ACUPUNCTURE LESSENS PERCEPTION OF PAIN: Previously, it has been suggested that acupuncture reduces pain, although it has seldom been studied using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Now, such a study suggests that acupuncture can affect the experience of pain in two ways. First, it reduces the incoming pain signal itself; and second, it lowers activity in brain areas that govern patients’ expectations of pain. (A functional MRI measures the tiny metabolic changes that take place in an active part of the brain, while a patient performs a task or is exposed to a specific external stimulus.) At first, eighteen healthy [Read more →]

PROBIOTIC FOOD MAY REDUCE SPONTANEOUS PRETERM DELIVERIES: A
Norwegian study has found that a higher intake of probiotic dairy
products by pregnant women results in a reduced risk of
spontaneous preterm deliveries (fewer than 37 gestational weeks).
Pregnant women were divided in three groups: those who consumed
no milk containing probiotic lactobacilli, those with a low
intake, and those with a high consumption level. Researchers
hypothesized that probiotics may reduce the number of pregnancy
complications that arise from microbial infection. The study team
noted that preterm deliveries pose a significant problem. This
study was released by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
but won’t be published until a future issue. It is available
online now at http://bit.ly/apHSqD to journal subscribers and
those who pay the article access fee.

PHYSICAL FITNESS CUTS FREQUENCIES OF COLDS, URTIs: A study has
found that those who get aerobic exercise more often have a
reduced frequency of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs),
such as colds. The effect also was seen in those who perceive
themselves as physically fit; the severity of cold symptoms was
41 percent less for those who believed they were fit and 31
percent reduced for those who were, in fact, the most active. The
total number of days with cold symptoms was about half for those
who reported getting aerobic activity five days a week or more,
compared to those with the most sedentary lifestyles. Researchers
speculate that the effect works this way: bouts of aerobic
exercise boost immune system cells but they fall back a few hours
later; but each exercise round may increase surveillance by the
immune system, of harmful viruses and bacteria. Regardless of
exercise, honorable mention for getting fewer URTIs went to those
who were male, older and married. This study was released
November 1, 2010 and will be published in a future issue of the
British Journal of Sports Medicine. It can be read online now at
http://bit.ly/cJ4bSB but this requires a subscription or payment.

BLACK RASPBERRIES CUT COLON CANCER RISK: A study has concluded
that consumption of black raspberries is highly effective in
reducing the risk of colorectal cancer. In a mouse study,
researchers fed two groups a Western-style diet (high in fat and
low in calcium and vitamin D). They then altered the diet of the
test group so that 10 percent of its food intake was comprised of
freeze-dried black raspberry powder, which continued for 12
weeks. In the test group, the raspberry supplement produced a
broad range of protective effects in the intestine, colon and
rectum, and inhibited tumor formation. The black raspberries
inhibited tumor development by suppressing a protein, known as
beta-catenin. Tumor incidence was reduced by 45 percent and the
number of individual tumors was reduced by 60 percent. Because
black raspberries also reduce inflammation, this food may also
help prevent a variety of inflammatory diseases, including heart
disease. This study was released November 2, 2010 by the journal,
Cancer Prevention Research. Although it will not be published in
the journal until a future issue, it is available online now at
http://bit.ly/cPTaWC for subscribers or those who pay the fee.

FURTHER EVIDENCE OF RESVERATROL’S CANCER PREVENTIVE EFFECT: A
study has found further evidence that resveratrol contributes to
cancer chemopreventive activity (helps prevent cancer). In
previous research on rodents, this polyphenol found in plants,
notably in red grape skins and wine, has been shown to reduce
levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a hormone similar
to insulin. Researchers studied 40 human volunteers to assess
effects of repeated dosing with resveratrol on two hormones: IGF-
1 and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3). A reduction in these
factors is associated with anticancer activity. Subjects ingested
resveratrol for 29 days, in dosages of 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, or 5.0
grams. There was a decrease for all volunteers in circulating
IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 hormones but the greatest decrease was noted
for those on 2.5 grams a day. Also, resveratrol was found to be
safe, except that the higher dosages (2.5 and 5.0 grams) caused
mild to moderate gastrointestinal problems. The study team
concluded high resveratrol dosing contributes to cancer
preventive activity in humans. This study was released November
2, 2010 by the journal, Cancer Research but will not be published
until a future issue. It can be read online now at
http://bit.ly/dyDfqs with subscription or fee payment.

DID YOU KNOW…?
As many as twenty to fifty percent of all recurrent cases of anaphylaxis – a severe, all-body,
allergic reaction – may be caused by an allergy that was only uncovered in 2009: an allergy to
meat. This diagnosis may go undetected because a meat allergy typically develops only in
adulthood and only causes allergic symptoms three to six hours after meat consumption. Most
allergies are a reaction to proteins but meat allergy has been found to be a reaction to a meat
sugar, called galactose-a-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal), which is found in beef, lamb, pork and other
mammalian meat. The delayed reaction usually begins as skin itching and progresses from there.
It should be noted that chickens and turkeys are not mammals.

VITAMIN D LINKED WITH REDUCED SYMPTOMS IN MS PATIENTS:
Associations between vitamin D and brain tissues in multiple
sclerosis (MS) patients have not been investigated previously.
But a new study has found that vitamin D metabolites (the
products of vitamin D metabolism) have a protective effect
against the degree of both disability and brain atrophy in MS
patients. For 193 MS patients, researchers determined brain
tissue injury using MRI scans; assessed degree of clinical
disability using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and
the MS Severity Scale (MSSS); and measured blood levels of
vitamin D metabolites. (The metabolites measured were 25-
hydroxyvitamin D3; 25-hydroxyvitamin D2; 1•, 25-dihydroxyvitamin
D3; and 24(R), 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.) The study team concluded
that higher levels of vitamin D metabolites in the blood provide
protection against brain atrophy and disability in MS patients.
(In particular, the study found strongest protection with the
metabolite 24, 25(OH)2VD3.) Although further study is needed, the
outcome suggests that higher vitamin D intake reduces MS symptoms
and progression. This study was released November 3, 2010 by the
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry with Practical
Neurology but it will not be published until a future issue of
the journal. It is available online at http://bit.ly/9hdQR0 with
subscription or fee payment.

VITAMIN D SUFFICIENCY CUTS LEUKEMIA (CLL) MORTALITY BY HALF: A
deficiency of vitamin D has been linked previously to a higher
risk of cancer generally but studies have never looked at the
vitamin’s relation to leukemia. Now, a study has concluded that
patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who had
sufficient levels of vitamin D at the time of initial diagnosis,
experienced slower progression of the disease and were about half
a likely to die from it. Researchers also found that increasing
vitamin D levels in CLL patients produced longer survival times;
and decreasing vitamin D levels resulted in shorter intervals
between diagnosis and cancer progression. CLL is normally a
slower progressing cancer and typically, treatment for CLL
patients, even they are diagnosed at an early stage, is not
initiated until symptoms develop, leaving patients feeling there
is nothing they can do. Further studies may prove that the
patients can use this period to boost their levels of vitamin D
and have levels monitored by their health practitioner. Vitamin D
is available from sunlight, certain foods such as fatty fish and
eggs, and from supplements. This study was released November 3,
2010 but will not be published until a future issue of the
journal, Blood. It is available online at http://bit.ly/cqyfP6
with subscription or fee payment.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Going outside in cold weather with wet hair, or without a coat, won’t increase your risk of
catching cold or any other infection. The risk of getting a cold has nothing to do with actually
being cold. In a number of studies of cold transmission, people who were chilled were no more
likely to get sick than those who were not. So why do we get more colds in the winter? Cold
weather means we spend much longer periods of time indoors, around others, where viruses are
more likely to catch up with us.

SAFETY OF DIETARY CHOLESTEROL QUESTIONED: Increasingly, people
view dietary sources of cholesterol, such as eggs, as harmless.
But a study suggests cholesterol-rich foods should be eaten
rarely, especially patients at risk of cardiovascular disease.
Research had shown moderate egg consumption to have little effect
on fasting cholesterol, indicating low risk. However, this new
review found long-term risks from mealtime increases in
cholesterol, saturated fats, oxidative stress and inflammation,
following cholesterol consumption. After meals, dietary
cholesterol increases susceptibility of LDL (bad cholesterol) to
oxidation, raises post-meal blood fats, and increases the adverse
effects of dietary saturated fat. Moreover, diabetics who
consumed one egg a day doubled their risk compared to those who
ate less than one egg weekly. Researchers confirmed earlier
recommendations that dietary cholesterol be limited to 200mg a
day, pointing out that a single large egg yolk contains 275mg of
cholesterol, 125mg more than a KFC Double Down. Researchers
suggested that eliminating egg yolks from the diet after a
serious stroke or heart attack is akin to quitting smoking after
getting lung cancer. The study was published in the November,
2010 issue of the Canadian Journal of Cardiology and is available
online free at http://bit.ly/dveu1A.

