Dark chocolate A U.S. study published in July in Hypertension brought sweet news: Volunteers who ate just under four ounces of dark chocolate per day saw their high blood pressure drop by 10 points over two weeks, along with improved insulin sensitivity.
"It has to do with the flavonoids that are in chocolate -- a type of antioxidant," explained registered dietitian Lona Sandon, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association and assistant professor of nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She stressed that only dark chocolate -- not the milk variety found in most candy bars -- provides this antioxidant punch. And she added that "chocolate, no matter how it's packaged, comes loaded with added fat and calories. So this isn't a license to go wild."
Red wine "Again, flavonoids -- particularly one called resveratrol -- as well as the tannins in red wines, may increase our HDL ("good") cholesterol and decrease our LDL ("bad") cholesterol," Sandon said. The heart-healthy effects of cabernet, merlot and their kin appear closely linked to the grapes these wines are made from, since plain grape juice produces similar effects.
Curry Curry spice is actually a mix of many spices, and early (mostly animal) studies are suggesting that one in particular -- curcumin (turmeric) -- may actually help stop cancer cells from growing. The finding could explain why rates for stomach, colon and other digestive-tract cancers are much lower in India than the United States, Sandon said.
Cranberry juice For years, many women have reached into the fridge for a cheap, delicious means of preventing urinary tract infections. Flavonoids in cranberry "appear to prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder," Sandon explained. Studies suggest the juice may have a similar effect in preventing stomach ulcers and even gum disease.
Green tea Although health-food manufacturers have rushed to praise green tea's powers, "the jury is still out among experts on its ability to reduce cancer risk," Sandon said. The key antioxidant in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate, has been touted as a cancer-fighter by some -- but not all -- studies, and has also shown weight-loss properties. But Sandon cautioned against overdosing on green tea, especially in high-potency extract form, since it can interfere with iron absorption and raise anemia risks.
Garlic It warded off vampires in the movies, and early research suggests garlic may protect against cholesterol buildup and even bacterial and viral infections in real life. But Sandon again urged moderation: Too much garlic can trigger gastric upset and even interfere with blood-thinning medications like warfarin or coumadin.
Fish "There's a lot of research to support including more omega-3 fatty acids in our diet, and fish is the highest quality source," Sandon said. Omega 3s help babies' brains develop, keep cholesterol at bay, and work as a natural blood thinner to help prevent dangerous clots. While fish is the best source, supplements are fine, too, Sandon said, "but make sure you get good quality."
By E.J. Mundell
HealthDay Reporter
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Vitamin D May Prevent Some Cancers
But many blacks, elderly aren't getting enough, study suggests
HealthDay Reporter
(HealthDay News) -- Forget the fiber. You may be able to fend off colon, breast or ovarian cancer by simply getting enough vitamin D, a new analysis of previous research suggests.
But if you're overweight, black, older or live in the Northeast, there's a good chance you're not getting enough vitamin D in your diet, said study co-author Cedric F. Garland, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego.
And that could put you at risk, he added.
Garland and his colleagues examined 63 previous studies that looked at possible links between several types of cancer and vitamin D deficiency. Their study appears in the current online edition of the American Journal of Public Health, and will appear in the February 2006 print edition.
According to the researchers, the studies -- from 1966 to 2004 -- suggest that vitamin D can reduce the risk of colon, breast and ovarian cancers, among others, by as much as 50 percent.
However, the debate over the value of vitamin D isn't over, said Lona Sandon, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.
The new research suggests a link between too little vitamin D and cancer, but doesn't confirm it, she said.
Why might vitamin D have a protective effect in the first place?
"Vitamin D's main role is to keep the balance of calcium and phosphorous in the blood, which helps keep bones strong," Sandon said. "However, a lesser-known role is how it regulates cell growth and determines what a cell becomes. A vitamin D deficiency may allow cells to become cancerous rather than becoming healthy cells."
The study authors found that several groups of people had low levels of vitamin D. Residents of the Northeast made up one group, perhaps because they miss out on vitamin D that's absorbed during exposure to the sun, Garland said. The obese had low levels, too, perhaps because they have trouble metabolizing vitamin D through their fatty tissues.
Other groups with low vitamin D levels include blacks -- they're five times more likely to be deficient than whites -- and the elderly, the researchers found.
"As we age, we lose the ability to convert vitamin D into its usable form, so elderly people are at greater risk," Sandon said.
And the increased skin pigmentation of blacks reduces their ability to synthesize vitamin D, the researchers said.
So what to do? The experts are divided on that answer.
Garland urges everyone to consume 1,000 International Units (IUs) a day of the active form of Vitamin D -- also known by its human form, Vitamin D3 -- which comes in yogurt, cheese, orange juice, fatty fish and milk.
By contrast, Sandon said adults aged 19 to 50 should get 200 IUs a day, equivalent to two glasses of fortified milk. People aged 50 to 70 should get 400 IUs, she said, while those 71 and older should get 700. But she acknowledged that "it is difficult to get this much vitamin D from food alone.
She recommends that people take brief walks during lunch to get exposure to vitamin D from the sun.
But what about seniors or those who refuse to change their diets or their habits? "A supplement of the active form of vitamin D would be the next option for those who just will not make even small changes, and likely to be a must in people over 50," Sandon said.
--By Randy Dotinga
More information
To learn more about vitamin D, visit the National Institutes of Health
HealthDay Reporter
(HealthDay News) -- Forget the fiber. You may be able to fend off colon, breast or ovarian cancer by simply getting enough vitamin D, a new analysis of previous research suggests.
But if you're overweight, black, older or live in the Northeast, there's a good chance you're not getting enough vitamin D in your diet, said study co-author Cedric F. Garland, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego.
And that could put you at risk, he added.
Garland and his colleagues examined 63 previous studies that looked at possible links between several types of cancer and vitamin D deficiency. Their study appears in the current online edition of the American Journal of Public Health, and will appear in the February 2006 print edition.
According to the researchers, the studies -- from 1966 to 2004 -- suggest that vitamin D can reduce the risk of colon, breast and ovarian cancers, among others, by as much as 50 percent.
However, the debate over the value of vitamin D isn't over, said Lona Sandon, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.
The new research suggests a link between too little vitamin D and cancer, but doesn't confirm it, she said.
Why might vitamin D have a protective effect in the first place?
"Vitamin D's main role is to keep the balance of calcium and phosphorous in the blood, which helps keep bones strong," Sandon said. "However, a lesser-known role is how it regulates cell growth and determines what a cell becomes. A vitamin D deficiency may allow cells to become cancerous rather than becoming healthy cells."
The study authors found that several groups of people had low levels of vitamin D. Residents of the Northeast made up one group, perhaps because they miss out on vitamin D that's absorbed during exposure to the sun, Garland said. The obese had low levels, too, perhaps because they have trouble metabolizing vitamin D through their fatty tissues.
Other groups with low vitamin D levels include blacks -- they're five times more likely to be deficient than whites -- and the elderly, the researchers found.
"As we age, we lose the ability to convert vitamin D into its usable form, so elderly people are at greater risk," Sandon said.
And the increased skin pigmentation of blacks reduces their ability to synthesize vitamin D, the researchers said.
So what to do? The experts are divided on that answer.
Garland urges everyone to consume 1,000 International Units (IUs) a day of the active form of Vitamin D -- also known by its human form, Vitamin D3 -- which comes in yogurt, cheese, orange juice, fatty fish and milk.
By contrast, Sandon said adults aged 19 to 50 should get 200 IUs a day, equivalent to two glasses of fortified milk. People aged 50 to 70 should get 400 IUs, she said, while those 71 and older should get 700. But she acknowledged that "it is difficult to get this much vitamin D from food alone.
