Most recent health posts:
February 20
February 3
Here's today's summary of health research published since February 21 and my reactions:
Now, I definitely have to keep playing soccer until I’m 70:
Soccer reduces risk of falls and bone fractures
Regular participation in soccer increases both bone mass and bone density, causes a significant improvement in standing postural balance and improves muscle strength. Together, these effects reduce the risk of falls and bone fractures…. the short- and long-term training effects on bone mineral density were greater for the soccer players than for a similar group of runners… The research shows that 70-year-old men, who have played soccer most of their lives on a recreational basis, have just as good a balance and rapid muscle strength as untrained 30-year-olds and much better balance and muscle strength than their peers.
But;
Watching World Cup Soccer Could Kill You!
I’m glad that I take Vitamin D – the most recent news is stunning:
Vitamin D is Crucial To Activating Immune Defenses
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that Vitamin D is crucial to activating our immune defenses and that without sufficient intake of the vitamin, the killer cells of the immune system – T cells - will not be able to react to and fight off serious infections in the body.
For T cells to detect and kill foreign pathogens such as clumps of bacteria or viruses, the cells must first be 'triggered' into action and 'transform' from inactive and harmless immune cells into killer cells that are primed to seek out and destroy all traces of a foreign pathogen.
The researchers found that the T cells rely on vitamin D in order to activate and they would remain dormant, 'naïve' to the possibility of threat if vitamin D is lacking in the blood.
And there's more:
Vitamin D lowers kidney cancer risk in men
Research suggests that vitamin D, which is obtained from sun exposure, some foods, and from supplements, may help prevent some cancers. Vitamin D is metabolized and most active within the kidneys. According to a new study, men employed in occupations with potential exposure to high levels of sunlight have a reduced risk of kidney cancer compared with men who were less likely to be exposed to sunlight at work.
Vitamin D Improves Mood
A daily dose of vitamin D lifts mood during cold weather months - vitamin D may be an important addition to care for diabetes and depression.
Low Low levels of Vitamin D linked to muscle fat, decreased strength in young
59 per cent of study subjects had too little Vitamin D in their blood. Nearly a quarter of the group had serious deficiencies (less than 20 ng/ml) of this important vitamin. Since Vitamin D insufficiency is linked to increased body fat, decreased muscle strength and a range of disorders, this is a serious health issue…. Abnormal levels of Vitamin D are associated with a whole spectrum of diseases, including cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes, as well as cardiovascular and autoimmune disorders.
The study results are especially surprising, because study subjects – all healthy young women living in California – could logically be expected to benefit from good diet, outdoor activities and ample exposure to sunshine – the trigger that causes the body to produce Vitamin D.
I keep most of my vitamins in my office, which is good:
Vitamins stored in bathrooms, kitchens may become less effective
High humidity present in bathrooms and kitchens could be degrading the vitamins and health supplements stored in those rooms, even if the lids are on tight.
Why didn’t they test men:
Women who drink moderately appear to gain less weight than nondrinkers
Normal-weight women who drink a light to moderate amount of alcohol appear to gain less weight and have a lower risk of becoming overweight and obese than non-drinkers…
Women who did not drink alcohol at all gained the most weight, with weight gain decreasing as alcohol intake increased … with the strongest association found for red wine .
I don’t drink coffee but maybe lots of tea has the same effect:
Coffee = Reduced Risk of Heart Rhythm Disturbances
I eat oats, apples and nuts almost every day:
Study shows soluble fiber boosts immune system
A new University of Illinois study touts the benefits of soluble fiber—found in oats, apples, and nuts, for starters—saying that it reduces the inflammation associated with obesity-related diseases and strengthens the immune system. This happens because soluble fiber causes increased production of an anti-inflammatory protein called interleukin-4. Insoluble fiber, found in whole wheat and whole-grain products, wheat bran, and green, leafy vegetables, is also valuable for providing bulk and helping food move through the digestive system, but it doesn't provide the boost to the immune system that soluble fiber provides.
I’m pretty good abut taking my statin substitute almost every day:
Take your statins
Only 68 percent of corporate executives took their cholesterol lowering medication as prescribed by a doctor, a new study shows. Overall, the executives who took their medication even sporadically were twice as likely to meet their cholesterol goals….Statin drugs lower the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or the so-called bad cholesterol. Statins are proven effective and are a first-line treatment for lowering cholesterol.
Adherence was defined as taking medication as prescribed at least 80 percent of the time. Overall, statin users were twice as likely to meet the near optimal goal of 130 mg/dL or less, than non-statin users. Among executive who took statins, 70 percent achieved the near-optimal goal and 30 percent achieved the optimal goal of 100 mg/dL or less, compared to 55 percent and 21 percent, respectively, for non-statin users who weren't prescribed the drug.
My wife has completely banned garlic from my diet, which is too bad:
GARLIC’S CANCER-FIGHTING POTENTIAL
I had a colonoscopy performed by a gastroenterologist:
Patients Who Have Colonoscopy Performed by Gastroenterologists Less Likely to Develop Colorectal Cancer
I can’t eat eat ice cream or drink milk without stomach pains, but cheese and yogurt don’t bother me – and I do eat a lot of yogurt:
Avoiding dairy due to lactose intolerance is unnecessary in most cases
People may avoid milk and other dairy products due to concerns about lactose intolerance, but eliminating these nutrient-rich foods may not only be unnecessary to manage the condition – it could impact diet and health.,, Try small, frequent portions or buying lactose-free or lactose-reduced milk – which contain all the same nutrients as regular milk. Yogurt and hard cheeses (the panel suggests cheddar, provolone and mozzarella) may also be more easily digested.
I do take naps a few times a week – perhaps I should do it more often:
A midday nap markedly boosts the brain's learning capacity
New research from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that an hour's nap can dramatically boost and restore your brain power. Indeed, the findings suggest that a biphasic sleep schedule not only refreshes the mind, but can make you smarter.
I guess I don’t need magnesium supplements after all, which is just as well since I forgot to buy them:
Magnesium Helps You Remember - But Not Supplements
Magnesium, a key nutrient for the functioning of memory, may be even more critical than previously thought for the neurons of children and healthy brain cells in adults… Today's over-the-counter magnesium supplements don't really work. They do not get into the brain.
…Dr. Slutsky advises people to get their magnesium the old-fashioned way — by eating lots of green leaves, broccoli, almonds, cashews and fruit. The effects on memory won't appear overnight, she cautions, but with this persistent change in diet, memory should improve, and the effects of dementia and other cognitive impairment diseases related to aging may be considerably delayed.
Blogging makes me feel young, and I learn a lot doing it, which is good:
You're only as old as you feel really seems to be true, at least cognitively.
Learning helps keep brain healthy
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