Archive for the ‘Nutrition & Health’ Category

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Even Low Levels of Cigarette Smoke Hurt Lungs

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Smoking can be traced back all the way to 5000 to 3000 BC when tobacco was grown and cultivated in South America. And it seems like for equally as long smoking has been linked to health problems.

In 2004, the World Health Organization estimated that tobacco usage caused 5.4 million deaths world wide; known consequences of smoking include lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and emphysema.

And its not just heavy smokers that face health risks, even light smokers are in danger.

According to a new study in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, being exposed to even low levels of cigarette smoke increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

COPD is a condition causing the airways to become narrowed, leading to shortness breath and triggers inflammation in the lungs.

For the study, researchers tested 121 people, nonsmokers, active smokers, and “low exposure” smokers, for urine levels of nicotine and cotinine. After analyzing their urine and each participant’s genomes, the scientists determined any level of nicotine or continine, low or high, caused genetic abnormalities.

The researchers say these findings should further the support for bans on smoking in public places where non-smokers are present.

Image credit: lanier67

Posted in Nutrition & Health, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, heart disease, lung cancer, nicotine, smoking | No Comments »

Even Low Levels of Cigarette Smoke Hurt Lungs

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Smoking can be traced back all the way to 5000 to 3000 BC when tobacco was grown and cultivated in South America. And it seems like for equally as long smoking has been linked to health problems.

In 2004, the World Health Organization estimated that tobacco usage caused 5.4 million deaths world wide; known consequences of smoking include lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and emphysema.

And its not just heavy smokers that face health risks, even light smokers are in danger.

According to a new study in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, being exposed to even low levels of cigarette smoke increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

COPD is a condition causing the airways to become narrowed, leading to shortness breath and triggers inflammation in the lungs.

For the study, researchers tested 121 people, nonsmokers, active smokers, and “low exposure” smokers, for urine levels of nicotine and cotinine. After analyzing their urine and each participant’s genomes, the scientists determined any level of nicotine or continine, low or high, caused genetic abnormalities.

The researchers say these findings should further the support for bans on smoking in public places where non-smokers are present.

Image credit: lanier67

Posted in Nutrition & Health, emphysema, heart disease, lung cancer, nicotine, smoking | No Comments »

Eating Better May Stop Metabolic Syndrome

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are all risk factors for cardiovascular disease; this combination of disorders is referred to as metabolic syndrome. And lack of exercise and poor diet increases your likelihood of developing any of these conditions.

But writing in the journal Diabetes Care, researchers say healthy eating can reverse metabolic syndrome.

For the study, scientists followed 339 people with metabolic syndrome for five years, finding participants who followed the nutritional guidelines of the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), were nearly twice as likely to have reversed their metabolic syndrome.

Developed by the Harvard School of Public Health in 2002, the AHEI diet recommends eating whole grains over refined grains, white meat instead of red meat, and a lot of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and soy.

Data also showed individuals with the largest waist circumferences – more than 40 inches for men and more than 35 inches for women – who adhered to the healthiest diet were three times more likely to recover from metabolic syndrome.

So the researchers encourage people to improve the quality of their diets by adding more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion adults are overweight worldwide, with at least 300 million of them are obese.

Image credit: frangrit

Posted in Nutrition & Health, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome, obesity | No Comments »

Eating Less Red Meat Helps Your Heart

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Red meat doesn’t have a good reputation when it comes to heart health. Foods like beef and steak are high in cholesterol, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

So a new study found reducing your red meat intake even a little bit helps lower your risk of high cholesterol and heart disease.

Writing in the journal Circulation, researchers say if you eat red meat more than once a day you’ll help your heart by swapping out one serving of meat with a less fattening food, like nuts or fish.

In the study, women who eat two servings of red meat each day have a 30% higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to women who eat roughly three to four servings per week.

The researchers call it a “pretty dramatic increase,” highlighting the benefit of moderation and not overeating red meat.

Other findings show women eating one serving of beef each day raised their risk of heart disease by 8%, compared to who women rarely or never eat red meat. Other foods heightened risk more severely. Eating hotdogs once or twice a month raised risk 35%, bacon 41%, and hotdogs 42%.

Red meat has also been linked to a variety of cancers, such as prostate cancer, bladder cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, and breast cancer.

Image credit: elecnix

Posted in Nutrition & Health, bladder cancer, breast cancer, cancer, cholesterol, colon cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol, prostate cancer, red meat, stomach cancer | No Comments »

Mediterranean Diet Helps Lower Breast Cancer Risk

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

The Mediterranean diet, native to countries like Greece and Italy, is rich in fruits, vegetables, wine, whole grains, beans, nuts, fish, and olive oil, but low in meat and dairy – so it is constantly being linked to better health, such as reduced risk of cancer and heart disease.

And now, new research in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition says women who follow a Mediterranean diet may have a lower risk of developing breast cancer after menopause than women with different eating habits.

For the study, scientists followed 14,800 Greek women for 10 years and determined women most closely following a Mediterranean diet were 22% less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, compared to women consuming a less traditional diet. Among the study participants, 240 women were diagnosed with breast cancer during a 10 year follow-up.

But the reduction of risk was only seen in women who were post-menopausal. No change was observed in younger women. Other factors taken into account were the women’s age, education, smoking, weight, and exercise habits.

In February, a study funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health found Mediterranean-type diets protect the brain against damage associated with cognitive problems and help lower the risk of depression.

Image credit: Enrique__

Posted in Mediterranean Diet, Nutrition & Health, breast cancer, cancer, menopause, olive oil, women | No Comments »

Chemicals in Hot Dogs May Raise Bladder Cancer Risk

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

Processed foods come in many forms; meat like hot dogs and cold cuts, canned vegetables preserved in salt, high-sodium frozen dinners, and even pasteurized milk.