She recommends that people take brief walks during lunch to get exposure to vitamin D from the sun.
But what about seniors or those who refuse to change their diets or their habits? "A supplement of the active form of vitamin D would be the next option for those who just will not make even small changes, and likely to be a must in people over 50," Sandon said.
--By Randy Dotinga
More information
To learn more about vitamin D, visit the National Institutes of Health
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Antioxidant-Rich Foods Preserve Vision
Study found they cut risk of age-related macular degeneration
HealthDay Reporter
(HealthDay News) -- Mom was right, at least about carrots and eyesight.
Eating carrots, which are rich in the nutrient beta carotene, as well as foods containing the antioxidant vitamins C and E and zinc, results in a significantly reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration in elderly people, a new Dutch study has found.
"It's great news," said Dr. Robert Cykiert, a professor of ophthalmology at New York University School of Medicine. "It's an excellent way to prevent a condition that's difficult to treat."
The findings appear in the Dec. 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Macular degeneration, a progressive eye condition, attacks the macula, where your sharpest central vision occurs. The condition affects 15 million people in the United States alone, and is the most common cause of irreversible blindness in developed countries.
The disease rarely causes complete blindness, but it robs you of all but your outermost, peripheral vision, leaving just dim images or black holes at the center of your vision.
The incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) increases sharply with age, and its prevalence is expected to rise.
"We're expecting to see more AMD because the Baby Boomer generation is approaching that age, and everyone is living longer," Cykiert said. "It potentially could be devastating."
Currently, age-related macular degeneration affects 11.5 percent of white people over the age of 80. The number of people severely disabled by late-stage AMD in the United States is expected to increase by more than 50 percent, to 3 million, in the next 20 years.
Previous studies evaluating antioxidants had shown conflicting results, with one major study showing that raising levels of beta carotene, vitamins C and E and zinc in people with early or single-eye late AMD resulted in a 25 percent reduction in the progression to late AMD over five years.
The new study sought to evaluate whether antioxidants as present in normal foods could play a role in preventing age-related macular degeneration.
At the beginning of the study, 5,836 people living in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, who were at risk of AMD were identified. Of these, 4,170 participated in the eight-year follow-up.
Participants were asked to fill out food questionnaires and were given periodic eye exams.
People who consumed higher levels of vitamin E and zinc had about a 10 percent lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. Those who had an above-average intake of all four nutrients (beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc) had a 35 percent reduced risk of AMD. Adding nutritional supplements to people who already had a high intake of these nutrients did not change the results.
People who consumed below-average amounts of these nutrients had a 20 percent increased risk of developing AMD, the study said.
Vitamin E is found in whole grains, vegetable oil, eggs and nuts; zinc in meat, poultry, fish, whole grains and dairy products; beta carotene in vegetables such as carrots, kale and spinach; and vitamin C in citrus fruits and juices, green peppers, broccoli and potatoes.
Although the study results still need to be confirmed, they do add valuable information, the researchers said.
"Up to now, we thought you needed to take heavy doses of supplements to achieve the benefits of these antioxidants," Cykiert said. "Now we know that if you eat a diet rich in these substances you achieve the same benefit, and possibly even more."
"If people start eating these things now, it may be a way to prevent problems 10, 15 or 20 years later," he added.
--By Amanda Gardner
More information
To learn more about age-related eye disease, visit the National Eye Institute
HealthDay Reporter
(HealthDay News) -- Mom was right, at least about carrots and eyesight.
Eating carrots, which are rich in the nutrient beta carotene, as well as foods containing the antioxidant vitamins C and E and zinc, results in a significantly reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration in elderly people, a new Dutch study has found.
"It's great news," said Dr. Robert Cykiert, a professor of ophthalmology at New York University School of Medicine. "It's an excellent way to prevent a condition that's difficult to treat."
The findings appear in the Dec. 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Macular degeneration, a progressive eye condition, attacks the macula, where your sharpest central vision occurs. The condition affects 15 million people in the United States alone, and is the most common cause of irreversible blindness in developed countries.
The disease rarely causes complete blindness, but it robs you of all but your outermost, peripheral vision, leaving just dim images or black holes at the center of your vision.
The incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) increases sharply with age, and its prevalence is expected to rise.
"We're expecting to see more AMD because the Baby Boomer generation is approaching that age, and everyone is living longer," Cykiert said. "It potentially could be devastating."
Currently, age-related macular degeneration affects 11.5 percent of white people over the age of 80. The number of people severely disabled by late-stage AMD in the United States is expected to increase by more than 50 percent, to 3 million, in the next 20 years.
Previous studies evaluating antioxidants had shown conflicting results, with one major study showing that raising levels of beta carotene, vitamins C and E and zinc in people with early or single-eye late AMD resulted in a 25 percent reduction in the progression to late AMD over five years.
The new study sought to evaluate whether antioxidants as present in normal foods could play a role in preventing age-related macular degeneration.
At the beginning of the study, 5,836 people living in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, who were at risk of AMD were identified. Of these, 4,170 participated in the eight-year follow-up.
Participants were asked to fill out food questionnaires and were given periodic eye exams.
People who consumed higher levels of vitamin E and zinc had about a 10 percent lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. Those who had an above-average intake of all four nutrients (beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc) had a 35 percent reduced risk of AMD. Adding nutritional supplements to people who already had a high intake of these nutrients did not change the results.
People who consumed below-average amounts of these nutrients had a 20 percent increased risk of developing AMD, the study said.
Vitamin E is found in whole grains, vegetable oil, eggs and nuts; zinc in meat, poultry, fish, whole grains and dairy products; beta carotene in vegetables such as carrots, kale and spinach; and vitamin C in citrus fruits and juices, green peppers, broccoli and potatoes.
Although the study results still need to be confirmed, they do add valuable information, the researchers said.
"Up to now, we thought you needed to take heavy doses of supplements to achieve the benefits of these antioxidants," Cykiert said. "Now we know that if you eat a diet rich in these substances you achieve the same benefit, and possibly even more."
"If people start eating these things now, it may be a way to prevent problems 10, 15 or 20 years later," he added.
--By Amanda Gardner
More information
To learn more about age-related eye disease, visit the National Eye Institute
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Vitamin D Levels During Pregnancy Predict Kids' Bone Health
Moms who take extra supplements may protect offspring from osteoporosis, study suggests
(HealthDay News) -- Mothers who take extra vitamin D while pregnant could be protecting their children from osteoporosis later in life.
A study appearing in the Jan. 7 issue of The Lancet reports that children born to mothers with insufficient vitamin D during pregnancy had weaker bones when they were 9 years old.
"It's not the holy grail, but it's another piece of information that suggests that events beginning from gestation influence ultimate bone health and bone strength," said Dr. Stephen Honig, director of the Osteoporosis Center at the Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York City. "This is easily correctable, and seems to be something that comes at no particular cost, either economic or from an adverse-effect standpoint."
"It's very interesting and very suggestive," added Dr. Loren Wissner Greene, a clinical associate professor of medicine at New York University School of Medicine and co-director of the Bone Density Unit at New York University.
Many people show a vitamin D deficiency, and this includes otherwise healthy women during pregnancy.
Vitamin D is required for optimal calcium absorption, which is critical to bone growth. The main source of vitamin D is sunlight, and most people don't get enough of that.
"There has been a recognition that a lot of people in the United States are vitamin D-deficient in these days of sunscreen," Greene said.
At the same time, accumulating evidence suggests that environmental factors early in life can influence a person's chance of developing osteoporosis. For instance, birth weight can predict bone mass later on, while poor intrauterine and childhood growth are associated with double the risk of hip fracture 60 years later. A mother's build, nutrition, smoking and physical activity level during pregnancy can also influence bone mass of the baby at birth.
