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Expanding their scope of study on the mechanisms of bacterial infection, researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) have reported the surprise finding from a small clinical study that cranberry juice cocktail blocked a strain of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) from beginning the process of infection.
The data was reported in a poster presentation at the American Chemical Society's national meeting in Boston on August 23, 2010, by Terri Camesano, professor of chemical engineering at WPI. "Most of our work with cranberry juice has been with E. coli and urinary tract infections, but we included Staphylococcus aureus in this study because it is a very serious health threat," Camesano said. "This is early data, but the results are surprising."
The virulent form of E. coli that Camesano studies is the primary cause of most urinary tract infections. Strains of S. aureus can cause a range of "staph infections" from minor skin rashes to serious bloodstream infections. One particular strain, known as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is a growing public health problem in hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions because it doesn't respond to most antibiotics.
To cause an infection, bacteria must first adhere to a host, then gather together in colonies to form a biofilm. In the current study, Camesano recruited healthy female students at WPI to drink either cranberry juice cocktail or a placebo fluid that looked and tasted like cranberry juice. The subjects provides urine samples at prescribed intervals after drinking the juice or placebo, and those samples were incubated in petri dishes with several strains of E. coli and a single strain of S. aureus. Camesano's team stained the bacteria with a special dye, then used a spectrophotometer to measure the density of the bacterial colonies in the dishes over time. Their analysis showed that the urine samples from subjects who had recently consumed cranberry juice cocktail significantly reduced the ability of E. coli and S. aureus to form biofilms on the surface of the dishes.
"What was surprising is that Staphylococcus aureus showed the most significant results in this study," Camesano said. "We saw essentially no biofilm in the staph samples, which is very surprising because Staph aureus is usually very good at forming biofilms. That's what makes it such a health problem."
With E. coli, Camesano's focal point is the small hair-like projections known as fimbriae, which act like hooks and help the bacteria latch onto cells that line the urinary tract. Camesano has shown that exposure to cranberry juice causes the fimbriae on E. coli to curl up, blunting their ability to attach to cells. S. aureous, however, doesn't have fimbirae, so there must be other reasons why the cranberry juice affected its biofilm formation in the study. "These results do create more questions than answers," Camesano said. "We believe this is an important new area to explore, and we are now thinking about how best to proceed."
Since bacterial adhesion is required for infection, Camesano hopes that better understanding of the specific mechanisms and forces involved in biofilm formation will help inform future studies aimed at identifying potential drug targets for new antibiotics. The data may also be useful in studies aimed at engineering the surfaces of invasive medical devices like catheters to make them more resistant to bacterial adhesion.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Long-Term Benefits to Eating Fruits, Veggies, Foods Low in Saturated Fat
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Eating plan emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products; includes whole grains, poultry, fish and nuts; and is reduced in fats, red meat, sweets and sugar-containing beverages.
A new study suggests yet another reason for Americans to abandon their current fatty diets in favor of one rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat. Choosing these healthier options appears to significantly reduce the long-term risk of heart disease in patients with mildly elevated blood pressure, particularly African Americans.
Long known to reduce blood pressure and now recommended in national guidelines, this healthier diet -- known as the DASH diet -- also reduces heart disease risk, even in people who do not lose weight, according to a Johns Hopkins study being published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
"One of the most noteworthy findings is the remarkable reduction in heart disease risk among African Americans," says Nisa M. Maruthur, M.D., M.H.S., an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and one of the study's authors. "African Americans in the United States tend to have worse outcomes than whites from cardiovascular disease, and here is one way they may be able to help prevent it."
The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products; includes whole grains, poultry, fish and nuts; and is reduced in fats, red meat, sweets and sugar-containing beverages.
Maruthur's research shows that subjects who ate the DASH diet likely decreased their 10-year risk of coronary heart disease by 18 percent over those who ate a more typical American diet; and by 11 percent over those who ate a diet rich in fruits and vegetables but otherwise similar to a typical American diet.
In African-American subjects, the decrease in 10-year risk of coronary heart disease was even more pronounced: Those on the DASH diet saw their risk decline by 22 percent over those on a typical diet, compared to 8 percent for white subjects.
Compared to the study's control group, the DASH diet (with its nine to 11 servings of fruits and vegetables a day) lowered blood pressure, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol as well as HDL cholesterol. It had no effect on levels of triglycerides, fatty acids also linked to heart disease.
The research was done using data from the DASH trial of the 1990s, in which 459 people with elevated blood pressure not high enough to require medication were sorted into three groups. Each group ate one of three diets for eight weeks, the DASH diet, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables but otherwise comparable to a typical diet, or a more typical fatty American diet. All of the food was provided by researchers, who carefully measured out portions and determined the nutrient content of the meals being served. Using a risk assessment calculator devised by the Framingham Heart Study, Maruthur's team was able to estimate heart disease risk.
