November 2010

Quick Tip: How to cool off heart disease?

Refrigerating vitamin supplements will dramatically decrease your risk of heart disease and help you fend off more regular ailments.

Purdue University researchers found that the high humidity in a cupboard reduces their usage to the point of rendering them useless. "The moisture from the heat breaks down nutrients," says study author Dr Lisa Mauer.

University of Wisconsin Medical School scientists found that taking regular supplements reduces risk of heart disease, too.

Clubroot disease spreads in Canada's canola WINNIPEG, Manitoba, - Wet conditions have helped spread the most-feared disease affecting canola crops in the western Canadian province of Alberta, a government official said on Tuesday.

* 66 new cases found, more than last year

* Resistant crops limiting severity

A survey of 341 fields by the University of Alberta has found 66 new cases of clubroot, a disease that prevents the canola plant's roots from taking in nutrients and water and can stay in the soil for up to 20 years.

More than 500 Alberta fields are now infested with clubroot. Last year, Alberta found about 50 more fields with the crop disease.

"Certainly it's a disease that's not going away," Alberta oilseed specialist Murray Hartman said in an interview posted on the Alberta Canola Producers Commission website.

Fields that farmers seeded to clubroot-resistant varieties, however, show much less severe damage, he said. Seed companies Pioneer Hi-Bred, owned by DuPont (DD.N), and Monsanto (MON.N) have clubroot-resistant varieties on the market.

"That's the good news part of it (that) as these resistant varieties become more commonplace, it should put kind of a governor (limit) on this disease and how fast it is spreading," Hartman said.

Canada is the world's top exporter of canola, which is crushed for its oil used in cooking, and for its meal, which is added to livestock feed.

Clubroot has ravaged European crops for centuries and was first detected in 2003 in Alberta, the main Canadian province affected by the disease.

Researchers in the top crop-growing province of Saskatchewan found the pathogen that causes clubroot in 2008, but have not found the disease itself, said Clint Jurke, an
agronomy specialist for the Canola Council of Canada.

There has been one canola field in Manitoba confirmed with clubroot, but symptoms were not severe and the disease has not reappeared there.

Clubroot Disease of Brassicas, Its Recognition and Control

source: reuters

Sleeping with light on could affect mental health

Scientists have warned that sleeping with the light on could affect your mood and mental health.

The odds of depression could be increased due to the light affecting the structure of the brain.

Mental health can be affected even by the glow emitted by a TV, the researchers at Ohio State University said.

Other studies have also warned of the dangers of disrupting the natural sleep-wake cycle of the body, such as one which linked nighttime light to weight gain.

The study at Ohio State University observed the effect of exposing rodents to dim light in the hours they would usually be asleep.

It discovered that those exposed to the light showed more symptoms of being depressed than those that had a standard light-dark cycle.

"The hippocampus plays a key role in depressive disorders, so finding changes there is significant. Even dim light at night is sufficient to provoke depressive behavior," researcher Tracy Bedrosian said.

Cornwall Seaway News recently shared some tips for better mental health and a good night's sleep. It suggested avoiding stimulating exercises at least three hours before going to bed.

source: craegmoor.co.uk

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to devastating complications The five diabetes facts everyone should know

A NEW campaign will be launched today to improve people’s understanding of diabetes and its seriousness.

Diabetes UK Cymru will send postcards featuring five key facts about the disease to every GP surgery and pharmacy in Wales.

A total of 50,000 postcards will be sent out – one for every person in Wales with undiagnosed diabetes.

The campaign is designed to dispel some of the common misconceptions about the condition, which accounts for 10% of NHS expenditure.

Dai Williams, national director of Diabetes UK Cymru, said: “As around one in 20 people are now diagnosed with diabetes in Wales, it is vital that people properly understand the condition.

“Sadly, many people still believe that type 2 diabetes is less serious than type 1 and many children in Wales experience bullying and discrimination because people wrongly believe that type 1 diabetes is linked to being overweight.

“As people can live with diabetes without knowing it for up to 10 years, we also launched the campaign to help find the 50,000 people with undiagnosed diabetes in Wales to ensure they start receiving treatment before they develop the condition’s devastating complications.”

FACT 1: There is no mild form of diabetes

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are equally as serious as both can lead to devastating complications if poorly managed.

People often wrongly believe type 2 diabetes is “mild” or “not the serious type” but both types are serious lifelong conditions which need to be managed carefully to reduce the risk of complications.

FACT 2: Diabetes can cause heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, blindness and amputations if poorly controlled

Many people aren’t aware diabetes can lead to this range of complications when poorly managed.

People with diabetes can reduce their risk of complications by keeping active, eating a healthy, balanced diet, taking prescribed medications, keeping blood glucose levels within the levels recommended by their care team and by attending all healthcare appointments, including annual retinal screening.

FACT 3: Eating a balanced diet and getting active can reduce the risk of getting type 2 diabetes

There are a number of risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, which cannot be prevented, including family history of diabetes and being over the age of 40, or 25 for people from black or South Asian communities.

But the most common risk factors for the condition are being overweight and having a large waist – that’s 37 inches or more for men (or 35 inches or more for South Asian men) and 31.5 inches or more for women.

The easiest way of reducing your risk of developing the condition is eating a healthy diet high in fruit and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight and getting active.

FACT 4: Children can have diabetes without being overweight as type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented

Unfortunately, many children and adults with type 1 diabetes face ignorance and discrimination about their condition as people wrongly believe type 1 diabetes is linked to lifestyle.

Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented. It happens when the body stops making insulin and is treated with insulin injections or an insulin pump for life after diagnosis.

FACT 5: 50,000 people in Wales are estimated not to know they have diabetes

Diabetes is rapidly rising in Wales and the 50,000 figure was estimated by the Assembly Government. Nearly all of these 50,000 people with undiagnosed diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes – including feeling extremely tired, thirsty and going to the loo more often (particularly at night) – develop slowly over time and can often by missed.

People can live with type 2 diabetes for up to 10 years without knowing it, which means half of these people will already have developed the condition’s complications by the time they are diagnosed.

Diabetes UK Cymru urges anyone with the symptoms to have a diabetes test.

The campaign is being supported by broadcaster Chris Needs, who has type 2 diabetes, and by Wales and Cardiff Blues star Jamie Roberts, who is studying to become a doctor.

Chris said: “I know how important it is that people with diabetes understand the condition. As someone who has lived with type 2 diabetes for nine years, I know that there is no mild form of diabetes.

“People with the condition need to understand that, if poorly controlled, diabetes can lead to devastating complications such as heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, blindness and amputation.

“I am also supporting the campaign to try to find the 50,000 people with undiagnosed diabetes in Wales as I was shocked and surprised to find out I had the condition.”

Jamie added: “50,000 people are thought to have undiagnosed diabetes in Wales and it is vital that anyone with its symptoms has a diabetes test.

“As a professional rugby player, I also want people to know that they can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the most common form, by getting active, being a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet.”

source: walesonline.co.uk

Save Our Kids From Becoming Another 'Sick' Generation

Unhealthy children often become unhealthy adults and new research backs up the sad reality of America's never-ending health epidemic. But how much does the perpetually sick state of America have to do with our access to healthy food?

United Health's Center for Reform and Modernization this month published a paper entitled "The United States of Diabetes," which estimates that 52 percent of American adults will be diabetic or prediabetic in 10 years.

They note that currently about 15 percent of American adults are diabetic and project "that over the next decade, the nation may spend almost $3.4 trillion on diabetes-related care."

Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable through healthy eating and exercise, though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that there are certain genetic factors that increase the likelihood of developing it.

The CDC says that while kids are usually diagnosed with the hereditary type 1 diabetes, "in the last two decades, type 2 diabetes has been reported among US children and adolescents with increasing frequency."

Type 2 diabetes is most usually triggered by obesity, which is an indicator of a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits.

"The epidemics of obesity and the low level of physical activity among young people, as well as exposure to diabetes in utero, may be major contributors to the increase in type 2 diabetes during childhood and adolescence," according to the CDC.

But because eating healthy food is expensive, obesity and diabetes often plague both adults and children who are considered low-income more so than wealthier Americans.

According to research conducted by the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP), 46.6 million children under age 18—or 42 percent of American kids—live in poor and low-income families, up from 37 percent in 2000.

