an avocado is one of nature's perfect foods, straight from the tree to you. It's simple, packs a lot of energy, and satisfies your hunger.

Ounce for ounce, an avocado has as many total grams of fat as a Big Mac®, something that led to its being vilified during the 'fat free' diet crazes of the past. Seventy-five percent of the calories in an avocado come from fat, whereas most fruits derive their calories from sugars. But ever since nutritionists sorted out the difference between bad and good monounsaturated fats, the avocado has been voted back onto the island.

Half a California avocado has an excellent overall nutrient profile: 114 calories, 2 grams of protein, 4.5 grams of fiber, and 11 grams of fat, most of which (8 grams) is monounsaturated fat.

The monounsaturated fat found in avocados is mostly oleic acid, which, according to a 1996 study by researchers at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social in Mexico, may help lower cholesterol. This study found that after seven days of a diet rich in avocados, subjects saw significant decreases in both total and LDL ('bad') cholesterol, as well as an 11 percent increase in HDL ('good') cholesterol."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Cheerios!

2011-06-26T09:14:00.000-04:00

Image via WikipediaNice to know that our top selling cereal is also the top selling cereal in America:

From USA Today

One out of every eight boxes of cereal to leave the shelf in America carries the Cheerios name.

ANd as many locals know, they are made in Buffalo:

"The company's waterfront plant in Buffalo has been firing them off since 1941, often cloaking the city with a distinctive toasty-with-a-sweet-finish aroma and inspiring T-shirts announcing "My city smells like Cheerios." ....
Since then, the company's introduced several new flavors, starting with Honey Nut in 1979 and last year, chocolate."

Quality of food affects weight loss - The Times of India

2011-06-23T10:25:00.000-04:00

Quality of food affects weight loss - The Times of India:

"...focusing on calories alone would not keep you slim.Instead, the best way to stay a healthy weight is eat nutritious and filling foods of good quality, especially when it comes to carbohydrates.

'An average adult gains about 1lb per year. Because the weight gain is so gradual and occurs over many years, it has been difficult for scientists and for individuals themselves to understand the specific factors that may be responsible,' the Daily Express quoted study co-author Dr Dariush Mozaffaria as saying....

The findings have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine."

USDA serves nutrition guidelines on 'My Plate' - USATODAY.com

2011-06-02T22:57:00.000-04:00

USDA serves nutrition guidelines on 'My Plate' - USATODAY.com:

"The icon (www.choosemyplate.gov), called My Plate, is divided into four sections — fruits, vegetables, grains and protein. It replaces the familiar pyramid image, which was first introduced in 1992 and revised in 2005. Many nutritionists said the pyramid had become too complicated for people to understand easily.

From the NY Times:

"The plate is split into four sections, for fruit, vegetables, grains and protein. A smaller circle sits beside it for dairy products....This is a quick, simple reminder for all of us to be more mindful of the foods that we’re eating,” Mrs. Obama said. “We’re all bombarded with so many dietary messages that it’s hard to find time to sort through all this information, but we do have time to take a look at our kids’ plates.” "

Food addiction: Brain Activity Shows Similarities To Drug Addiction - latimes.com

2011-04-05T09:55:00.000-04:00

Food addiction: Brain Activity Shows Similarities To Drug Addiction - latimes.com:

"...the brains of subjects who scored higher on the food addiction scale exhibited neural activity similar to that seen in drug addicts, with greater activity in brain regions responsible for cravings and less activity in the regions that curb urges....

Gearhardt says the findings suggest that certain triggers, such as advertisements for food, have not just a psychological, but a physiological, effect on certain people.

'We found that the high food addiction group showed low inhibition....

That's especially significant, she said, when so many processed foods trigger strong reward responses in our brains."

Fat Alone, Not Where It Sits, May Be Key to Heart Problems

2011-03-12T07:19:00.000-05:00

Fat Alone, Not Where It Sits, May Be Key to Heart Problems:

"In a finding that contradicts earlier research, an international study suggests that being obese boosts the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke regardless of where the excess fat is stored in the body.

That challenges the widely adopted notion that not all obesity is alike, with so-called apple-shaped people, who carry fat mainly in their midsections, facing a bigger risk for heart problems than those whose excess fat is carried on the hips or elsewhere.

Not so, say the researchers behind the new study. When it comes to obesity and heart disease, no excess fat is good fat, regardless of where it ends up, their analysis has found."

Need more evidence why you should be eating more fruits and vegetables?

2011-02-19T01:27:00.001-05:00

Pretty impressive! From VegSource.com

A diet higher in fiber, particularly grains, may lead to a longer life, a study finds - latimes.com

2011-02-14T22:43:00.000-05:00

A diet higher in fiber, particularly grains, may lead to a longer life, a study finds - latimes.com:

"Those who consumed diets higher in fiber had a lower risk of death. The 20% of men and women who ate the most fiber (29.4 grams per day for men and 25.8 grams for women) had a 22% lower risk of dying compared with those who ate the least amount (12.6 grams per day for men and 10.8 for women).

Diets high in fiber were linked with a lower risk of death from all causes, as well as death from cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases and respiratory diseases in men and women. Eating fiber was associated with a lower death risk from cancer for men, but the same was not seen in women."

Cranberries’ Reputation as Infection Fighter Is Hard to Confirm - NYTimes.com

2011-02-03T10:21:00.000-05:00

Cranberries’ Reputation as Infection Fighter Is Hard to Confirm - NYTimes.com:

"Now a large, impeccably designed and executed study of cranberry juice has found that the presumed active compound apparently has no effect. And yet the newest study closed no doors. It may simply mean that the juice works, but by an unknown mechanism.

How can one little berry be so difficult to pin down?

For one thing, the cranberry contains more than 200 active substances in addition to vitamin C, citric acid and an array of other acids.... More to the point, urine from both mice and people who drank modest amounts of cranberry juice also prevented bacterial adherence."