Research has linked many of these foods, especially processed meat – like sausage and ham – to health problems, such as kidney and stomach cancer.

And now, a new study published in the journal Cancer, claims chemicals in hot dogs and bologna may raise the risk of bladder cancer.

Data on more than 300,000 people, suggest nitrites and nitrates in processed meats, used to color and flavor food, are responsible for the heightened risk.

When processed meats are cooked the added chemicals combine with other compounds, naturally present in meat, and create cancer-causing agents.

After seven years, 854 of the study participants – less than 0.3% – were diagnosed with bladder cancer, with individuals consuming the most processed red meat having a 30% greater risk of developing bladder cancer, compared to people the least amount of processed meat.

In 2007, the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund warned that no amount of bacon, sausage, and lunchmeat is fit for human consumption. Their research found eating as little as 1.7 ounces of processed meat each day increased risk of colorectal cancer by 21%.

Image credit: AJ Franklin

Posted in Nutrition & Health, bladder cancer, cancer, colon cancer, hot dogs, meat, processed meat | No Comments »

Drinking Alcohol May Ease Arthritis Symptoms

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Alcohol is hit or miss when it comes to health. Drinking too much can lead to health problems like cirrhosis of the liver and diabetes. But some research has shown moderate consumption of red wine may improve heart health.

And now a new study in the journal Rheumatology claims drinking alcohol may reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis and ease the pain associated with it.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation and pain in the joints, usually manifesting as a person grows older.

For the study, scientists asked nearly 900 people with RA and approximately 1,000 people without RA how many days in the past month they had at least one drink and also measured participants RA symptoms with questionnaires.

Findings revealed individuals who drank on more than 10 days during the past month were less likely to have RA compared to participants who did not drink alcohol, and if they did have RA the symptoms and pain were less severe.

However, the researchers warn alcohol consumption is only one factor in the development of RA, others include genetic and environmental risks.

But negative or positive health effects aside, the American Heart Association suggests pregnant women avoid alcohol completely.

Image credit: SimplySchmoopie

Posted in Nutrition & Health, alcohol, arthritis | No Comments »

Cashew Seed Extract May Help Diabetics

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Cashew nuts have traveled the globe; native to Brazil but transplanted to India by the Portuguese in the 1560s and eventually imported from India to the United States in 1905.

And cashews, like a lot of nuts, are seen as high-nutrient foods. Cashews are a good source of dietary fiber, protein, iron, potassium, zinc, and polyunsaturated fat, which helps protect against cardiovascular disease.

Plus cashews might help against diabetes too. A new study says an extract from the cashew seed may anti-diabetic properties.

Published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research scientists conducted in-vitro testing on mouse and rat liver cells, and found cashew seed extract helped boost glucose.

Cashew seed extract contains anacardic acid which stimulates glucose uptake.

Scientists also tried extract from cashew plant leaves, bark, and apples, but these materials did not have an effect on the uptake of glucose.

While it’s too premature to say conclusively, the researchers suggest cashew seed extract could be used as an anti-diabetic nutraceutical.

Image credit: Richard Vignola

Posted in Nutrition & Health, nuts & seeds, type-1 diabetes, type-2 diabetes | No Comments »

Obesity Causes Early Puberty in Girls

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

Officially called precocious puberty, early puberty is a condition where puberty in girls begins before age 8 and prior to age 9 for boys.

Puberty normally begins in girls between ages 8 and 12, and naturally in boys between the ages 9 and 14. The cause of early puberty is unknown, but there are risk factors.

Notable risk factors include being a girl, being African-American, exposure to sex hormones in certain creams and ointments, medical conditions like hypothyroidism, and being obese.

Data on early puberty in boys is much more scant.

As for the connection between obesity and early puberty, a new review of more than 100 studies, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, found that overweight girls tend to reach puberty earlier than their peers.

Other possible risk factors include exposure to harmful chemicals and chronic stress in a child’s home.

The researchers warn that early puberty can cause negative body image and mental disorders such as depression. But this could also be a result of being overweight. The scientists admit it’s difficult to untangle the two.

And an often overlooked risk of early puberty is that young girls could find themselves in situations they’re not mentally prepared to handle, despite physical appearance, which could lead to deeper psychological problems.

Image credit: CrazyFast

Posted in Nutrition & Health, depression, obesity, puberty, teenagers & children | No Comments »

Zero-Calorie Sweeteners Don’t Lead to Overeating

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

For dieters, drinks made with artificial sweeteners are popular beverage options because they offer the sweet taste without the excess, or “empty,” calories of regular soft drinks.

But artificial sweeteners don’t have the best reputation, many additives, like cyclamates, have been linked to cancer – lots of consumers still worry about that.

Plus some health experts believe individuals drinking artificially sweetened beverages may compensate for the lack of calories by over-consuming other foods.

But a new study challenges that assumption.

Writing in the journal Appetite, researchers claim artificial sweeteners, such as stevia, aspartame, and sucrose, do not trigger the brain to expect calories that do not arrive, causing people to seek out extra calories.

For the study, scientists tested the effect of the three sweeteners on satiety and hunger, giving participants snacks containing stevia, aspartame, or sucrose 20 minutes before meals and then told the individuals to consume as much or as little food as they wanted at mealtime.

The researchers say people did not compensate by eating more at either lunch or dinner, and reported similar levels of satiety when they consumed lower calorie preloads containing stevia or aspartame than when they consumed higher calorie preloads containing sucrose.

Image credit: Kup Kup Land

Posted in Nutrition & Health, artificial sweeteners, stevia | No Comments »

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