Their research also suggests that the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) isn't a realistic measure of the true costs of living in the U.S. While the FPL in 2010 was $22,050 for a family of four, the NCCP says that doubling that figure provides a more realistic amount of money needed by the average family to pay for basic necessities.

So how are these millions of kids and their parents supposed to decrease their risks of becoming obese and developing type 2 diabetes when they're having a tough enough time earning enough money to put any food on the table at all?

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act could provide some assistance. With a similar bill passed by the Senate earlier this year, everyone from government officials to food activists are urging the House of Representatives to pass their version of the bill before the session ends next month.

The bill would increase funding to schools across the country to help offer healthier school lunch foods and create "national baseline standards for all foods sold in elementary, middle, and high schools to ensure they contribute effectively to a healthy diet."

But it seems to me that while the passing of this bill would help in getting healthy food to kids whose families have trouble providing healthy meals at home, it's not an end-all solution to those grim diabetes predictions over the next decade.

After all, even in wealthy places like Blind Brook, where there's an above-average amount of money to fund healthy food, there are still vending machines offering soda and junk food. After spending just an hour observing a typical lunch period in the high school's cafeteria back in April, I can tell you that the lines for the vending machines are much longer than the lines for the salad bar. Even though school districts like Blind Brook offer some healthy options, there's a lot of work ahead if schools are to altogether stop offering unhealthy corn syrup and preservative-laden products.

While wealthier school districts can more easily obtain healthier food for students, poorer districts rely on meager government dollars to help feed kids what is often the majority of their caloric intake for the entire day. And when you need to purchase more food for less money, you're going to turn to the cheap stuff like refined grains, cheap processed meats and very few whole foods.

So while the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act may bring some extra dollars to school districts, I think the way we think culturally about food has to change if we're going to reduce our obesity and diabetes rates over the next decade.

Every day I notice a new glimmer of hope, though. Just last week, the House passed a bill that designates October as National Farm to School Month, which will make it easier for schools to access locally-sourced food for their cafeterias. Hopefully this will mean less frozen, preserved stuff going onto kids' lunch trays, especially in communities where families are struggling to feed their children.

It's never too late to turn around the sick state of America. The costs to our bodies is catastrophic, as are the social and economic burdens that we all share.

So while people like Sarah Palin may knock Michelle Obama's childhood obesity campaign by saying it's just another government intrusion into peoples' personal lives, I think it's more practical to use the political process (however crooked and corrupt it is) to our advantage as everyday Americans.

By teaching our kids why it's best to know where you food comes from (and feel good about it) as well as the ability to use willpower to make smart eating choices, we're taking small steps in the right direction. Whether our policy makers choose to make the big steps they need to—including reducing subsidies on cheap grains like corn and helping our nation's struggling families by passing meaningful legislation—well, I guess that remains to be seen.

source: rye.patch

The best weight loss comes from diet and exercise together

New research by Fitness First in the UK shows how vital it is to combine healthy eating with regular exercise.

More than 90 percent of the people surveyed who chose this combination reported it as a successful weight loss formula in the study.

The research into the effectiveness of diets alone, and alongside regular exercise, also gives a resounding “thumbs up” to the sensible approach of steady weight loss and exercise, with dieters shunning the more extreme and niche diets as ineffective in the long term.

Exercise three or four times a week was judged to provide the best complement to dieting, a realistic aim for those looking to lose weight.

Fitness First surveyed more than 2,000 people on their diet and fitness habits. The results showed that twice as many women as men sample different weight-loss diets. (The actual figures were 55 percent of women dieting but just 23 percent of men willing to diet.)

However, both men and women favour diets such as WeightWatchers, Slimming World and Slim Fast over lesser known options such as the Duken or Maple Syrup diets.

The UK national fitness manager for Fitness First, Mr Derek Crawford, said, “It is good to see so many people taking up exercise to help keep them in shape, but the key is to incorporate an enjoyable fitness regime into your lifestyle – which is a common-sense approach to keeping fit and healthy.”

He said men were keener to incorporate fitness into the weight loss programme but said that it was important for everyone to exercise regularly.

Here are the five most popular diets for men and women:

Women

* WeightWatchers
* Slim Fast
* Slimming World
* Atkins
* Rosemary Conley

Men

* WeightWatchers
* Atkins
* Slim Fast
* Slimming World
* Rosemary Conley

There is no doubt that dieters who want to shed those extra pounds – and keep them off – should add regular exercise to their weight-loss program.

Latest health tips on cell phone radiation

• Do you know that different cell phones emit different amount of radiation? And do you know that cell phones are just complex two-way radios and that if one is talking on a cell phone, he/she is actually talking and listening to a two-way radio that is broadcasting a very, very high frequency signal right next to one’s head;

• Do you know that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a law requiring retailers of cell phones to post notices on how much dangerous radiation is reportedly being emitted by the cell phone units being sold - for consumers’ information;

• Do you know that one of the latest warning on cell phone radiation is to keep your cell phone at least one inch away from your body at all times while it’s on? A big problem for male cell phone users is that they put their cell phones in their pockets – without bothering to check whether their cell phones are on off or on mode;

• Do you know that many parents give their children cell phones as playthings and/or sometimes to soothe them to sleep and place the cell phone under the pillow – without realizing that the skulls of their children are thinner than the skulls of adults and that thinner skulls admits more radiation. There are research studies that show that a young brain is more vulnerable to brain damage/cancer than a mature brain;

• Do you know that in 2008, researchers in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that individuals who kept their cell phones against one side of their heads for several hours a day were fifty percent (50%) more likely to develop parotid tumors;

• Do you know that cordless phone chargers also emit radio frequency power even when not in use. This being so, Wi-Fi and cordless phone chargers should be removed in the bedrooms.

• Do you also know that pulsed digital signals are more damaging than the analog signals and they should not be anywhere near the head of the bed. Also, baby monitors should not be placed closer than 6 feet to the cribs.

(The above information was taken from Internet sites re the book Zapped; Why Your Cell Phone Shouldn’t be Your Alarm Clock and 1,268 Ways to Outsmart the Hazards of Electronic Pollution, by Ann Louise Gittleman, an award winning New York Times best-selling author of over 30 books on health and healing. In 2005, Ann Louise Gittleman was diagnosed with a benign tumor of the parotid, one of the salivary glands located just below the earlobe. It’s a very rare tumor. Ms. Gittleman is a heavy cell phone user for years.)

• Do you know that the French National Assembly passed a new environmental bill last June that included the following health protection directives against possible risk to electromagnetic fields (EMF). The radiation emitted by cell phone is known as electronic radiation.

– A prohibition on the use of mobile phones at school by students in kindergartens, elementary schools, and colleges.

– A prohibition on advertising and marketing mobile phones to children under 14 years of age.

– Every mobile phone sold in France must provide Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) along with a recommendation to use a hands-free kit. The details of how the information is to be presented are not yet finalized.

Let us reduce our cell phone radiation exposure by practicing health care measures on the use of cell phones.

Have a joyful day!

Eating More and Properly For Loosing Weight

This article details the latest research that deals with effective weight loss through proper eating.

According to the November 26 2010 evening bulletin of the Greek Television station ET1, recent research suggests that a high protein low carbohydrate diet will lead to a full stomach and effective weight loss.

A number of people may at one or another point in their lives experience a weight problem. Many people who feel, or are, overweight try to eliminate the extra pounds either by eating less; this crash attempt many times leads to detrimental health effects.

Undoubtedly, overweight issues should be first be brought to the attention of a qualified physician and dietician who is the most suitable to prescribe a proper strategy that will eventually, with patience lead to the desired effects. Crash diets frequently lead to weight gain rather than weight loss since the individual’s body, or metabolism , responds in such a way as to lead the individual to massive eating, or pigging out, to replace the perceived loss of energy.

High Protein Low Fat

One of the largest research projects called Diogenes, and dealing with proper nourishment and effective dieting has lead to the conclusion that effective weight loss (without any collateral damage or related side effects) can be accomplished by a high protein low carbohydrate diet. This diet must be accompanied by ample high fiber, fruit and vegetable intakes as university of Copenhagen researchers point out in their treatise in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The research which involved a group of about 950 individuals concludes that individuals following such a diet can eat to their limits, without incurring any extra weight while actually positioning their bodily functions towards actual weight loss.