Team Beachbody - Newsletters

2011-01-27T10:19:00.000-05:00

Team Beachbody - Newsletters:

"Why we crave sugar. According to AskDrSears.com, 'Sweets trigger an increase in the hormone serotonin—a mood-elevating hormone. The body and brain get used to this higher level of serotonin and even depend on it for a sense of well-being. So when our serotonin level dips, (we dip) into the (sweets) to 'correct' the situation.' According to the Web site, sweets also 'trigger the release of endorphins . . . the brain's natural narcotics, helping you to relax when stressed.'

You've probably noticed that although sugar gives you an initial high (a rapid spike in your blood sugar), you crash several hours later, leaving you wanting more."

Lettuce price soars as fungus spreads | The Packer

2011-01-22T00:52:00.000-05:00

Lettuce price soars as fungus spreads | The Packer:

"Cartons of 24 went for $22.56 to $24.50 on Jan. 18, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The week before, it was $12.45 to $13.47. Year-ago prices were in the $7 range..."

Yikes. Higher lettuce prices for a while.

Mark Hyman, MD: How Eating at Home Can Save Your Life

2011-01-13T21:04:00.000-05:00

Mark Hyman, MD: How Eating at Home Can Save Your Life:

"Research shows that children who have regular meals with their parents do better in every way, from better grades, to healthier relationships, to staying out of trouble. They are 42 percent less likely to drink, 50 percent less likely to smoke and 66 percent less like to smoke marijuana. Regular family dinners protect girls from bulimia, anorexia, and diet pills. Family dinners also reduce the incidence of childhood obesity. In a study on household routines and obesity in U.S. preschool-aged children, it was shown that kids as young as four have a lower risk of obesity if they eat regular family dinners, have enough sleep, and don't watch TV on weekdays.

We complain of not having enough time to cook, but Americans spend more time watching cooking on the Food Network than actually preparing their own meals. In his series, 'Food Revolution,' Jamie Oliver showed us how we have raised a generation of Americans who can't recognize a single vegetable or fruit, and don't know how to cook."

Eating Advice From the China Study - NYTimes.com

2011-01-10T10:51:00.000-05:00

Eating Advice From the China Study - NYTimes.com:

"The book focuses on the knowledge gained from the China Study, a 20-year partnership of Cornell University, Oxford University and the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine that showed high consumption of animal-based foods is associated with more chronic disease, while those who ate primarily a plant-based diet were the healthiest.

Last fall, former President Bill Clinton even cited the book in explaining how he lost 24 pounds by converting to a plant-based diet in hopes of improving his heart health"

More reason to visit our produce section! (and btw frozen fruits and vegetables have been shown to be almost as nutritious and keep much better and are cheaper, so don't overlook frozen either :) ).

10 Reasons to Quit Smoking: Cost, Smell, Wrinkles, and More

2010-12-23T11:45:00.000-05:00

10 Reasons to Quit Smoking: Cost, Smell, Wrinkles, and More:

"As many as 75%-80% of smokers say they'd like to quit. But it takes the average smoker five to 10 attempts before successfully quitting.

For some smokers, it's the little things that motivate quitting. Things like the smell it leaves on your clothes, the way people react when they find out you're a smoker, the stains it leaves on your teeth -- everyday aggravations that can add up to a tipping point to kick the habit.

Here are 10 common daily side effects of smoking that often create the incentive to quit."

No matter what spurs you to quit, please do quit.

A Worldwide Day's Worth of Food

2010-12-23T11:38:00.000-05:00

A Worldwide Day's Worth of Food

Time has a really cool photo essay of a day's food for people around the world. Really interesting.

Day's Worth of Food

BBC News - Chinese archaeologists unearth 2,400-year-old 'soup'

2010-12-13T10:13:00.000-05:00

BBC News - Chinese archaeologists unearth 2,400-year-old 'soup':

"Chinese archaeologists have unearthed what they believe is a 2,400-year-old pot of soup, state media report.

The liquid and bones were in a sealed bronze cooking vessel dug up near the ancient capital of Xian - home to the country's famed terracotta warriors."

Quitting smoking improves mood - The Times of India

2010-12-05T08:52:00.000-05:00

Quitting smoking improves mood - The Times of India:

" But a new study has shown that quitting makes people happier.

In the new study, researchers tracked the symptoms of depression in people who were trying to quit and found that they were never happier than when they were being successful, for however long that was."

Yet another reason to quit!

Art Smith, Elmo Team up to Cook up Good Nutrition - ABC News

2010-11-24T10:31:00.000-05:00

Art Smith, Elmo Team up to Cook up Good Nutrition - ABC News:

"The program provides families with an educational outreach kit which includes a video featuring four new Muppets, the 'Super foods' — banana, cheese, whole-grain roll and broccoli. The video also features Elmo and friends, plus real families, as they try new foods, learn about healthy snacks and discover the importance of sharing a meal together.

And, of course, the broccoli knows how to boogie.

Soy Isoflavones May Modify Risk of Breast Cancer

2010-11-09T07:26:00.000-05:00

Soy Isoflavones May Modify Risk of Breast Cancer: "Those women with the highest isoflavone intake had an approximately 30 percent decreased risk of having an invasive breast tumor, and an approximately 60 percent decreased risk of having a grade 1 tumor."

No link seen between high-carb diet, colon cancer | Reuters

2010-11-03T20:58:00.000-04:00

No link seen between high-carb diet, colon cancer | Reuters:

"For the new study, researchers followed 73,000 middle-aged and older Chinese women over a decade, looking at the association between reported diet habits and the risk of developing colon cancer.

The women...completed detailed diet questionnaires that allowed the researchers to estimate the total glycemic load of their diets.

...When the researchers divided the study participants into five groups based on dietary glycemic load, they found no evidence that the women's risk of colorectal cancer increased along with glycemic load."

Eating Peanuts While Pregnant May Up Allergy Risk

2010-11-03T09:33:00.000-04:00

From WebMD: Eating Peanuts While Pregnant May Up Allergy Risk:

"The children were 3- to 15-months old, and none had been diagnosed with peanut allergies. Blood testing revealed that 140 had a strong sensitivity to peanuts.
....But not everyone with high IgE levels is allergic, Sicherer says.

Maternal consumption of peanuts during pregnancy was strongly predictive for this sensitivity, the researchers reported.