No one has yet looked at a relationship between the mother's vitamin D status during pregnancy and skeletal growth of their children. The authors of this study hypothesized that maternal vitamin D insufficiency during pregnancy had a long-lasting effect on childhood bone mass.
The researchers studied 198 children born in 1991 and 1992 at a hospital in Southampton, England. They assessed mothers' body build, nutrition and vitamin D status during pregnancy; children's body size and bone mass were measured nine years later.
Women who had reduced levels of vitamin D during the later part of their pregnancies had children with reduced bone-mineral content at 9 years of age.
Women who took vitamin D supplements and who were exposed to more sunshine were less likely to have a vitamin D deficiency. Reduced concentration of calcium in the umbilical cord blood was also associated with a reduced bone mass in the offspring.
"Their point is that there may be a programming effect that goes on in utero that effects calcium and bone accrual," Honig said. "Something happens in the last trimester that influences the transport of calcium across the placenta, and somehow that situation changes the developmental period over a prolonged timeframe."
The findings need to be confirmed, but they fit in well with other studies that have shown that issues early in life, such as low birth weight, can impact osteoporosis risk later in life.
"These are all things that are lending credibility to the need to think about bone growth and development as starting from gestation onward, rather than just thinking about this as diseases that occur after menopause," Honig said. "That's a significant thing."
The authors suggested that giving vitamin D supplements to pregnant women, especially if the third trimester occurs during the winter when there is less sunlight, could contribute to stronger bones in their children.
By Amanda Gardner
HealthDay Reporter
More information
The National Institutes of Health has more on vitamin D.
(HealthDay News) -- Mothers who take extra vitamin D while pregnant could be protecting their children from osteoporosis later in life.
A study appearing in the Jan. 7 issue of The Lancet reports that children born to mothers with insufficient vitamin D during pregnancy had weaker bones when they were 9 years old.
"It's not the holy grail, but it's another piece of information that suggests that events beginning from gestation influence ultimate bone health and bone strength," said Dr. Stephen Honig, director of the Osteoporosis Center at the Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York City. "This is easily correctable, and seems to be something that comes at no particular cost, either economic or from an adverse-effect standpoint."
"It's very interesting and very suggestive," added Dr. Loren Wissner Greene, a clinical associate professor of medicine at New York University School of Medicine and co-director of the Bone Density Unit at New York University.
Many people show a vitamin D deficiency, and this includes otherwise healthy women during pregnancy.
Vitamin D is required for optimal calcium absorption, which is critical to bone growth. The main source of vitamin D is sunlight, and most people don't get enough of that.
"There has been a recognition that a lot of people in the United States are vitamin D-deficient in these days of sunscreen," Greene said.
At the same time, accumulating evidence suggests that environmental factors early in life can influence a person's chance of developing osteoporosis. For instance, birth weight can predict bone mass later on, while poor intrauterine and childhood growth are associated with double the risk of hip fracture 60 years later. A mother's build, nutrition, smoking and physical activity level during pregnancy can also influence bone mass of the baby at birth.
No one has yet looked at a relationship between the mother's vitamin D status during pregnancy and skeletal growth of their children. The authors of this study hypothesized that maternal vitamin D insufficiency during pregnancy had a long-lasting effect on childhood bone mass.
The researchers studied 198 children born in 1991 and 1992 at a hospital in Southampton, England. They assessed mothers' body build, nutrition and vitamin D status during pregnancy; children's body size and bone mass were measured nine years later.
Women who had reduced levels of vitamin D during the later part of their pregnancies had children with reduced bone-mineral content at 9 years of age.
Women who took vitamin D supplements and who were exposed to more sunshine were less likely to have a vitamin D deficiency. Reduced concentration of calcium in the umbilical cord blood was also associated with a reduced bone mass in the offspring.
"Their point is that there may be a programming effect that goes on in utero that effects calcium and bone accrual," Honig said. "Something happens in the last trimester that influences the transport of calcium across the placenta, and somehow that situation changes the developmental period over a prolonged timeframe."
The findings need to be confirmed, but they fit in well with other studies that have shown that issues early in life, such as low birth weight, can impact osteoporosis risk later in life.
"These are all things that are lending credibility to the need to think about bone growth and development as starting from gestation onward, rather than just thinking about this as diseases that occur after menopause," Honig said. "That's a significant thing."
The authors suggested that giving vitamin D supplements to pregnant women, especially if the third trimester occurs during the winter when there is less sunlight, could contribute to stronger bones in their children.
By Amanda Gardner
HealthDay Reporter
More information
The National Institutes of Health has more on vitamin D.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Tea Reduces Ovarian Cancer Risk
Women who drink tea can cut their risk by almost 50 percent
(HealthDay News) -- Women who drink at least two cups of tea a day can reduce their risk of developing ovarian cancer by almost 50 percent, Swedish researchers report.
There has been some experimental evidence that green and black tea might lower the risk of some cancers, but this is one of the few studies that has looked at the ability of tea to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, the researchers noted.
The report appears in the Dec. 12/26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
In their study, Susanna C. Larsson and Alicja Wolk, of the National Institute of Environmental Medicine at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, looked at 61,057 women who were 40 to 76 years old.
The women all participated in a population-based study called the Swedish Mammography Cohort. At the beginning of the study, 68 percent of the participants said they drank tea (mainly black tea) at least once a month. During 15 years of follow-up, 301 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
"We found a lower risk of ovarian cancer associated with greater tea consumption," Larsson said.
Larsson and Wolk found that women who drank at least two cups of tea a day reduced their risk of developing ovarian cancer by 46 percent.
"Each additional cup of tea per day was associated with an 18 percent lower risk of ovarian cancer," the authors reported.
In addition, women who drank one cup a day cut their risk by 24 percent, and those who even drank less than one cup of tea a day reduced their risk by 18 percent compared with non-tea drinkers.
"The advice to women is to increase the consumption of tea," Larsson said. "There are no harmful effects of tea."
One expert sees this study as reason to look for the components in tea that may be protecting women from ovarian cancer.
"This manuscript continues to increase our optimism that lifestyle interventions can be successful in cancer prevention," said Dr. Robert Morgan Jr., section head of medical gynecologic oncology at City of Hope Cancer Center in Duarte, Calif.
"These interventions are particularly important in ovarian cancer because, while ovarian cancer diagnosed in early stage disease is very curable, screening interventions have been only minimally effective in this disease due to the non-specificity of symptoms of early ovarian cancer, as well as the location of the ovaries deep in the pelvis, making them difficult to examine directly," Morgan said.
Because of this, prevention strategies are very important, Morgan added.
"Much data has recently been published suggesting that lifestyle changes, including exercise and statins, may lead to decreased incidences of new diagnoses of cancer or cancer recurrences. This manuscript suggests that there are other natural products which may be capable of the same phenomenon," he said.
Since the reasons tea may be protective are not known, Morgan thinks this study could lead researchers back to the lab to uncover the mechanisms at work.
More information
The National Cancer Institute can tell you more about ovarian cancer.
(HealthDay News) -- Women who drink at least two cups of tea a day can reduce their risk of developing ovarian cancer by almost 50 percent, Swedish researchers report.
There has been some experimental evidence that green and black tea might lower the risk of some cancers, but this is one of the few studies that has looked at the ability of tea to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, the researchers noted.
The report appears in the Dec. 12/26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
In their study, Susanna C. Larsson and Alicja Wolk, of the National Institute of Environmental Medicine at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, looked at 61,057 women who were 40 to 76 years old.
