• Eating the right Food Determines your Health

    Eating the right Food Determines your Health

    April 13, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

    CNN had an interview with Dr. Leana Wen about the fact that eating the right food determines your health. Dr. Wen is a wellness expert, an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University. How much does the quality of food we eat influence our health? There are detailed studies … [Read More...]

  • Regular Exercise Makes you 9 years younger

    Regular Exercise Makes you 9 years younger

    March 30, 2024 by · 2 Comments

    A recent publication noted that regular exercise makes you 9 years younger. The researchers meant that the biological age is 9 years younger than your chronological age. They went one step further and proved that regular exercise elongates your telomeres, which is why people who exercise regularly live longer. … [Read More...]

  • New Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Disease

    New Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Disease

    March 16, 2024 by · Comments Off on New Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Disease

    A recent study explained that a new blood test for Alzheimer’s disease is very reliable. Specifically, it determined with 96% accuracy elevated levels of beta amyloid. It also accurately identified tau protein, another Alzheimer’s marker, with 97%. The original research study was published at JAMA … [Read More...]

  • Living with the Aging Process

    Living with the Aging Process

    March 2, 2024 by · Comments Off on Living with the Aging Process

    The following article describes living with the aging process. Older adults undergo the process of aging between the ages of 50 and 80. This is a complex process affecting various systems parallel. There are hormone factors that are particularly prominent in women during menopause. Joints are affected by … [Read More...]

  • Ashwagandha’s Benefits

    Ashwagandha’s Benefits

    February 17, 2024 by · 1 Comment

    Medical news today had an article in October 2023 that reviewed ashwagandha’s benefits. I thought it would be useful to discuss this topic in an abridged version. Often things get distorted on the Internet and a reality check helps to separate facts from fiction. Ashwagandha (botanical name: Withania somnifera) is a … [Read More...]

  • Beef and Dairy May Cause Cancer and MS

    Beef and Dairy May Cause Cancer and MS

    February 4, 2024 by · Comments Off on Beef and Dairy May Cause Cancer and MS

    New cancer research suggests that chronic virus particles in beef and dairy may cause cancer and MS (multiple sclerosis). The Medical journal Medscape.com had a review article that summarized this line of research. Papillomaviruses and cervical cancer Harald zur Hausen, M.D., D.Sc., a German virologist, detected … [Read More...]

    Dec
    01
    2005

    Food Habits Related To Asthma

    By | Asthma, Nutrition, Prevention

    High quality dietary data have made it possible for a research team in North Carolina to address how a diet rich in meat, salt, starches (=refined carbohydrate) and fat can have an impact on respiratory problems and asthma.
    Stephanie London and her team examined the data of 52,535 people between the ages of 45 and 74 years of age. A baseline examination was started in 1993, and follow-ups were done in 1999. All of the participants lived in Singapore. After adjustments were made for age, gender, smoking and education. It was observed that dietary habits could make a difference to respiratory health. Two eating patterns emerged: one group gravitated towards dim sum, meat and noodle dishes, whereas the other group favored fruit, vegetables and soy products. The “meat and dim sum” group had a 1.43 times higher risk of developing breathing problem, new-onset cough and phlegm formation. There was also a link to chronic respiratory disease and asthma.

    The researchers concluded also, that the habits observed in the Singapore study are very much in keeping with dietary habits in western countries, where one group consumes foods high in starch, fat, meat and sodium and a second group has a more health conscious approach preferring, vegetables, fruit, legumes, fish, poultry and whole grains.
    As a result the same recommendations are applicable to in western countries: stick to food choices with a low glycemic index and skip the noodle dishes. Stay away from trans fats and limit the saturated fats, which means turning away from deep-fried foods and limiting meat intake. Choose fish, vegetables and legumes, and avoid the high sodium content, which is common in many premixed and prepared foods. If you are doing the cooking, go easy on salt, and ban the saltshaker from the dining table.

    Food Habits Related To Asthma

    Food Habits Related To Asthma

    A lot has been said about good food habits and a reduction in cancers and heart disease. What is new is the fact that food habits also have an impact on the health of our respiratory system.