The related control group which usually ate to the brim, actually gained about ½ a kilo in a six month period, while other groups following other diets gained about 2 kilos.

The consumption of high protein from foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, low fat dairy products, beans and nuts leads to faster intake satisfaction than other food combinations, and effectively less fat.

Not The Atkins Diet

The strategy detailed by the Danish scientists comes terribly close to what is known as the Atkins diet, which is followed by a number of well known Hollywood celebrities. The scientists however emphasize that while the Atkins method involves 50% of daily calorie intake from protein, the Diogenes diet invokes a 23% protein based calorie intake.

A Wholesome Greek Salad

The latest research results suggest that a classical Greek salad, the crown jewel of the so called Mediterranean diet, which incorporates fresh tomatoes, fresh green peppers, olives, onions, cucumber, capers, parsley, topped with feta cheese and lavishly embellished with oregano and ample virgin olive oil may be an ideal food candidate for those wishing to engage in a fulfilling healthy and high energy low fat meal.

Vaccine could Fight Colorectal Cancer using Patient's own Tumor Dartmouth researchers have found that could treat colorectal cancer with a vaccine that uses the patient’s own tumor. This dendritic cell (DC) vaccine is a new way to approach cancer treatment because it personalizes treatment that can be used to destroy microscopic cancer cells after surgery.

The vaccine uses cells from the patient’s own blood, mixed with protein from tumors to destroy colorectal cancer by stimulating T cells that fight disease and are a type of white blood cell.

High Number of Patients Developed Immunity to Colorectal Cancer

According to Richard Barth Jr., MD, Chief of General Surgery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and a member of the Gastrointestinal Clinical Oncology Group at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center, "We showed that a tumor lysate-pulsed DC vaccine can induce immune responses against the patient's own tumor in a high proportion of patients.” In the current study, Dr. Barth used the vaccine to treat colorectal cancer that had spread to the liver, after surgically removing liver tumors.

Dr. Barth has been investigating dendritic cell vaccines in humans and mice for more than 10 years. The researchers now understand the vaccine can be used to destroy tiny cancer cells that would eventually lead to death rather than destroying large colorectal tumors.

He explains, "It turned out we were asking the T-cells to do too much. The small number of T-cells that are generated by a vaccine can't destroy a large tumor. However, what they may be able to do is search out and destroy tumor cells that exist as only microscopic tumor deposits. Once we brought patients into a measurable tumor-free condition with surgery, the anti-tumor T-cells induced by the DC vaccine may help keep them that way."

The study included 26 patients with colorectal cancer and metastasis. The vaccine was given one month after surgery. At five-year follow-up, 63 percent of the patients developed an immune response to the DC vaccine and showed no signs of tumor. Just 18 percent those who failed to develop an immune response were cancer free.

Barth says he believes the vaccine could have an impact for treating cancer because "It's your own immune system doing the fighting.” The DC vaccine could lead to less toxic colorectal cancer treatment that can also prevent its return; pending further studies.

source: emaxhealth

How to know if your cell phones are tapped?

Mobile phones

Tapping cell phones is currently more common compared to tapping landline phone numbers. Most of the conversations these days are conducted on cell phones. Hence, 80 percent of the calls being tapped are from cellphones.

If you believe that your phone is being tapped, then during a conversation listen carefully whether the volume of the phone is affected.

There could be short beeps too, which indicate that the phone is being tapped.

Another thing to do is watch the cell phone when it is not in use. It could emit strange sounds when kept aside. It mean that someone is trying to pick up transmissions, a clear indication that the phone is being tapped.

Not only this, such noises would also mean that your cell phone is acting as a transmitter to pick up conversations from phones around you.

There are other symptoms too. The battery of your cell phone could be draining out faster than normal.

Apart from the normal battery problem this could also indicate that your phone is working as a transmitter which is contributing to the battery drain.

Also, if the phone feels warm despite not being in use, then again it would mean it is sending out a transmission in order to tap a phone near you.

There are legal remedies available in case you feel that your phone is being illegally tapped.

A complaint can be lodged with the police and in case the police fails to act.

Landlines

A device called a phone tapping detector could determine if your landline is being tapped or not.

This device can be connected to the telephone and will alert users with a blinking light if the phone is being tapped.

Such a device, which costs around Rs 1,200, is not easily available in India, hence one would have to rely on manual means to determine if the phone is being tapped.

During a conversation if you hear a tone which keeps breaking or has short beeps, this could mean that the phone is being tapped. However one must not confuse it with a long steady tone.

In addition to this, there could be some disturbances which may sound like a radio frequency.

Although in most cases this is just a case of bad reception, it is also an indicator that the phone is being tapped.

Peanut Butter Helps Reduce Gum Disease

A study involving 9,000 adults conducted at the Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health found eating foods containing polyunsaturated fatty acids such as peanut butter and salmon reduced gum disease. The specific fatty acids associated with gum disease reduction were docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Researcher Asghar Z. Naqvi said, “To date, the treatment of periodontitis has primarily involved mechanical cleaning and local antibiotic application. Thus, a dietary therapy, if effective, might be a less expensive and safer method for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis. Given the evidence indicating a role for n-3 fatty acids in other chronic inflammatory conditions, it is possible that treating periodontitis with n-3 fatty acids could have the added benefit of preventing other chronic diseases associated with inflammation, including stoke as well.” Source: (Eurekalert.org)

The study was conducted between 1999 and 2004. Subjects received dental examinations and were interviewed about their dietary intake to estimate intake of DHA, EPA and linoleic acid including supplementation of those acids from non-food sources. There was about a 20 percent reduction in the number of subjects with gum disease for those with the highest DHA intake. One of the researchers also observed the potential benefit of gum disease reduction occurred with a modest intake of DHA, and EPA.

In addition, the positive effect was seen with supplements containing DHA and EPA. If there is a positive effect from taking supplements such as fish oil containing DHA and EPA, they could be an alternative to peanut butter or other nuts for those with nut allergies. For vegetarians, DHA can be ingested in pill form made from microalgae, which is a non-animal source. Otherwise, it is also found in cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring. DHA intake could also lower heart disease risk. EPA is also found in cold-water fish, and microalgae.

It is worth mentioning, foods containing peanut butter but also high in sugar such as desserts, or candies containing peanut butter most likely are not going to have the same benefit, as gum disease and high sugar intake are linked. So plain peanut butter with a low sugar level would probably be best.

The full article title is “n-3 Fatty Acids and Periodontitis in US Adults” by Asghar Z. Naqvi, MPH, MNS; Catherine Buettner, MD, MPH; Russell S. Phillips, MD; Roger B. Davis, ScD; and Kenneth J. Mukamal, MD, MPH, MA. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Volume 110, Issue 11 (November 2010)

source: care2

Coffee, tea lower brain cancer risk

Consuming coffee or tea daily may reduce the chances of developing brain cancer.

Researchers analysed data concerning the dietary habits of more than 410,000 men and women between the ages of 25 and 70. The study involved participants from France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Britain, Greece, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany. Participants were recruited between 1991 and 2000, and were tracked over the course of about 8.5 years. During that time, food surveys were completed to gauge, among other things, the amount of tea and coffee each participant consumed.

During the study, 343 new cases of glioma were diagnosed, as were 245 new cases of meningioma, another cancer that affects tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

By correlating drinking patterns with brain cancer incidence, the researchers found that drinking 100 mL (or half a cup) per day and above lowered the risk of glioma by 34 per cent.

The study shows that drinking coffee and tea protects against a form of brain cancer called glioma - a cancer of the nervous system that originates in the brain and / or the spinal cord.

source: doctor.ndtv

Fat around veins may indicates poor heart health in diabetics Fat outside the arteries may be one of the single most prominent factors that contribute to the development of heart disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes, according to new research from the University of Cincinnati.

Investigators said that perivascular adipose tissue - fat that surrounds the veins - is often overlooked when assessing heart health. However, it appears to play a major role in heart attack and stroke risk, particularly in obese diabetics.

"Obesity is a growing problem, but most information that is coming from scientists and clinicians involves visceral adipose tissue - or the beer belly - which leads to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease," said David Manka, who led the study. "The fat that grows around the larger arteries throughout the body has been largely ignored."

For the study, researchers transplanted perivascular fat tissue to a group of mice. They found that these mice were significantly more likely to develop heart health problems. Additionally, they were more likely to develop metabolic dysfunction.