Maruthur says the reason that the diet likely reduces coronary heart disease risk is that it reduces both blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, two independent risk factors for coronary disease.
One drawback of the study -- and most any study of lifestyle interventions -- is that it relies on estimates for determining heart disease risks in the long term. Researchers point out that it would take too much time and money to follow people for the decades required to see if the prescribed diet helps reduce actual heart attacks and heart disease deaths.
For years, doctors and policy makers have talked about the detrimental effects of the typical American diet on the nation's health. Physician, advocacy and government groups have advocated for widespread adoption of a diet similar to the DASH diet. But the message, says Maruthur, still hasn't gotten through.
"It's no secret that we should be eating less saturated fat and more fruits and vegetables," she says. "But how do we get the general population to adopt the DASH diet? The public health benefits could be enormous."
Eating plan emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products; includes whole grains, poultry, fish and nuts; and is reduced in fats, red meat, sweets and sugar-containing beverages.
A new study suggests yet another reason for Americans to abandon their current fatty diets in favor of one rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat. Choosing these healthier options appears to significantly reduce the long-term risk of heart disease in patients with mildly elevated blood pressure, particularly African Americans.
Long known to reduce blood pressure and now recommended in national guidelines, this healthier diet -- known as the DASH diet -- also reduces heart disease risk, even in people who do not lose weight, according to a Johns Hopkins study being published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
"One of the most noteworthy findings is the remarkable reduction in heart disease risk among African Americans," says Nisa M. Maruthur, M.D., M.H.S., an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and one of the study's authors. "African Americans in the United States tend to have worse outcomes than whites from cardiovascular disease, and here is one way they may be able to help prevent it."
The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products; includes whole grains, poultry, fish and nuts; and is reduced in fats, red meat, sweets and sugar-containing beverages.
Maruthur's research shows that subjects who ate the DASH diet likely decreased their 10-year risk of coronary heart disease by 18 percent over those who ate a more typical American diet; and by 11 percent over those who ate a diet rich in fruits and vegetables but otherwise similar to a typical American diet.
In African-American subjects, the decrease in 10-year risk of coronary heart disease was even more pronounced: Those on the DASH diet saw their risk decline by 22 percent over those on a typical diet, compared to 8 percent for white subjects.
Compared to the study's control group, the DASH diet (with its nine to 11 servings of fruits and vegetables a day) lowered blood pressure, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol as well as HDL cholesterol. It had no effect on levels of triglycerides, fatty acids also linked to heart disease.
The research was done using data from the DASH trial of the 1990s, in which 459 people with elevated blood pressure not high enough to require medication were sorted into three groups. Each group ate one of three diets for eight weeks, the DASH diet, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables but otherwise comparable to a typical diet, or a more typical fatty American diet. All of the food was provided by researchers, who carefully measured out portions and determined the nutrient content of the meals being served. Using a risk assessment calculator devised by the Framingham Heart Study, Maruthur's team was able to estimate heart disease risk.
Maruthur says the reason that the diet likely reduces coronary heart disease risk is that it reduces both blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, two independent risk factors for coronary disease.
One drawback of the study -- and most any study of lifestyle interventions -- is that it relies on estimates for determining heart disease risks in the long term. Researchers point out that it would take too much time and money to follow people for the decades required to see if the prescribed diet helps reduce actual heart attacks and heart disease deaths.
For years, doctors and policy makers have talked about the detrimental effects of the typical American diet on the nation's health. Physician, advocacy and government groups have advocated for widespread adoption of a diet similar to the DASH diet. But the message, says Maruthur, still hasn't gotten through.
"It's no secret that we should be eating less saturated fat and more fruits and vegetables," she says. "But how do we get the general population to adopt the DASH diet? The public health benefits could be enormous."
Moderate coffee consumption leads to reduced cardiovascular disease,
Ω
Moderate coffee consumption leads to reduced cardiovascular disease, lower prevalence of diabetes and hyperlipidaemia, lower body mass index, better renal functions and higher creatinine clearance levels. There was no evidence, however, that increasing coffee consumption to three to five cups per day would lead to further improvements.
A detailed study conducted by a team from the University of Athens on the Aegean island of Ikaria has demonstrated that moderate consumption of coffee by hypertensive elderly individuals can lead to improvements in aortic distensibility, according to a presentation at the European Society of Cardiology's Congress 2010 in Stockholm.