    More on inflammation as a cause of arthritis, asthma, cardiovascular disease and cancer: http://nethealthbook.com/about/overview/

    Reference: Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005

    Last edited October 29, 2014

    Dec
    01
    2005

    Hospital Cafeterias Need Healthier Food

    By | Health, Nutrition, Prevention

    Cafeterias and fast food restaurants have come under scrutiny for offering food choices that are not compatible with healthy living. In a place where healthcare is the prime concern, like in the cafeteria of a hospital, one should hope that promoting good health should be the norm.
    A U.S. wide survey tells another story: hospitals are falling short of providing meals that are healthy and heart-friendly. There are some trends, such as the availability of fresh fruit and wholegrain products, but the overall picture points to an urgent need for improvement. The survey was conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM, for short). This advocacy group for ethical and preventive medicine distributed questionnaires, inquired about sample menus as well as recipes for one of the “healthiest menu items available from the hospital’s main eating establishment”. It turned out that sixty-two percent of the “healthiest entrée” choices derived more than 30% of calories from fat, and a few derived more than 50% of calories from fat.

    Although at least 80% of responding hospitals offered wholegrain products, sugar-free snacks and fresh fruit, less than a third offered a daily salad bar. Artery-clogging fats in hospital food also prevailed. Fried chicken was the top selling item in 24% of the hospital cafeterias and hamburgers in 12% of the surveyed cafeterias. Other top sellers included pizza, enchiladas and meatloaf. Less than one third offered non-dairy options or soymilk.
    The recommendations to promote more health conscious food were very much common-sense: food services should offer daily salad bars, use fresh rather than canned vegetables, incorporate organic ingredients and hearty vegetarian soups daily. Fatty or cholesterol-laden add-ons such as bacon, mayonnaise, croutons and sour cream should be optional. Beans should also be offered as well as healthy items from other countries’ cuisines.

    Hospital Cafeterias Need Healthier Food

    Hospital Cafeterias Need Healthier Food

    In the meantime it is up to the consumer to be prudent in making the better choices. This may involve turning a cold shoulder to cafeteria food and seek healthier choices elsewhere. For the visitor it may mean that bringing a brown bag or a take-away with a salad would be more appropriate than bringing a bunch of flowers for a loved one in the hospital.

    More on processed foods: https://www.askdrray.com/caution-processed-food-ahead/

    Reference: The Medical Post, October 25, 2005, page 15

    Last edited October 29, 2014

    Dec
    01
    2005

    Lycopene For Bone Health

    By | Nutrition, Osteoporosis, Prevention, Women’s Diseases

    The tomato pigment Lycopene in the diet has been demonstrated to be a beneficial agent in reducing age-related diseases, cardio-vascular disease and even prostate cancer. A new aspect has now been investigated.
    Consuming more lycopene in the diet is of significant benefit to post-menopausal women, as it reduces oxidative stress and bone turnover. The findings come from head researcher Erin Collins from the University of Toronto. The study results also suggest, that dietary lycopene is readily absorbed, particularly in combination with vitamin C. These results are encouraging, as lycopene may be one of the main agents important for the prevention of osteoporosis.” We found that women who consumed more tomato products on a daily basis had a lower bone turnover and lower oxidative stress than women of the same age group who did not consume as much”, reports Ms. Collins. The participants of the research project were between 50 and 60 years. Lycopene levels in the blood were analyzed, and a seven-day food record was completed. The lowest quartile of estimated lycopene intake was 1.8 mg per day, and the highest was 8 mg per day. Lab tests also showed that higher levels of lycopene were associated with a lower level of protein oxidation and cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen, for short NTx. The latter one is a marker of bone turnover. The intake of vitamin C appeared to work together with lycopene, but it only showed to have a correlation, if 500 mg per day or more of vitamin C was consumed. The effect was not observed among the volunteers who consumed less than 500 mg per day of vitamin C.
    An intervention study will begin shortly, which will be the first of its kind. It will assess the bone parameters in women treated with different doses of lycopene pills.