SMOKING INCREASES RISK OF FATAL BREAST CANCER: A study has
clarified a link between smoking and breast cancer that is
independent of socioeconomic, clinical and lifestyle factors.
Women who are current smokers, or who have a history of smoking,
have a greater risk of breast cancer progression and a 39 percent
higher rate of dying from breast cancer. Smoking has been linked
strongly to lung cancer and several other cancers but the
association with breast cancer has been unclear. Smokers, or
previous smokers, who were diagnosed with breast cancer also
showed double the risk of subsequently dying from non-breastcancer-
related causes compared to women with the disease who had
never smoked. The nine year study enrolled 2,265 multi-ethnic
women. The researchers presented their findings on November 8,
2010 at the ninth annual Frontiers in Cancer Research hosted by
the American Association for Cancer Research, in Philadelphia. It
has not yet been published in any of the association’s seven
journals and it is not available online.

TAI CHI RELIEVES ARTHRITIS PAIN: The largest study to date on the
Arthritis Foundation’s Tai Chi program has found that
participants – including those with rheumatoid arthritis,
osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia – showed moderate improvement in
pain, fatigue, stiffness and well-being. While some received no
tai chi intervention, others took the eight-week, twice-weekly
tai chi course. All were assessed after the eight weeks by
physical measures, such as walking speed and balance testing, as
well as by self-reported differences. Individuals were recruited
from urban and rural areas and from a southeastern state, North
Carolina, and a northeastern state, New Jersey. Participants were
included even if they were unable to stand so long as they could
perform tai chi movements. Results proved consistent across these
different groups. This study was presented November 8, 2010 at
the annual scientific meeting of the American College of
Rheumatology in Atlanta. It has not yet been reported in a
journal and is not available online.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Medical negligence is responsible for up to 98,000 deaths each year in the United States. A study
in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2003, as well as a 1999 report
from the prestigious Institute of Medicine, supported this figure. Another study by HealthGrades
Patient Safety in American Hospitals put the figure at 198,000 a year. However, some
researchers questioned the legitimacy of these statistics because they are based on subjective
judgments about how many patients victimized by medical negligence would have survived if
optimal care had been provided. Or as the subtitle of a 2001 study in the JAMA put it,
“Preventability is in the eye of the reviewer.”

LOWER FOLATE LEVELS LINKED TO AN INCREASED RISK OF DEPRESSION: A
study has found that boosting folate, or folic acid, intake
should be considered as a means to ward off the onset of clinical
depression. The study looked at depressive symptoms as measured
by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and at blood levels of
folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine for 2,524 adults aged 20 to
85 years. Overall, women showed a higher score than men on the
PHQ, indicating a greater incidence of depression. Also, blood
levels of vitamin B12 and homocysteine showed no apparent
association with depression generally, although older adults did
show a higher risk of depression if they had higher homocysteine
levels. However, people in the lowest third of blood levels of
folate, compared with those in the highest third of folate
status, showed a 37 percent greater risk of having significant
depression symptoms (having a higher PHQ score). The researchers
concluded that mental health outcomes might be improved if health
practitioners took into account the dietary and supplement
folate, or folic acid, intake of patients. The study was
published in the November/December 2010 issue of Psychosomatic
Medicine, Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine. It is available
online at http://bit.ly/9IrbXc with subscription or access fee.

BRAIN CHEMICAL MAY BE BEHIND MOOD BENEFITS OF YOGA: Research has
suggested that yoga has a greater effect on mood and anxiety
levels than walking and other forms of exercise. But the
mechanism for this effect has been unclear. However, a new 12-
week study ties together, on the one hand, the yoga-induced
increase in the thalamus, of the antidepressant, nerveregulating,
brain chemical known as GABA; and on other hand, and
the effect of improved mood and lessened anxiety. GABA activity
often is reduced in patients with mood or anxiety disorders and
drugs commonly are prescribed to increase GABA levels and treat
these conditions. Yoga postures appear to have the same
therapeutic effect as GABA activity-boosting medications but
without any negative side effects. This may provide an objective
basis for yoga’s effect but the study team wrote that “the
possible role of GABA in mediating the beneficial effects of yoga
on mood and anxiety warrants further study.” This study was
published in the November, 2010 issue of the Journal of
Alternative and Complementary Medicine and is available online at
http://bit.ly/aLU3WU without subscription or fee.

DHA IMPROVES AGE-RELATED COGNITIVE DECLINE: A new, six-month
study has found that the omega-3 fatty acid called
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) improves learning and memory function
in healthy, older adults with age-related cognitive decline
(ARCD). Fish oils are rich in DHA, which is the most abundant
omega-3 fat in the human brain and retina. In previous research,
higher DHA intake has been associated with a reduced risk of
Alzheimer’s disease. This study – which was reported in the
November 2010 issue of the journal, Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The
Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association – underscores the
importance of early intervention with DHA. Another study –
reported in the November 3, 2010 issue of the Journal of the
American Medical Association (JAMA) – found DHA did not improve
cognitive function in those already diagnosed with mild to
moderate Alzheimer’s disease. But researchers behind the
Alzheimer’s & Dementia study concluded that the key benefit may
be seen only when DHA is taken over time and before Alzheimer’s
has developed; and the lead author of the JAMA study suggested
results may have been different if DHA had been administered
before the disease had progressed. The Alzheimer’s & Dementia
study is available online now at http://bit.ly/9Y556k with
subscription or fee payment.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Yogurt might be a factor in reducing bladder cancer risks by up to 40 percent. According to a
study published in the October, 2008 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, those
who consume two yogurt pots or yogurt mini drinks a day are less likely to develop bladder
cancer than those that eat no or little yogurt. It is important to keep in mind that this association
may be due to other unseen factors and is not necessarily one of cause and effect.

POOR OR INSUFFICIENT SLEEP INCREASES HEART RISK: Researchers have
found that insufficient or poor-quality sleep causes higher
levels of inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a risk factor
for heart disease and stroke. The study team recorded sleep
quality, using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index survey, as well
as the number of hours of sleep. Subjects regularly getting fewer
than six hours of sleep, as well as those regularly getting a
poor quality of sleep, had higher levels of three inflammation
markers: fibrinogen, IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP). People in
the highest third of CRP levels have been shown to have roughly
twice the risk of heart attack, compared to those with lower
levels, according to the American Heart Association and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Previous studies have
shown that people getting between seven and eight hours of sleep
live longer, while those getting more than eight, or less than
seven, are more likely to have high blood pressure, obesity, or
psychological stress. Inflammation may be the mechanism by which
poor sleep quality increases heart disease and stroke risk. This
study was presented in Chicago on November 14, 2010 at the
Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association. It has not
yet been journal-published.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS CAUSE THREE PERCENT OF ROAD CRASHES: A study
examining at-fault statistics from car accidents in France has
found that, over an almost-three-year period, prescribed
medicines played a role in 3.3 percent of all crashes. France has
a drug-risk classification system that assigns a risk number to
all drugs, based on each medicine’s odds of negatively affecting
driving ability. The classification numbers run from level zero,
meaning no driving risk, to level 3, which represents a major
risk. The study found that the risk of being the cause of an auto
accident was 31 percent greater for those taking level 2 drugs,
and 25 percent higher for level 3 drugs, while level zero drug
users showed no increased risk. This shows that the system is a
fairly accurate means of predicting driving risk. It also
clarifies the overall proportion of accidents caused by
prescription drugs: a significant three percent. The study
authors suggested that if any new warning label system is
instituted, a follow-up study should be done to confirm its
overall effect on outcomes. (Roughly 1.3 million people die in
road accidents each year, worldwide.) Published November 16, 2010
by the journal PLoS Medicine, this study is available online at
http://bit.ly/a1aiFS, free of charge.

DID YOU KNOW…?
A study found that copper fittings – copper door handles, door push plates, taps, light switches
and even toilet seats – rapidly kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as the super-bugs MSRA
(methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) and C. difficile, which resist the strongest
disinfectants and antibiotics. Copper surfaces tested in a hospital setting remained germ-free
even after many days of public touching, while steel fixtures did not have this effect. Lab tests
confirm that copper kills the deadly MRSA and C. difficile super-bugs, the flu virus, E. coli, and
other germs. Copper ions separate on contact with bacteria and it is believed the metal ions
suffocate germs, preventing them from breathing. Also, copper ions can stop bacteria from
feeding and may destroy their DNA. The copper-fixture study was announced at a US
conference on antibiotics in November, 2008.

PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO NICOTINE AFFECTS NEWBORNS: A new study may
explain why children born to mothers who smoke have a greater
risk of learning disabilities. Unborn babies exposed to nicotine,
cocaine, or other addictive drugs, end up with a decreased number
of cells in the hippocampus, a brain area important in learning
and memory. These findings further suggest that pregnant women
should seek help in refraining from smoking very early in
pregnancy, as well as avoiding other addictive drugs. A second
study points to an increased risk of drug dependency among
children who suffered brain inflammation very early in life.
Brain inflammation is most often due to head injury or a viral
infection, such as encephalitis or meningitis. Such inflammation
early in life, suggests this study, may lead to long-lasting
changes to the brain’s reward system that increase the risk of
developing drug addiction during adulthood. Both of these studies
were presented in San Diego on November 17, 2010 at Neuroscience
2010, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. Neither
study has been published in a journal yet; so far, neither is
available online.

DIM LIGHT AT NIGHT LINKED TO DEPRESSION: Researchers have found
that exposure to even a dim light while sleeping is sufficient to
cause physical changes in an area of the brain that is associated
with clinical depression. This is the first study to find that
light at night, by itself, leads to a lower density of dendritic
spines in the hippocampus region of the brain. (Dendritic spines
are hair-like growths on brain cells, which are used to send
chemical messages from one cell to another.) One previous study
found that bright light during sleep periods causes depressive
symptoms and another found light at night is linked to weight
gain. But the new study focused on the dim light of 5 lux, which
is similar to a switched-on television in an otherwise darkened
room. The researchers speculate that exposure to light during
sleep suppresses secretion of melatonin, the hormone that lets
the body know when it is nighttime. This study was presented
November 17, 2010 in San Diego at the annual meeting of the
Society for Neuroscience. It has not yet been published in a
journal and is not yet available online.

POMEGRANATE JUICE FIGHTS CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, INFECTION: A new
study has concluded that drinking pomegranate juice three times
daily for one year reduces the incidence of infections,
inflammation, and oxidative stress in chronic kidney disease
dialysis patients. (Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the
production of chemically-reactive molecules containing oxygen and
the body’s ability to detoxify them; oxidation is implicated in
numerous diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and heart
failure.) This means that pomegranate juice wards off a number of
common complications of kidney dialysis, including a higher
mortality rate due to infections and cardiovascular disease.
(Cardiovascular disease can result from inflammation.) These
findings support other studies that found pomegranate juice has a
potent antioxidant effect. Pomegranate juice consumption could
produce similar benefits in people with healthy kidneys but
further research would be required. The study team stressed the
need to monitor potassium levels in any juice taken by kidney
patients, especially those with dietary potassium restrictions.
This study was presented in Denver on the evening of November 18,
2010 at the 43rd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition of the
American Society of Nephrology. It has not yet been published and
is not available online.

DID YOU KNOW…?
All potatoes contain a toxic substance, called glycoalkaloid (GA). When given to animals in
large quantities, GA causes cancer. But don’t throw out that sack of spuds. In the quantities we
encounter in taters, GA is harmless. In fact, some of the health benefits from produce are
believed to come from the plants own toxins, which also act as natural, built-in pesticides.

HIGH-SODIUM DIET LINKED TO ACUTE HEART FAILURE: For the first
time, a study has found that, among heart failure patients who
are capable of walking, those in the upper third of sodium intake
experienced a 46 percent greater risk over three years, of
developing acute decompensated heart failure, or ADHF. (ADHF
occurs when a stable heart failure condition deteriorates as a
result of an added stress such that the body can no longer
compensate for its heart-related deficiencies.) The average
sodium intakes for each third were 1.4gm, 2.4gm, and 3.8gm of
sodium per day; the cumulative three-year rates of ADHF for these
groups were 12, 15 and 46 percent for the low, medium and high
sodium consumption groups, respectively. The highest sodium group
also exhibited a 39 percent greater chance of hospitalization for
whatever reason, and 3.5 times the odds of dying. The study
authors called for more stringent sodium intake guidelines than
those currently recommended for heart failure patients. This
study was released November 17, 2010 but will not be published
until a future issue of the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition. It is available to read online at http://bit.ly/cOxMvB
with subscription or fee payment.

HIGH-PRODUCE DIET CAN IMPROVE KIDNEY FUNCTION: In kidney
patients, the Western diet produces an acidic environment, which
has numerous negative effects that worsen with age and kidney
functional decline. A new study has concluded that adhering to a
diet high in fruits and vegetables, which counteracts this
acidity, improves kidney function in patients with moderately
reduced kidney function due to high blood pressure. Thirty days
on a high-produce diet resulted in lower levels, in the urine, of
three common indicators of kidney injury, which are known as
albumin, transforming growth factor, and N-acetyl-beta-Dglucosaminidase.
Researchers suggested that further studies be
conducted to determine whether a diet high in fruits and
vegetables could be a relatively inexpensive and natural
intervention to prevent the worsening of kidney function in
patients with high-blood-pressure-associated kidney disease. This
study was presented November 20, 2010 in Denver at Renal Week
2010, a conference of the American Society of Nephrology. It has
not yet been published in a journal and is not yet available
online.

NUTRITIONAL THERAPY EFFECTIVELY MANAGES DIABETES 1 AND 2: A new
review has concluded that medical nutrition therapy “is an
effective and essential therapy in the management of diabetes”
types 1 and 2. (The study looked specifically at the American
Dietetic Association Nutrition Practice Guidelines for Type 1 and
Type 2 Diabetes in Adults, as being representative of nutritional
therapy for diabetes.) Researchers assessed nutritional therapies
for diabetes in terms of various factors: carbohydrates (intake,
sucrose, non-nutritive sweeteners, glycemic index, and fiber),
protein intake, cardiovascular disease, and weight management.
Evidence was strong, wrote the study authors, that attention to
these factors results in effective diabetes management. Also, the
researchers suggested that practitioners should recommend to
patients: consistency in daily carbohydrate intake for type 2
diabetes; adjusting insulin to match carbohydrate intake for type
1 diabetes; focusing on total carbohydrate intake rather than the
type of carbohydrate; cardio protective nutrition interventions;
weight management strategies; regular physical activity; and
self-monitoring of glucose to determine if goals are being met.
This study will be published in the December 2010 issue of the
Journal of the American Dietetic Association. By December, it
will be available at the journal site at
http://www.adajournal.org/ with subscription or fee.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Popcorn contains surprisingly large amounts of polyphenols, which are healthful antioxidants.
And so do some breakfast cereals. Many people are aware of the high fiber content of whole
grain snacks, such as popcorn and some cereals, but few are aware of their high levels of
polyphenols, which can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and other disorders. A study
finding high polyphenol levels in these foods was presented August 19, 2009 in Washington,
DC, by scientists at the 238th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

SMOKING INCREASES ARTHRITIS RISK: Researchers have concluded that
cigarette smoking doubles the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA),
at least among African-Americans. Both current and previous
smokers are at greater risk. Also, smokers who have a genetic
risk factor for RA – because they have the genetic factor known
as “HLA-DRB1 shared epitope” – are four times as likely to
develop the autoimmune disease. (RA is a chronic inflammatory
disease that affects the joint lining, called the synovial
membrane, and causes pain, swelling and redness in the joints.
Seventy percent of those diagnosed with RA are women.) Heavy
smoking was found in 54 percent of RA patients. These findings
are generally consistent with previous studies suggesting a link
between smoking and rheumatoid arthritis. However, this study
specifically shows the link also applies to African-Americans and
to what extent. This study will be published in the December 2010
issue of the journal, Arthritis & Rheumatism. It will be
available online in December at the journal website at
http://bit.ly/ikiA85 with subscription or access fee payment.

SOME FLAVONOID TYPES LOWER HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE RISK: A large, 14-
year study has found that regular intake of anthocyanins and some
flavones, including apigenin, may help to prevent hypertension,
or high blood pressure. (Anthocyanins are flavonoid pigments
found in abundance in red or purplish fruits and vegetables,
including purple cabbage, beets, blueberries, cherries,
raspberries, strawberries and purple grapes. Flavones are yellow
pigments mainly found in cereals and herbs. Apigenin is a citrus
bioflavonoid, found in citrus fruits such as oranges and
grapefruit.) The reduction in high blood risk varied from six
percent to 12 percent depending on the specific anthocyanin or
flavone. These compounds appeared to exert a protective effect,
among individuals who habitually ingested them, against
hypertension through their ability to dilate arteries. This study
was released November 24, 2010 by the American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition but will not be published until a future issue
of the journal. It is available now online at
http://bit.ly/eZrseJ with journal subscription or access fee
payment.