Distensibility is a measure of the elasticity of arteries, and low levels have long been recognised as an indicator of atherosclerosis and a reliable predictor of future cardiovascular events. By increasing the load on the heart, hypertension leads to vascular changes and neuro-hormonal activation which causes increases in vascular stiffness and reduced elasticity.
Between June and October 2009, researchers from the University of Athens conducted a health and nutrition survey using a target group of 343 men and 330 women aged between 65 and 100 -- all of whom were long-term residents of Ikaria. The island was selected because of its population's high life expectancy, with an above-average proportion of residents over 90 years of age. Consideration was given to a wide range of socio-demographic, bio-clinical, lifestyle and dietary characteristics related to cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, obesity and anthropometric indices. Physical activity status and biochemical parameters related to cardiovascular risk were also evaluated.
Coffee consumption was particularly measured during the initial phase of the study because it is a deeply embedded social tradition within the Greek population, and also because of conflicting evidence of its impact on cardiovascular health. Doctor Christina Chrysohoou, the study coordinator, noted, "As far as the effect of coffee on hypertension is concerned, the pressor response to caffeine seems to be more pronounced in hypertensive or hypertension-prone subjects than in normo-tensive ones. For this reason, our study became focused on a sub-group of some 235 hypertensive subjects, and we measured the impact of daily coffee consumption using echocardiographic indices of aortic distensibility."
To be classified within this sub-group of 235 individuals, subjects had to meet certain criteria that included a known history of hypertension, that they were under dietary or medical treatment, or that they had average blood-pressure levels above the upper limit of the normal range. Aortic distensibility for each of these 235 residents was calculated non-invasively by an established mathematical equation using the echocardiographic measurements of systolic and diastolic diameters of aortic root. Dietary habits were evaluated using a special, repeatable, semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire that had been previously validated by experts within the University of Athens in collaboration with the Nutrition Science and Dietetics Department of Harokopio University.
The analysis conclusively illustrates the beneficial effects on aortic distensibility of moderate coffee consumption. The research attributes this to the polyphenolic compounds found in coffee, especially traditional Greek blends that are high in diterpenes such as cafestol and kahweol. The effect of chlorogenic acid is reported to be associated with nitric oxide, as caffeic and ferulic acids appear to improve vascular function by reducing oxidation and enhancing the bio-availability of nitric oxide. Moreover, other micronutrients, including flavonoids, magnesium, potassium, niacin and vitamin E, contribute to the observed health effects of coffee consumption, mainly because of their anti-oxidant properties. However, in hypertensive patients the balance between nitric oxide and superoxide production is already damaged, so the impact of the beneficial compounds present in coffee is possibly not strong enough to offer a protective effect through increased consumption.
Doctor Chrysohoou summarises the findings, "The study revealed that moderate coffee consumption (between one and two cups per day) is associated with higher values of aortic distensibility when compared with other hypertensive elderly individuals taking less quantities of coffee. Adjustments were made for various factors such as age, gender, physical activity status, creatinine levels, BMI and diabetes mellitus. There was also evidence that moderate coffee consumption leads to reduced cardiovascular disease, lower prevalence of diabetes and hyperlipidaemia, lower body mass index, better renal functions and higher creatinine clearance levels. There was no evidence, however, that increasing coffee consumption to three to five cups per day would lead to further improvements in aortic distensibility."
Moderate coffee consumption leads to reduced cardiovascular disease, lower prevalence of diabetes and hyperlipidaemia, lower body mass index, better renal functions and higher creatinine clearance levels. There was no evidence, however, that increasing coffee consumption to three to five cups per day would lead to further improvements.
A detailed study conducted by a team from the University of Athens on the Aegean island of Ikaria has demonstrated that moderate consumption of coffee by hypertensive elderly individuals can lead to improvements in aortic distensibility, according to a presentation at the European Society of Cardiology's Congress 2010 in Stockholm.
Distensibility is a measure of the elasticity of arteries, and low levels have long been recognised as an indicator of atherosclerosis and a reliable predictor of future cardiovascular events. By increasing the load on the heart, hypertension leads to vascular changes and neuro-hormonal activation which causes increases in vascular stiffness and reduced elasticity.
Between June and October 2009, researchers from the University of Athens conducted a health and nutrition survey using a target group of 343 men and 330 women aged between 65 and 100 -- all of whom were long-term residents of Ikaria. The island was selected because of its population's high life expectancy, with an above-average proportion of residents over 90 years of age. Consideration was given to a wide range of socio-demographic, bio-clinical, lifestyle and dietary characteristics related to cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, obesity and anthropometric indices. Physical activity status and biochemical parameters related to cardiovascular risk were also evaluated.