    Lycopene For Bone Health

    Lycopene For Bone Health

    It is likely that follow-up studies will confirm initial findings, and dietary lycopene could become a simple, inexpensive way of helping to prevent osteoporosis.

    More information about osteoporosis: http://nethealthbook.com/arthritis/osteoporosis/

    Reference: The Medical Post, October 11, 2005, page 8

    Last edited October 29, 2014

    Dec
    01
    2005

    Focused Radiation Improves Breast Cancer Cures

    By | Cancer, Women’s Diseases

    Surgery for breast cancer in past years often involved the removal of the entire breast (=mastectomy). The cancer patient often dreaded this procedure because of the physical and psychological impact. With early-stage breast cancer the removal of the breast lump proved to be the more acceptable choice (=lumpectomy). There was however the question, whether any treatment after the surgical procedure would make a difference in the long-term cure.
    Dr. Martin Keisch, a radiation oncologist at Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami Beach, Florida reports about his experience with a specific radiation therapy called balloon brachytherapy. He led a study with 43 women with early-stage breast cancer who underwent the procedure following lumpectomy. None of them had a cancer relapse over the next four years. Importantly, there were also no serious long-term side effects. The cosmetic results were rated good to excellent by 85 % of the women.

    Focused Radiation Improves Breast Cancer Cures

    Focused Radiation Improves Breast Cancer Cures

    The brachytherapy system, called the MammoSite Radiation Therapy System, is approved for use in the U.S. and Canada.

    More information on breast cancer: http://nethealthbook.com/cancer-overview/breast-cancer/

    Reference: The Medical Post, November 22, 2005, page 48

    Last edited October 29, 2014

    Nov
    01
    2005

    More Is Not Always Better In Exercise

    By | Fitness, Health, Men's Health, Stress management, Women’s Diseases

    Physical activity and good nutrition are the keys for a healthy immune system. Dr. David Nieman, PhD, from the Appalachian State University of Boone, N.C. has found that exercise and nutrition play a strong role in boosting immunity. His past research showed that women who walked briskly for 30 to 45 minutes five days for 12 to 15 weeks had colds half as often as inactive women. This is true even for the aging population, where immunity tends to decline; some research has shown that fit elderly people have better-preserved immune systems.
    It is tempting to conclude, that more exercise would lead to even better benefits, but the research results are quite different. Exercising for too long (beyond 90 minutes) appears to cause a steep drop in immune function that can last up to 24 hours. In the 1987 Los Angeles Marathon, Dr. Nieman surveyed 2,311 runners and found those who raced were six times more likely to get sick afterward compared with those who dropped out of the race for non-medical reasons. Runners who trained more than 96 km per week during the two months before a race doubled their chances for sickness compared with those who trained less than 36 km per week.
    In lab tests on marathon runners who ran on a treadmill for 90 minutes to 3 hours at 80% aerobic capacity, the level of immune cells had decreased (neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer cells, T cells and B cells). All these players in the immune system leave the blood and concentrate on the effort to do repairs and maintenance on the muscles. As a result the front line soldiers are unavailable for defense when viruses are present.

    More Is Not Always Better In Exercise

    More Is Not Always Better In Exercise

    The best strategies for active as well as not-so-active individuals remain similar.
    -Minimize life stresses-mental and emotional.
    -Avoid over training and chronic fatigue.
    -Curb exercise if you have a fever or systemic infection.
    -Eat a well-balanced diet with adequate energy.

    More about fitness: http://nethealthbook.com/health-nutrition-and-fitness/fitness/

    Reference: The Medical Post, October 11, 2005, page 19

    Last edited October 29, 2014

    Nov
    01
    2005

    Hard Liquor And Beer Hike Colon Cancer Risk

    By | Cancer, Nutrition, Prevention, Substance abuse

    The old adage of “everything in moderation” has become something like an excuse-me note for those who do not wish to change their lifestyle. And the little bit that supposedly does not harm is another variation in the theme of excuses. Yet the truth remains, that this does not apply to various lifestyle habits. It still matters, what you ingest in your food or drink, as Dr. Joseph Anderson found out in a study of 2,291 patients.