The women all participated in a population-based study called the Swedish Mammography Cohort. At the beginning of the study, 68 percent of the participants said they drank tea (mainly black tea) at least once a month. During 15 years of follow-up, 301 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
"We found a lower risk of ovarian cancer associated with greater tea consumption," Larsson said.
Larsson and Wolk found that women who drank at least two cups of tea a day reduced their risk of developing ovarian cancer by 46 percent.
"Each additional cup of tea per day was associated with an 18 percent lower risk of ovarian cancer," the authors reported.
In addition, women who drank one cup a day cut their risk by 24 percent, and those who even drank less than one cup of tea a day reduced their risk by 18 percent compared with non-tea drinkers.
"The advice to women is to increase the consumption of tea," Larsson said. "There are no harmful effects of tea."
One expert sees this study as reason to look for the components in tea that may be protecting women from ovarian cancer.
"This manuscript continues to increase our optimism that lifestyle interventions can be successful in cancer prevention," said Dr. Robert Morgan Jr., section head of medical gynecologic oncology at City of Hope Cancer Center in Duarte, Calif.
"These interventions are particularly important in ovarian cancer because, while ovarian cancer diagnosed in early stage disease is very curable, screening interventions have been only minimally effective in this disease due to the non-specificity of symptoms of early ovarian cancer, as well as the location of the ovaries deep in the pelvis, making them difficult to examine directly," Morgan said.
Because of this, prevention strategies are very important, Morgan added.
"Much data has recently been published suggesting that lifestyle changes, including exercise and statins, may lead to decreased incidences of new diagnoses of cancer or cancer recurrences. This manuscript suggests that there are other natural products which may be capable of the same phenomenon," he said.
Since the reasons tea may be protective are not known, Morgan thinks this study could lead researchers back to the lab to uncover the mechanisms at work.
More information
The National Cancer Institute can tell you more about ovarian cancer.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Vitamin D Boosts Lung Health
But it's too soon to recommend supplements just to improve breathing, experts say
By Kathleen Doheny
HealthDay Reporter
(HealthDay News) -- The more vitamin D you have in your bloodstream, the healthier your lungs may be, a new study suggests.
Low vitamin D levels have already been linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. Now, researchers from New Zealand, using data from the United States, have found an association between vitamin D levels and how well the lungs work.
"As far as we are aware, this is the first time that anyone has identified this association between lung function and vitamin D," said Peter Black, lead author of the study, which appears in the December issue of Chest. He is a researcher at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.
Black used data from the U.S. Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), carried out from 1988 to 1994. In the study, he looked at more than 14,000 persons, all aged 20 and above, who were interviewed at mobile exam centers. They had lung function tests performed and had their blood levels of vitamin D measured.
Then Black's team divided the vitamin D results into five groups, or quintiles. The higher the vitamin D levels, the better the results on the two lung function tests, they found. The two tests were the FEV1 (forced expiratory volume; the amount of air blown out in the first second during a maximum exhalation) and FVC (forced vital capacity; the total amount of air blown out during a maximum exhalation).
"The difference between the lowest and highest quintile of vitamin D levels [on the lung function tests] was 4 percent for both FEV1 and for FVC," Black said. "This sounds small, but the changes seen in this study are large compared with most environmental factors that affect lung function."
The association between vitamin D levels and FEV1 test results was greater for those over age 60 and for current or former smokers.
"We don't know what the mechanism is," Black said. "The effect of vitamin D on bones is well recognized, but vitamin D can also influence the growth of other types of cells in the body and the formation of connective tissue by other types of cells in the body. The tissues in the lung undergo a process of renewal and remodeling throughout life, and it is conceivable that vitamin D may influence this, but further work is necessary to find out if this is the case."
Vitamin D is found in foods such as fortified milk, salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines. There is no recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin D, although an adequate intake for healthy people is 200 international units (IUs) for adults aged 50 and under, 400 IUs for those aged 51 to 70, and 600 IUs for those aged 71 and older. The body also makes vitamin D after exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun.
Dr. Norman Edelman, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association, called the new research an interesting observation. "I am surprised about the magnitude of the effect [of vitamin D], which is relatively large," he said.
However, he added a caveat: "You can't really infer a causal relationship. It's an association. It's still not accepted as clinical fact."
Edelman continued, "The other thing I really worry about is people will read these things, and will find what they want to in it." For instance, a smoker may think he just has to take extra vitamin D to undo the damaged caused by cigarettes.
The study doesn't warrant a suggestion to take extra vitamin D, he cautioned.
Black agreed. "I don't think we have enough information based on this study alone to justify that sort of recommendation," he said. "I think the take-away message is that low vitamin D levels are not desirable. This doesn't just relate to lung function. A low vitamin D level is linked to bone disease, and an association has been suggested between low vitamin D levels and other diseases such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. The commonest reason for having a low vitamin D level is avoidance of sun exposure. While excessive sun exposure can cause damage to the skin, it is not desirable to completely avoid sun exposure if one is to maintain normal vitamin D levels."
The study will hopefully trigger other research, Black said. "Lung function declines with age. It would be of interest to see if long-term supplementation with vitamin D modifies this decline in lung function."
More information
To learn more about vitamin D, see U.S. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
By Kathleen Doheny
HealthDay Reporter
(HealthDay News) -- The more vitamin D you have in your bloodstream, the healthier your lungs may be, a new study suggests.
Low vitamin D levels have already been linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. Now, researchers from New Zealand, using data from the United States, have found an association between vitamin D levels and how well the lungs work.
"As far as we are aware, this is the first time that anyone has identified this association between lung function and vitamin D," said Peter Black, lead author of the study, which appears in the December issue of Chest. He is a researcher at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.
Black used data from the U.S. Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), carried out from 1988 to 1994. In the study, he looked at more than 14,000 persons, all aged 20 and above, who were interviewed at mobile exam centers. They had lung function tests performed and had their blood levels of vitamin D measured.
Then Black's team divided the vitamin D results into five groups, or quintiles. The higher the vitamin D levels, the better the results on the two lung function tests, they found. The two tests were the FEV1 (forced expiratory volume; the amount of air blown out in the first second during a maximum exhalation) and FVC (forced vital capacity; the total amount of air blown out during a maximum exhalation).
"The difference between the lowest and highest quintile of vitamin D levels [on the lung function tests] was 4 percent for both FEV1 and for FVC," Black said. "This sounds small, but the changes seen in this study are large compared with most environmental factors that affect lung function."
The association between vitamin D levels and FEV1 test results was greater for those over age 60 and for current or former smokers.
"We don't know what the mechanism is," Black said. "The effect of vitamin D on bones is well recognized, but vitamin D can also influence the growth of other types of cells in the body and the formation of connective tissue by other types of cells in the body. The tissues in the lung undergo a process of renewal and remodeling throughout life, and it is conceivable that vitamin D may influence this, but further work is necessary to find out if this is the case."
Vitamin D is found in foods such as fortified milk, salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines. There is no recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin D, although an adequate intake for healthy people is 200 international units (IUs) for adults aged 50 and under, 400 IUs for those aged 51 to 70, and 600 IUs for those aged 71 and older. The body also makes vitamin D after exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun.
Dr. Norman Edelman, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association, called the new research an interesting observation. "I am surprised about the magnitude of the effect [of vitamin D], which is relatively large," he said.
However, he added a caveat: "You can't really infer a causal relationship. It's an association. It's still not accepted as clinical fact."
Edelman continued, "The other thing I really worry about is people will read these things, and will find what they want to in it." For instance, a smoker may think he just has to take extra vitamin D to undo the damaged caused by cigarettes.
The study doesn't warrant a suggestion to take extra vitamin D, he cautioned.
