Jon's Health Tips

All articles are available here: Health News Report

Still taking a statin and glad I am

Statins' Heart Benefits Outweigh Diabetes Risk: Study

The cardiac benefits of statins outweigh any increased chances for developing diabetes, even among those who run the highest risk of developing the blood sugar disease, Harvard researchers report.

The concern that these cholesterol-lowering drugs, which include the widely prescribed medications Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor, increased the risk for diabetes prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to require labeling that warns users of the risk.

Although statins did increase the risk for diabetes among those with risk factors for diabetes, these patients were 39 percent less likely to develop heart disease and 17 percent less likely to die, the researchers found.

Patients taking statins who were not at risk for diabetes had a 52 percent lower risk of developing heart disease and no increased risk of developing diabetes, the research team added.

"Among those with no risk factors for diabetes, there were 86 fewer heart attacks, stroke and other major vascular events among those who got the statin as compared to placebo, with no new cases of diabetes at all. So, for this group, there was cardiovascular benefit with no diabetes risk," Ridker said.

Not happening - but exercise is good as well

Weight training associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes

Men who do weight training regularly—for example, for 30 minutes per day, five days per week—may be able to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 34%,. And if they combine weight training and aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking or running, they may be able to reduce their risk even further—up to 59%.

I'm cutting back in iced tea

Iced Tea Can Contribute to Painful Kidney Stones

Iced tea contains high concentrations of oxalate, one of the key chemicals that lead to the formation of kidney stones, a common disorder of the urinary tract that affects about 10 percent of the population in the United States.

"People are told that in the summertime they should drink more fluids," Milner said. "A lot of people choose to drink more iced tea, because it is low in calories and tastes better than water. However, in terms of kidney stones, they might be doing themselves a disservice."

Though hot tea also contains oxalate, it's hard to drink enough to cause kidney stones, Milner said. About 85 percent of tea consumed in the United States is iced.

Men are four times more likely to develop kidney stones than women, and the risk rises dramatically after age 40.

I have been worried about this, but I'm apparently in relatively good shape

Untreated Heartburn May Raise Risk for Esophageal Cancer

Here’s what they recommend:

• Engage in light physical activity after eating; exercise can help digestion. (Not happening)
• Anyone who takes medications for acid reflux -- such as Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid, Zantac or Pepcid -- should take their medication regularly to reduce the level of acid in their stomach. (Happening)
• Get screened for esophageal cancer. White men aged 50 or older who have been affected by acid reflux for more than 10 to 15 years should consider being screened for Barrett's esophagus. If caught early, the changes in the esophagus lining can be treated. (Done)
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and fatty foods, which can increase the risk for acid reflux. ((1 out of 3 isn't bad (fatty foods))

This helps on the above

Aspirin reduces risk of Barrett's esophagus & esophageal cancer

Not convincing enough for me to resume taking yet

Vitamin E May Lower Liver Cancer Risk

INCREASE IN RDA FOR VITAMIN C COULD HELP REDUCE HEART DISEASE, STROKE, CANCER

Cranberry products associated with prevention of urinary tract infections



Individuals can significantly reduce their risk of developing pancreatic cancer by increasing their dietary intake of the antioxidant vitamins C, E, and selenium

I'm trying but falling behind on moderate

Moderate alcohol intake is associated with a lower risk of kidney cancer

Beneficial effect of moderate alcohol consumption on osteoporosis in women

Study suggests moderate drinking lowers risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in women


Want to lose weight? Keep a food journal, don't skip meals and avoid going out to lunch (1 out of 3 again - I don't skip meals!)



Not happening (is it even possible?

Cutting daily sitting time to under 3 hours might extend life by 2 years

And watching TV for less than 2 hours a day might add extra 1.4 years

Good news!

Above-Normal Weight Alone Does Not Necessarily Increase Short-Term Risk of Death

Extra weight is not necessarily linked with a higher risk of death. When compared to those with normal weight, people who were overweight or obese had no increased risk of death during a follow-up period of six years. People who were severely obese did have a higher risk, but only if they also had diabetes or hypertension.

I'm good with these:



Cutting Salt Could Reduce Stomach Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer Risk May Be Reduced By High Dietary Antioxidant Intake

Skipping Breakfast Can Lead to Unhealthy Habits All Day Long

Dietary fiber supports gastrointestinal health

Caffeine boosts power for elderly muscles

Coffee consumption lowers risk of most common form of skin cancer

Moderate coffee consumption offers protection against heart failure

Fighting Alzheimer's Disease With Exercise

A diet high in DHA improves memory

Omega-3 fatty acid, curcumin protect an injured spinal cord

Lots of good news about the Vitamin D I take or get from the sun, but some bad news as well

Pancreatic Cancer Risk Lowered By Exposure To Sun

LOWER VITAMIN D COULD INCREASE RISK OF DYING

Vitamin D Supplementation Effective In Fracture Risk Reduction In Older Adults

Vitamin D's Potential to Reduce the Risk of Hospital-Acquired Infections

Long-term calcium and vitamin D supplement use = increased risk of kidney stones

Calcium, Vitamin D Supplements May Pose Risks for Men With Prostate Cancer and may actually boost patients' odds for heart disease and aggressive prostate cancer


My wife won't change

Significant Cardiovascular Risk With Low Carbohydrate-High Protein Diets