POLLUTANT MAY CAUSE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: A new study has found the
first strong laboratory evidence that an environmental pollutant
may play a key role in the development of multiple sclerosis
(MS). This toxic compound, acrolein (pronounced a-KRO-le-in), is
found in tobacco smoke, as well as in some other pollutants such
as auto exhaust. It is also produced by the body following
serious nerve damage. Acrolein is a neurotoxin (damages nerve
tissue) and the researchers believe that acrolein is what
degrades the myelin in MS patients. (In multiple sclerosis, the
myelin insulation surrounding nerve cells is destroyed and the
nerve fibers themselves are damaged.) Also, acrolein induces the
production of free radicals, which further injure tissues.
Previous studies have shown this compound damages liver cells.
Further research will be conducted by the same team, which has
identified several compounds that may be able to bind with
acrolein and remove it from the body. The group is also working
to improve detection methods that can measure acrolein levels in
MS patients. This recently-released study will be published in a
future issue of the journal, Neuroscience, but is available
online now at http://bit.ly/eNCHq1 with subscription or fee
payment.

HIGH-ANTIOXIDANT DIET MAY LOWER RISK OF ONE TYPE OF STROKE: A
study has found that a diet with a high total antioxidant
capacity (TAC) may reduce the risk of a cerebral infarction, a
type of ischemic stroke in the brain. (Ischemic strokes involve a
restriction of the blood supply.) Prior studies have suggested
that inflammation and oxidative stress play a role in ischemic
strokes; and a high-antioxidant diet has been linked to a
reduction of stress and higher levels of circulating antioxidants,
suggesting a high TAC diet may help prevent ischemic
strokes. This study of 41,620 men and women found only a minor
reduction in the risks of strokes generally, with a high TAC
diet. However, looking only at ischemic strokes, the study found
a 59 percent reduction in this risk among those on a high TAC
diet. Examining specific antioxidants, vitamin C itself was
linked to a 42 percent lower risk of ischemic stroke; but high
doses of vitamin E were linked to a three times higher risk of
hemorrhagic stroke, a different type of stroke altogether.
(Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel bursts inside the
brain.) The researchers concluded that a high-antioxidant diet
significantly reduces the risk of ischemic stroke. Just released,
this study will not be published until a future issue of the
Journal of Nutrition but is now available online at
http://bit.ly/fMQAqm with fee payment or subscription.

DID YOU KNOW…?
If everyone took 2,000 IU (international units) of vitamin D every day – an amount
recommended as the maximum safe dosage, at least in Canada – it could save an estimated
200,000 cases of breast cancer and 250,000 cases of bowel cancer around the world. That was
the conclusion of a report in the June 2009 issue of the Annals of Epidemiology.

TUES., NOV. 30, 2010: JUST-RELEASED NATURAL HEALTH STUDY
BPA AND ANTIBACTERIAL SOAPS MAY DISRUPT IMMUNE SYSTEM: Building on previous animal studies on bisphenol A (BPA), a new study has concluded that this compound may cause negative alterations to the human immune system. (BPA is found in many plastics, plastic food storage containers, thermal paper used for receipts, dental sealant, and as a protective plastic lining in food cans.) Although 200 previous studies have linked BPA with negative health effects on animals, this is the first study to find a link between the compound and the human immune system. Researchers detected higher levels of cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody levels in people who had highest levels of BPA in their urine, suggesting their “cell-mediated immune system may not be functioning properly.” They also noted greater incidence of allergies and hay fever in those with higher urine levels of triclosan. (Triclosan is found in antibacterial soaps, toothpaste, pens and medical devices.) This follows a September 20, 2010 study in the same journal suggesting human exposure to BPA may be greater than formerly suspected and through various avenues. This study was posted online November 30, 2010 by the journal, Environmental Health Perspectives and is available at http://bit.ly/hBVSvT with no fee or subscription required.

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DID YOU KNOW…?
A study found that copper fittings – copper door handles, door push plates, taps, light switches and even toilet seats – rapidly kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as the super-bugs MSRA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) and C. difficile, which resist the strongest disinfectants and antibiotics. Copper surfaces tested in a hospital setting remained germ-free even after many days of public touching, while steel fixtures did not have this effect. Lab tests confirm that copper kills the deadly MRSA and C. difficile superbugs, the flu virus, E. coli, and other germs. Copper ions separate on contact with bacteria and it is believed the metal ions suffocate germs, preventing them from breathing. Also, copper ions can stop bacteria from feeding and may destroy their DNA. The copper-fixture study was announced at a US conference on antibiotics in November, 2008.

ABNORMAL SLEEP PERIODS INCREASE CARDIOVASCULAR RISK: A study has shown that, even among healthy people, those who regularly get five hours or less sleep a night have more than double the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Also, people who regularly get nine or more hours of sleep a night have a greater than fifty percent increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Perhaps more surprising, people who get six or eight hours sleep also have a higher – but far less dramatic – increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The study advised that seven hours sleep per night, not six or eight or anything more extreme, was the ideal regular sleep period for cardiovascular health. But how could sleep period affect heart health? The researchers suggested that shorter sleep times can cause “impaired glucose tolerance, reduced insulin sensitivity, increased sympathetic [nerve] activity and elevated blood pressure,” all of which increase the risk of hardening of the arteries. And longer sleep duration may be related to an underlying sleep-related breathing disorder or poor sleep quality. The study was published in the August 1, 2010 issue of the journal, Sleep. It is available online only to those with a subscription to the journal or a membership in the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

HIGH HEELS RAISE RISK OF OSTEOARTHRITIS AND JOINT DEGENERATION: A study has found that knees and heels may be at greater risk from high heels – stilettos, wedges, pumps and kitten heels – and those who regularly wear these shoes for prolonged periods exhibit a greater risk of developing joint degeneration and osteoarthritis. (Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints.) The higher the heel, the greater the risk, the researchers found. As the heels got higher, they also saw an increase in the compression on the medial, or inside, of the knee. Heels higher than two inches especially alter body posture by changing joint positions at the ankle, knee, hip and trunk, which can also create strain on the lower back. High heels also showed a negative effect on posture. The greatest impact was on the ankle. The main researcher suggests moderation instead of abstinence. The study was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics (ASB), which ran from August 18 to 21, in Providence. However, it has not yet been submitted to a professional journal and details are not yet available.

CHILI PEPPERS REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE: A study has found that while chili peppers may set your mouth on fire, they can also cause blood vessels to relax and widen in the long run, which effectively lowers blood pressure. Previous research on chili peppers has involved short term studies, which have shown mixed results. But this study on rats was long-term and showed a definite reduction in hypertension, or high blood pressure. The active compound is capsaicin, one of the most abundant components of chili peppers. It appears chronically to activate a substance that increases production of nitric oxide, which protects blood vessels from inflammation and dysfunction. Further research is needed to confirm the effect in humans and the number of peppers needed long-term to lower blood pressure. But what if you can’t tolerate spicy foods? An easily-tolerated, mild Japanese pepper contains capsinoids, compounds similar to spicy capsaicin and which limited studies show have a similar effect. The study was published in the August 4, 2010 issue of the journal, Cell Metabolism. It is online at http://bit.ly/cO8vkp but accessible only to subscribers to the journal or those who pay the access fee.

INCREASED WHOLE-GRAIN INTAKE LOWERS CARDIOVASCULAR RISK: It has long been thought that daily consumption of whole-grain foods such as bread could have a positive effect on the risk of cardiovascular disease but until now, no “comprehensive randomized and controlled intervention trial” – a more scientific and conclusive study – had been undertaken. Finally, results of a new study of this type confirm that daily intake of three portions of whole-grain foods significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, at least in middle-aged people, and chiefly through the mechanism of lowering systolic blood pressure (the upper number in your blood pressure reading). In fact, the study pegged the reduction in the risk of developing coronary artery disease at 15 percent and the risk reduction for stroke at 25 percent. After just four weeks on this diet, participants also showed improvements in other risk factors such as insulin sensitivity, cholesterol and internal inflammation. The effect was similar for both those getting three servings of whole wheat and for those getting the same servings of whole wheat and oats. The study was released by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Details are available now online at http://bit.ly/9Ztt9u but only with journal subscription or the payment of an article access fee.

DID YOU KNOW…?
A sunscreen with an SPF, or sun protection factor, of 30 does not offer twice the protection from UVB rays of the sun as a sunscreen with an SPF of 15. In fact, a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 offers a 93 percent protection from UVB, while a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 offers only a slightly better 97 percent protection from UVB. Double the SPF does not offer twice the protection and does not mean you can stay out in the sun twice as long. Because some ultraviolet light may still get through sunscreens, they should not be used as a way of prolonging sun exposure. For comparison, a white tee shirt has an SPF of only 3.