The study appears in the November issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology"

Green Tea Likely To Have No Effect On Breast Cancer Risk

2010-11-03T09:30:00.000-04:00

Green Tea Likely To Have No Effect On Breast Cancer Risk:

"A new study published in the current edition of the journal Breast Cancer Research suggests that drinking green tea does not significantly decrease the risk for developing breast cancer. The study, performed by researchers from the National Cancer Center in Tokyo, Japan, calls an age-old belief into question"

and later

""Although in vitro and animal-based studies have suggested that green tea may have beneficial protective effects against breast cancer, results from human studies have been inconclusive, our large-scale, population-based prospective cohort study is one of the first to include a wide range of tea intakes; women who drank green tea less than one cup per week to those who drank 10 or more cups per day," Iwasaki says in a statement."

Study: Alzheimer's risk spikes 157% with heavy smoking - USATODAY.com

2010-10-25T22:57:00.000-04:00

Study: Alzheimer's risk spikes 157% with heavy smoking - USATODAY.com:

"The study is the first to examine the long-term consequences of heavy smoking on Alzheimer's and vascular dementia, says the study's principal investigator, Rachel Whitmer, a research scientist with Kaiser Permanente in Oakland.
.... Compared with non-smokers, those who had smoked two packs of cigarettes a day increased their risk of developing Alzheimer's by more than 157% and had a 172% higher risk of developing vascular dementia — the second-most-common form of dementia after Alzheimer's. The research is published online in the Archives of Internal Medicine."

foodconsumer.org - Drinking green tea helps prevent breast cancer

2010-10-25T09:04:00.000-04:00

foodconsumer.org - Drinking green tea helps prevent breast cancer:

"Adeyemi A. Ogunleye at Harvard School of Public Health and colleagues reviewed previous studies and found there was an inverse association between drinking green tea and risk of breast cancer recurrence.....

The current study is a review based on two studies of breast cancer recurrence and seven studies of breast cancer incidence associated with drinking green tea published between 1998 and 2009.
Drinking more than 3 cups of green tea a day was correlated with 27 percent reduced risk of breast cancer recurrence, the review study showed. The risk reduction was statistically significant.

Told to Eat Its Vegetables, America Orders Fries - NYTimes.com

2010-10-05T09:43:00.000-04:00

Told to Eat Its Vegetables, America Orders Fries - NYTimes.com:

"Despite two decades of public health initiatives, stricter government dietary guidelines, record growth of farmers’ markets and the ease of products like salad in a bag, Americans still aren’t eating enough vegetables.

This month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a comprehensive nationwide behavioral study of fruit and vegetable consumption. Only 26 percent of the nation’s adults eat vegetables three or more times a day, it concluded. (And no, that does not include French fries.)

These results fell far short of health objectives set by the federal government a decade ago. The amount of vegetables Americans eat is less than half of what public health officials had hoped. Worse, it has barely budged since 2000.

Let's make the change today. Do what the government has been able to do. Join our movement: eat your veggies!

BBC News - Drinking water before meals helps dieting, says study

2010-08-25T22:30:00.000-04:00

Drinking water before meals may be a way to lower calorie intake.

From the BBC:

"A previous study found that middle-aged and older people who drank two glasses of water before eating a meal ate between 75 and 90 fewer calories during that meal.

Professor Brenda Davy, senior author of the study, from Virginia Tech, said it was the first randomised controlled trial looking at water consumption and dieting.
She said the reason water may be so effective is because it fills up the stomach with a liquid that has no calories.

"People should drink more water and less sugary, high-calorie drinks. It's a simple way to facilitate weight management," Professor Davy said."

Study Finds Even a Little Cigarette Smoke Harms Airway - US News and World Report

2010-08-21T19:56:00.000-04:00

Study Finds Even a Little Cigarette Smoke Harms Airway - US News and World Report:

"according to a new study that finds even low levels of smoke exposure can cause irreparable damage...

The damage occurred among 'casual' smokers and even after exposure to secondhand smoke. The initial damage, while not usually severe, can be cumulative and prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke could lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and even lung cancer, the researchers reported.

and later

"The bottom line: "There is no level of cigarette smoking or exposure to cigarette smoke that does not make the cells in your lungs sick," he said. "If you are an occasional smoker you are still at risk. Don't think that smoking one or two cigarettes a week means you are home free."

The study was based on urine tests and examination of genes looking for DNA damage.

BBC News - Green leafy veg 'may cut diabetes risk'

2010-08-20T04:42:00.000-04:00

BBC News - Green leafy veg 'may cut diabetes risk':

"A diet rich in green leafy vegetables may reduce the risk of developing diabetes, UK research says.

In an analysis of six studies into fruit and vegetable intake, only food including spinach and cabbage was found to have a significant positive effect.

Moose Offer Trail of Clues on Arthritis - NYTimes.com

2010-08-17T08:08:00.000-04:00

Moose Offer Trail of Clues on Arthritis - NYTimes.com:

"The arthritic Bullwinkles got that way because of poor nutrition early in life, an extraordinary 50-year research project has discovered. That could mean, scientists say, that some people’s arthritis can be linked in part to nutritional deficits, in the womb and possibly throughout childhood.

The moose conclusion bolsters a small but growing body of research connecting early development to chronic conditions like osteoarthritis..."

Fascinating! And stresses importance of diet THROUGHOUT life.

BBC News - Fit heart can slow brain ageing, US researchers say

2010-08-03T14:58:00.000-04:00

BBC News - Fit heart can slow brain ageing, US researchers say:

Need another reason to get more exercise? Here you go:

"A Boston University team found healthy people with sluggish hearts that pumped out less blood had 'older' brains on scans than others."

Note: I got this from the BBC and as they do over in England, added an "e" to the spelling of aging.

Obesity Tops 30% in Nine States, Triple 2007 Total, U.S. Says - Bloomberg

2010-08-03T14:40:00.000-04:00

Obesity Tops 30% in Nine States, Triple 2007 Total, U.S. Says - Bloomberg:

"The U.S. is losing the battle of the bulge.

No state in the nation met this year’s targets for reducing obesity, and the number of states reporting an obesity rate of 30 percent or more has tripled, to nine, since 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report today. About 75 million Americans now are considered obese, the Atlanta-based CDC said."