Coffee consumption was particularly measured during the initial phase of the study because it is a deeply embedded social tradition within the Greek population, and also because of conflicting evidence of its impact on cardiovascular health. Doctor Christina Chrysohoou, the study coordinator, noted, "As far as the effect of coffee on hypertension is concerned, the pressor response to caffeine seems to be more pronounced in hypertensive or hypertension-prone subjects than in normo-tensive ones. For this reason, our study became focused on a sub-group of some 235 hypertensive subjects, and we measured the impact of daily coffee consumption using echocardiographic indices of aortic distensibility."
To be classified within this sub-group of 235 individuals, subjects had to meet certain criteria that included a known history of hypertension, that they were under dietary or medical treatment, or that they had average blood-pressure levels above the upper limit of the normal range. Aortic distensibility for each of these 235 residents was calculated non-invasively by an established mathematical equation using the echocardiographic measurements of systolic and diastolic diameters of aortic root. Dietary habits were evaluated using a special, repeatable, semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire that had been previously validated by experts within the University of Athens in collaboration with the Nutrition Science and Dietetics Department of Harokopio University.
The analysis conclusively illustrates the beneficial effects on aortic distensibility of moderate coffee consumption. The research attributes this to the polyphenolic compounds found in coffee, especially traditional Greek blends that are high in diterpenes such as cafestol and kahweol. The effect of chlorogenic acid is reported to be associated with nitric oxide, as caffeic and ferulic acids appear to improve vascular function by reducing oxidation and enhancing the bio-availability of nitric oxide. Moreover, other micronutrients, including flavonoids, magnesium, potassium, niacin and vitamin E, contribute to the observed health effects of coffee consumption, mainly because of their anti-oxidant properties. However, in hypertensive patients the balance between nitric oxide and superoxide production is already damaged, so the impact of the beneficial compounds present in coffee is possibly not strong enough to offer a protective effect through increased consumption.
Doctor Chrysohoou summarises the findings, "The study revealed that moderate coffee consumption (between one and two cups per day) is associated with higher values of aortic distensibility when compared with other hypertensive elderly individuals taking less quantities of coffee. Adjustments were made for various factors such as age, gender, physical activity status, creatinine levels, BMI and diabetes mellitus. There was also evidence that moderate coffee consumption leads to reduced cardiovascular disease, lower prevalence of diabetes and hyperlipidaemia, lower body mass index, better renal functions and higher creatinine clearance levels. There was no evidence, however, that increasing coffee consumption to three to five cups per day would lead to further improvements in aortic distensibility."
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Increasing selenium intake may decrease bladder cancer risk
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- 39 percent reduced risk seen in a meta-analysis.
- Selenium effects may vary according to individual's characteristics.
A common mineral may provide protection against bladder cancer.
According to results of a study published in the September issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, selenium intake is associated with decreased risk of bladder cancer.
"The lower the levels of selenium, the higher the risk of developing bladder cancer," said lead researcher Núria Malats, M.D., Ph.D., leader of the Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Center.
Selenium is an essential micronutrient that is incorporated into about 25 proteins, called selenoproteins. Most of these selenoproteins are enzymes with antioxidant properties that prevent cellular damage caused by the by-products of oxygen metabolism, according to Malats.
The main dietary sources of this micronutrient are plant foods grown in selenium-rich soils, animals who graze on these soils and selenium-enriched products.
Using data from seven previously published studies, Malats and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate selenium levels measured in serum and toenails and the risk of developing bladder cancer. The data included individuals mostly from the United States, but also from Belgium, Finland and the Netherlands.
The researchers noted a significant protective effect of selenium, mainly among women, which they believe may result from gender-specific differences in the mineral's accumulation and excretion in women.
"Although our results suggest a beneficial effect of high selenium intake for bladder cancer risk, more studies are needed to confirm these findings before an enforcement of high selenium intake is recommended," Malats said.
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention Editorial Board Member Elizabeth A. Platz, Sc.D., M.P.H., said, "these findings provide a valuable lead for what to do next to understand if there is a role for selenium supplementation in bladder cancer prevention."
- 39 percent reduced risk seen in a meta-analysis.
- Selenium effects may vary according to individual's characteristics.
A common mineral may provide protection against bladder cancer.
According to results of a study published in the September issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, selenium intake is associated with decreased risk of bladder cancer.
"The lower the levels of selenium, the higher the risk of developing bladder cancer," said lead researcher Núria Malats, M.D., Ph.D., leader of the Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Center.