NATURAL INTERVENTIONS CAN HEAD OFF DEMENTIA: A new study has determined the individual percentages by which a variety of lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of dementia and suggests that these interventions – in the absence of a new treatment for the mind-robbing disease – are likely to have the greatest impact on reducing dementia levels in the future. The study assessed previously identified risk factors such as depression, diet, alcohol consumption, educational level and vascular factors, which include heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Results found that three changes together – eliminating depression and diabetes and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption – reduced dementia risk by a full 21 percent. Depression alone accounted for a 10 percent risk. Higher education was linked to an 18 percent lower risk. To illustrate the extent of these factors, the genetic tendency towards dementia accounts for seven percent of cases. The study was released August 5, 2010 and will be published in the British Medical Journal. But the journal already has made the full-text version of this important study available to the public, online at http://bit.ly/c3p7KL without the usual requirement of a journal subscription or access fee.

VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY LINKED TO LUNG DISEASE AND REDUCED LUNG FUNCTION: An early-release study has found a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency, reduced lung function and interstitial lung diseases (ILD). (Some diseases obstruct the lungs’ airways and are called “obstructive lung diseases”; others affect the tissue and space around the lung air sacs and are called “interstitial lung diseases,” or ILD. The latter are often characterized by excess connective tissue or scarring, known itself as connective tissue disease, or CTD.) Vitamin D deficiency was found in 38 percent of the 118 study subjects and vitamin D insufficiency was found in 59 percent. But vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was strongly associated with ILD generally and CTD specifically, as well as with reduced lung function. The researchers suggested that an insufficient supply of vitamin D may play a role in the development of CTD lung disease. (In addition to being a vitamin, vitamin D is a known steroid hormone, affecting the immune system, bone health and lung tissue.) This study was released August 5, 2010 but won’t be published until a future issue of the journal, Chest. It is available now online at http://bit.ly/crkDn0 to subscribers to the journal or those willing to pay a one-time access fee.

VITAMIN D MAY HELP FIGHT COLDS AND FLU: Vitamin D supplementation may increase the odds of surviving a winter without taking any days off sick. In the small study, 51 percent of those given 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily between October and March – when vitamin D levels drop and flu and cold infections rise – remained “healthy” compared to 36 percent of those given a placebo. Results were not conclusive because both groups were equally likely to report flu-like symptoms during the period. (Previous studies showed a reduction in flu and cold infections but also produced conflicting results.) The study team called for larger studies to ascertain the benefit of vitamin D in warding off infections and to determine appropriate dosages. Experts often suggest people need more vitamin D than health officials recommend, which may require supplements for those not getting enough vitamin D from food sources, which include milk, cereal and some fatty fish such as salmon. This study is published in the September 1, 2010 issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases. It is available online now at http://bit.ly/b4ZEhE to journal subscribers or those who pay the access fee.

CALORIE RESTRICTION CAN CUT HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: A study has concluded that a substantially calorie restricted, or CR, diet may serve as an effective non-pharmacological treatment for hypertension, or high blood pressure, even in a short-term program. (CR is a dietary regimen that restricts calorie intake substantially below normal levels, while still maintaining normal nutrient levels; it has been shown over many decades to increase median and maximum lifespan in a wide variety of species.) The study also suggested that even a short-term CR diet may help prevent cardiac hypertrophy, which is a thickening of the heart muscle that decreases the size of the chambers of the heart. In just five weeks, a CR diet reduced the systolic blood pressure – the upper number of a blood pressure reading – and reduced ventricular wall thickness. Additionally, this short period of calorie restriction dilated artery walls and improved various other circulatory factors. This study was released August 9, 2010 but will not be published until a future print issue of the journal, Hypertension. It is available online in the meantime at http://bit.ly/9szxLy for journal subscribers or those who pay the article access fee.

POSSIBLE END FOR ANTIBIOTICS: New research concludes a rapidly emerging gene – found in a large and growing number of bacterial samples – makes bacteria immune to all drugs. Bacteria that acquire and reproduce this gene could spread so quickly that they could make all antibiotics redundant and signal the end of modern antibiotics. The gene, known as New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-1), was first found in pneumonia and E. coli bacteria taken from a single Swedish patient in 2009. But NDM-1 was found in 73 samples of Enterobacteriaceae (bacteria) taken from patients in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, as well as 37 from the UK, who had traveled to these countries for elective surgery. Importantly, the NDM-1 gene was found on plasmids, DNA structures that can be easily copied and transferred between evolving bacteria, suggesting, wrote the researchers, “an alarming potential to spread and diversify among bacterial populations.” Worse, the infections were community acquired, meaning they exist in the general environment. No drugs, including those in development, are effective against NDM-1. This study was released August 11, 2010 and will be published in the September 2010 print issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Meantime, the full-text version of the study can be accessed online at http://bit.ly/bEGfvg by journal subscribers or to those who register on the site; registration is free.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Fish may be known for health benefits but it’s easy to turn those benefits in a health risk. Frying or sautéing can add excess calories, saturated fat and dangerous levels of free radicals, requiring more antioxidants to mop them up and raising the risk of heart disease, obesity and some cancers. Also, any uncooked seafood carries the risk of coliform bacteria, toxoplasmosis and salmonella. Pregnant women who eat high levels of fish containing significant levels of mercury can cause developmental delays and brain damage in their newborns: especially high in mercury are shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish. Canned light tuna (as opposed to other tuna), shrimp, salmon, pollock and catfish generally have a lower amount of mercury but still should be eaten only in moderation. Baking, broiling, grilling and poaching are the healthiest ways to cook fish. Like any food, fish should be eaten in moderation. Two servings are equal to about seven ounces; eating over 14 ounces may cancel out the substantial health benefits of consuming fish.

ADEQUATE ZINC LEVELS CUT PNEUMONIA RISK IN HALF: A study of 600 nursing facility residents has found that those with adequate zinc levels were about fifty percent less likely to develop pneumonia than those with low body concentrations of zinc. Also, those with sufficient levels of zinc received fewer prescriptions for antibiotics, had shorter durations of pneumonia and had lower mortality rates. The researchers suggested that zinc supplementation for zinc-deficient elderly persons may result in a lower incidence of pneumonia and that further study is required to determine whether zinc supplements may be an effective and low-cost intervention to reduce pneumonia deaths among vulnerable populations who already have low zinc intakes. (An earlier analysis of the same data had shown that those who consumed 200 international units (IU) of vitamin E were less likely to get upper respiratory infections, such as colds.) The study was released August 10, 2010 and will be published in a future issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. In the meantime, it can be read online at http://bit.ly/9FaV0K by subscribers to the journal or those who pay the article access fee.

SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES LINKED TO RISKS OF DIABETES AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: A new study suggests that sugar-sweetened drinks may play a role in cardiometabolic risk. (Cardiometabolic risk is a constellation of health factors that may raise the risk of diabetes 2 and cardiovascular disease.) Researchers examined the relation between cardiometabolic risk factors and low-fat milk, whole-fat milk, fruit juice and sugar sweetened beverages. Whole milk consumption was associated with a reduced risk of high triglycerides. But sugar-sweetened drinks were linked to high triglycerides; high LDL or “bad” cholesterol; high blood pressure; and high waist circumference – all risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. While the study did not prove a cause-and-effect relation, the study team did suggest that recommendations to limit the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks may help reduce these risk factors. This study was released August 11, 2010 but will not be published in print until a future issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It is available online now to journal subscribers and those who pay an article access fee, at http://bit.ly/aUOxQJ.

TYLENOL LINKED TO ASTHMA IN ADOLESCENTS: A new study has found a dose-related association between current acetaminophen use by adolescents and their experiences with symptoms of asthma. Although researchers said that “it is not possible” to prove this is a cause and effect link, the study was quite large, involving 360,000 adolescents of 13 to 14 years of age in 50 countries. The subjects were surveyed about their use within the last year, of acetaminophen as well as their symptoms of asthma. Those who used the drug at least once a year showed a 40 percent greater risk of asthma; and those who used acetaminophen at least once a month had a 150 percent higher risk of asthmatic symptoms. Rhinoconjunctivitis – an inflammation of the covering of the white of the eye, combined with a stuffy nose – and eczema were also associated with recent use of the drug. The study team suggested that “controlled trials are now urgently required to investigate this relationship further.” This study was released August 13, 2010 but will not be published until a future issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

DID YOU KNOW…? The most prevalent disease in children is tooth decay. It is about five times more common than childhood asthma. What an expectant mother eats affects tooth development in the fetus. Deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, protein and even calories, during the 14-week to four-month period of pregnancy, can cause oral defects. Children with dental problems are more likely to avoid nutritious foods that require chewing, such as fruits and vegetables. Some data also suggest a deficiency of vitamins B6 or B12 could increase the risk of cleft lip and cleft palate formation.