Calcium supplements may boost heart attack risk - CNN.com

2010-07-29T23:28:00.000-04:00

Calcium supplements may boost heart attack risk - CNN.com:

"people taking calcium supplements should not stop without consulting their doctor, says John Baron, M.D. a professor of medicine at Dartmouth Medical School, in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and a co-author of the study. More research is needed to confirm and clarify the results, he says......Although the increase in risk associated with calcium supplements was small, it could represent a large number of additional heart attacks in the general population because of how many people take the supplements, the authors note....The findings do not imply that people should reduce the amount of calcium in their diet, Hayes stresses."

- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Smithsonian video on the history of the potato

2010-07-29T00:48:00.003-04:00

Hummus: great tasting, good for you, and a key to Middle East peace?

2010-07-19T15:06:00.000-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

So might hummus be the key to world peace? If it can get Lebanon and Israel together, who knows?

From NPR:

"It took 300 chefs, hours of work and 10 tons of hummus, but on May 8, Lebanon broke the world record for the largest bowl of hummus.

This record more than doubles the last record of 4 tons held by Israel, which broke the former record of 2 tons held by Lebanon, which broke the modest record of 700 pounds held by Israel. This, in short, is the history of the Big War Of Hummus."

and later:

"The truth is, no one is really sure about the origins of hummus. Chickpeas were cultivated about 6,000 years ago in the Middle East and have been widely available there ever since. Archaeologists found the first evidence of hummus in the area that is now Israel from the time of the crusaders."

Phys Ed: Your Brain on Exercise - Well Blog - NYTimes.com

2010-07-08T23:37:00.000-04:00

Get out there and exercise!

Phys Ed: Your Brain on Exercise - Well Blog - NYTimes.com:

"...mice given access to running wheels had about 50 percent less BMP-related brain activity within a week. They also showed a notable increase in Noggin, a beautifully named brain protein that acts as a BMP antagonist. The more Noggin in your brain, the less BMP activity exists and the more stem cell divisions and neurogenesis you experience. Mice at Northwestern whose brains were infused directly with large doses of Noggin became, Dr. Kessler says, “little mouse geniuses, if there is such a thing.” They aced the mazes and other tests.

Whether exercise directly reduces BMP activity or increases production of Noggin isn’t yet known and may not matter. The results speak for themselves. “If ever exercise enthusiasts wanted a rationale for what they’re doing, this should be it,” Dr. Kessler says. Exercise, he says, through a complex interplay with Noggin and BMP, helps to ensure that neuronal stem cells stay lively and new brain cells are born."

Fish oil may reduce risk of breast cancer

2010-07-08T13:57:00.001-04:00

Fish oil may reduce risk of breast cancer:

"Regular use of fish oil supplements, which contain high levels of the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, was linked with a 32 percent reduced risk of breast cancer. The reduction in risk appeared to be restricted to invasive ductal breast cancer, the most common type of the disease."

Key mechanism links virgin olive oil to protection against breast cancer

2010-07-02T14:01:00.000-04:00

Key mechanism links virgin olive oil to protection against breast cancer:

"Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Western countries. Research carried out with animal models demonstrate that a diet rich in fats is directly related to the incidence of cancer. Some types of fats however can play a protective role against the development of these tumours. Such is the case of virgin olive oil, rich in oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated fatty acid, and containing several bioactive compounds such as antioxidants. A moderate and regular intake of virgin olive oil, characteristic of the Mediterranean diet, is associated with low incidences of specific types of cancer, including breast cancer, as well as with having a protective role against coronary diseases and other health problems.

The study carried out by UAB researchers decoded the mechanisms operating within the tumour cell and induced by the intake of olive oil, in comparison to those activated by corn oil, rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which increase the aggressiveness of tumours."

Coffee or tea: Enjoy both in moderation for heart benefits, Dutch study suggests

2010-07-01T11:06:00.000-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

The article finds tea slightly better than coffee but both seemingly heart healthy!

Coffee or tea: Enjoy both in moderation for heart benefits, Dutch study suggests:

"Coffee and tea drinkers may not need to worry about indulging -- high and moderate consumption of tea and moderate coffee consumption are linked with reduced heart disease, according to a study published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association"

Kids Think Food Tastes Better From Cartoon-Decorated Packages, Study Finds - ABC News

2010-06-21T09:39:00.000-04:00

Kids Think Food Tastes Better From Cartoon-Decorated Packages, Study Finds - ABC News:

"Today, researchers from Yale University announced the results of a small study which confirmed that, to children at least, food that's marketed with cartoons tastes better."

I hope this one comes as a surprise to no one.

B vitamins linked to depression risk in older adults | Reuters

2010-06-20T12:41:00.000-04:00

B vitamins linked to depression risk in older adults | Reuters:

"Older adults with relatively low intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 may have a higher risk of developing depression than those who get more of the nutrients, a new study suggests....Vitamin B6 is found in a range of foods, including beans, potatoes, bananas, meat, chicken, peanut butter and certain fish, like salmon and tuna."

Do not change diet plans etc on the basis of this one study...there are some relatively major weaknesses.

Rich or Poor, Nonsmokers Are Happier - Economix Blog - NYTimes.com

2010-06-16T13:40:00.000-04:00

Rich or Poor, Nonsmokers Are Happier - Economix Blog - NYTimes.com:

"...survey data has found that smokers are less happy than nonsmokers across all income levels....Of course, this well-being gap presents a chicken-and-egg problem: to what extent are people worse off because they smoke, and to what extent do they smoke because they’re worse off?"

Brown Rice May Lower Risk of Diabetes, Says a Harvard School of Public Health Study in the Archives of Internal Medicine. - WSJ.com

2010-06-14T19:00:00.000-04:00

Brown Rice May Lower Risk of Diabetes, Says a Harvard School of Public Health Study in the Archives of Internal Medicine. - WSJ.com:

"Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health say their study is the first to look at the relationship between rice intake and diabetes in a U.S. population. The authors based their findings on diet, lifestyle and health information from three studies covering 197,228 health-care workers, 80% of them women.