Selenium is an essential micronutrient that is incorporated into about 25 proteins, called selenoproteins. Most of these selenoproteins are enzymes with antioxidant properties that prevent cellular damage caused by the by-products of oxygen metabolism, according to Malats.
The main dietary sources of this micronutrient are plant foods grown in selenium-rich soils, animals who graze on these soils and selenium-enriched products.
Using data from seven previously published studies, Malats and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate selenium levels measured in serum and toenails and the risk of developing bladder cancer. The data included individuals mostly from the United States, but also from Belgium, Finland and the Netherlands.
The researchers noted a significant protective effect of selenium, mainly among women, which they believe may result from gender-specific differences in the mineral's accumulation and excretion in women.
"Although our results suggest a beneficial effect of high selenium intake for bladder cancer risk, more studies are needed to confirm these findings before an enforcement of high selenium intake is recommended," Malats said.
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention Editorial Board Member Elizabeth A. Platz, Sc.D., M.P.H., said, "these findings provide a valuable lead for what to do next to understand if there is a role for selenium supplementation in bladder cancer prevention."
Combining resistance and endurance training best for heart health
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A study of triathletes published in the online edition and October issue of Radiology reveals that the heart adapts to triathlon training by working more efficiently.
"To our knowledge, this is the first study using MRI to investigate effects of triathlon training on cardiac adaptations," said lead researcher Michael M. Lell, M.D., associate professor at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Erlangen, Germany.
Dr. Lell and colleagues conducted cardiac MRI on 26 professional male triathletes (mean age 27.9) and 27 male controls (mean age 27.3), who were recreationally active no more than three hours per week. Triathletes in the study were top national and international competitors with six or more years of continuous training. Triathlons are multi-sport events consisting of swimming, cycling and running various distances in succession.
The cardiac MR images revealed that, compared to the recreational athletes, the triathletes had larger left atria and larger right and left ventricles. The triathletes' left and right ventricles also had greater muscle mass and wall thickness.
"In competitive athletes, it is important to distinguish physiological adaptations as a result of training from pathological conditions such as cardiomyopathy, the most common cause of sudden cardiac death," Dr. Lell said.
In cardiomyopathy, the size of the heart's four chambers and the thickness of the heart wall become asymmetrical, and the heart muscle is unable to pump effectively.
"The cardiac adaptations in the elite triathletes we studied were characterized by a balanced increase in left and right ventricular muscle mass, wall thickness, dilation and diastolic function," Dr. Lell said. "These adaptations reflect the nature of triathlon training, which has both endurance and resistance components."
Dynamic or endurance training includes activities such as running and swimming. Weightlifting is an example of static or resistance training, and cycling is a combination of both forms of exercise. Excessive training in either resistance or endurance disciplines leads to specific heart adaptations, and extreme endurance training is thought to be associated with a predisposition to sudden cardiac events.
"Cardiac adaptations in elite triathletes in our study were not associated with sudden cardiac death," Dr. Lell said.
The triathletes' resting heart rates were also 17 percent lower than those of the control group, which leads to greater cardiac blood supply and more economized heart function.
"The hearts of the triathletes in our study are stronger and able to manage the same workload with less effort," said Dr. Lell.
A study of triathletes published in the online edition and October issue of Radiology reveals that the heart adapts to triathlon training by working more efficiently.
"To our knowledge, this is the first study using MRI to investigate effects of triathlon training on cardiac adaptations," said lead researcher Michael M. Lell, M.D., associate professor at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Erlangen, Germany.
Dr. Lell and colleagues conducted cardiac MRI on 26 professional male triathletes (mean age 27.9) and 27 male controls (mean age 27.3), who were recreationally active no more than three hours per week. Triathletes in the study were top national and international competitors with six or more years of continuous training. Triathlons are multi-sport events consisting of swimming, cycling and running various distances in succession.
The cardiac MR images revealed that, compared to the recreational athletes, the triathletes had larger left atria and larger right and left ventricles. The triathletes' left and right ventricles also had greater muscle mass and wall thickness.
"In competitive athletes, it is important to distinguish physiological adaptations as a result of training from pathological conditions such as cardiomyopathy, the most common cause of sudden cardiac death," Dr. Lell said.
In cardiomyopathy, the size of the heart's four chambers and the thickness of the heart wall become asymmetrical, and the heart muscle is unable to pump effectively.
"The cardiac adaptations in the elite triathletes we studied were characterized by a balanced increase in left and right ventricular muscle mass, wall thickness, dilation and diastolic function," Dr. Lell said. "These adaptations reflect the nature of triathlon training, which has both endurance and resistance components."