ADVERSITY IN CHILDHOOD CAN WEAKEN ELDERLY IMMUNE SYSTEMS AND SHORTEN LIFE: A study has found that the pain people suffer in childhood, such as abuse or other adversities, can lead to weakened immune systems much later in life and for some more serious cases, can shorten lifespan by seven to fifteen years. The research on 132 healthy adults, averaging 70 years of age, looked at childhood adversities such as the loss of a parent, serious marital problems between parents, or mental illness or alcoholism within the family. It also assessed the length of telomeres – shortened telomeres are often seen as an indicator of biological aging – and the level of inflammatory indicators, with higher levels linked to various health problems such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, cancers and Alzheimer’s disease. Abuse had a greater effect than adversities but generally, those who had suffered significantly during childhood had shorter telomeres and higher inflammatory levels. Those who experienced several kinds of hardship as kids had the shortest telomeres, suggesting a shortened life expectancy. The study was presented August 14, 2010, at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in San Diego. It has not yet been published.

PAINT STRONGLY LINKED WITH BLADDER CANCER: Working as a painter is strongly associated with a 30 percent increased risk of bladder cancer, according to a new study. Grouped into the general profession of painting were plasterers, glaziers, wallpaper hangers, artists and decorators. A key risk factor for bladder cancer is smoking – a fact of which few people are aware, according to another study in 2008 – and painters are exposed to some of the same chemicals found in cigarette smoke (including aromatic amines). The researchers were able to separate the impact of the occupational exposure from the effect of smoking. The risk increased with the length of time spent as a painter, which further strengthened the link – separate from smoking – between this occupation and bladder cancer. There was also a small amount of evidence that female painters were at an even greater risk. (Bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer with more than 330,000 new cases and 130,000 fatalities each year, worldwide.) This study was published in the August, 2010 issue of the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine and is available online at http://bit.ly/ahKhU3 with subscription or payment of a fee.

OBESITY RATES DECLINE AMONG SOME ADOLESCENT GROUPS: A new study concludes that obesity has declined among most groups of adolescents, although the disparities have worsened among other groups. Obesity rates for white and Asian boys and girls peaked in 2005 and declined over the next three years, with 2008 obesity rates coming in at 12 and 13 percent for white and Asian youths, respectively. Although obesity rates among male and female Hispanics also peaked in 2005, the 2008 rates were still at 26 percent. However, obesity rates have not peaked and continued to climb for two groups: black and American Indian adolescent females; the percentages of these girls who are obese are 22 and 23 percent, respectively. When it comes to the most obese, those with BMI at the 99th percentile, only white boys and Asian boys and girls showed any signs of decline after 2005; these most obese all other groups peaked in 2005 and remained at a plateau through 2008. The researchers suggest that tailored intervention programs should be targeted specifically at the at-risk groups. This study was released August 16, and is being published in the September 2010 issue of the journal, Pediatrics.

WOMEN WHO DRINK BEER AT HIGHER RISK OF PSORIASIS: A study has found that women who consume 2.3 or more alcoholic drinks per week have a 72 percent higher risk of psoriasis. On closer analysis, it was found that, among the various types of alcoholic beverages, only beer raised the risk of psoriasis. In fact, women who consume five or more beers per week had a 2.3 times greater risk of psoriasis than women who did not drink. Light beer, red wine, white wine and liquor were not associated with psoriasis risk. (Psoriasis is an immune-related skin condition that might be worsened by alcohol consumption.) The researchers suggest that a non-alcoholic component in beer, one not found in wine or liquor, may play a role in the development of psoriasis. Beer is one of few non-distilled alcoholic beverages that use starch, usually barley, as a source of fermentation. Barley and other starches contain gluten, to which some psoriasis patients show sensitivity. Light beer, not linked to higher risk, contains a lower level of starch. This study was released August 16 but will not be published until the December, 2010 issue of the Archives of Dermatology. Meanwhile, it is available online, without charge, at http://bit.ly/cc3FGf.CHOCOLATE MAY LOWER HEART FAILURE RISK IN WOMEN: A nine-year study of 30,000 middle-aged and older Swedish women links moderate consumption of chocolate with a reduced risk of heart failure. (Heart failure is the inability of the heart to supply sufficient blood flow to meet the body’s needs and occurs in about one percent of Americans over 65.) One to three servings of chocolate per month was found to lower risk by 26 percent compared to women who did not eat chocolate. Similarly, the risk of heart failure was 32 percent lower among women consuming one to two servings a week. However, the risk for heart failure increased by 23 percent among those consuming one or more servings of chocolate daily; this may be due to high-calorie chocolate replacing more nutritious foods. (Previous studies have linked chocolate to reduced risk of high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease, possibly due to cocoa’s flavonoids.) The researchers point out that these results apply only to the dark chocolate with a 30 percent cocoa content commonly consumed in Sweden; most of the dark chocolate consumed in the U.S. has a15 percent cocoa content. Released August 16, 2010, the full text of this study will not be available until it is published in a future issue of the journal, Circulation: Heart Failure.

DID YOU KNOW…?
That cold you picked up in hot, muggy weather is not that unusual. Despite common belief, colds are not caused by cold weather, exercise, diet, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or by getting wet, chilled or overheated. Research suggests, however, that susceptibility to the viruses that cause the common cold may increase as a result of psychological stress, allergic disorders affecting the nose and throat and even menstrual cycles. Above all, being in close contact with crowds while not washing your hands regularly raises the risk of viruses entering your body at these susceptible times.

CHINESE HERBAL FORMULA EASES SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY: A study has found that a Chinese herbal formula lessens the negative effects of chemotherapy as well as strengthening the effectiveness of the chemo treatment itself. In fact, the formula seemed to work by reducing inflammation and by increasing the creation of new intestinal cells. No drugs are known to provide such an anti-side-effect impact. The Chinese formula used in the experiment consisted of four herbs – collectively called PHY906 – and was based on an herbal recipe called Huang Qin Tang, historically used to treat nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. This formulation was described over 1,800 years ago. Although the study was performed on mice, the patients experienced less weight loss and greater anti-tumor activity when the formula was added to chemo treatment. Researchers suggested it may be the perfect marriage of both Eastern and Western approaches to cancer treatment; but challenges exist before the Chinese herbal blend can be tested on humans. This study was released on August 18, 2010 by the journal, Science Translational Medicine. It is available online at http://bit.ly/9dk76B to subscribers and those who pay the study access fee.

SPECIFIC VEGETABLES MAY REDUCE DIABETES RISK: An analysis of numerous past studies has found a tentative link between a higher intake of certain vegetables and a lower risk of developing diabetes type 2. The analysis did not find a lower risk with an equally higher intake of fruits and vegetables overall. From past studies, the pattern emerged that those who consumed an average of about one-and-a-half additional servings from a specific vegetable group – cabbage, spinach, cauliflower and broccoli – showed a 14 percent lower chance of getting diabetes. Although the name may not apply, the authors described these vegetables as “green leafy vegetables,” and noted that one-and-a-half extra daily servings of other vegetables did not show the same effect. The researchers cautioned that further study must be done to assess this limited research; that this positive effect derived from whole foods and not antioxidant supplements; and that the study neither proves these vegetables prevent diabetes nor that other vegetables do not. It is too early to recommend to the public that more of these foods be eaten. The authors noted that beta-carotene, polyphenols and vitamin C may all play a factor. The study may mean that dietary advice can be more beneficial than drugs. The study was released August 19, 2010 and will be published in a future issue of the British Medical Journal. It is, however, available to read online now in its full-text format, without subscription or fee, at http://bit.ly/d2J87P.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Daily doses of fish oil containing omega-3 fats can, when combined with exercise, act as an aid to weight loss. People who took fish oil during the 3-month exercise program lost an average 4.5 pounds. But the exercise group that took sunflower oil – which does not contain omega-3 oil – did not lose any weight despite exercising. This study was presented July 31, 2006 in Cairns, Australia at the Congress of the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids.

