Category: Health Conditions

Obesity, Exercise & Fibromyalgia

Women who are obese (BMI of 30 or larger) have a 60 to 70 percent higher risk of developing fibromyalgia, compared to women who are not obese.

A 2010 study observes  that women who are have a body-mass-index (BMI) of 30 or greater, which is considered obese have a 60-70%  greater risk of experiencing fibromyalgia than those women who are not obese, and especially among those women who also get plenty of physical exercise.

Fibromyalgia syndrome is marked by a dull aching pain and tenderness in the muscles and soft tissue, and is characterized by persistent fatigue.   Memory problems, disturbed, and irritable bowel syndrome are included amongst other common symptoms.

Researchers: Paul J. Mork, et al, Norweigian University of Science & Technology

Published: Association between physical exercise, body mass index, and risk of fibromyalgia: Longitudinal data from the Norwegian Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, Arthritis Care and Research 2010; 62:5,  611 – 617.

Heart, Not Inner Ear Source of Dizziness

Heart disease, not inner ear problems, appears to be the most common cause of dizziness in elderly patients seen in primary care offices, Dutch researchers say.

In a cross-sectional analysis, cardiovascular disease was the most common cause of dizziness, occurring in 57% of patients. Vestibular disease appeared to be the cause in only 14% of patients, the researchers found.

It is reasonable to think that some inner ear problem is causing episodes of dizziness in elderly patients.  However, in 2010 Dutch researchers determined that heart disease is a more likely common cause.

The researchers did  a cross-sectional analysis, a type of analysis method that looks at an entire population set at one point in time.  They found that heart disease was the cause of dizziness episodes in 57 percent of patients, while inner ear problems were the source of dizziness in only 14 percent of the patients.

Published:  Causes of persistent dizziness in elderly patients in primary care,  Annals of Family Medicine, 2010; 8: 196-205.

Researchers: Maarsingh OR, et al

Dietary Protein Reducing Hip Fractures

The Framingham Osteoporosis Study found that seniors who consume a higher level of dietary protein are less likely to suffer hip fractures than seniors whose daily dietary protein intake is less, according to a new study by the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School.

Elderly women and men who have greater amounts of protein in their diet are less likely to experience hip fractures than do elders who consume less. The recommendation by Dr. Hannan is that elderly women include a minimum of 46 grams of protein daily, and that elderly men consume a minimum of 56 grams of protein daily.  The food sources can be from either animal or vegetable sources.  Animal sources of protein include meat and fish, eggs and milk products such as milk, cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt.  Vegetable sources of protein include beans, grains, nuts and seeds and vegetables.

Learn more about diet, protein and osteoporosis.

Researchers:
Framingham Osteoporosis Study
Dr. Hannan and associates, Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew Senior Life, Harvard Medical School

Added sugar can increase heart attack risk

New study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found those who ate more added sugar were more likely to have higher cardiovascular disease risk factors, including higher triglyceride levels and higher ratios of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein, the “good” cholesterol.

Sugar which is being added in greater amounts and with greater frequency than ever before by food manufacturers in almost all  processed foods and beverages appears to raise the risk of heart disease.

Researchers took a close look at data on  nutritional intake and levels of fat in the blood  in more than 6,000 adults between 1999 and 2006.

They found that those who consumed greater amounts of additional sugar had risks of experiencing heart disease.  This included not only higher triglyceride levels but higher ratios of triglycerides to HD.

Researchers: Miriam Vos, MD, Emory School of Medicine & associates.

Published: Journal of American Medical Association, 2010.

Learn more about natural ways to help prevent heart disease.

Poor Dental Hygiene Tied to Heart Disease Risk

It occurs to us that those who consume more sugar may also be more likely to have poor dental hygiene habits.  Researchers in the following study were looking at brushing and flossing rates – but sugar consumption is certainly tied to dental caries.

Researchers looking at the health histories of more than 11,000 patients in Scotland, have found that those patients who do not brush their teeth twice a day are more likely to have heart disease compared to those who do so.

70% of the subjects brushed their teeth twice a day, and 60% visit the dentist twice a year.  Those subjects with poorer brushing habits had a 70% higher risk of heart disease.

Researchers: University College of London

Published: British Medical Journal (BMJ), May, 2010

Walnuts slow prostate cancer growth

A new study suggests that mice with prostate tumors should say “nuts to cancer.” Paul Davis of the University of California, Davis, hopes follow-up data by his team and others will one day justify men saying the same.

A 2010 study indicates that mice who have cancer of the prostate benefit from increased nuts in their diet.  Researchers are doing follow-up studies to see whether the benefit may extend to men.

Most nuts in reasonable amounts can benefit the heart. But among walnuts’ special attributes were their ability to fight inflammation, an underlying cause of much heart disease, and to allow vessels to dilate as needed.