Dynamic or endurance training includes activities such as running and swimming. Weightlifting is an example of static or resistance training, and cycling is a combination of both forms of exercise. Excessive training in either resistance or endurance disciplines leads to specific heart adaptations, and extreme endurance training is thought to be associated with a predisposition to sudden cardiac events.
"Cardiac adaptations in elite triathletes in our study were not associated with sudden cardiac death," Dr. Lell said.
The triathletes' resting heart rates were also 17 percent lower than those of the control group, which leads to greater cardiac blood supply and more economized heart function.
"The hearts of the triathletes in our study are stronger and able to manage the same workload with less effort," said Dr. Lell.
Diverse diet of veggies may decrease lung cancer risk
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Adding a variety of vegetables to one's diet may help decrease the chance of getting lung cancer, and adding a variety of fruits and vegetables may decrease the risk of squamous cell lung cancer, especially among smokers.
Study results are published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
"Although quitting smoking is the most important preventive action in reducing lung cancer risk, consuming a mix of different types of fruit and vegetables may also reduce risk, independent of the amount, especially among smokers," said H. Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., senior scientist and project director of cancer epidemiology at The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, The Netherlands.
Using information from the ongoing, multi-centered European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study, Bueno-de-Mesquita and colleagues evaluated 452,187 participants with complete information, 1,613 of whom were diagnosed with lung cancer.
Information was obtained on 14 commonly eaten fruits and 26 commonly eaten vegetables. The fruits and vegetables evaluated in the EPIC study consisted of a wide variety of fresh, canned or dried products.
Previous results from the EPIC study showed that the quantity of vegetables and fruits may decrease risk of lung cancer; in particular the risk of one specific type of lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, decreased in current smokers.
Regardless of the amount, the researchers on the current study found that risk of lung cancer also decreased when a variety of vegetables were consumed. In addition, the risk of squamous cell carcinoma decreased substantially when a variety of fruits and vegetables were eaten. However, Bueno-de-Mesquita said that they "cannot exclude that these results can still be explained by smoking."
"Fruits and vegetables contain many different bioactive compounds, and it makes sense to assume that it is important that you not only eat the recommended amounts, but also consume a rich mix of these bioactive compounds by consuming a large variety," he said.
While previous research has shown the influence of the quantity of fruits and vegetables on cancer development, Stephen Hecht, Ph.D., editorial board member for Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, believes this study is one of the first to evaluate diversity of fruit and vegetable consumption, rather than quantity.
"The results are very interesting and demonstrate a protective effect in smokers. There are still over a billion smokers in the world, and many are addicted to nicotine and cannot stop in spite of their best efforts," added Hecht, who is the Wallin Land Grant Professor of Cancer Prevention at the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota.
Tobacco smoke contains a complex mixture of cancer causing agents. Therefore, a mixture of protective agents is needed to have any beneficial effect in reducing one's chance of lung cancer, Hecht said.
"Nevertheless, the public should be made aware and be reminded that the only proven way to reduce your risk for lung cancer is to avoid tobacco in all its forms," he said.
Adding a variety of vegetables to one's diet may help decrease the chance of getting lung cancer, and adding a variety of fruits and vegetables may decrease the risk of squamous cell lung cancer, especially among smokers.
Study results are published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
"Although quitting smoking is the most important preventive action in reducing lung cancer risk, consuming a mix of different types of fruit and vegetables may also reduce risk, independent of the amount, especially among smokers," said H. Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., senior scientist and project director of cancer epidemiology at The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, The Netherlands.
Using information from the ongoing, multi-centered European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study, Bueno-de-Mesquita and colleagues evaluated 452,187 participants with complete information, 1,613 of whom were diagnosed with lung cancer.
Information was obtained on 14 commonly eaten fruits and 26 commonly eaten vegetables. The fruits and vegetables evaluated in the EPIC study consisted of a wide variety of fresh, canned or dried products.
Previous results from the EPIC study showed that the quantity of vegetables and fruits may decrease risk of lung cancer; in particular the risk of one specific type of lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, decreased in current smokers.
Regardless of the amount, the researchers on the current study found that risk of lung cancer also decreased when a variety of vegetables were consumed. In addition, the risk of squamous cell carcinoma decreased substantially when a variety of fruits and vegetables were eaten. However, Bueno-de-Mesquita said that they "cannot exclude that these results can still be explained by smoking."
"Fruits and vegetables contain many different bioactive compounds, and it makes sense to assume that it is important that you not only eat the recommended amounts, but also consume a rich mix of these bioactive compounds by consuming a large variety," he said.
While previous research has shown the influence of the quantity of fruits and vegetables on cancer development, Stephen Hecht, Ph.D., editorial board member for Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, believes this study is one of the first to evaluate diversity of fruit and vegetable consumption, rather than quantity.