They found that eating five or more servings of white rice per week was associated with a slightly higher risk of type 2 diabetes than eating less than one serving a month. Eating two or more servings a week of brown rice, however, was associated with slightly lower risk."

Secondhand Smoke Linked to Mental Distress - US News and World Report

2010-06-08T19:21:00.000-04:00

Secondhand Smoke Linked to Mental Distress - US News and World Report:

"As exposure to cigarette fumes increases among nonsmokers, so does their risk of developing serious psychological distress and of being hospitalized for mental ailments, a new study finds.
Click here to find out more!

Cigarette smokers have been shown to have more psychological problems than nonsmokers do, and new evidence suggests that nonsmokers who inhale high levels of secondhand smoke may experience nearly as much psychological distress as smokers...."

Burger & Fries Worsen Asthma, Study Suggests | LiveScience

2010-05-16T22:38:00.000-04:00

Burger & Fries Worsen Asthma, Study Suggests | LiveScience

"Patients with asthma who ate a high-fat meal had increased inflammation in their airways soon afterward, and did not respond as well to treatment as those who ate a low-fat meal, the researchers found.
The results provide more evidence that environmental factors, such as diet, can influence the development of asthma, which has increased dramatically in recent years in westernized countries where high-fat diets are common."

The Whole Truth and Nutting But the Truth

2010-05-10T09:59:00.000-04:00

The Whole Truth and Nutting But the Truth:

"Two large epidemiological studies, the Nurses’ Health Study (1) and the Adventist Health Study (2) assessed the diets of over 110,000 men and women in relation to coronary heart disease. Adjusting for other coronary heart disease risk factors, they linked the intake of five or more servings (five ounces) of nuts per week to a 35 – 50 percent reduction in risk of coronary heart disease incidence and death....

The article is not exactly new, but well done and good news.

Drinking alcohol while pregnant can increase childhood leukemia – Paging Dr. Gupta - CNN.com Blogs

2010-05-07T02:13:00.000-04:00

Drinking alcohol while pregnant can increase childhood leukemia – Paging Dr. Gupta - CNN.com Blogs:

"Drinking mothers increase their unborn babies' risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) says a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention. Adding to the list of reasons not to drink while pregnant, the increased risk of AML in children between the ages of 0 and 4 was shown to increase in mothers that self-reported consuming one drink per week.

The study also took into account the kind of alcohol consumed. The risk remained the same regardless of the kind of alcohol. “The recommendation not to drink alcohol during pregnancy concerns all types of alcoholic beverages,” advises Dr. Paule Latino-Martel, the lead researcher for the study."

High-Carb Diet Hard on Women's Hearts | The Heart Health Blog From NutritionData.com

2010-05-03T21:55:00.000-04:00

High-Carb Diet Hard on Women's Hearts | The Heart Health Blog From NutritionData.com

"The researchers in the study at hand found that the highest quartile of carb consumers and glycemic load had twice the rate of heart disease compared to the lowest quartile.

I've written in this column previously about the Cleave-Yudkin theory that excessive amounts of refined carbohydrates cause certain chronic systemic diseases such as heart disease. This new research supports that theory in women, but not in men. Other researchers have notice the connection in women."

We covered this back when the story broke, but thought you might like another person's view on it.

For High-Fructose Corn Syrup, Sweet Talk Gets Harder - NYTimes.com

2010-05-03T11:22:00.000-04:00

For High-Fructose Corn Syrup, Sweet Talk Gets Harder - NYTimes.com:

"Early this year....ConAgra decided to reformulate one of its biggest brands, replacing the high-fructose corn syrup in Hunt’s ketchup with old-fashioned sugar. This month, new bottles featuring a banner proclaiming “No high fructose corn syrup” arrive in stores.

Hunt’s ketchup is among the latest in a string of major-brand products that have replaced the vilified sweetener. Gatorade, several Kraft salad dressings, Wheat Thins, Ocean Spray cranberry juice, Pepsi Throwback, Mountain Dew Throwback and the baked goods at Starbucks, to name a few, are all now made with regular sugar.

- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Healthy Nutrition Through Behavior Modification | World of Psychology

2010-05-01T20:12:00.000-04:00

Healthy Nutrition Through Behavior Modification | World of Psychology:

"Many people I talk to about nutrition tell me that they barely eat, or they skip breakfast. I express my shock and tell them, this is one of your major problems! Everyone needs to eat at minimum three meals a day and occasionally include a healthy snack. If someone does not eat breakfast or skips meals, they are slowing down their metabolism and telling their body to keep the fat on...."

Inspiring 87-year-old gives valuable advice for longevity

2010-04-21T11:23:00.000-04:00

Inspiring 87-year-old gives valuable advice for longevity

"Our golden years can be filled with energy and vitality, according to Deborah Szekely, co-founder of Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico. At 87 years of age, Deborah trains three days a week with a Navy Seal and three days with a Pilates instructor. She can do 10 push-ups in less than a minute without breaking a sweat. Deborah Szekely exudes inspiration."

Pretty impressive. Read her list.

Teen girls' drinking may lead to breast problems later - USATODAY.com

2010-04-18T00:50:00.000-04:00

Teen girls' drinking may lead to breast problems later - USATODAY.com

"Research published online April 12 in the journal Pediatrics found that girls who drank the most alcohol during their teen years ...were five times more likely to develop benign breast disease as young adults than were their peers who never drank or drank less than once a week....Study co-author Catherine Berkey, a biostatistician at Harvard Medical School in Boston, said that benign breast disease is known to boost the risk for breast cancer."

Eating high glycemic index foods may put women at higher risk for heart disease | Booster Shots | Los Angeles Times

2010-04-17T01:33:00.000-04:00

Eating high glycemic index foods may put women at higher risk for heart disease | Booster Shots | Los Angeles Times

"The Italian researchers discovered that the 25% of the women who ate the most amount of carbs had about twice the risk of heart disease as the 25% who ate the least amount of carbs. In terms of quality versus quantity carbs, quality won out: eating more high-glycemic index foods was more strongly linked with a greater risk of coronary heart disease than eating low-glycemic index foods. In the study, the authors wrote, "a high consumption of carbohydrates from high-glycemic index foods, rather than the overall quantity of carbohydrates consumed, appears to influence the risk of developing coronary heart disease."
The same corollaries between eating carbs, glycemic index and glycemic load were not found for men. "

mmm...let's stay tuned for the male study before putting too much weight on the last statement.