CIGARETTE SMOKE RISKY AT LOWEST-POSSIBLE DETECTABLE LEVELS: A study has ascertained that even the smallest amount of second-hand smoke, let alone a habit of only “few cigarettes a week,” can put people at risk for future lung disease, such as lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Many past studies have found that second-hand smoke is a health risk but this is the first study to conclude that cigarette smoke – even at the very lowest levels of detection – directly affects the functioning of genes within the cells lining the airways. (Some genes are very sensitive to tobacco smoke and changes within them are the first indication of “biological disease” of the lungs.) Researchers divided people into three groups: nonsmokers, smokers and low-exposure smokers. They then scanned the entire genome of each participant to see what genes were activated or deactivated in airway cells. The study found that there was no detectable level of nicotine or cotinine that was so low that it did not correlate to genetic abnormalities. The author suggested that any degree of public smoking can cause future lung disease; and that this supports public smoking bans. This study was released August 21, 2010 but will not be published until a future issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

ELECTRIFYING POTATOES BOOSTS THEIR ANTIOXIDANT LEVELS: A study has found that two simple methods of “stressing” potatoes increase the antioxidant levels of these vegetables substantially. The methods included immersing potatoes in salt water and adding a small electrical charge between 10 and 30 seconds; and immersing potatoes in water and subjecting them to ultrasound for 5 or 10 minutes. The study team then measured antioxidant activity and the phenolic content and concluded that the stresses increased the amount of these compounds. The 5 minutes of ultrasound, for instance, increased polyphenol levels by 1.2 times and other antioxidants by about 1.6 times. This study indicates that ultrasound or electric treatments can be useful for enriching antioxidant activity of potatoes. (Antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables are considered to be of nutritional importance in the prevention of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, various cancers, diabetes and neurological diseases.) The study was presented August 22, 2010 at the 240th national meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in Boston. It is not available online at this time.

BERRIES CAN ACTIVATE ‘CLEANUP’ MECHANISM IN BRAIN: A study released today concludes consumption of berries, and possibly walnuts, triggers a natural brain mechanism that cleans up and recycles toxic proteins, which are linked to age-related memory loss and dementia. Other studies found that antioxidant-rich foods have anti-aging effects on the brain but this study pinpoints a completely different way that berries stave off the mental effects of aging. In a process called autophagy, “cleanup” brain cells known as microglia, sweep away the debris resulting from inflammation and oxidative damage, debris that can cause memory loss and mental decline. But with age, a protein appears to shut down the autophagy process: the microglia either become less active, allowing harmful debris to accumulate; or become overactive, damaging healthy brain cells. The study team found that berries inhibit the action of this protein, allowing housekeeper brain cells to return to their normal, balanced duties. (This team’s previous research showed berry consumption reversed memory, learning and nerve function.) The study author recommended foods high in polyphenolics, especially as we age. Berries and walnuts are rich in polyphenolics but so are many other fruits and vegetables, especially those with deep red, orange or blue colors. This study was presented in Boston on August 23, 2010 at the 240th annual meeting of the American Chemical Society. It has not yet been published.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Scientists have developed a seven-question assessment tool that, without medical testing, provides a fairly accurate prediction of your risk of already having diabetes type 2. Although a finding of diabetes must later be verified by your health practitioner, an earlier diagnosis of diabetes can lead to more effective treatment. The questions cover ethnicity, sex, family history of diabetes, waist size, body mass index and any history or treatment for high blood pressure. Called the Diabetes Risk score, the test was designed by a team at the University of Leicester in the UK and is available online to the public at http://bit.ly/cB4IUD.

CRANBERRY JUICE’S INFECTION-FIGHTING MECHANISM DISCOVERED: Cranberry juice has been linked to fewer urinary tract infections (UTI) but many see it as a folk remedy. To confirm this infection-fighting association, scientists needed clear insight into possible mechanisms by which cranberry juice works. Now, a study has provided evidence of this mechanism. Researchers cultivated strains of E. coli – the bacteria that are the most common cause of UTI – in urine collected from healthy volunteers both before and after consumption of cranberry juice cocktail. While E. coli grown in ordinary urine were able to produce normal biofilm – the substance that allows bacteria to stick to the urinary tract and to other bacteria, essentially setting up shop – the bacteria grown in urine from those who consumed cranberry juice were unable to adhere to each other or to any surface area. Cranberry juice does not kill bacteria but blocks much of their ability to “stick” around and colonize. Researchers estimated cranberry juice reaches and protects the urinary tract within eight hours of consumption. More women develop a UTI than men. This study was presented at the 240th national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston on August 23, 2010. Details have not yet been published.

WATER BEFORE MEALS RESULTS IN GREATER WEIGHT LOSS: A study has found that drinking two cups of water before meals enhances weight loss for those on a diet. Dieters who drank two eight-ounce cups of water before each of their three meals every day lost an average of 4.5 pounds more within 12 weeks than those who did not increase their normal water intake. On a calorie-reduced diet, the group that took water ahead of meals lost 14.5 pounds on average while those who didn’t drink water before meals lost 11 pounds on average. According to the researchers, the reason that drinking water before mealtime works is simply because water has zero calories and yet, gives the sensation of feeling partly full even before you start eating, resulting in fewer calories consumed during the meal. The study author warns that excess water intake is dangerous and can result in death. Health groups such as the National Academies’ Institute of Medicine advise that thirst should be one’s guide to water consumption. This study was presented on August 24, 2010 at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston. It has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

BLACK RICE BEATS BLUEBERRIES FOR ANTIOXIDANT POWER: A study has found that black rice serves as a highly economical alternative to blueberries and blackberries, touted for their antioxidant punch. The researchers report that a spoonful of black rice bran contains more health-promoting anthocyanin antioxidants than are found in a spoonful of pricey blueberries or blackberries, as well as containing more fiber and vitamin E antioxidants – but with less sugar. Anthocyanin antioxidants show promise for fighting heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Black rice could be consumed in rice form, or the black rice bran could be used as an additive for cereals, beverages or other foods. Also, the pigments in black rice can be used to produce a variety of colors from pink to black and may provide an alternative to artificial food colorants. (Several studies have linked some artificial colorants to cancer, behavioral problems in children, and other health problems.) This study was presented August 26, 2010 at the American Chemical Society’s national meeting in Boston. It has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Two nutritional supplements appear to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. In one study, those with the highest vitamin D levels showed a 65 percent lower risk of the disease. Also, some research suggests that a regular intake of omega-3 fatty acids, the type of fat found in oily fish such as sardines and salmon also may reduce the risk of Parkinson’s. However, there is no known way to prevent Parkinson’s disease.

MODERATE EXERCISE COMBATS MENTAL DECLINE: Researchers have announced new hope for veteran couch potatoes. Although some experts call for brisk daily exercise, a new study has shown that even a very modest amount of low-level exercise three times a week can improve the connectivity of the brain’s circuitry, combat the mental decline of aging and boost performance of cognitive tasks. Adults aged 59 to 80 were tested and scanned at the start of the study and after six, and after 12, months of walking at one’s own natural pace for just 40 minutes three-times-a-week. Brain imaging techniques showed that these “professional couch potatoes,” as one of the scientists described them, experienced better brain connectivity, as well as improved performance on cognitive tasks. Those who spent time stretching and toning did not alter their brain connectivity or performance – only those who took occasional, leisurely walks. Higher connectivity results in improved ability to plan, schedule, deal with ambiguity, remember and multitask. The study was released August 26, 2010 and will appear in a future issue of the journal, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. The full-text study is available online without fee by clicking on PDF in the upper right corner at http://bit.ly/amGX9c.

MOTHERS WHO DON’T BREASTFEED MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP DIABETES TYPE 2: A study has found that women who do not breastfeed their babies have a significantly higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Diet and exercise are widely known to affect the risk of developing diabetes but few people would guess that breastfeeding can reduce the risk of developing diabetes later in life by decreasing belly fat. The study involved 2,233 women between the ages of 40 and 78 and concluded that women who did not breastfeed were twice as likely to acquire diabetes at some point. The study eliminated potentially confounding factors such as physical activity, age, race, and tobacco and alcohol use. This study is being published in the September 2010 issue of the American Journal of Medicine. The full text version of the study has just been posted online at http://bit.ly/b7MCjG for those who pay the article access fee.