Manka said that their findings may be the missing link in the connection between type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

source: endocrineweb

How To Manage Diabetes During Holidays: CDC Advice

Having diabetes shouldn't stop you from enjoying holiday celebrations and travel. With some planning and a little work, you can stay healthy on the road and at holiday gatherings with friends and family.

Preparation is the key to managing diabetes during holiday travel and festivities. Know what you'll be eating, how to enjoy a few traditional favorites while sticking with a healthy meal plan, and how to pack necessary supplies for a trip, and you're all set to celebrate!

Feasts and Parties

Before you go, take these steps to make sure you stick to your healthy meal plan.

* Eat a healthy snack to avoid overeating at the party.

* Ask what food will be served, so you can see how it fits into your meal plan.

* Bring a nutritious snack or dish for yourself and others.

You don't have to give up all of your holiday favorites if you make healthy choices and limit portion sizes. At a party or holiday gathering, follow these tips to avoid overeating and to choose healthy foods.

* If you're at a buffet, fix your plate and move to another room away from the food, if possible.

* Choose smaller portions.

* Choose low-calorie drinks such as sparkling water, unsweetened tea or diet beverages. If you select an alcoholic beverage, limit it to one drink a day for women, two for men, and drink only with a meal.

* Watch out for heavy holiday favorites such as hams coated with a honey glaze, turkey swimming in gravy and side dishes loaded with butter, sour cream, cheese or mayonnaise.
Instead, choose turkey without gravy and trim off the skin, or other lean meats.

* Look for side dishes and vegetables that are light on butter, dressing and other extra fats and sugars, such as marshmallows or fried vegetable toppings.

* Watch the salt. Some holiday favorites are made with prepared foods high in sodium. Choose fresh or frozen vegetables that are low in sodium.

* Select fruit instead of pies, cakes and other desserts high in fat, cholesterol and sugar.

* Focus on friends, family and activities instead of food. Take a walk after a meal, or join in the dancing at a party

Traveling for the Holidays

Leaving home to visit friends and family means changing routines. Make sure you remember to take care of your diabetes while traveling. Check blood glucose (sugar) more often than usual, because a changing schedule can affect levels.

Remember Your Medication

* Pack twice the amount of diabetes supplies you expect to need, in case of travel delays.

* Keep snacks, glucose gel, or tablets with you in case your blood glucose drops.

* Make sure you keep your medical insurance card and emergency phone numbers handy, including your doctor's name and phone number.

* Carry medical identification that says you have diabetes.

* Keep time zone changes in mind so you'll know when to take medication.

* If you use insulin, make sure you also pack a glucagon emergency kit.

* Keep your insulin cool by packing it in an insulated bag with refrigerated gel packs.

On the Road and in the Air

* Get an influenza vaccination before traveling, unless your medical provider instructs otherwise.

* Get the flu shot, not the nasal spray.

* Wash hands often with soap and water. Try to avoid contact with sick people.

* Reduce your risk for blood clots by moving around every hour or two.

* Pack a small cooler of foods that may be difficult to find while traveling, such as fresh fruit, sliced raw vegetables, and fat-free or low-fat yogurt.

* Bring a few bottles of water instead of sweetened soda or juice.

* Pack dried fruit, nuts, and seeds as snacks. Since these foods can be high in calories, measure out small portions (¼ cup) in advance.

* If you're flying and do not want to walk through the metal detector with your insulin pump, tell a security officer that you are wearing an insulin pump and ask them to visually inspect the pump and do a full-body pat-down.

* Place all diabetes supplies in carry-on luggage. Keep medications and snacks at your seat for easy access. Don't store them in overhead bins.

* Have all syringes and insulin delivery systems (including vials of insulin) clearly marked with the pharmaceutical preprinted label that identifies the medications. Keep it in the original pharmacy labeled packaging.

* If a meal will be served during your flight, call ahead for a diabetic, low fat, or low cholesterol meal. Wait until your food is about to be served before you take your insulin.

* If the airline doesn't offer a meal, bring a nutritious meal yourself. Make sure to pack snacks in case of flight delays.

* When drawing up your dose of insulin, don't inject air into the bottle (the air on your plane will probably be pressurized).

* Stick with your routine for staying active. Make sure to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity, five days a week.

from CDC

source: foodconsumer

Many women 'unaware they have a weight problem'

When a woman asks: "Does my bum look big in this?" she has some insight that her derriere may appear larger than desirable.

But ask a woman if she thinks she is overweight and you may be surprised by the answer you get.

When US researchers asked 2,000 women this question, many were unable to give a correct answer.

A quarter of those who were overweight were unaware that they had a weight problem and perceived their size to be "average", even though they clearly were not.

In fact 1,000 of the women in the survey were found to be clinically obese or overweight.

Like this latest work in Obstetrics and Gynecology journal, UK researchers have also found many Brits have a skewed perception of what is fat.

Obese the new "norm"

A YouGov poll of 2,000, carried out last year with Slimming World, found three in four obese people in the UK were unaware of their weight problem.

This survey found only 7% of people believed their weight was significant enough for them to be classified as obese, despite over a quarter of those interviewed fitting into this category.

Experts say part of the problem is that obesity is becoming normalised by society.

With two-thirds of UK adults now overweight or obese, the average size is no longer average.

Tam Fry of the National Obesity Forum says obesity is now so common-placed that we no longer see it.

"Everybody is getting heavier and, as a result, people think 'I'm not so heavy - look at her' and then fail to realise they themselves have a problem."

Dr Shahrad Taheri, lead clinician in obesity at Birmingham's Heartlands Hospital, says it is the environment that we live in that makes it hard for people to both recognise and tackle weight issues.

Our love of convenience - fast food, motorised transport and sofa-based hobbies - is making obesity inevitable.

And as clothes are being supersized to fit our plumper bodies, we may not be alerted to our growing girth.

And, typically, when obesity is covered in the media, it is the extreme cases of massively overweight people stuck in their houses that grab the headlines. Hardly an accurate barometer.

Dr Taheri said: "Our environment is designed to trick us into eating fast food and doing little exercise.

"In the UK we have the biggest obesity problem in Europe, yet we continue to have this difficulty with perception.

"It may be easy to spot those people who are very overweight, but it's the middle of the road people that are missed.

"Experience shows that even many parents are not aware when their children have a weight problem."

But this blinkered perspective is dangerous say the US experts who carried out the latest survey.

Society's problem

The team from the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health found people who failed to realise they were overweight were far less likely to concern themselves with adopting lifestyle changes to maintain a healthy weight.

Lead researcher Dr Abbey Berenson said: "These patients are at risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and other serious problems."

Dr Tony Goldstone, an obesity expert at London's Hammersmith Hospital, explains what fat is

Official statistics suggest an obese person dies on average nine years earlier than somebody of normal weight, while a very obese person's life is cut short by an average of 13 years.

Tam Fry believes GPs should take charge and do more weighing of their patients.

"If people themselves can see that they have a weight problem then the medical profession has to be much more observant."

But Dr Jacquie Lavin, head of nutrition at Slimming World, said it should be up to individuals themselves to take responsibility.

"If people take responsibility themselves they are more likely to succeed in keeping weight off.

"It is easy enough to jump on a set of scales and work out your own BMI."

She believes it is important to get back to a time where a healthy weight is again the "norm".

"As a society, we need to offer more opportunities for people to be more active and to make healthier food choices.

"The figures suggest we seem to be making some headway with tackling childhood obesity. But for adults, we are certainly not over the worst of it yet."

source: bbc news

Retinal Disease Treatments Double Over 10 Years Retinal degeneration symptoms can include blurry or double vision; rings, flashing lights or blank spots; dark or floating spots; pain or pressure in one or both of your eyes.

When most people think of diabetes, the first thing to come to mind is rarely blindness, yet blindness is a very real complication of diabetes: Diabetes is actually the number one cause of new blindness in the United States.

Diabetic retinopathy happens when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels inside the retina, which therefore stop feeding the retina properly, according to the American Foundation for the Blind. Symptoms can include blurry or double vision; rings, flashing lights or blank spots; dark or floating spots; pain or pressure in one or both of your eyes; and trouble seeing things out of the corners of your eyes. Forty percent of people with diabetes have some form of diabetic retinopathy.