Black agreed. "I don't think we have enough information based on this study alone to justify that sort of recommendation," he said. "I think the take-away message is that low vitamin D levels are not desirable. This doesn't just relate to lung function. A low vitamin D level is linked to bone disease, and an association has been suggested between low vitamin D levels and other diseases such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. The commonest reason for having a low vitamin D level is avoidance of sun exposure. While excessive sun exposure can cause damage to the skin, it is not desirable to completely avoid sun exposure if one is to maintain normal vitamin D levels."
The study will hopefully trigger other research, Black said. "Lung function declines with age. It would be of interest to see if long-term supplementation with vitamin D modifies this decline in lung function."
More information
To learn more about vitamin D, see U.S. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Fish Oil Fights Pollution-Linked Heart Trouble
Study in elderly finds it helps stabilize cardiac regulation
(HealthDay News) -- Fish oil may help counter air pollution-linked changes in heart function, a new study suggests.
Pollution exposure can affect heart rate variability, a measure of the autonomic nervous system's regulation of the heart. Heart rate variability is an independent risk factor for cardiac arrhythmias, heart attack and sudden death.
But a study in the December issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine has found that a daily two-gram fish oil supplement prevented a decline in heart rate variability in 26 elderly people, aged 81 to 83.
The study participants, all residents of a Mexico City nursing home, took the fish oil supplements for six months. A control group of 24 nursing home residents took soy oil supplements.
"In this randomized, controlled trial, fish oil supplementation prevented the reduction in heart rate variability associated with the same-day exposure to indoor particulate matter," researcher Dr. Fernando Holguin of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a prepared statement.
"In contrast, soy oil, our comparison supplementation of plant-derived polyunsaturated fatty acids, was associated with a marginal, nonsignificant protection from the effects of particulate matter on heart rate variability," Holguin said.
He and his colleagues said larger studies are needed to confirm their results.
"Fish oil as a source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could be considered as a potential form of preventive measure to reduce the risk of arrhythmia and sudden death in elderly subjects exposed to ambient air pollution," Holguin said.
More Information: The Heart Rhythm Society has more about arrhythmias.
-- Robert Preidt
(HealthDay News) -- Fish oil may help counter air pollution-linked changes in heart function, a new study suggests.
Pollution exposure can affect heart rate variability, a measure of the autonomic nervous system's regulation of the heart. Heart rate variability is an independent risk factor for cardiac arrhythmias, heart attack and sudden death.
But a study in the December issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine has found that a daily two-gram fish oil supplement prevented a decline in heart rate variability in 26 elderly people, aged 81 to 83.
The study participants, all residents of a Mexico City nursing home, took the fish oil supplements for six months. A control group of 24 nursing home residents took soy oil supplements.
"In this randomized, controlled trial, fish oil supplementation prevented the reduction in heart rate variability associated with the same-day exposure to indoor particulate matter," researcher Dr. Fernando Holguin of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a prepared statement.
"In contrast, soy oil, our comparison supplementation of plant-derived polyunsaturated fatty acids, was associated with a marginal, nonsignificant protection from the effects of particulate matter on heart rate variability," Holguin said.
He and his colleagues said larger studies are needed to confirm their results.
"Fish oil as a source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could be considered as a potential form of preventive measure to reduce the risk of arrhythmia and sudden death in elderly subjects exposed to ambient air pollution," Holguin said.
More Information: The Heart Rhythm Society has more about arrhythmias.
-- Robert Preidt
Monday, December 26, 2005
Squinting Computer Users Run Risk of Dry Eyes
The condition can lead to burning, aching sensations, researchers report
(HealthDay News) -- If you squint your eyes too much while looking at your computer screen, you could end up with a painful condition called dry eye, Ohio State University researchers warn.
Their study of 10 college students found that just a slight amount of squinting at the computer screen reduced blink rates by a half -- from 15 blinks a minute to 7.5 blinks a minute. The more the students squinted, the less they blinked. The less the students blinked, the more their eyes ached or burned, and the more they reported sensations of dryness, irritation and tearing in their eyes.
"People tend to squint when they read a book or a computer display, and that squinting makes the blink rate go way down," study lead author James Sheedy, a professor of optometry, said in a prepared statement.
"Blinking rewets the eyes. So if your job requires a lot of reading or other visually intense work, you may be blinking far less than normal, which may cause eye strain and dry eye," Sheedy said.
While it can be painful and irritating, dry eye is rarely a debilitating condition. It's usually treatable with over-the-counter eye drops, the researchers said.
The study was published in a recent issue of the journal Optometry and Vision Science.
-- Robert Preidt
About Dry Eye (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
(HealthDay News) -- If you squint your eyes too much while looking at your computer screen, you could end up with a painful condition called dry eye, Ohio State University researchers warn.
Their study of 10 college students found that just a slight amount of squinting at the computer screen reduced blink rates by a half -- from 15 blinks a minute to 7.5 blinks a minute. The more the students squinted, the less they blinked. The less the students blinked, the more their eyes ached or burned, and the more they reported sensations of dryness, irritation and tearing in their eyes.
"People tend to squint when they read a book or a computer display, and that squinting makes the blink rate go way down," study lead author James Sheedy, a professor of optometry, said in a prepared statement.
"Blinking rewets the eyes. So if your job requires a lot of reading or other visually intense work, you may be blinking far less than normal, which may cause eye strain and dry eye," Sheedy said.
While it can be painful and irritating, dry eye is rarely a debilitating condition. It's usually treatable with over-the-counter eye drops, the researchers said.
The study was published in a recent issue of the journal Optometry and Vision Science.
-- Robert Preidt
About Dry Eye (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Coffee, Tea May Help Keep Liver Failure at Bay
Two or more cups per day could protect at-risk patients, researchers say
(HealthDay News) -- Drinking more than two cups of coffee or tea a day may help reduce the risk of chronic liver disease in people at high risk for liver injury, a new study suggests.
This protective effect was observed in people at higher risk for liver injury due to heavy drinking, being overweight, diabetes, or iron overload.
"While it is too soon to encourage patients to increase their coffee and tea intake, the findings of our study potentially offer people at high-risk for developing chronic liver disease a practical way to decrease that risk," researcher Dr. Constance E. Ruhl said in a prepared statement. "In addition, we hope the findings will offer guidance to researchers who are studying liver disease progression."
The study was conducted by researchers from the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and from Social Scientific Systems, Inc. They analyzed 19 years of data on nearly 10,000 people whose coffee and tea intake had been evaluated over time.
Reporting in the December issue of the journal Gastroenterology, the researchers found that people who drank more than two cups of coffee or tea a day developed chronic liver disease half as often as people who consumed less than a cup of tea or coffee a day.
"In the analysis, we determined that caffeine was partly responsible for the protective effect found. We believe that investigations into the mechanism of action of caffeine for protecting the liver and its clinical application are needed," Ruhl said.
-- Robert Preidt
American Liver Foundation
(HealthDay News) -- Drinking more than two cups of coffee or tea a day may help reduce the risk of chronic liver disease in people at high risk for liver injury, a new study suggests.
This protective effect was observed in people at higher risk for liver injury due to heavy drinking, being overweight, diabetes, or iron overload.
"While it is too soon to encourage patients to increase their coffee and tea intake, the findings of our study potentially offer people at high-risk for developing chronic liver disease a practical way to decrease that risk," researcher Dr. Constance E. Ruhl said in a prepared statement. "In addition, we hope the findings will offer guidance to researchers who are studying liver disease progression."
The study was conducted by researchers from the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and from Social Scientific Systems, Inc. They analyzed 19 years of data on nearly 10,000 people whose coffee and tea intake had been evaluated over time.
Reporting in the December issue of the journal Gastroenterology, the researchers found that people who drank more than two cups of coffee or tea a day developed chronic liver disease half as often as people who consumed less than a cup of tea or coffee a day.
