Health News Tidbits

Health News Tidbits – October 2003

Fish Oil May Help Prevent Cachexia in Advanced Cancer -
Cachexia is a major factor contributing to the illness and death of patients with advanced cancer, as a result of the changes in metabolism and loss of appetite created by the disease. A study of 200 patients with pancreatic cancer found that there was a direct and significant correspondence between the amount of fish oil-enriched supplement patients consumed and the amount of weight and muscle bulk (lean body mass) gained. This was not seen among those patients taking the supplement without the added fish oil. Gut, 2003;52:1479-86, 1391-2

C-Section Risk Factor for Food Allergy -
The results of a 2803 children study born by Cesarean delivery indicate that in predisposed children, cesarean section and the use of antibiotics might increase the risk of development of food allergy, which supports the hypothesis that a delayed or aberrant colonization process might play a role in the development of food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003 Aug;112(2):420-6

Sugar Industry Trying to Prove That Sugar Does Not Contribute to Obesity -
This is a revealing article into how the Bush administration chooses an advisory panel to shape the government's dietary guidelines.
http://www.nutritionalconcepts.com/Health News Tidbits/6305988337.pdf

Exercise and Breast-Cancer Prevention -
Increased physical activity, even begun later in life, reduces overall breast-cancer risk by 20% among women at all levels of risk for the disease, according to a 74,000 postmenopausal female participant study by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The exercise need not be strenuous but it should be done consistently, such as taking a brisk, 30-minute walk five days a week.
JAMA 9/10/2003

Cranberries May Help Reduce Stroke Damage -
Cranberries may reduce brain-cell damage associated with stroke. A rat brain cell study showed that those cells exposed to the highest concentration of cranberry extract (equivalent to a half cup of cranberries) caused a 50% reduction in brain cell death.
226th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society

Tea Linked to Skin Cancer Prevention -
Tea contains chemicals called polyphenols that appear to block the formation of nonmelanoma skin tumors. The tea polyphenols work after the skin is exposed to excessive sunlight. High concentration cream form is suggested to be the best delivery system. it would be difficult to drink enough tea to be effective for this purpose.
226th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society

Monsanto Fined Millions for PCB Poisoning -
More than 20,000 plaintiffs affected by decades of PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) poisoning, finally reached a $700 million settlement with the company. Monsanto and spin-off Solutia were ordered to pay the plaintiffs for massive pollution in Anniston, Alabama as well as for environmental cleanup costs, prescription drug benefits for the sick residents and community revitalization programs. J Amer Coll Nutr, 8/1/2003

Cholesterol Pills Carry Risk -
According to a Canadian research group, statin drugs taken by millions of Canadians yearly may be doing as much harm as good. The group sent a bulletin to 12,000 B.C. doctors and pharmacists outlining concerns about statins serious adverse effects. The group mentions that researchers of medications are required to collect data on serious adverse events as part of drug trials, but do not have to release details. The group at UBC has asked for information from statin drug researchers and government regulators in the past and has been told it is proprietary.
University Of British Columbia Therapeutics Initiative; Canada.com

Asthma Drug 'Raises Cataract Risk' -
Scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine examined data on almost 31,000 people. Inhaled steroids had been used by 11.5% of those with cataracts. The study found that the higher the dose of inhaled steroids, the higher the risk of cataracts.
British Journal of Opthalmology 9/18/03

Fish Oil Supplementation Reduces Prostagladin Production -
Prsoatagladins are enzymes that increase inflammation when exposed to a foreign protein such as an allergen and are the catalysts that contribute to chronic inflammatory disorders. A study done on sixteen healthy men showed that fish oil supplementation providing .3, 1, and 2 grams EPA/DHA for four consecutive weeks each showed decreased prostagladin production.
Am J Clin Nutr Vol. 78, No.3, 376-382, September 2003

The More Meals You Eat, the Lower Your Obesity Risk -
The greater number of eating episodes each day was associated with a lower risk of obesity. In contrast, skipping breakfast was associated with 4.5 times the risk of obesity. Of the 499 person study, those who reported four or more eating episodes per day experienced a significant 45% lower risk of obesity. In addition, subjects eating dinner away from home had a twofold increased risk of obesity. Finally, subjects who eat late in the evening may have an increased risk of obesity due to excess glucose stored in the body, which if not used, will ultimately turn into fat.
Am J Epidemiol 2003; 158:85-92

Government Says Moms Lay Off Antibiotics -

The government is trying to persuade parents to stop pestering pediatricians to write prescriptions for runny noses. Antibiotics are clinically shown not to work with runny noses and common colds, yet pediatricians are pressured by parents to dispense them. The government is very concerned over the fact that many organisms are becoming resistant to antibiotics, which could soon make them useless. Archives of General Psychiatry 2003;60:618-626

Dietary Magnesium Intake in US Adults -
Substantial numbers of U.S. adults fail to consume adequate magnesium in their diets. The sample was done from 4257 participants. Furthermore, racial or ethnic differences in magnesium persist and may contribute to some health disparities.
J Nutr 133;2879-2882, September 2003

Tai Chi Benefits Arthritis -
Older women with Osteoarthritis were able to safely perform twelve forms of Sun-style tai chi exercise for twelve weeks, and this was effective in improving their arthritic symptoms, balance, and physical functioning. J Rheumatol 2003;30:2039-44

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