With the rise in the number of people with diabetes and the aging American population, it is no surprise that the number of older Americans undergoing treatment for retinal conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy increased 192 percent between 1997 and 2007. Additionally, there has been a significant shift in the types of procedures being performed, a new study has found.

Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive disease of the retina that causes the loss of central vision. Both age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss and blindness.

The study analyzed Medicare data from 1997 to 2007 and found that the number of retinal procedures increased 192 percent during that period. The largest year-to-year increase (20 percent) occurred between 2006 and 2007, according to the study published in the October issue of the journal Archives of Ophthalmology.

In terms of actual procedures performed, the largest increase was in treatments for neovascular, or "wet," AMD. New treatments for this condition include intravitreal therapy, or drug injections directly into the eye, of antibodies that block the formation of new blood vessels. From 1997 to 2001, only 5,000 of these procedures were performed each year. By 2007, the number had jumped to 812,413. Also increasing is the use of vitrectomy, a surgery to remove the gel inside the eye in order to treat retinal detachment -- increased 72 percent between 1997 and 2007.

"Retinal disease is highly prevalent among older individuals, and both age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy account for more than half the irreversible blindness in older Americans. The prevalence of both macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy increases with age, and the number of Americans affected by these conditions is expected to increase substantially as the number of Americans older than 65 years doubles from 2010 to 2040," says study author Dr. Pradeep Ramulu, of Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

With the rise of cases of diabetes and the aging of the baby boomer population in the United States, eye care and blindness prevention is becoming increasingly important within the medical community.

SOURCE: diabeteshealth

Congenital Heart Defect and Failure

Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital heart defects are structural abnormalities of the heart that are present at birth. According to the American Heart Association, roughly 36,000 infants are born with some type of heart defect annually. Doctors have identified at least 18 different types. Here is a description of some of the most common types:

• Ventricular septal defects. A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a hole in the wall that separates the left and right sides of the lower chambers in the heart. It is the most common type of congenital heart defect, accounting for 14 to 16 percent of all cases.

• Tetrology of Fallot. This condition involves four types of problems: (1) a ventricular septal defect, (2) an obstruction in the circulation from the heart to the lungs, (3) abnormal positioning of the aorta, and (4) thickening of the muscle surrounding the lower right chamber of the heart. Tetrology of Fallot accounts for 9 to 14 percent of congenital heart defects.

• Transposition of the great arteries. In this condition, the positions of the blood vessels feeding the heart and lungs are reversed. Deoxygenated blood from the body flows back to the heart (rather than to lungs for a fresh supply of oxygen) and oxygenated blood travels back to the lungs. Survival is only possible if a baby has an abnormal opening in the wall between the left and right sides of the heart, which allows some oxygenated blood to mix with the deoxygenated blood going back to the body. Transposition of the great arteries accounts for about 10 to 11 percent of congenital heart defects.

• Coarctation of the aorta. This is a narrowing of the aorta, the main blood vessel carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to the body. It is the cause of about 8 to 11 percent of congenital heart defects.

• Atrioventricular septal defects. An atrioventricular septal defect (ASD) is a hole in the wall separating the left and right sides of the upper chambers in the heart. It accounts for 4 to 10 percent of all congenital heart defects.

Congenital Heart Defect and Heart Failure

Many congenital heart conditions require immediate surgery to save the baby’s life. Eventually, some babies who survive develop heart failure (the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body). The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) estimates, each year, about 350 infants with congenital heart disease develop heart failure.

Peter Wearden, M.D., Ph.D., Pediatric Thoracic Surgeon with Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh/UPMC, says the only long-term solution for heart failure in an infant or child is a heart transplant. Transplants are highly successful and have an 85 percent survival rate at one year. However, because of the infant’s size, they need a heart from a young donor, and there are not enough hearts available for all those who need them. According to the NHLBI, nearly 60 infants and young children on the heart transplant waiting list die before a donor heart becomes available.

One option for some young patients is ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenator), an external device that pumps oxygenated blood through the body. However, ECMO can’t be used long-term because its use is associated with an increased risk for infections, bleeding and neurological impairment.

Development of Heart Pumps for Kids

Older children and adults with end stage heart failure may be supported with a ventricular assist device (VAD), a type of implantable pump that helps circulate blood through the body. A VAD may be used until a donor heart becomes available or until the weakened heart recovers and is able to once again function on its own.

There are no approved VADs for infants and small children. Wearden says the biggest obstacle is a child’s size. An adult heart is about the size of a fist, whereas a child’s heart may only be the size of a walnut. Getting miniaturized components in a device that will operate safely and smoothly has been a challenge. On top of that, major research companies have limited interest in developing heart pumps for infants and small children because there isn’t a big market for the devices.

The National Institutes of Health has granted $23.6 million to four contractors with the goal to develop and start preclinical testing of pumps for infants aged one to six months. The program is called Pumps for Kids, Infants, and Neonates, or PumpKIN. Devices in development are based on technology used in current VAD and ECMO models.

Researchers in Pittsburgh are testing a device called PediaFlow. It’s about the size of an AA battery and operates with a high speed rotor. The rotor floats by magnetic levitation to reduce the risk of forming blood clots. Oxygenated blood is pulled from the left ventricle (the weakened pumping chamber) and forced into the aorta. From there, the blood flows on through the body. The rate of flow can be varied to accommodate infants of different sizes and needs.

Currently, the pumps being designed through PumpKIN are still in development stages. Wearden hopes the PediaFlow will be ready for human clinical trials within three years. Other PumpKIN participants are Ension, Inc. in Pittsburgh, The University of Maryland in Baltimore and Jarvik Heart, Inc. in New York City.

For information about NIH studies for children with congenital heart disease, click here.

source: wsoctv

New low-cost cervical cancer test to save women A low cost cervical cancer test, vastly more accurate than the present smear test, can save thousands of women every year, researchers say.

The test also delivers results overnight, and can spot early signs of the disease.

Cervical cancer is the second most common form of cancer among young women. There are around 3,000 new cases a year in Britain alone. But it is often diagnosed late, so survival rates are far lower than other cancers.

Thomas Wright, from Columbia University in New York who conducted the study, said: "Up to a third of women diagnosed with cervical cancer have normal smear tests. We think this new test would detect cancers in the vast majority of women."

Researchers claim that the smear test misses up to a third of all cervical cancer cases - but the new method picks up almost all of them, reports the Daily Mail .

Unlike the smear, which checks for abnormal cells, the newly-developed Cobas test is able to detect the Human Papilloma Virus, which triggers the abnormal cell growth, according to a Columbia statement.

Women would be able to find out their results the very next day. The traditional smear can take as long as five weeks to be analysed.

source: TOI

Heart Health: Key Factors Affecting Women

Earlier this week, Barbra Streisand wrote an important reminder of the specific vulnerabilities that bear on the hearts of women and why we need to study this more closely. And as if in answer to this, an important review is about to reach print

This review looked asked the question: Why are women at risk for coronary heart disease? And the answers were very interesting. Depression, anxiety disorders, anger suppression and stress associated with relationships and family responsibilities contributed significantly to coronary heart disease in women but general anxiety, hostility and work-related stress had similar effects on men and women. Definitely disturbing, but what does this mean?

At the most basic level, why do the hearts of women strain when feelings get out of control? And what do these different factors have in common?

They are all about stuckness: People talk about depression as if it is about sadness when at a fundamental level, it is also as much about stuckness. Anxiety leads to "freezing" stuck responses too, and anger suppression is also about something not being able to make its way out.

Even stress is about stuckness when it causes memory circuits to become activated so that only old habits of being are recreated. In a sense, these factors, when they strike, are like jamming the brakes. And the heart has to work that much harder to keep things moving and happening.

But these findings are also interesting because it is not general anxiety but anxiety disorders that pose a risk; it is not hostility but the suppression of anger that is also a risk; and not work-related stress but the stress of social relationships that pose the tremendous risk that burden a woman's heart. It appears that a certain threshold has to be crossed before the heart starts to strain.

While anxiety and anger may both be signals of impending heart strain in women, they have to reach proportions of "disorder" or be so high as to need to be suppressed for the risk to reveal itself. The bad news is that this happens at all. The good news is that we an do something about this.

This study would seem to suggest that general anxiety itself does not confer specific risk to coronary heart disease in women, but it may signal the beginning of a disorder. This would suggest that rather than waiting for the anxiety to be out of control, it would probably in the best interest of women to decrease the anxiety at that stage rather than wait for the full-blown disorder to occur.