Is saturated fat back on the hook? | NutritionData.com Blog by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.

2010-04-06T01:12:00.000-04:00

Trying to peacefully solve the conflicts between whether saturated fat does or does not cause heart problems NutritionData's Monica Reinagel offers the following:

Is saturated fat back on the hook? | NutritionData.com Blog by Monica Reinagel, L.D.N., C.N.S.:

"Where does this leave the non-ideologue who is just trying to figure out what to eat today? Let me try to save you some neck pain. These ground rules are unlikely to change:

1. I think everyone can agree that too many refined carbohydrates is a big problem. Limit them.

2. Trans fats (from hydrogenated oils) are bad news. Avoid them.

3. In the context of a typical Western diet, shifting some of your fat intake from saturated fats (from animals) to polyunsaturated fats (from vegetable oils) appears to have some advantages in terms of heart health. But I would argue that monounsaturated fats (olive oil) and omega-3 fat (fish and flax) are even better replacement

s."

Fatty foods may cause cocaine-like addiction - CNN.com

2010-03-29T12:19:00.000-04:00

Fatty foods may cause cocaine-like addiction - CNN.com:

"A new study in rats suggests that high-fat, high-calorie foods affect the brain in much the same way as cocaine and heroin. When rats consume these foods in great enough quantities, it leads to compulsive eating habits that resemble drug addiction, the study found.

Doing drugs such as cocaine and eating too much junk food both gradually overload the so-called pleasure centers in the brain, according to Paul J. Kenny, Ph.D., an associate professor of molecular therapeutics at the Scripps Research Institute, in Jupiter, Florida."

BBC News - 'Good fat' cuts heart risk by a fifth, study shows

2010-03-23T01:37:00.000-04:00

BBC News - 'Good fat' cuts heart risk by a fifth, study shows:

"The Harvard Medical School reports adds weight to the growing evidence about polyunsaturated fats, found in some fish and vegetable oils.

The team analysed the findings from eight previous studies, covering more than 13,000 people, in their research.

Experts said cutting down on saturated fats, found in butter and meat, was just one part of a healthy diet.

It is recommended that adults get no more than 11% of their energy from saturated fats."

Low Levels Of Vitamin D Linked To Muscle Fat, Decreased Strength In Young People

2010-03-10T22:37:00.000-05:00

Low Levels Of Vitamin D Linked To Muscle Fat, Decreased Strength In Young People:

"A ground-breaking study published in the March 2010 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found an astonishing 59 per cent of study subjects had too little Vitamin D in their blood. Nearly a quarter of the group had serious deficiencies (less than 20 ng/ml) of this important vitamin. Since Vitamin D insufficiency is linked to increased body fat, decreased muscle strength and a range of disorders....."

Vitamin D is relatively hard to get from food. Here are some sources.

Vitamins stored in bathrooms, kitchens may become less effective

2010-03-10T22:18:00.000-05:00

Vitamins stored in bathrooms, kitchens may become less effective:

"High humidity present in bathrooms and kitchens could be degrading the vitamins and health supplements stored in those rooms, even if the lids are on tight, a Purdue University study shows."

Observations: Another reason vitamin D is important: It gets T cells going

2010-03-09T09:21:00.000-05:00

Given that most are Vit D deficient, this one has big implications:

Observations: Another reason vitamin D is important: It gets T cells going:

"Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a rapidly expanding inventory of ailments—including heart disease, cancer and the common cold. A new discovery demonstrates how the vitamin plays a major role in keeping the body healthy in the first place, by allowing the immune system's T cells to start doing their jobs."

Letterman to Challenge 2010 NGA Best Bagger Champion on ‘Late Night’

2010-03-07T13:56:00.000-05:00

Letterman to Challenge 2010 NGA Best Bagger Champion on ‘Late Night’:

"The Best Bagger National Championship, sponsored by Omaha, Neb.-based ConAgra Foods, Inc., is a yearlong, nationwide program in which the best-of-the-best grocery baggers in the country compete for prizes and the title of “America’s Best Bagger.” Contestants are judged on speed, bag-building technique, weight distribution between bags, and style, attitude and appearance. As the winner, Perry took home “bagging rights” as well as the $10,000 grand prize, the “Golden Grocery Bag' trophy, and additionally won the Pan-Oston “Best Bagger Golden Lane” for his organization.

This year’s competition also made a change in the type of bags used within competition: for the first time, reusable bags were used instead of paper and plastic. This change was in response to the increase in consumer popularity of reusable bags around the country."

Medical News: Happy People May Have Better Heart Health - in Cardiovascular, Atherosclerosis from MedPage Today

2010-02-17T22:52:00.000-05:00

Medical News: Happy People May Have Better Heart Health - in Cardiovascular, Atherosclerosis from MedPage Today:

"Individuals who find joy, excitement, and contentment in their daily lives may be protected from cardiovascular disease, researchers found.

Higher levels of positive affect, a measure of happiness, were associated with a significantly lower risk of having a cardiovascular event over a 10-year period (P=0.02), according to Karina Davidson, PhD, of Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, and colleagues."

Area counties get low rankings in health study : Home: The Buffalo News

2010-02-17T10:10:00.000-05:00

Area counties get low rankings in health study : Home: The Buffalo News:

"The results placed Niagara, Cattaraugus, Erie and Allegany counties among the bottom 11 counties. Ontario ranked fifth. Putnam County was first, and the Bronx was last.

The report also combined a set of 23 factors that affect health. These included smoking, diet, exercise, alcohol use, access to health care, employment, income, air quality and number of liquor stores."

Aspirin boosts breast cancer survival rate

2010-02-17T10:08:00.000-05:00

From Physorg: Aspirin boosts breast cancer survival rate:

"An observational study of 4,164 women diagnosed with breast cancer showed those taking aspirin in the period after diagnosis had a much lower rate of recurrence, and a much higher survival rate than those who did not."

Gee, what won't aspirin do?