    All of these individuals presented for screening colonoscopy. It turned out that those who had a history of consuming more than 8 drinks of spirits or beer per week for at least ten years were more than twice as likely as abstainers to have significant cancer of the colon. The group that drank beer and hard liquor (and hard liquor also applies to the category of mixed drinks) faced at least a one in five chance to have significant colorectal neoplasia (meaning cancer of the colon or rectum). This came as no surprise to the researchers, as beer and hard liquor seem equally pernicious.
    Even though wine does not seem to carry the same risk, Dr. Anderson is in no position to condone counseling patients to drink wine instead.

    Hard Liquor And Beer Hike Colon Cancer Risk

    Hard Liquor And Beer Hike Colon Cancer Risk

    His advice to other doctors is to ” counsel the patients on what they are drinking and counsel them to temper their drinking.”

    More information about causes of colorectal cancer: http://nethealthbook.com/cancer-overview/colon-cancer/food-risk-factors-colon-cancer-rectal-cancer/

    Reference: The Medical Post, October 11, 2005, page 46

    Last edited October 29, 2014

    Nov
    01
    2005

    Digital Mammography Superior For Some

    By | Cancer, Prevention, Women’s Diseases

    Mammography has been considered a reliable screening test for breast lumps. It has become a crucial diagnostic tool for the early recognition of breast cancer. Nevertheless there are situations when the test has its limitations, which is especially true for women who have very dense breast tissue.
    Dr. Martin Yaffe, PhD, a biophysics professor at the University of Toronto and Women’s College Health Sciences Center has done the groundwork for digital mammography, and 20 years of research and development have finally paid off. For women who have dense breast tissue, digital mammography will be the superior diagnostic tool, as opposed to the conventional film mammography. In a study that involved 42,760 patients who were asymptomatic both film mammography and digital mammography were used for screening. In the general study population the accuracy of the two methods was found to be similar. In the group of women under 50 years of age the digital method showed significantly more accuracy (84% vs. 69%). Accuracy for women with dense breasts was also higher with the digital method (78% vs. 68%). It also was superior for premenopausal women (82%vs.67%).

    The digital equipment used was still in its development stages, and the potential of the technology will become even greater with more sophisticated equipment down the road. At this point it is not cost effective to use the digital method for all women. The digital system costs between one and a half to four times as much as the film systems.

    Digital Mammography Superior For Some

    Digital Mammography Superior For Some

    “There is certainly no indication that digital is any less accurate than film mammography, but certainly the benefit is in a defined subgroup of women at this time,” states Dr.Yaffe. For most women film mammography remains a method that works well.

    More information about breast cancer: http://nethealthbook.com/cancer-overview/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-diagnosis/

    Reference: The Medical Post, October 4, 2005, page1, 62

    Last edited November 2, 2014

    Nov
    01
    2005

    Pre-Conception Nutrition For Healthy Children

    By | Health, Nutrition, obstetrics, Prevention, Vitamins and supplements

    The importance for good maternal nutrition during pregnancy has been emphasized for a long time. Of course in this case it was up to the mom-to-be to avoid toxins, such as smoking and alcohol and to take prenatal supplements along with sensible nutrition. Enticing the women away from the excesses of the standard Western diet would yield handsome health benefits for the country. Dr. David Barker, a medical advisor to the British government pointed out, that this approach would reduce heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases in the mothers as well as in their offspring. This concept does not address all the aspects, which are important for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
    For the past 20 years a group of around 20 British family physicians, obstetricians and researchers under the name of Foresight has been putting a program into practice, which identifies and addresses the health deficiencies in prospective parents. Almost all couples that followed the pre-conception program had previously experienced problems relating to conception, pregnancy and birth. In one follow-up study of 367 couples that followed the Foresight program from 1990 to 1992, 327(89%) of the women became pregnant and had healthy, well-developed babies. None of the babies suffered malformations and none was transferred to special care. Of the 367 couples, 217(59 %) had suffered from infertility (from 1 to 10 years) and 139 (38%) had histories from 1 to 5 previous miscarriages. Eleven (3%) had previously given birth to a stillborn child, 40 had small-for-date babies and 15 had already had a low birth weight baby (less than 2,500 g). Seven couples had a previous baby with malformations and three had lost a baby to sudden infant death.
    In a larger follow-up study of 1,076 couples, almost all of whom had previous fertility or miscarriage problems, 846 conceived success rate of 78%, as reported by Belinda Barnes, who runs Foresight. There were four problem pregnancies, including one Down syndrome baby, two terminations and one child with an adhesion of the intestine, which was correctable. This is a complication rate of only 0.47 %.