The same for anger. Early constructive expression may prevent the need for suppression, and if expectations about relationships and family responsibilities are managed earlier on, there may be less of a need for the heart to "feel" as though it needs to work harder. The point here is that it seems that much of this is preventable, and that setting up systems to prevent progression of anxiety depression and anger may actually also prevent heart disease.

In fact, the study supported this in part because the review also showed that supportive social relationships and positive psychological factors may be associated with reduced risk of coronary heart disease.

Thus, a review like this raises awareness that our brains and hearts are very connected and that our moods can be a real weight that prevents vital body organs from getting blood. And it also emphasizes that heart disease may be modifiable at a more basic level.

To start this journey toward modification of risk factors then, ask yourself first: Are you in the brake-jam phase of life where nothing seems to be moving fast enough? Because if you are, your heart is probably feeling this as well. The heart tells the stories of its well-being in the language of feelings.

Listen to your heart when it tells you stories in the languages of depression and anxiety, for if you do, you may be able to change the language of its stories, and in so doing, have the very change of heart you desire -- at a very literal level.

Reference
1. Low, C.A., R.C. Thurston, and K.A. Matthews, Psychosocial factors in the development of heart disease in women: current research and future directions. Psychosom Med, 2010. 72(9): p. 842-54.

source: huffingtonpost

Detox this party season

The party season is upon us; the dresses, suits, make up and even babysitters are sorted and we are ready to let our hair down a bit and have some fun. The diet has gone well and we can now fit into that gorgeous dress and catch up with those friends you only ever see at the end of the year.

But while you’re out partying spare a thought for your body and what you are putting it through. You might be having a good time but all that fatty food and alcohol is having a very negative effect on your body and it’s not just your waistline that’s suffering, your liver is having a hard time of it too. But not to worry as mother nature is there to lend us a helping hand with our annual post Christmas detox.

Not many people may have heard of it but milk thistle has been used for over 2,000 years as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, in particularly liver and gall bladder problems. Milk thistle extract contains powerful antioxidants that can help promote healthy, vibrant liver function. It is mainly used by the body to cleanse and maintain the liver while also supporting the production of new liver cells, along with replacing the old and damaged liver cells.

There are many forms that we can take milk thistle in, these include, but are not exclusively, capsules of standardized dried herb, a liquid extract, tincture and also silymarin phosphatidylcholine complex (this is the part of milk thistle your body needs).

While we do so much to protect other parts of our bodies in this cold and wet time of year; extra conditioner on our hair, wrapping up warm and using more moisturiser on those bits exposed to the wind and rain, we often forget about what is happening inside our bodies. So why not grab some milk thistle today and make your body a little bit happier while you are out partying.

If you're looking for vitamins and minerals online then visit the top UK retailer HollandandBarrett.com and browse the supplements available on their website.

What is the paleo diet?

Over the last few years, a diet that Homer Simpson would dream and drool over has become increasingly popular.

No, the diet doesn’t involve scarfing down mass quantities of donuts, but it does involve eating lots of meat. Mmmm, meat. (Insert Homer’s drooling noise here).

While the “Donut Diet” hasn’t won any waistline-slimming converts yet, the Paleo diet has. Also known as the “Paleolithic” or “Caveman” diet, the Paleo diet consists of foods that many think didn’t exist before the advent of modern agriculture, which most historians peg to have occurred around 10,000 years ago.

What’s on the Paleo diet menu? Basically, anything that flies, swims, runs and crawls, along with leafy vegetables, fruits and nuts.

Crawls? Yes, crawls. Insects were thought to be commonly eaten during the Paleolithic era, which began roughly two and a half million years ago.

Don’t worry though, if you decide to go Paleo, you won’t have to eat any creepy-crawlies; the modern nutritional plan that is the Paleo diet allows for contemporary adaptations.

You won’t have to go hunting for a saber-tooth tiger or other wild game, although lean meats like venison and bison are highly encouraged, as is grass-fed beef.

Why go Paleo?
The theory goes that chronic wellness problems such as obesity, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, heart disease and the like all stem from modern diets.

Proponents of the Paleo diet shun all grains and even legumes (beans), citing their relatively recent invention on the human evolutionary scale. Dairy products are also avoided because animal husbandry wasn’t widely adapted until the agricultural revolution of 10,000 years ago.

Sugar, refined salt (think of table salt at a restaurant) and processed oils are also a no-no on the Paleo diet.

Those who have gone Paleo believe that modern humans are still genetically wired to thrive on the foods eaten by our Paleolithic ancestors.

Human genetics, proponents of this diet believe, have scarcely changed since our forefathers were foraging and hunting during their brief lives.

Criticism of the paleo diet
The short life span of most Paleolithic humans serves up a heaping portion of food for thought for those that question the merits of the Paleo diet.

Maybe Paleolithic people didn’t experience chronic illness because they didn’t live long enough to develop them, some opponents of the Paleo diet argue.

Mainstream health organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Heart Association are not going to jump on the Paleo diet bandwagon anytime soon. Both groups would certainly cite the high fat and high cholesterol consumption as potentially problematic.

A study by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also questions the logic of the Paleo diet by pointing out that it’s almost impossible for modern humans to acquire the wild game that Paleolithic humans subsisted on—when’s the last time you saw a glyptodont at your local market?

The study also questions if meat was indeed the primary source of fuels during the Paleolithic era. It was only near the poles that populations consumed most of their calories from flesh (think: Eskimos); elsewhere, the study’s authors contend, humans during this time received most of their nutrition from plant-based sources.

There are plenty of other criticisms of the Paleo diet. Some critics believe it’s not a very environmentally sustainable model. Sure, grass-fed beef is good for us, containing healthy amounts of the essential fatty Omega 3 acid, but mass amounts of pasture-fed cattle won’t be able to feed the world’s population en masse.

Also, Cavemen were often engaged in intense physical activity like hunting and hauling boulders. Sitting at a desk all day and then conveniently going to the supermarket to buy food isn’t quite the Paleolithic experience.

Archaeological digs in Israel also refute the commonly-held belief among Paleo dieters that legumes didn’t exist during the Paleolithic era.

Despite its many criticisms, plenty of Paleo dieters have leaned up their physiques. Exercise, of course, is a critical component of their success.

So could Homer Simpson lose weight if he went Paleo? Probably, yes—if he had the willpower to avoid the donuts. Mmmm. Donuts.

source: mnn

'Smooth' muscles help fight heart disease By Lyndsay Moss

Health Correspondent

Scottish scientists have made a key breakthrough in the search for the causes of serious conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure.

The researchers, funded by a £1 million grant, are investigating the role of "smooth" muscles, which are found inside organs such as the stomach and bladder.

The team, from the University of Glasgow and University of Strathclyde, have developed a new technique to study these muscles to find out what goes wrong to cause diseases including heart problems and stroke.

Smooth muscles play a major part in controlling blood flow, blood pressure and the digestion of food.

They are found in the walls of hollow organs like the intestines and stomach and work automatically without people being aware of them.

Smooth muscles are involved in many "housekeeping" functions such as pushing food through the body.

For all of this to operate properly, the muscles must act in a co-ordinated way, but it is unclear how they do this. Scientists do know, however, that calcium plays a part in this complex process.

The researchers in Glasgow have now developed a new system for looking at calcium in targeted areas of blood cells.

They have received a £1m programme grant from the Wellcome Trust to take their investigation further.

Professor John McCarron, from the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, said: "The malfunction of smooth muscle is a cause of many debilitating diseases and conditions and problems with controlling calcium are underlying in conditions like hypertension.

"We have to find out how and why it happens if we are to tackle these illnesses."

Prof McCarron said until now the research in this area had been complicated by the fact that cells grown in lab conditions for study very quickly ceased to resemble or function like real cells. This means results from these cells are often unclear. But the researchers have now developed a technique which can be used in real tissue, giving more accurate results.

"We have now developed an innovative system of analysis which can be applied to real cells, in ways which were not previously possible," Prof McCarron said.

Nerve Tissue Cancer More Often Fatal for Black Kids Black, Asian American and Native American children with neuroblastoma are more likely to die after treatment than white or Hispanic children with this type of cancer, which forms in nerve tissue.