Soft Drinks Could Boost Pancreatic Cancer Risk - US News and World Report

2010-02-08T11:43:00.000-05:00

Soft Drinks Could Boost Pancreatic Cancer Risk - US News and World Report:

"'Soft drinks are linked with a higher risk of pancreatic cancer,' said Noel Mueller, lead author of a study appearing in the February issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 'We can't speculate too much on the mechanism because this is an observational study, but the increased risk may be working through effects of the hormone insulin.'

Still, the report should not cause undue alarm, some say.

'The study was well designed but smaller than some previous studies that did not find a link between sugar-sweetened soft drinks and pancreatic cancer,' noted Eric Jacobs, strategic director of pharmacoepidemiology at the American Cancer Society. 'Direct evidence linking sugar-sweetened soft drinks to pancreatic cancer remains limited.'"

Soup Therapy: Detoxify, Lose Weight, and Boost Immunity on Yahoo! Health

2010-01-24T22:03:00.000-05:00

Soup Therapy: Detoxify, Lose Weight, and Boost Immunity on Yahoo! Health:

"A healing soup can be your first step in maintaining your health and preventing illness. The therapeutic value of soup comes from the ease with which your body can assimilate the nutrients from the ingredients, which have been broken down by simmering."

Study: Cutting Salt Intake Would Boost Nation’s Health - Health News - Health.com

2010-01-20T22:59:00.000-05:00

Study: Cutting Salt Intake Would Boost Nation’s Health - Health News - Health.com:

"The number of heart attacks in the U.S. could decline by up to 13% if adults could just slash their daily salt intake by 3 grams, or about 1,200 milligrams of sodium, according to the study, which was published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. New cases of heart disease and the number of strokes could also be expected to decline, by up to 11% and 8%, respectively.

To achieve a similar reduction in heart attacks and other heart-related problems, the researchers estimate, nationwide tobacco use would need to be halved. Alternatively, obese adults would need to reduce their body mass index by 5%,"

Friendly bacteria love the humble apple

2010-01-20T00:26:00.000-05:00

Friendly bacteria love the humble apple:

"'In our study we found that rats eating a diet high in pectin, a component of dietary fiber in apples, had increased amounts of certain bacteria that may improve intestinal health,' said co-researcher Andrea Wilcks. 'It seems that when apples are eaten regularly and over a prolonged period of time, these bacteria help produce short-chain fatty acids that provide ideal pH conditions for ensuring a beneficial balance of microorganisms. They also produce a chemical called butyrate, which is an important fuel for the cells of the intestinal wall.'"

Candied yams or Candied Sweet Potatoes? « Inside Adams

2009-12-25T13:38:00.000-05:00

From the Library of Congress no less:
Candied yams or Candied Sweet Potatoes? « Inside Adams:

"What we call a yam in the United States (e.g., garnet yam or jewel yam) is in fact a softer variety of sweet potatoes. True yams, native to African and Asia, are drier and starchier than sweet potatoes.

To supplement this culinary history, I needed to understand the botanical relationships between the two. Botanically, a sweet potato and a yam are both flowering plants, but that is where the similarity ends. Yams are closely related to lilies and grasses, while sweet potatoes are part of the morning glory family."

Eating for Longevity: Foods for a Long, Healthy Life

2009-12-25T13:25:00.000-05:00

Eating for Longevity: Foods for a Long, Healthy Life:

"A growing body of findings suggests that diet is one of the important contributors to longevity and a healthy life. WebMD examined the research and talked to the experts. Here’s what’s on the menu of people who enjoy long and healthy lives."

The entire article is here.

All the normal things on the list: fruits and vegetables, nuts, berries, etc. Good advice!

Calorie culprit might be home cooking

2009-12-24T15:31:00.000-05:00

Calorie culprit might be home cooking:

"The study looked at 18 recipes that have stayed basically the same over the past 70 years. Among the recipes were holiday staples like apple pie and sugar cookies. Calories increased for all but one of those recipes - chili con carne. Some of the recipes called for more fat and sugar than the 1936 originals, but in almost all cases, calories increased simply because the serving sizes were larger."

Taste, do not gorge. Or as the saying goes "a polite bite".

Jeff Galloway's Blog

2009-12-16T18:30:00.000-05:00

Jeff Galloway's Blog:

"It's possible to keep your training on track, even with holiday distractions. Here are some tips that have helped many runners maintain conditioning even with holiday temptations. You'd be surprised, but even very short workouts on maintenance days can maintain your fitness, relieve stress, inject more energy and allow you to feel better during holiday festivities."

Alcohol consumption increases risk of breast cancer recurrence, study finds

2009-12-13T01:36:00.001-05:00

Alcohol consumption increases risk of breast cancer recurrence, study finds:

"Moderate to heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages (at least three to four drinks per week) is associated with a 1.3-fold increased risk of breast cancer recurrence.... Drinking less than three drinks per week was not associated with an increased risk...Previous research has shown that consumption of alcohol is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, but there are limited studies to date about alcohol's role in patient prognosis and survival among those already diagnosed with breast cancer.."

Diet Myth or Truth: Fasting Is Effective for Weight Loss

2009-12-11T12:55:00.000-05:00

Diet Myth or Truth: Fasting Is Effective for Weight Loss:

"It's true that fasting -- that is, eating little to no food -- will result in weight loss, at least in the short term. But the risks far outweigh any benefits, and ultimately, fasting can cause more harm than good."

Health Benefits of Mushrooms

2009-12-03T01:25:00.000-05:00

As I sit eating Portabella mushrooms I decided I should probably see if there is any news on mushrooms. And hat do you know, they seem to be good for you!

Health Benefits of Mushrooms:

"Mushrooms are an excellent source of potassium, a mineral that helps lower elevated blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke. One medium portabella mushroom has even more potassium than a banana or a glass of orange juice. One serving of mushrooms also provides about 20 to 40 percent of the daily value of copper, a mineral that has cardioprotective properties.

Mushrooms are a rich source of riboflavin, niacin, and selenium. Selenium is an antioxidant that works with vitamin E to protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Male health professionals who consumed twice the recommended daily intake of selenium cut their risk of prostate cancer by 65 percent."