"In the analysis, we determined that caffeine was partly responsible for the protective effect found. We believe that investigations into the mechanism of action of caffeine for protecting the liver and its clinical application are needed," Ruhl said.
-- Robert Preidt
American Liver Foundation
Friday, December 16, 2005
Want Those Pearly Whites Brighter?
Be careful in choosing a dental whitening system
(HealthDay News) -- Everyone wants a brighter smile, but with all the new teeth whitening products on the market, it's hard to know your options.
The American Dental Association (ADA) says some approaches to teeth whitening include in-office bleaching, at-home bleaching and whitening toothpastes.
Your dentist may suggest in-office bleaching, which may require more than one visit taking 30 minutes to an hour. During this procedure, the dentist will apply a bleaching agent to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent.
Bleaching solutions that you can use at home include peroxide that bleaches your tooth enamel. These kits usually come in gel form, but usage regimens vary.
Toothpastes are also effective for removing surface stains, but whitening toothpastes have special chemical agents that provide additional stain removal. These products do not alter the intrinsic color of teeth.
Regardless of the procedure you use, it is recommended you speak with your dentist beforehand, and be sure to look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
-- Kimberly Sferruzzo
(HealthDay News) -- Everyone wants a brighter smile, but with all the new teeth whitening products on the market, it's hard to know your options.
The American Dental Association (ADA) says some approaches to teeth whitening include in-office bleaching, at-home bleaching and whitening toothpastes.
Your dentist may suggest in-office bleaching, which may require more than one visit taking 30 minutes to an hour. During this procedure, the dentist will apply a bleaching agent to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent.
Bleaching solutions that you can use at home include peroxide that bleaches your tooth enamel. These kits usually come in gel form, but usage regimens vary.
Toothpastes are also effective for removing surface stains, but whitening toothpastes have special chemical agents that provide additional stain removal. These products do not alter the intrinsic color of teeth.
Regardless of the procedure you use, it is recommended you speak with your dentist beforehand, and be sure to look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
-- Kimberly Sferruzzo
Nutrients in the News: Selenium, Tea , Omega-3
I would like to start off with one of my favorite trace minerals: selenium. A study was recently published in the journal Clinical Chemistry regarding a nine-year longitudinal examining the association between plasma selenium levels and increased risk of mortality in an elderly population involving almost 1400 subjects between the ages of 73 and 83. After controlling for other factors, a significant association was found between those individuals with low plasma selenium levels and increased mortality rates by an amazing 54 percent. The results of this study were totally consistent with findings from other large interventional studies including randomized trials suggesting that selenium may play a role in helping to maintain health.
In another study just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, it was noted that women who drank two or more cups of tea every day may cut their risk of ovarian cancer in half. In the study, approximately 61,000 women were followed, on average about 15 years, via questionnaires regarding information on diet, education and other factors. Compared with women who never drank tea, those who drank less than a cup a day had an 18 percent lower risk of developing ovarian cancer. By drinking one cup a day, their risk was cut by 24 percent while two or more cups decreased their risk by 46 percent.
For those of you who thought that vitamin D was just good for bones, think again. In a study published in the December 2005 edition of the journal Chest, it was found people who had higher vitamin D levels in their blood were felt to have fewer respiratory problems. The researchers based their findings on data involving over 14,000 Americans 20 years and older. These participants were interviewed about their diet and lifestyle changes and underwent pulmonary function tests as well as had blood levels of vitamin D and other nutrients measured. The researchers found that those with the highest levels of vitamin D in their blood scored significantly better on lung function tests than those with the lowest concentrations of vitamin D. I have previously written other newsletters about this versatile vitamin. Aside from the obvious benefits for osteoporosis and bone health, it can also help promote healthy blood pressure, heart function and even immunity. There have even been studies indicating that vitamin D can help with balance in the elderly.
Finally, I would like to mention two studies regarding omega-3 fatty acids. There was another study published in the December 2005 edition of Chest regarding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study involved 64 patients who were randomly assigned to receive either a liquid supplement rich in omega-3 fats each day or a liquid supplement containing omega-6 fats. After two years, those patients in the omega-3 supplement group showed an overall improvement in lung function tests. The researchers were planning to do another study with a larger group of patients to determine how omega-3 fatty acids could affect long-term prognosis in patients with COPD. There was another study just released, although not published to date, regarding the use of omega-3 fatty acids for children's behavior and learning. The study involved 65 children who were given a daily supplement of omega-3 fish oil in combination with evening primrose oil (omega-6) for five months. The children in the study had a seven-month delay in language skill development. During the five-month study, those children taking the supplement made an average seven-month improvement in receptive language ability and a nearly nine-month improvement in expressive language ability. Amazingly, the supplement also appeared to have a positive effect on parent/child relationship.
It never fails to amaze me how powerful nutrients that are found in nature can help restore and maintain health. We at Vitacost.com do understand this and provide our over one million monthly visitors with a tremendous selection of products at the best prices available. I always like to highlight our flagship proprietary brand, Nutraceutical Sciences Institute (NSI), not only for the quality, but also for the value. Having read these above-noted studies, I assume you are more encouraged than ever to take and provide to your family proper nutritional supplementation. The Synergy brand multi-vitamins from NSI offers you a wide selection of formulas from a one-a-day multi-vitamin up to Synergy Platinum which includes a daily dose of 28 capsules, 6 soft gels and 2 chewtabs. No matter which Synergy brand you select, you will be getting a superior product at superior value.
Don't shortchange your health or the health of your family.
By Allen S. Josephs, M.D.
President, Vitacost.com
In another study just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, it was noted that women who drank two or more cups of tea every day may cut their risk of ovarian cancer in half. In the study, approximately 61,000 women were followed, on average about 15 years, via questionnaires regarding information on diet, education and other factors. Compared with women who never drank tea, those who drank less than a cup a day had an 18 percent lower risk of developing ovarian cancer. By drinking one cup a day, their risk was cut by 24 percent while two or more cups decreased their risk by 46 percent.
For those of you who thought that vitamin D was just good for bones, think again. In a study published in the December 2005 edition of the journal Chest, it was found people who had higher vitamin D levels in their blood were felt to have fewer respiratory problems. The researchers based their findings on data involving over 14,000 Americans 20 years and older. These participants were interviewed about their diet and lifestyle changes and underwent pulmonary function tests as well as had blood levels of vitamin D and other nutrients measured. The researchers found that those with the highest levels of vitamin D in their blood scored significantly better on lung function tests than those with the lowest concentrations of vitamin D. I have previously written other newsletters about this versatile vitamin. Aside from the obvious benefits for osteoporosis and bone health, it can also help promote healthy blood pressure, heart function and even immunity. There have even been studies indicating that vitamin D can help with balance in the elderly.
Finally, I would like to mention two studies regarding omega-3 fatty acids. There was another study published in the December 2005 edition of Chest regarding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study involved 64 patients who were randomly assigned to receive either a liquid supplement rich in omega-3 fats each day or a liquid supplement containing omega-6 fats. After two years, those patients in the omega-3 supplement group showed an overall improvement in lung function tests. The researchers were planning to do another study with a larger group of patients to determine how omega-3 fatty acids could affect long-term prognosis in patients with COPD. There was another study just released, although not published to date, regarding the use of omega-3 fatty acids for children's behavior and learning. The study involved 65 children who were given a daily supplement of omega-3 fish oil in combination with evening primrose oil (omega-6) for five months. The children in the study had a seven-month delay in language skill development. During the five-month study, those children taking the supplement made an average seven-month improvement in receptive language ability and a nearly nine-month improvement in expressive language ability. Amazingly, the supplement also appeared to have a positive effect on parent/child relationship.