That's the conclusion of an analysis of more than 3,500 children diagnosed with the disease between 2001 and 2009. It also found that black and Native American children are more likely to have the high-risk form of neuroblastoma and to show signs of resistance to modern treatment.

The findings suggest that genetic factors play a role in racial disparities found in outcomes for neuroblastoma patients, said the researchers.

They found that:

* Rates of survival five years after diagnosis were: 75 percent for whites and Hispanics; 67 percent for blacks; 63 percent for Asians; and 39 percent for Native Americans.
* Black patients were more likely than whites to have high-risk disease -- 57 percent vs. 44 percent.
* Black patients were also more likely to have individual predictors of high-risk neuroblastoma, including older age at diagnosis, stage 4 disease, and unfavorable histology.

"By definition, if you are older and have advanced stage disease, you are at high risk for relapse and more difficult to cure," senior author Dr. Susan Cohn, a professor of pediatrics at Comer Children's Hospital at the University of Chicago Medical Center, said in a UCMC news release. "The major reason why the black patients do worse is because there are more of them in this high-risk group."

She and her colleagues also found that black patients were much more likely than whites to suffer a "late-occurring" event after being event-free for two years following diagnosis. This suggests that black patients are more likely to have residual cancer after treatment, Cohn said.

The study appears online Nov. 22 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The same issue includes a study by researchers who say they have identified six subtypes of medulloblastoma, one of the most common malignant brain tumors in children. Medulloblastomas carry a death rate of 40 percent to 50 percent.

The findings could lead to biomarker tests that would help doctors improve their ability to direct treatment.

"We're basically redefining the disease," senior author Dr. Scott Pomeroy, neurologist-in-chief at Children's Hospital Boston, said in a hospital news release. "This tumor breaks down into subtypes that really act like different diseases, and they will be treated differently looking forward."

source: BW

Xgeva Approved for Preventing Cancer Related Bone Complications The FDA has approved the drug Xgeva (denosumab) for treatment of bone fractures and pain that occurs with cancer spread. The drug is designed to improved quality of life for cancer patients and is a monoclonal antibody that worked better than Zometa for breast cancer patients.

Safety of Xgeva Confirmed in Three Studies

According to Richard Pazdur, M.D., director of the Office of Oncology Drug Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, “Xgeva has a different mechanism of action than currently approved drugs aimed at reducing bone complications from cancer. Its safety was confirmed in three separate trials that included patients with breast, prostate and a variety of other cancers.

For men with prostate cancer, Xgeva was superior to Zometa for delaying skeletal related events (SRE’s) that include bone fractures, pain or spinal compression fractures – 21 months versus 17 months. The average time it took for SRE occurrence was 26 months for breast cancer patients and not yet reached with Xgeva. The study included 5700 patients.

According to Amgen, the manufacturer of Xgeva, “A diagnosis of bone metastases is a major event for patients living with cancer, and the consequences can be devastating. We are pleased to offer this new advance to patients and their healthcare providers." Unlike Zometa, the drug is not approved for patients with multiple myeloma.

They also note that more than 70 percent of men with prostate cancer are lacking treatment for bone fractures. Xgeva is given once a month under the skin, making it easier for urologists to administer, compared to intravenous Zometa.

source: emaxhealth

Diet Rich in Potassium Citrate Treats Osteoporosis Potassium citrate may be effective for preventing and even treating osteoporosis, suggests a new study.

The Western diet creates an acidic environment in the body that removes calcium from bones and may contribute to the development of osteoporosis.

Healthy adults who consume the standard US diet sustain a chronic, low-grade state of acidosis that worsens with age as kidney function declines, limiting urinary acid excretion.

Reto Krapf, MD (University of Basel, in Bruderholz/Basel, Switzerland) and colleagues designed a study to see if daily alkali as potassium citrate supplement tablets might neutralize these effects.

They enrolled 201 healthy elderly individuals of both genders with normal bone mass in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Participants received either 60 mmol alkali as potassium citrate (a base) or a placebo every day for 2 years.

Bone density and high resolution computed tomography scans after 2 years revealed that neutralizing diet-induced acid production with potassium citrate significantly and safely increased subjects' bone density vs. placebo.

"In addition, we discovered that bone architecture improved significantly, suggesting that not only bone mass, but also its quality was improved," said Dr. Krapf.

These results suggest and predict that potassium citrate may be effective for preventing and even treating osteoporosis.

Kids Belly Fat Affects Heart Risk

High Waist Circumference in Kids Increases Risk of Heart-Related Disorders

Children with higher levels of belly fat have higher pulse pressures, which puts them at risk for heart-related disorders, a new study finds.

Gangadarshni Chandramohan, MD, of Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, says doctors should measure children’s waist circumference to judge their level of obesity, rather than the commonly used body mass index, which is a ratio of weight to height.

Chandramohan and colleagues studied data on 4,667 children between 6 and 17, all part of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which is done by the CDC in Atlanta.
Body Mass Index Doesn’t Correlate to Higher Pulse Pressures

“We found the children’s body mass didn’t correlate to higher pulse pressures,” Chandramohan says in a news release. “This study suggests pediatricians add waist measurements to their routine screening of children to help determine the risk of heart-related disorders.”

He says measuring children’s waist circumference is simpler and more cost-effective, but also “a more valid method of screening for the risk of heart-related disorders than the current practice of determining a child’s body mass.”

Previous research, he says, has shown that a high pulse pressure -- the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings -- increases a patient’s risk of heart-related disorders, as does high blood pressure.

New Methods Need to Be Used to Measure Obesity

“It is crucial that new indices for measuring various physiologic parameters such as obesity and associated cardiovascular risk factors be determined using valid, minimally invasive, and cost-effective tools to help patients avoid long-term health concerns,” Chandramohan says.

Chandramohan and colleagues say in an abstract for the meeting that obesity rates have been increasing in children for decades along with various cardiovascular risk factors.

In the study, 48% of the children were males, 74% were white, 36% Hispanic, 36% African-American, 11% obese, and 27% had high waist circumferences.

Pulse pressure was “significantly higher” in children with large waists. The study was presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s Renal Week, which the group bills as the world’s premier meeting in nephrology.

This study was presented at a medical conference. The findings should be considered preliminary as they have not yet undergone the "peer review" process, in which outside experts scrutinize the data prior to publication in a medical journal.

How to sail through menopause

Menopause need not be as difficult a time as it is made out to be.

Most women dread the menopause years. But there’s no need to let it affect your life.

Menopause is natural and should not affect a woman’s enjoyment of life in any way. A healthy diet, adequate exercise and natural therapies can ease menopausal symptoms and lower health risks.

Food

Since weight gain and redistribution of body fat are commonly seen in the menopausal years, diet becomes important. While it is fine to continue with your regular diet, it may be best to slightly decrease the quantity of food consumed.

In addition, special considerations for menopausal women include:

Calcium: After 50, women need more calcium than those in the 25-50 age group. According to experts, menopausal women may need as much calcium as adolescent girls to maintain bone strength. Include plenty of low fat diary products (milk, cheese and yoghurt), broccoli, cauliflower, tofu and green leafy vegetables in your diet.

Increase phytoestrogen content: Phytoestrogens mimic the human hormone oestrogen and help reduce menopausal symptoms. Try adding foods rich in phytoestrogens such as alfalfa sprouts, soy beans, chickpeas, lentil, tofu, miso, flaxseed or spinach to your diet.

Take supplementary vitamins and minerals: Most experts recommend additional minerals and vitamins during these years. To meet the increased need for calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B-12, it may be best to take supplements under the guidance of a medical expert.

Use herbs cautiously: Many herbs such as black cohosh, dong quai, passion flower have been traditionally used for relief from menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, emotional distress, insomnia and vaginal dryness. But seek the advice of a health practitioner before taking any herbal products for any period of time.

Go easy on salt: Heavy salt intake can cause high blood pressure, a serious risk factor for heart disease. Add moderate salt while cooking; avoid table salt, cut down on processed foods including papads, pickles and chutneys.

Avoid foods that are spicy, contain caffeine (tea, coffee, chocolates, and colas) and alcoholic drinks.

Exercise

Exercise becomes progressively more valuable as a woman gets older. Research shows that weight gain at menopause can be prevented or minimised by regular exercise. Exercise also benefits the heart and contributes to an improvement in mood and a sense of overall well-being. It may also reduce the tendency for hot flashes as a side benefit.