Smoking costs final on Vimeo

2009-12-01T20:23:00.000-05:00

The beginning is ok, the end sort of weak.

Smoking costs final on Vimeo:

"Professor Kenneth A. Perkins, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, delves into the behavioral economics of cigarettes, with video collected by Marketplace's Tim Werth"

Smoking costs final from Marketplace on Vimeo.

Is Folic acid dangerous? Maybe. Definitely worth more study!

2009-12-01T19:02:00.003-05:00

Folic Acid Supplementation has had a rough few months.

A sampling of the newest research:

From today's NY Times:
"Vital Signs - Study Raises Cancer Concerns in Big Doses of Folic Acid - NYTimes.com:

"The latest study, published in the Nov. 18 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, monitored the same patients through 2007. It found that 10 percent of patients who had been treated with folic acid and vitamin B 12 had developed cancer, compared with 8.4 percent of those who had not received the treatment, an increased risk of 21 percent.""

This was also reported in the LA Times:

Folic acid and cancer: New data might add to suspicion or, better, to discussion | Booster Shots | Los Angeles Times: "

Researchers in Norway analyzed data from 6,837 people with ischemic heart disease treated with folic acid, B6 and B12; folic acid and B12; just B6 or a placebo. Those treated with folic acid and B12 had higher rates of cancer, cancer deaths and deaths in general over the course of several years. Lung cancer contributed significantly to the cancer numbers."

The actual paper is from the Journal of American Medical Association:

"....Conclusion Treatment with folic acid plus vitamin B₁₂was associated with increased cancer outcomes and all-causemortality in patients with ischemic heart disease in Norway"

Dr. Furhman goes further referring to previous studies (smaller) that also found a relationship with folic acid and cancer. Furhman makes major efforts to say that these findings are based on synthetic folic acid and not folates in fruits and vegetables.

"Paradoxically, in people who do not take folic acid supplements there is inverse relationship between dietary folate intake and breast and prostate cancer.^14,3 Folate is an essential nutrient with vital functions. It is probable that folate levels need to be tightly regulated by the body – that the timing and dose of folate is an important determinant of whether folate has positive or negative effects. Folate's actions on DNA may prevent cancer from initiating, but may also promote the proliferation of tumor cells that may already present.¹⁵ Luckily, getting our folate exclusively from food ensures that we do not get too much. It comes naturally packaged in balance with other micronutrients and the body regulates its absorption.^9"

If that were not enough,, there is also evidence that excess folic acid during the latter part of pregnancy may lead to increase asthma risk: MedGuru citing an article in the Journal of Epidemiolgy reports that

"The researchers found that women who took folic acid supplements between 16 to 30 weeks of the pregnancy were 30 percent more likely to give birth to a child who could develop breathing problem like asthma by the time he reaches three years of age.
On the other hand, women who took the folic acid supplements prior to conception or just few weeks after conception had no such risk."

So what to do? Given the numerous tests have shown a reduction of birth defects from folic acid and those in the cancer studies were taking larger than recommended doses. As the Guardian concludes:

"If you're thinking of having a baby or are already pregnant, it's recommended that you take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, from the time you stop using contraception until week 12 of your pregnancy. In the study, the people who developed cancer had been taking double this dose for several years.
Even so, the supplements used in the study were within the supposedly safe limit for folic acid, which was thought to be around 1,000 micrograms per day. Most people get less than this. A typical British person probably gets around 302 micrograms a day, including natural folate from vegetables, and from folic acid added to foods like breakfast cereals."

Thus, I would definitely suggest asking your doctor about it one way or the other and be sure to mention these recent studies, (S)he may not have seen them yet.

PSA: Smoking is so bad it voids your computer warranty : Christopher Null : Yahoo! Tech

2009-11-27T13:31:00.000-05:00

Yet another reason to not smoke!

PSA: Smoking is so bad it voids your computer warranty : Christopher Null : Yahoo! Tech:

"Lighting up near your computer is heresy enough that Apple says it voids your warranty should you need to bring a smoke-exposed computer in for repair.

Specifically, in at least two instances in different parts of the country, Apple has voided the warranty and refused to provide repair service on Macintosh computers exposed to environments where cigarette smoke has been present. Calling cigarette smoke residue (tar and whatnot) inside a computer a health risk and a 'biohazard,' in both cases Apple customers have been denied service despite having time left on a valid warranty."

Personal Health - Exploring a Low-Acid Regimen for Bone Health - NYTimes.com

2009-11-27T12:32:00.000-05:00

This article from the NY Times asks some important questions. And reminds us all how little we really know.

Personal Health - Exploring a Low-Acid Regimen for Bone Health - NYTimes.com:

"Why, in Western countries that consume the most dairy foods, are rates of osteoporotic fractures among the highest in the world? And why has no consistent link been found between the amount of calcium people consume and protection against osteoporosis?...An alternative theory of bone health may — or may not — explain these apparent contradictions. It is the theory of low-acid eating, a diet laden with fruits and vegetables but relatively low in acid-producing protein and moderate in cereal grains. Its proponents suggest that this menu plan could lead to stronger bones than the typical American diet"

New type of "stuffing" /Dressing

2009-11-25T14:03:00.000-05:00

I as talking about this last night at the Allegany Store. Carmichael is Lance Armstrong's coach.

Carmichael Training Systems: Cook it Up:

"Being an endurance athlete is all about getting more out of your body, more out of your life, and more out of just about everything. So we applied that 'get more out of it' philosophy to stuffing! Try this delicious modification to your typical stuffing for a healthy and tasty treat this holiday season. We've added carrot, apple, and green pepper, not only for some additional nutrients, but also for some crunch and taste."

Holiday meals and dog safety

2009-11-21T21:40:00.000-05:00

Pedigree:

"Thanksgiving meals may have all your favorites, but imagine what can happen to your dog if he chows down on mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. Keep in mind that the potential risks of feeding him Thanksgiving leftovers far outweigh his momentary delight. A little restraint and a yummy chew toy will keep your dog safe this Thanksgiving and for many holidays to come."

ParkandShopBlog

"Evidence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk is present in the blood of adolescents who consume a lot of fructose, a scenario that worsens in the face of excess belly fat, researchers report.

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