Health News Tidbits - January
United States Poor in Health Ranking -
The World Health Organization's World Health Report ranked the U.S. 37th among
191 nations in ability to achieve vital health goals. France, Italy, Spain, Oman, and
Austria were listed as the top five countries. The U.S. spends more per person on health
than any other nation. The factors used in the study were life expectancy, child survival
rates, health care responsiveness, minority health care, and health care financing. Heart
Disease, Cancer, Lung Disease, and Diabetes are the top four causes of death in the U.S.
(accounting for 72% of deaths).
Lycopene May Protect Against Asthma -
Lycopene, a natural antioxidant found in many ripe fruits including tomatoes,
seems to reduce the risk of exercise-induced asthma, according to the December issue of Allergy.
Israeli researchers conducted a study of 20 patients, randomly assigned inactive placebo
and lycopene. After one week, 55% of those given Lycopene showed significant protection
against exercise-induced asthma.
IBD Could Be Triggered by Microflora Imbalance -
According to a new review study, toxic overload in the body, triggered by increased
intestinal permeability and an imbalanced microflora in the gut, may be a precipitating
factor that triggers and drives Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Many patients with IBD
show low concentrations of Lactobacilli, healthy flora that can help block the
translocation of potential gut pathogens and prevent "bad" bacteria from
sticking to the gut lining. Compliments of Great Smokies Diagnostics
Green Tea Increases Energy Expenditure in Weight Loss Study -
Researchers found that daily administration of green tea extract was more effective than
caffeine in stimulating thermogenesis (generation of heat). Green Tea containing 50mg
caffeine and 90mg epigallocatechin galllate (a catechin) taken 3 times daily was shown to
increase daily energy expenditure by 4.5% compared with the placebo, according to the
study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Compliments of American
Botanic Council
NSAID's May Increase Congestive Heart Failure in Older Adults -
According to a Archives of Internal Medicine study, the use of nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) significantly increase the risk of congestive heart
failure in older patients, especially those with a prior history of heart disease.
Patients recently taking NSAIDs had twice the risk of being hospitalized with congestive
heart failure. For those with a previous history of heart disease, the risk was over
ten-fold. If the evidence holds, it suggests that as many as 20% of first cases of
congestive heart failure could be attributed to NSAID use. NSAIDs have also been linked
with gastrointestinal complications such as ulcers and bleeding. Thus, it is believed that
GI complications and congestive heart failure may be linked. The GI complications cause
endotoxemia (when your body becomes overloaded with toxins that leak from the gut), which
could trigger the congestive heart failure. Compliments of Great Smokies
Diagnostics
Antioxidants Slow Atherosclerosis Progression in Men but not Women -
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, men who were
given vitamin A and E for a three year period showed evidence of a 45% reduction in
atherosclerosis disease progression. The disease advancement was 74% lower than found in
the placebo group. In contrast, progression of atherosclerosis in women was about the same
with the placebo or supplemented. The researchers reasoned that men fared better because
their average blood level of Vitamin C was significantly higher in women that men. Compliments
of the Journal of Internal Medicine 2000;248:177-86
Panel Puts Estrogen on Cancer List -
A government scientific advisory panel that advises the National Institute of Health
recommended that estrogen hormone therapy be added to the nation's list of cancer-causing
agents. The NTP's next update of cancer-causing substances is scheduled for early 2002. Compliments
of Associated Press
Some HRT Regimens May Increase Risk of Postmenopausal Stroke -
Twenty years of prospective follow-up in the Nurse's Health Study shows that
daily estrogen doses of 0.625% mg or higher plus progestin may increase the risk of stroke
by up to 45% according to the December 19th issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
AHA Guidelines Zone in on Fish -
The American Heart Association's new guidelines recommend eating fish twice a week,
especially fatty fish such as salmon and tuna. Compliments of Circulation:
Journal of the American Heart Association
CDC: 61 Percent of U.S. Adults Overweight -
The Center for Disease Control and prevention reported that 61% of American adults are
considered overweight, more than a quarter of them obese.
Blue-Green Algae May Help Treat, Elucidate Nerve Disorders -
Kalkitoxin, a compound from blue-green algae, may lead to new treatments for pain,
epilepsy, and possibly stroke in the future said William Gerwick of the American Chemical
Society.
B-Vitamin Benefits Heart Disease -
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that foods and dietary supplements
containing vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid will be permitted to carry a claim that the
vitamins may reduce the risk of heart disease, more specifically, lowering homocysteine, a
known cause of heart disease. Earlier in the month the FDA allowed a limited claim for the
association between omega-3 fatty acids and heart disease.
New Study Finds Soy May Reduce Breast Cancer -
A Cancer Research Center of Hawaii and Vanderbilt University study of 120 Asian
women offered that a diet rich in soy can reduce the risk of breast cancer as much as 50%
in some cases.
Caffeine-Miscarriages Link Studied -
Five cups of coffee per day more than doubles a pregnant woman's risk of a
miscarriage, according to a recent New England Journal of Medicine research
study. In addition, the study concluded that the equivalent of 1-3 cups increases the risk
of miscarriage by 30%.
Foods Containing Potassium Receive FDA-Approved -
The FDA announced that qualifying foods (containing at least 350mg of potassium and 140mg
or less of sodium) may use the health claim that potassium intake may reduce the risk of
high blood pressure and stroke.
Health News Tidbits - June
Health News Tidbits - July
Health News Tidbits - August
Health News Tidbits - September
Health News Tidbits - October
Health News Tidbits - November
Health News Tidbits - December