Studies have shown that bone mass lost due to lack of use can be rebuilt with exercise like walking. Brisk walking for 30 to 45 minutes, five days a week is an easy, effective and sustainable way to exercise. In addition, strength-training (lifting weights) exercises may contribute in maintaining muscle mass.

Consult your doctor before starting an exercise program. An exercise programme should start slowly and build up to more strenuous activities.

Symptoms and health risks

Hormonal imbalances in the years preceding menopause lead to characteristic symptoms.

Physical: irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness or itching, headaches, dizziness, palpitations (rapid heartbeat), tingling or itching sensation, dry hair, muscular and joint pain, emotional distress and problems with bladder control, insomnia, tender breasts, increasing facial hair, gastric distress or nausea.

Emotional: Mood swings, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, depression, reduced libido, difficulty in sleeping, tiredness, loss of concentration or motivation, aggressiveness and crying spells.

Weight gain is a common symptom of menopause. There is a general increase in fat stores and movement of fat from thighs and hips to the waistline as well as decrease in lean muscle mass. Reduced physical activity and lowered metabolic rate further lead to weight gain during these years.

Menopause can also pose serious long-term health consequences such as blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis (loss of calcium from bones which leaves them weak and brittle and more prone to fractures), Alzheimer's disease, breast cancer and muscular degeneration.

Fortunately, with a little foresight and correct knowledge, it is easy to tide over menopause easily and effectively.

Protect Yourself and Your Kids From Dog Bites

More than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

Here are the agency's suggestions for keeping a family member's name off the list:

* If you're shopping for a family dog, choose a breed that's known for being good with children.

* Don't adopt a dog with a history of aggression or biting.

* If your child is nervous about a new dog, don't push the relationship.

* Don't leave infants or young children alone with a dog in the room.

* Avoid rough play with any dog.

* Do not approach an unfamiliar dog. If such a dog approaches you, don't run away. Try to remain motionless.

* Avoid direct eye contact with any dog.

* Avoid dogs that are eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies.

source: news.yahoo

Risk of developing cancer may lie in your genes When it comes to cancer, the nature-versus-nurture debate generally tilts in favour of the latter. But for all those who think that a healthy lifestyle is enough to keep cancer at bay, a study by the Cancer Genetics Unit at Tata Memorial hospital’s (TMH) Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) should come as a surprise.

Your genes, the study says, determine more than your blood type and physical traits — they may also determine your risk for developing diseases like cancer.

In a bid to reduce the burden of Indian family cancer legacies, TMH has begun working closely with over 1,000 Indian families with
likely hereditary cancer syndromes.

“This specialised programme helps to better define cancer risks in the family by diagnosing hereditary cancers, performs cancer risk assessments based on each patient’s personal and family cancer histories, and provides medical recommendations for their management. Options for genetic testing, early detection, risk reduction and prevention are discussed and are available to the affected families and the medical fraternity,” said Dr Rajiv Sarin of Tata hospital, principal investigator for this project.

Hereditary cancers comprise 2-5% of all cancers, which, due to genetic mutations predispose this group to high risks of developing cancer.

In these families, a change (called a germ-line mutation) in the genetic material, or DNA, predisposes those who carry it, to developing cancer. This germ-line genetic mutation may be passed down from parent to child, with each carrying a 50% risk of inheritance.

The project is the first and only comprehensive cancer genetics programme in South Asia, with a full-service genetics clinic, mutation analysis lab and a counselling centre.

“The consultation generally consists of a review of your personal and family cancer histories, basic cancer genetics education, a personalised cancer risk assessment based on established computer models, a discussion of the possible option of genetic testing, and medical recommendations for early detection, risk reduction and prevention, lifestyle modifications, and possible research opportunities,” Sarin told DNA.

He added that the patients are required to bring details of cancer history of affected individuals in the family and age at diagnosis is extremely important for an accurate risk assessment.

Box:-

Don’t take chances
You should get evaluated for inherited cancer pre-disposition if:

* Several family members have had cancer of any kind
* A relative with a confirmed cancer genetic mutation
* Early age at cancer diagnosis in the family, i.e. family members diagnosed at a
young age (For eg. below 35 in breast cancer, or in the 40s of colon cancers)
* More than one primary cancer or in more than one location (not a
spread, or metastasis) multifocal, bilateral, or multiple primary
cancers
* Rare or unusual cancer
* Other genetic disorders/ syndromes in cancer patient or family
* Concerns about hereditary issues in cancer-affected families

source: dna

Pilonidal Cysts May Be Mistaken For More Serious Conditions Pilonidal cysts are cysts that typically form near the buttocks region and can sometimes be mistaken for more serious ailments including Crohn’s disease or cancer. It is important to know that is not cancerous and can be treated and managed. Only in rare cases does a serious infection result.

Pilonidal cysts typically contain skin and hair debris, hence the name which derives from the Latin word “pilus” meaning hair. These cysts typically occur in the 15 to 24 year old group and are rare after age 40. Recurrence is common, but treatments can control it. Pain and inflammation are the most common symptoms.

As a part of last month’s cancer awareness month, ABC News has created a website where conditions like this can be explained to avoid unnecessary panic. Regardless, it is always recommended to see your doctor when any abnormality is detected.

SOURCE: currentworldnews

Diabetes drug Avandia gets heart warnings

The diabetes drug Avandia now comes with warnings in Canada about heart risks, the drug's manufacturer said Thursday.

Canadians taking Avandia should make an appointment with their doctor as soon as possible about their treatment because of the Type 2 diabetes drug's potential risks, but not stop treatment abruptly, GlaxoSmithKline said.

The company, in consultation with Health Canada, announced new restrictions on the use of drugs containing rosiglitazone, such as Avandia, in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Package warnings say the drugs may increase the risk of serious heart problems, including heart failure, chest pain, heart attack and fluid retention.

The drugs should not be used in people who have or have had heart problems. People should talk to their doctor about other options before using the drug.

Based on Health Canada's review of recent data suggesting a higher risk of heart-related problems in patients treated with Avandia, the company has updated information for consumers and health-care professionals, including new restrictions on using the drug.

The restrictions include:

* Avandia, Avandamet and Avandaryl, brand names for rosiglitazone, are now indicated only in patients with Type 2 diabetes when all other oral medicines have not lowered blood sugar enough or are not appropriate.
* Patients currently taking the drugs should make an appointment with their doctor as soon as possible to discuss their diabetes treatment.
* Patients should not abruptly stop treatment based on these new restrictions, since stopping medications can cause poorer diabetes control with high blood-sugar levels.

Patients should discuss treatment options and the benefits and risks of rosiglitazone with their doctor and then complete an informed consent form.

Before filling in the form, doctors will ask patients to read the consumer information for the product, read and sign the form to show they understand the heart-related risks of the medication.

In September, the drug was taken off shelves in Europe while U.S. regulators restricted its use because of heart attack risks. At the time, the company said Health Canada was reviewing the proposed warning changes that are now in effect.

Avandia is used to treat Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, which is linked to obesity and afflicts 200 million people worldwide. This form of diabetes occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot effectively use what it manages to produce.

Avandia helps sensitize the body to insulin.

source: CBC News

Heart health benefits of quit smoking Smokers who have unhealthy cholesterol levels may benefit from quitting their habit. A recent study found that ridding the body of nicotine helps raise levels of HDL, or good cholesterol, according to WebMD Health News.

Smokers who have unhealthy cholesterol levels may benefit from quitting their habit. A recent study found that ridding the body of nicotine helps raise levels of HDL, or good cholesterol, according to WebMD Health News.

Cigarette smoking is known to contribute to high blood pressure and other measures that may contribute to heart disease. However, this is among the first studies to show that quitting smoking can lead to a direct improvement in this important aspect of cardiovascular health.

For the study, researchers from the University of Wisconsin took a range of health measurements of nearly 1,000 people, according to the news source. They found that, despite significant weight, individuals who quit smoking were able to increase their HDL by 2.4 milligrams per deciliter of blood, which a major improvement compared to those who continued to smoke.

Researchers told the news source that there may have been a similar decrease in LDL - or bad cholesterol - had the individuals who quit not gained as much weight as they did.

The American Heart Association says that smoking has a tendency to lower HDL and increases blood clotting, making it one of the worst things a person can do to their heart.

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