"The results are very interesting and demonstrate a protective effect in smokers. There are still over a billion smokers in the world, and many are addicted to nicotine and cannot stop in spite of their best efforts," added Hecht, who is the Wallin Land Grant Professor of Cancer Prevention at the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota.
Tobacco smoke contains a complex mixture of cancer causing agents. Therefore, a mixture of protective agents is needed to have any beneficial effect in reducing one's chance of lung cancer, Hecht said.
"Nevertheless, the public should be made aware and be reminded that the only proven way to reduce your risk for lung cancer is to avoid tobacco in all its forms," he said.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Jon's Health Tips - Latest Health Research
Lots of new research in the last 3 weeks, almost all of which confirms or reinforces my own practices.
1. I already take L-arginine amino acid – I will be taking more of it starting today:
L-arginine amino acid produces a 'striking' endurance boost:
2. Playing soccer 3 times a week, and kayaking 2-3 times a week will keep be alive and bright:
Light and moderate physical activity reduces the risk of early death
And
Even walking can enhance the connectivity of important brain circuits, combat declines in brain function associated with aging and increase performance on cognitive tasks.
3. I’ll continue to drink to this:
Findings confirm an association between moderate drinking and reduced mortality among older adults.
And
Moderate drinking, especially wine, associated with better cognitive function
But
Alcohol intake increases certain types of (relatively rare) breast cancer, but not of the most common breast cancer
And
Women who drink beer more likely to develop psoriasis
4. I’m going to try to drink less bottled green tea and more brewed green tea,
Bottled tea beverages may contain fewer polyphenols than brewed tea
5. But I drink bottled tea before soccer games mainly for the caffeine:
Caffeine Only Benefit Of Energy Drinks
6. I have to keep up
My berry consumption:
Eating berries may activate the brain's natural housekeeper for healthy aging
My Mediterranean diet:
Mediterranean diet = skin cancer prevention
Avoiding red and processed meats
Healthier protein-rich foods instead of red and processed meats may reduce heart disease risk
My 85% cocoa dark chocolate consumption:
Moderate chocolate consumption linked to lower risks of heart failure
My green leafy vegetables:
Green leafy vegetables reduce diabetes risk
And my green tea
Green Tea Extract Appears to Keep Cancer in Check
7. A reader alerted me to this research
Increased Risk of Stroke Associated With Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
And more bad news about one NSAID:
Acetaminophen use in adolescents linked to doubled risk of asthma
But I did some further research about the one NSAID I use regularly:
Aspirin lowers stroke risk.
8. So it’s good that I take aspirin, etc. because I’m at greater risk than some – you want to argue with me about that:
Antagonistic people may increase heart attack, stroke risk
9. I'm very happy with my statin regime:
Free statins with fast food could neutralize heart risk, scientists say
10. I will continue to take zinc:
Adequate zinc eases pneumonia in elderly
11. I stopped drinking cranberry juice and taking cranberry pills earlier this summer. Guess what I’m suffering right now:
Cranberry Juice Fights Bacteria That Cause Urinary Tract Infections
12. I may have to resume taking folate supplements, although my diet is pretty good on that, but I'm not bummed about it:
Lower levels of folate=symptoms of dementia and poor brain function, also called "cognitive decline"
Not what I usually cover, but important:
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
1. I already take L-arginine amino acid – I will be taking more of it starting today:
L-arginine amino acid produces a 'striking' endurance boost:
Research from the University of Exeter has revealed taking a dietary supplement to boost nitric oxide in the body can significantly boost stamina during high-intensity exercise.
The study has important implications for athletes, as results suggest that taking the supplement can allow people to exercise up to 20% longer .
The report, published on-line by the Journal of Applied Physiology, found taking the supplement:
- Improves severe-intensity exercise endurance by 20%
- Significantly reduces systolic blood pressure
- Reduces the oxygen cost of exercise
2. Playing soccer 3 times a week, and kayaking 2-3 times a week will keep be alive and bright:
Light and moderate physical activity reduces the risk of early death
And
Even walking can enhance the connectivity of important brain circuits, combat declines in brain function associated with aging and increase performance on cognitive tasks.
3. I’ll continue to drink to this:
Findings confirm an association between moderate drinking and reduced mortality among older adults.
And
Moderate drinking, especially wine, associated with better cognitive function
But
Alcohol intake increases certain types of (relatively rare) breast cancer, but not of the most common breast cancer
We found that women who drank one or more drinks per day had about double the risk of lobular type breast cancer, but no increase in their risk of ductal type breast cancer. It is important to note that ductal cancer is much more common than lobular cancer accounting for about 70 percent of all breast cancers whereas lobular cancer accounts for only about 10-15 percent of cases.