It never fails to amaze me how powerful nutrients that are found in nature can help restore and maintain health. We at Vitacost.com do understand this and provide our over one million monthly visitors with a tremendous selection of products at the best prices available. I always like to highlight our flagship proprietary brand, Nutraceutical Sciences Institute (NSI), not only for the quality, but also for the value. Having read these above-noted studies, I assume you are more encouraged than ever to take and provide to your family proper nutritional supplementation. The Synergy brand multi-vitamins from NSI offers you a wide selection of formulas from a one-a-day multi-vitamin up to Synergy Platinum which includes a daily dose of 28 capsules, 6 soft gels and 2 chewtabs. No matter which Synergy brand you select, you will be getting a superior product at superior value.
Don't shortchange your health or the health of your family.
By Allen S. Josephs, M.D.
President, Vitacost.com
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Got Gum Trouble? Your Heart Might Be Next
Infected gums can contribute to clogged arteries, experts say
(HealthDay News) -- There's mounting evidence that brushing, flossing and regular dental checkups may be at the heart of good cardiovascular health.
"People who have chronic infections -- and gum disease is one of the major chronic infections -- are at increased risk later in life for atherosclerosis [hardening of the arteries] and coronary heart disease," said American Heart Association spokesman Dr. Richard Stein, who is also director of preventive cardiology at Beth Israel Medical Center, in New York City.
Stein said he regularly counsels patients worried about their risk for heart attack or stroke to incorporate good periodontal care in their preventive strategies, just as they would include exercise, healthy diets and appropriate medications.
The reason: Chronic periodontal disease -- which is caused by a number of oral bacteria -- appears to set off an inflammatory process that exacerbates and contributes to the build-up of cholesterol-rich plaque on artery walls.
"The presence of a chronic infection in the mouth is very similar to a chronic infection anywhere else in the body, in that it puts stress on our body's response system," explained Dr. Ronald Inge, associate executive director of the division of dental practice at the American Dental Association in Chicago. "The way the body responds [to that stress] is by sending different elements through the bloodstream, and these elements create the plaque."
In fact, one study published earlier this year in the journal Circulation found that patients with high levels of gum disease bacteria were also at high risk for atherosclerosis.
"This demonstrates that the [health of] the mouth isn't isolated from the rest of the body," Inge said.
According to Stein, experts have known about the periodontal-cardiovascular link for about a decade. "It's become a bigger problem in general because we're having fewer cavities due to fluoride and we're living longer," he said. "So, more and more, what's making us lose our teeth is periodontal disease."
But there's lots you can do to keep bacteria from setting up house in your gums. Some tips, according to Inge:
* Get checked. A thorough oral exam will allow a dentist to detect and diagnosis gum disease, gauge its severity, and order appropriate treatment. Treatments include bacterial removal via scaling and root-planing, and the use of antibiotics.
* Brush and floss regularly. The more frequently food is kept away from teeth, the better, since regular cleaning robs oral bacteria of the nutrients they crave.
* Don't snack. Every snack delivers a fresh meal to germs that are hard at work destroying teeth and gums. If snacking is unavoidable, Inge recommends less-sticky foods that won't adhere to tooth structure.
Stein noted that there's one group of adults that may not have to worry about periodontal troubles: those with dentures. "In order to have an infection of your gums, you need to have teeth," he said.
Most Americans would rather keep their teeth, however -- and keep their hearts and arteries healthy. According to Stein, good oral health care may help accomplish both goals.
"Taking care of your teeth is part of general good health and quality of life," he said, "and it may also have a protective role for your heart."
By E.J. Mundell
HealthDay Reporter
American Dental Association
(HealthDay News) -- There's mounting evidence that brushing, flossing and regular dental checkups may be at the heart of good cardiovascular health.
"People who have chronic infections -- and gum disease is one of the major chronic infections -- are at increased risk later in life for atherosclerosis [hardening of the arteries] and coronary heart disease," said American Heart Association spokesman Dr. Richard Stein, who is also director of preventive cardiology at Beth Israel Medical Center, in New York City.
Stein said he regularly counsels patients worried about their risk for heart attack or stroke to incorporate good periodontal care in their preventive strategies, just as they would include exercise, healthy diets and appropriate medications.
The reason: Chronic periodontal disease -- which is caused by a number of oral bacteria -- appears to set off an inflammatory process that exacerbates and contributes to the build-up of cholesterol-rich plaque on artery walls.
"The presence of a chronic infection in the mouth is very similar to a chronic infection anywhere else in the body, in that it puts stress on our body's response system," explained Dr. Ronald Inge, associate executive director of the division of dental practice at the American Dental Association in Chicago. "The way the body responds [to that stress] is by sending different elements through the bloodstream, and these elements create the plaque."
In fact, one study published earlier this year in the journal Circulation found that patients with high levels of gum disease bacteria were also at high risk for atherosclerosis.
"This demonstrates that the [health of] the mouth isn't isolated from the rest of the body," Inge said.
According to Stein, experts have known about the periodontal-cardiovascular link for about a decade. "It's become a bigger problem in general because we're having fewer cavities due to fluoride and we're living longer," he said. "So, more and more, what's making us lose our teeth is periodontal disease."
But there's lots you can do to keep bacteria from setting up house in your gums. Some tips, according to Inge:
* Get checked. A thorough oral exam will allow a dentist to detect and diagnosis gum disease, gauge its severity, and order appropriate treatment. Treatments include bacterial removal via scaling and root-planing, and the use of antibiotics.
* Brush and floss regularly. The more frequently food is kept away from teeth, the better, since regular cleaning robs oral bacteria of the nutrients they crave.
* Don't snack. Every snack delivers a fresh meal to germs that are hard at work destroying teeth and gums. If snacking is unavoidable, Inge recommends less-sticky foods that won't adhere to tooth structure.
Stein noted that there's one group of adults that may not have to worry about periodontal troubles: those with dentures. "In order to have an infection of your gums, you need to have teeth," he said.
Most Americans would rather keep their teeth, however -- and keep their hearts and arteries healthy. According to Stein, good oral health care may help accomplish both goals.
"Taking care of your teeth is part of general good health and quality of life," he said, "and it may also have a protective role for your heart."
By E.J. Mundell
HealthDay Reporter
American Dental Association
Friday, December 09, 2005
Coffee Perks Up Short-Term Memory
Study finds equivalent of two cups of java boosts brain activity
(HealthDay News) -- Those morning cups of java might sharpen your memory so you can better tackle the tasks of the day, a new Austrian study suggests.
Scientists at the Innsbruck Medical University discovered that 100 milligrams of caffeine, the equivalent of two cups of coffee, increased activity in the part of the brain that is responsible for short-term memory, and improved performance on a test that measures memory function.
"We found modulation of a distinct brain area within the working memory network was more activated under caffeine compared to the placebo condition. This is the specific brain region which would be used for short-term memory function," said study author Dr. Florian Koppelstatter, a radiology fellow at the university.
These functions include being able to prioritize information to manage tasks efficiently, as well as plan new tasks and deal with stored information, he said. An example would be the process of looking up a number in a telephone book, and remembering it so you could dial the number.
Koppelstatter was to present the findings Wednesday at the Radiological Society of North America's annual meeting, in Chicago.
Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate, is the most widely used stimulant in the world, with a global, per-person average of 76 milligrams a day. Americans consume an average of 238 milligrams of caffeine daily, which is the equivalent of four-and-a-half cups of coffee. Scandinavians have the highest daily caffeine intake -- 400 milligrams daily, Koppelstatter said.