    Pre-Conception Nutrition For Healthy Children

    Pre-Conception Nutrition For Healthy Children

    As the complication rate in the general population amounts to 6.43%, the pre-conception program has only 1/7th of the complications, a strong indicator that a pre-conception program does make a difference.

    More info about healthy nutrition: http://nethealthbook.com/health-nutrition-and-fitness/nutrition/

    Reference: The Medical Post, September 27, 2005, page 33

    Last edited October 29, 2014

    Nov
    01
    2005

    Exotic Mushrooms Best Source For Antioxidants

    By | Health, Nutrition, Vitamins and supplements

    Antioxidants provide powerful cellular protection, and several sources are available through food. One of them under the name ergothioneine was known to be available through food sources like wheat germ or chicken liver. The latter is not necessarily a popular choice for a lot of people! However, antioxidants are necessary to protect us from diseases like arthritis, Alzheimers disease and cancer.
    Researchers at Penn State have better news in the meantime. Joy Dubost, who led the research team, stated in a recent press release, that exotic mushrooms like shiitake, oyster mushrooms, king oyster or maitake mushrooms contain up to 13 mg of the desirable antioxidant ergothioneine in a typical serving, about 40 times as much as wheat germ.
    Consumers who are reluctant to try these varieties and are more used to Portobello mushrooms, crimini mushrooms (brown mushrooms) or even the ubiquitous white mushrooms, still get a good dose of up to 5 mg ergothioneine per serving.

    Exotic Mushrooms Best Source For Antioxidants

    Exotic Mushrooms Best Source For Antioxidants

    Antioxidant levels do not decrease when the mushrooms are cooked.

    More information about antioxidants, which  are explained in detail here: http://nethealthbook.com/health-nutrition-and-fitness/nutrition/vitamins-minerals-supplements/

    Reference: The Medical Post, September 27, 2005, page 21

    Last edited October 29, 2014

    Oct
    01
    2005

    Men Expected to Catch Up On Life Expectancy

    By | Cancer, Health, Men's Health, Obesity, Stress management

    Life expectancy between the sexes has always been different: females generally outlive males by several years, but close observation from the Office of Health Economics in Great Britain shows a shift in Life expectancy. Males have been catching up, and their life expectancy rates have been rising faster than those of females. There is still a difference for a boy born in 2002. He will have a life expectancy of 76 years, whereas his sister will live to age 81.

    Researchers believe that the reason for the shift is lifestyle change in females. Many of them now face the same workplace stress that has been traditionally shouldered by males. Detrimental habits are also more common in females. Heavy drinking in young females has more than tripled in the last 17 years, and 10% of young females exceed the recommended drinking limit (compared to 12% males). Non-smoking campaigns are less successful in women. Males have cut their smoking habits. 51% smoked in 1974, and by 2002 only 28 % were smokers. Female smokers amounted to 41 % in 1974, but by 2002 there were still 26 % smokers. The results show most dramatically in cancer statistics. Since 1973 lung cancer rates in men have been reduced to half and the lung cancer survival rate has increased. In comparison lung cancer in females during the same time period has increased by 45%. As a result of sedentary lifestyles the body mass index has also shown an increase.

    Men Expected to Catch Up On Life Expectancy

    Men Expected to Catch Up On Life Expectancy

    Estimates showed that by the year 2010, life expectancy will likely converge for both sexes at an age of 81.

    Reference: BMJ 2005; 331:656 (24 September)

    Last edited December 6, 2012