A major factor for many cancers is the presence of Inflammation in the body.  The researchers have determined that walnuts can effect endothelin production.  Endothelin is a protein that is related to blood pressure control and also to helping  regulate prostate growth.

In walnuts, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals and other trace elements, possibly even the protein content, appear to be slowing prostate tumor growth.

Researchers: Paul Davis and colleagues, U. California at Davis, CA.

Tricor doesn’t reduce diabetics’ heart risk

A drug taken for decades by millions of people with type 2 diabetes to prevent heart attacks, strokes and deaths offered no benefit in a broad group of patients, a study released Sunday shows.

A 2010 study reports that Tricor (Fenofibrate) which has been taken by adult-onset diabetics in order to prevent heart attacks, strokes and deaths offers no benefit.  The product lowers triglycerides and raises good cholesterol, apparently lowering heart risk. But it failed to reduce  a combination of strokes, heart attacks  and deaths in patients with adult-onset diabetes.

Researchers: Henry Ginsberg, and associates, Columbia University.

Editor’s Note: Diabetic sufferers are at high risk of onset of diabetic retinopathy which can lead to permanent vision loss. Learn about information on nutrients (such as alpha lipoic acid, taurine, bilberry, lutein, omega-3 fatty acids) related to helping preserve vision for those with diabetes.

Killer Carbohydrates & Diabetes

According to 2007 data from the National Institutes of Health, 25% of Americans 20 years and older had abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood—a pre-diabetic state. That number leapt to 35% in individuals 60 and older.

One quarter of Americans over 20 years old have abnormally high glucose levels – which is considered to be pre-diabetic. By the time Americans are 60 or older the percentage rises to 35%.  Considering the US population data, as of 2009, about 60,000,000 citizens are pre-diabetic and at very high risk of developing diabetes.

  • Due to excess carbohydrates in the diet, about 20% of Americans are pre-diabetic.
  • Carbohydrates are absorbed into the blood primarily due to the digestive enzymes amylase, sucrase, and glucosidase.
  • However, L-arabinose – a natural, mostly indigestible sugar – blocks sucrase activity, preventing sugar sucrose from moving into the bloodstream.
  • Similarly, extracts of seaweed, white beans, and Irvingia block starch breakdown  in the intestine, preventing these calories from being absorbed into the bloodstream.
  • Green tea extract helps your body metabolize additional calories while you are not active.
  • All together these are  natural compounds that have the potential to dramatically slow total carbohydrate intake, limit blood sugar and insulin spikes after meals, and help support weight loss.

Editor’s Note: See more information on nutrition, diabetes and diabetic retinopathy.

Sources: National Institutes of Health, 2007, 2009

 

Sugary sodas linked to pancreatic cancer: study

Analyses of data collected on 60,524 Singapore Chinese adults showed that people who drank two or more sugar-sweetened soft drinks a week were at greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared with individuals who did not, the study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention says.

A study published in 2010 which analyzed data collected for 60,524  Chinese adults in Singapore demonstrated that those people who consume two or more sugar-sweetened soft drinks weekly were at higher risk of suffering from pancreatic cancer compared with those who do not drink sugary drinks.

However, the researchers did not find a link was found between  juice consumption and pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is a rapidly fatal cancer in adults.  Fewer than 5% of patients survive five or more years after being diagnosed with this form of cancer.

Published: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, 2010.

Australian scientists discover Omega-3 diet can help prevent Alzheimers

Australian scientists at Melbourne’s Deakin University confirm a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can protect the brain from developing Alzheimers disease.

Reseachers have substantiated earlier research that there appeared to be a lower risk of neurodegenerative conditions in those people who consume plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids.  Their research also determined that a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can help individuals from developing the devastating brain condition, Alzheimers disease.

Essential fatty acids help regulate the natural levels of zinc in the brain.  In some people zinc levels become elevated which can prove toxic  according to Deakin University project leader and cellular biologist Professor Leigh Ackland.

Omega-3 fatty acids contain DHA, EPA & alpha linoleic acid.  The researchers found that when the DHA level in brain nerve cells drops, zinc levels rise.

Editor’s Note: DHA is found most commonly in cold water fatty fish while a vegetarian source can be derived from seaweed.

Researchers: Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia

Alzheimers Disease Detection

Animal study shows that through a harmless fluorescent dye placed on the retina of the eye, a follow-up eye exam could help diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease and other neurological disorders before the appearance of actual symptoms begin.

An animal study shows that by means of a harmless fluorescent dye placed on the retina of the eye, a follow-up eye exam could help diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease and other neurological disorders before the appearance of actual symptoms begin.

This study was recently published in the open-access peer-reviewed journal Cell Death and Disease. Plans are being made for human trials soon.

Learn more about Alzheimer’s and conditions that mimic Alzheimer’s.

Learn more about early detection of Alzheimer’s.