For the study, Koppelstatter and his colleagues recruited 15 males between the ages of 26 and 47. Over a two-day period that included fasting and no exposure to caffeine or nicotine, each man was given, on alternate days, 100 milligrams of caffeine dissolved in water and then just water. Twenty minutes after taking their drinks, they underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and then were tested to assess their working memory skills.
The fMRI showed that caffeine increased activity in a brain region in the front lobe, where a part of the working memory network is located, and in the anterior cingulate cortex, the part of the brain that controls attention. None of the men showed an increase in activity in this area of the brain when they drank the placebo.
In an accompanying test, the men were presented with a randomized sequence of capital letters, and they had to decide whether the current letter was the same as or different from the letter presented two letters before. They were asked to respond as quickly as possible by tapping response pads with their fingers.
After consuming caffeine, all the men showed a tendency toward improved reaction times on the test, compared to when they had no caffeine, Koppelstatter said.
"It doesn't mean that without caffeine you don't have activation in this part of the brain, but with caffeine you have modulation of the brain, which means there is more activation," he said.
Dr. Bruce Rubin, a neurologist at the University of Miami School of Medicine, said this study sheds new light on how caffeine works on the brain.
He added that previous research had shown caffeine improves attention, and that any improved memory function identified was assumed to be a result of better focus -- "You have to be attentive to remember."
"But this study showed that caffeine had a direct effect on the networks and processing of the memory," Rubin said.
Koppelstatter said the mechanism by which the caffeine acts on the brain is largely unknown, but is related to the way the substance reacts on the small blood vessels of the brain and on the nerve cells in the brain.
While two cups of coffee might improve your memory, don't think that drinking more will turn you into an intellectual, Koppelstatter noted.
"The positive effects of caffeine don't increase in a linear way," he said, and too much caffeine can make you more anxious, counteracting the positive effects the substance can provide.
By Janice Billingsley
HealthDay Reporter
(HealthDay News) -- Those morning cups of java might sharpen your memory so you can better tackle the tasks of the day, a new Austrian study suggests.
Scientists at the Innsbruck Medical University discovered that 100 milligrams of caffeine, the equivalent of two cups of coffee, increased activity in the part of the brain that is responsible for short-term memory, and improved performance on a test that measures memory function.
"We found modulation of a distinct brain area within the working memory network was more activated under caffeine compared to the placebo condition. This is the specific brain region which would be used for short-term memory function," said study author Dr. Florian Koppelstatter, a radiology fellow at the university.
These functions include being able to prioritize information to manage tasks efficiently, as well as plan new tasks and deal with stored information, he said. An example would be the process of looking up a number in a telephone book, and remembering it so you could dial the number.
Koppelstatter was to present the findings Wednesday at the Radiological Society of North America's annual meeting, in Chicago.
Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate, is the most widely used stimulant in the world, with a global, per-person average of 76 milligrams a day. Americans consume an average of 238 milligrams of caffeine daily, which is the equivalent of four-and-a-half cups of coffee. Scandinavians have the highest daily caffeine intake -- 400 milligrams daily, Koppelstatter said.
For the study, Koppelstatter and his colleagues recruited 15 males between the ages of 26 and 47. Over a two-day period that included fasting and no exposure to caffeine or nicotine, each man was given, on alternate days, 100 milligrams of caffeine dissolved in water and then just water. Twenty minutes after taking their drinks, they underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and then were tested to assess their working memory skills.
The fMRI showed that caffeine increased activity in a brain region in the front lobe, where a part of the working memory network is located, and in the anterior cingulate cortex, the part of the brain that controls attention. None of the men showed an increase in activity in this area of the brain when they drank the placebo.
In an accompanying test, the men were presented with a randomized sequence of capital letters, and they had to decide whether the current letter was the same as or different from the letter presented two letters before. They were asked to respond as quickly as possible by tapping response pads with their fingers.
After consuming caffeine, all the men showed a tendency toward improved reaction times on the test, compared to when they had no caffeine, Koppelstatter said.
"It doesn't mean that without caffeine you don't have activation in this part of the brain, but with caffeine you have modulation of the brain, which means there is more activation," he said.
Dr. Bruce Rubin, a neurologist at the University of Miami School of Medicine, said this study sheds new light on how caffeine works on the brain.
He added that previous research had shown caffeine improves attention, and that any improved memory function identified was assumed to be a result of better focus -- "You have to be attentive to remember."
"But this study showed that caffeine had a direct effect on the networks and processing of the memory," Rubin said.
Koppelstatter said the mechanism by which the caffeine acts on the brain is largely unknown, but is related to the way the substance reacts on the small blood vessels of the brain and on the nerve cells in the brain.
While two cups of coffee might improve your memory, don't think that drinking more will turn you into an intellectual, Koppelstatter noted.
"The positive effects of caffeine don't increase in a linear way," he said, and too much caffeine can make you more anxious, counteracting the positive effects the substance can provide.
By Janice Billingsley
HealthDay Reporter
Friday, December 02, 2005
Daily Walk Puts Heart a Step Ahead
Just 30 minutes a day can spur healthy changes, study finds
(HealthDay News) -- Thirty minutes of brisk walking each day can really pump up heart health, a new study finds.
The two-year study of 500 sedentary men and women aged 30 to 69 found that walking for 30 minutes a day five or more days a week at either a moderate or hard intensity, or walking at hard intensity three to four times a week, led to significant long-term improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness.
Frequent, fast-paced walking provided the largest fitness benefits as well as moderate, short-term improvements in cholesterol levels, the study found.
"The bottom line is that 30 minutes of walking on five to seven days a week provides substantial health benefits," Steven Blair, of the Cooper Institute, said in an accompanying editorial in the current issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
In a prepared statement, principal investigator Michael Perri, associate dean and a professor of clinical and health psychology at the University of Florida's College of Public Health and Health Professions, noted that, "(U.S.) National Guidelines for exercise are based largely on studies conducted in laboratory settings with close supervision of how much exercise is completed by the study participants."
But he said that in this latest study, "We were very interested in learning about the ways people respond to different exercise prescriptions when they are asked to complete the exercise on their own, in their home or work environments."
Perri's team found that high-frequency or hard-intensity exercise is crucial to achieving significant results.
"When exercising on their own, people generally complete only about 60 percent of the amount prescribed. As a result, an exercise prescription for moderate-intensity walking on three to four days a week may not generate a large enough amount of exercise to produce a change in fitness," Perri said.
Weight-control Information Network
(HealthDay News) -- Thirty minutes of brisk walking each day can really pump up heart health, a new study finds.
The two-year study of 500 sedentary men and women aged 30 to 69 found that walking for 30 minutes a day five or more days a week at either a moderate or hard intensity, or walking at hard intensity three to four times a week, led to significant long-term improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness.
Frequent, fast-paced walking provided the largest fitness benefits as well as moderate, short-term improvements in cholesterol levels, the study found.
"The bottom line is that 30 minutes of walking on five to seven days a week provides substantial health benefits," Steven Blair, of the Cooper Institute, said in an accompanying editorial in the current issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
In a prepared statement, principal investigator Michael Perri, associate dean and a professor of clinical and health psychology at the University of Florida's College of Public Health and Health Professions, noted that, "(U.S.) National Guidelines for exercise are based largely on studies conducted in laboratory settings with close supervision of how much exercise is completed by the study participants."
But he said that in this latest study, "We were very interested in learning about the ways people respond to different exercise prescriptions when they are asked to complete the exercise on their own, in their home or work environments."
Perri's team found that high-frequency or hard-intensity exercise is crucial to achieving significant results.
"When exercising on their own, people generally complete only about 60 percent of the amount prescribed. As a result, an exercise prescription for moderate-intensity walking on three to four days a week may not generate a large enough amount of exercise to produce a change in fitness," Perri said.
Weight-control Information Network
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