And
Women who drink beer more likely to develop psoriasis
Regular beer—but not light beer or other types of alcohol—appears to be associated with an increased risk of developing psoriasis.
Women who drank five or more beers per week had a risk for the condition that was 1.8 times higher. Light beer, red wine, white wine and liquor were not associated with psoriasis risk.
4. I’m going to try to drink less bottled green tea and more brewed green tea,
Bottled tea beverages may contain fewer polyphenols than brewed tea
Measurements of healthful antioxidant levels in commercial bottled tea beverages has concluded that health-conscious consumers may not be getting what they pay for: healthful doses of those antioxidants, or "poylphenols," that may ward off a range of diseases. Analysis of tea beverages found that the polyphenol content is extremely low."
5. But I drink bottled tea before soccer games mainly for the caffeine:
Caffeine Only Benefit Of Energy Drinks
"Most of the performance-enhancing effects of energy drinks can be linked to their caffeine content," she says. "Caffeine has been consistently been observed to enhance aerobic performance, although its effects on anaerobic performance may vary."
6. I have to keep up
My berry consumption:
Eating berries may activate the brain's natural housekeeper for healthy aging
My Mediterranean diet:
Mediterranean diet = skin cancer prevention
Avoiding red and processed meats
Healthier protein-rich foods instead of red and processed meats may reduce heart disease risk
The data also showed that eating more servings of poultry, fish and nuts was significantly associated with a decreased risk of coronary heart disease. Compared to one serving each day of red meat, women who substituted other protein-rich foods experienced significantly lower risk of coronary heart disease:
30 percent lower risk with one serving each day of nuts
24 percent lower risk with one serving each day of fish
19 percent lower risk with one serving each day of poultry
13 percent lower risk with one serving each day of low-fat dairy products
My 85% cocoa dark chocolate consumption:
Moderate chocolate consumption linked to lower risks of heart failure
Women who ate an average of one to two servings of the high-quality chocolate per week had a 32 percent lower risk of developing heart failure.
Those who had one to three servings per month had a 26 percent lower risk.
My green leafy vegetables:
Green leafy vegetables reduce diabetes risk
And my green tea
Green Tea Extract Appears to Keep Cancer in Check
7. A reader alerted me to this research
Increased Risk of Stroke Associated With Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
And more bad news about one NSAID:
Acetaminophen use in adolescents linked to doubled risk of asthma
But I did some further research about the one NSAID I use regularly:
Aspirin lowers stroke risk.
8. So it’s good that I take aspirin, etc. because I’m at greater risk than some – you want to argue with me about that:
Antagonistic people may increase heart attack, stroke risk
Antagonistic people, particularly those who are competitive and aggressive, may be increasing their risk of heart attack or stroke.
9. I'm very happy with my statin regime:
Free statins with fast food could neutralize heart risk, scientists say
Fast food outlets could provide statin drugs free of charge so that customers can neutralize the heart disease dangers of fatty food, researchers at Imperial College London suggest in a new study published this week
Fast food outlets could provide statin drugs free of charge so that customers can neutralise the heart disease dangers of fatty food, researchers at Imperial College London suggest in a new study published this week.
Statins reduce the amount of unhealthy "LDL" cholesterol in the blood. A wealth of trial data has proven them to be highly effective at lowering a person's heart attack risk.
One statin, simvastatin, is already available in Great Britain in low doses (10mg) over the counter at pharmacies without a prescription
Statins have among the best safety profiles of any medication. A very small proportion of regular statin users experience significant side effects, with problems in the liver and kidneys reported in between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 10,000 people.
10. I will continue to take zinc:
Adequate zinc eases pneumonia in elderly
11. I stopped drinking cranberry juice and taking cranberry pills earlier this summer. Guess what I’m suffering right now:
Cranberry Juice Fights Bacteria That Cause Urinary Tract Infections
12. I may have to resume taking folate supplements, although my diet is pretty good on that, but I'm not bummed about it:
Lower levels of folate=symptoms of dementia and poor brain function, also called "cognitive decline"
An analysis of volunteers' blood samples showed that lower levels of one B vitamin, folate, were associated with symptoms of dementia and poor brain function, also called "cognitive decline," as determined by standard tests of memory and other factors. The impairments were detectable even though less than 1 percent of the volunteers were actually deficient in folate.
In women, but not men, low levels of folate were associated with symptoms of depression.
Not what I usually cover, but important:
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer death or severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
New sign of a stroke - Stick Out Your Tongue.
Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours, he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough..
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