Health News Tidbits

Health News Tidbits – September 2002

Vitamin E May Help Slow Decline in Mental Function -
According to a study published in the Annals of Neurology (July 2002), older participants who had the highest vitamin E intake showed the least mental decline out of 3000 participants. Researchers believe that vitamin E may counteract free radical damage done to the brain.

Vitamin E Important for Cardiovascular Health in Middle-Aged Women -
An Italian study using 307 women averaged 56 years, had no clinical history of cardiovascular disease, and did not take vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C, and E. Their average daily intakes were monitored through plasma and ultrasounds were performed on arteries. Among the group, 66% had atherosclerotic plaques at one or more sites and 34% had no plaques. Low intakes of vitamin E were significantly associated with plaques, more than twice as likely to have plaque. Am J Clin Nutr; August 23, 2002

Potassium Linked to Lower Incidence of Stroke -
According to a study of 5,600 men and women, people with low levels of potassium levels were 1.5 times more likely to have a stroke than those high levels. Eating bananas, avocados, leafy greens, and nuts are good sources of potassium. Researchers defined low potassium intake as less than 2.4 grams daily and high intake as 4 grams daily. Journal Neurology August

Fish Oil Keeps Arteries From Hardening -
Thirty eight randomly assigned placebo controlled dyslipidemic subjects given EPA/DHA (fish oil) as opposed to the placebo showed 36% and 27% improvement respectively in arterial elasticity. Hardening of the arteries is one of the number causes of cardiac events in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 2002 Aug;76(2):326-30

High Mental Stress Linked With Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Death -
A large 73,424 participant Japanese study reports that women in the high mental stress group had 2.24 times greater risk for stroke and 2.28 times greater risk for coronary heart disease. They also had 1.64 times the risk of any of any cardiovascular death. Men reporting medium or high mental stress had 1.74 times greater risk of heart attack. Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, Aug 13, 2002.

Soy May Keep Postmenopausal Arteries Healthy -
Phytoestrogens were associated with less artery stiffness among the 400 postmenopausal women in this study. Researchers say soy may mimic the beneficial effects of estrogen, which levels decrease after menopause. Soy also contain antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology
2002;22:1316-1322

Almonds Have Cholesterol Benefits -

According to a new study that appears in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association (August 20, 2002), almonds significantly lowered bad cholesterol. Of twenty seven high LDL - bad cholesterol patients, the ones eating almonds lowered their LDL by up to 12%. Researchers commented that the almonds be raw or dry roasted, without any added oils or salts. Nuts do not have cholesterol and are a very good source of healthy fat and protein.

Three Vitamins Can Help Post-Angioplasty -
Folic Acid, B6, and B12 can reduce the chance of death and heart attack following an angioplasty by lowering homocysteine levels. Vitamins are the only way to lower homocysteine at this time Of the 270 participants who took the vitamins (2-3 times the RDA), only 15.4% of the patients died, had a heart attack, or had a repeat angioplasty. compared to 22% of the 281 participants who took the inactive placebo. That translates into a 32% reduction relative risk. JAMA August 28, 2002

Dried Plums May Boost Skeletal Health -
Dried plums may contribute to the prevention of bone loss in postmenopausal women. Women who ate 12 dried plums daily for three months had significant increases in serum markers of bone formation. According to researchers at Oklahoma State University, a larger study needs to be conducted to further validate these findings. Journal of Women's Health and Gender Based-Medicine 2002;21(1):61-68

Modest Wine Drinking May Reduce Risk of Second Heart Attack -
According to a 353 age 40-60 male participant study, the men who drank two or more glasses of wine each day reduced their risk for a recurrent heart attack by more than 50% compared to nondrinkers. Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, September 3, 2002

Researchers Link Red Wine to Good Cholesterol -
French scientists have found differences in HDL (good cholesterol) for non, regular, and heavy wine drinkers. They found that the HDL cholesterol increases as alcohol consumption increased.
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research

Red Wine May Cut Heart Disease -
An Australian study in 350 obese men and women showed that red wine consumers (6-8 5oz. glasses per week) had blood homocysteine concentrations that were 17% lower than those not consuming alcohol, and 13% lower than individuals who reported primarily drinking beer or spirits. Mild to moderate red wine consumption is associated with lower homocysteine concentrations, a major factor in heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2002;56:608-614

Trans Fat Data to be Added to Food Labels -
The Food and Drug Administration by early next year will require all food manufacturers to add a line to the nutrition label telling consumers how much of the artery-clogging trans fat their products contain. Trans fats are found in vegetable oils that are hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated, a process that solidifies them to form margarine and shortening. Trans fat are found in many foods including processed foods and baked goods.

HRT Does Not Prevent or Reduce the Rate of Developing Heart Disease -
An analysis of published data confirms that HRT does not reduce the rate of heart disease and does not prevent the disease. This analysis was published by the American College of Physicians - American Society of Internal Medicine.

Possible Link Between Carbohydrate and Rheumatoid Arthritis Found -
In most autoimmune diseases, it is thought that proteins are usually attacked, although in this study, it is believed the target of destruction are carbohydrates. It is believed the target are glycosaminoglycans, a major component of cartilage, joint fluids, connective tissue, and skin. These findings are not to be accepted for any other autoimmune diseases, however. These findings were presented at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society. Repeat experiments are in the offing.

Exercise Improves Fibromyalgia -

According to a study in the British Medical Journal, prescribed graded aerobic exercise is a simple, cheap, and effective treatment for people with fibromyalgia. 132 participants were randomly assigned to exercise or relaxation classes. exercise led to significantly more participants rating themselves as much or very much better at three months.

HOME