PARENTAL USE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS A RISK TO CHILDREN: A study has found that widespread use of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines by parents for fever, coughs and colds places children at serious risk, resulting in a larger number of calls to poison centers and more hospital admissions. Researchers discovered that many parents in the study felt that if a drug was available without a prescription, it must be safe to give to children even in double dosages. Of the 119,000 poison control calls surveyed, 48 percent concerned accidental overdose in children, with 15 percent needing hospitalization. Over 85 percent of all calls regarding accidental overdose in children involved those under five, with almost 80 percent of incidents involving those under age three. Only 14 percent of parents made the correct call when dealing with a child’s fever. “It is vital that parents worldwide should understand the proper usage of medicines so that they do not continue to put their children’s health at risk,” said the study leader. This study was presented August 30, 2010 at the annual conference of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in Lisbon, Portugal. It has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

SMOKING MARIJUANA REDUCES CHRONIC PAIN: A study has concluded that smoked cannabis has the ability to reduce pain in chronic pain sufferers, to lower clinical depression and anxiety levels, and to improve sleep. People with damage or some dysfunction in the nervous system often experience ongoing pain and have few treatment options other than drugs, which include opioids, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, local anesthetics and of course, pain relievers. Many of these cause side effects, prompting patients to discontinue use. Marijuana taken by mouth has been shown to be effective in lowering pain but, according to the researchers, smoked cannabis appears never before to have been tested for this use. The study found reduced pain and improved mood after smoked inhalation, for five days of three-times-a-day, of 25 mg of the herb containing 9.4 percent THC, the bioactive component. They called for more tests and also, for studies on the medical safety of long term use. This study will be published in a future issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal. It was released August 30, 2010 and the full text was posted online for free access at: http://bit.ly/98hlrC.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Gram for gram, carbohydrates are lower in calories than either protein or fat, despite the common misconception that starchy carbohydrates promote weight gain. In fact, most of the body’s energy comes from starches. However, refined carbohydrates are linked to health disorders and the risk of diabetes. Always opt for unrefined, also known as whole-grain, versions of rice, grains and pasta.

VITAMIN D MAY BOOST HEART FAILURE SURVIVAL RATES: A study has found that heart failure patients with reduced levels of vitamin D have lower rates of survival than patients with normal vitamin D levels. As a result, researchers suggest that a low intake of vitamin D may be a factor in the development, and outcome, of heart failure. Vitamin D is produced by the skin when it is exposed to the natural ultra violet-B, or UV-B, radiation from the sun. Most tissues and cells have a vitamin D receptor; and evidence suggests vitamin D reduces the risks of several chronic illnesses such as common cancers, autoimmune diseases, kidney diseases, chronic infectious diseases, high blood pressure – and apparently, heart failure. The study team described the evidence of a protective effect from vitamin D as “compelling,” and recommended that heart failure patients should be advised to take vitamin D supplements and eat oily fish or eggs. The study was presented August 31, 2010 at the annual congress of the European Society Cardiology. It has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D INCREASE DIET-INDUCED WEIGHT LOSS: A study has concluded that greater intakes of dairy calcium and higher blood levels of vitamin D produce a substantially greater weight loss than the loss experienced by those with lower calcium and vitamin D intakes. (Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in supplements and in a few foods such as cod liver oil, sockeye salmon, mushrooms, mackerel and tuna fish.) The six-month study used techniques that ruled out the influence of other factors such as age, sex, body mass index, total fat intake and diet type. Blood levels of vitamin D and dairy calcium intake were found to be separate factors affecting increased weight loss; that is, each nutrient had its own specific effect. This study was released September 1, 2010 but will not be published until a future issue of the print version of the journal, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. However, the full-text version is now available online, with subscription or payment of an access fee, at http://bit.ly/coMR3d.

FISH OILS FIGHT INFLAMMATION AND DIABETES: Finally, a study has identified the mechanism by which omega-3 fatty acids appear to effectively fight chronic inflammation, insulin resistance and diabetes. The study found that there is a key receptor in obese body fat and that omega-3 oils – specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) – activate this receptor, which results in broad anti-inflammatory effects and improved systemic insulin sensitivity. (There is a strong connection between obesity and diabetes.) The effect of fish oil was powerful, according to the researchers, and, “The omega-3 fatty acids switch on the receptor, killing the inflammatory response.” The study team warned that more study is required to determine how much fish oil constitutes a safe and effective dose. Researchers suggested that the study could eventually lead to a natural dietary remedy for the more than 23 million Americans who suffer from diabetes. This study was published in the Friday, September 3, 2010 issue of the journal, Cell. The full-text version is now available online without fee at http://bit.ly/9TQ09d.

KIDNEY PROBLEMS LINKED TO VITAMIN C DEFICIENCY: A study has found that kidney dysfunction is associated with a low blood level of vitamin C. Also, low blood levels of vitamin C may cause damage, from greater oxidative stress, among kidney disease patients. It was noted that diabetic patients had consistently reduced levels of vitamin C. Lower blood levels of vitamin C have previously been linked to a greater risk of death from cardiovascular disease. People with higher levels of vitamin C have been found to have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and to have a greater life expectancy. (Vitamin C is an essential nutrient in humans and acts as an antioxidant, protecting the body against oxidative stress. Most species can synthesize vitamin C but humans cannot.) A brief summary of this study was released September 3, 2010 by the journal, Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation but the study will not be published in the print journal until a future issue. The full-text version is currently available online, for subscribers and those who pay the article access fee, at http://bit.ly/bPgeer.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Most people think you should never kiss a baby if you have a cold. But in fact, a quick kiss on the lips probably won’t spread a cold or the flu, even to a baby. Of course, you should cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze because this brings forth virus-laden fluids from deep in your airways. But the saliva in your mouth harbors very little cold virus material. So it’s very difficult to pass colds and flu through kisses, even extended kisses. The best way to protect your friends and your baby from catching your cold is so simple that most people scoff at it: the best protection is simply washing your hands.

IRON DEFICIENCY LINKED TO CHRONIC HEART FAILURE: A study has found that iron deficiency is a factor among chronic heart failure (CHF) patients, in poor quality of life, intolerance of exercise and diminished heart function. Researchers showed that, although typically associated with anemia, low iron levels negatively even affect a third of CHF patients who are not considered anemic. (Iron is important for growth, survival and a number of bodily processes. An excess of iron is as risky as a deficiency. Iron levels should be closely controlled because too much of this insoluble mineral can be toxic. However, deficiencies are considered to be relatively common.) Cardiologists, suggested the study team, should become aware of the possible importance of iron deficiency in heart patients. Correction of iron deficiency in CHF patients may lead to important clinical benefits. A key message of the study is that iron deficiency is often present without anemia. (Iron in meat is more easily absorbed than iron in vegetables but this mineral is also found in lentils, beans, poultry, fish, leafy vegetables, tofu, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, blackstrap molasses, fortified bread, and fortified breakfast cereals.) This study was presented September 5, 2010 at the European Society of Cardiology’s Congress 2010 in Stockholm. Details have not yet been published.

MORE BABIES SHOULD BE GIVEN IRON SUPPLEMENTS: A study has shown that giving iron supplements to children with marginally low birth weights (2000-2500 grams) dramatically reduces the risk of developing iron deficiency and anemia, and as a result, lowers the risk of poor brain and neurological development in infants. (Birth weight and infant nutrition are important risk factors for death risk in adulthood. Infants with low birth weight are at risk of developing nutrient deficiencies during their first year of life, including iron deficiency. Iron is necessary for the production of hemoglobin for the blood, and also for the development of the brain. Iron deficiency in infants has been shown to be associated with poor neurological development.) The study found no risks from the administration of iron drops to babies but also found that failure to give iron drops often resulted in anemia and iron deficiency. These findings could have a significant effect on nutritional recommendations for children with marginally low birth weights. The research was released September 6, 2010 and will be published in the October 2010 issue of the journal Pediatrics. In the meantime, full details are available, to journal subscribers and those who pay the article access fee, online at: http://bit.ly/9tcCes.

LOW LEVELS OF VITAMIN D LINKED TO DOUBLE THE RISK OF SCHIZOPHRENIA: Babies with low levels of vitamin D have an increased risk – in fact, double the risk – of developing schizophrenia later in life. That’s the conclusion of a new study of 424 individuals that showed a link between vitamin D (25 hydroxyvitamin D3) sufficiency and healthy brain growth. (Vitamin D is produced by the effect of sunshine on the skin and, although linked to bone health, researchers have previously found that people with schizophrenia are more likely to be born in winter, when sunlight is rare.) “Improving vitamin D levels in pregnant women and newborn babies could reduce the risk of later schizophrenia,” said one of the researchers. It’s important to note that a link between schizophrenia was found with both insufficient and excess levels of vitamin D. The team described as “urgent,” the need for further study to assess best levels of vitamin D. This study was published September 7, 2010 in the Archives of General Psychiatry. The full text of the study is available online now at http://bit.ly/aIcjQp for journal subscribers and those who pay the article access fee.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Contrary to common belief, even skim milk is not fat-free: five percent of skim milk’s calories come from fat. A full 34 percent of the calories contained in partly skimmed, or “two percent,” milk come from fat. It’s called two percent because the fat content makes up two percent of the total weight. Whole milk is 48 percent fat by calories – lean hamburger runs about 64 percent.

POOR DENTAL HYGIENE LINKED TO HEART DISEASE: A study suggests that without proper brushing of teeth and regular flossing, bacteria from plaque can escape into the bloodstream, where they can initiate blood clots and generally wreak havoc on the body. Researchers stressed that people need to maintain good dental hygiene to help ward off blood clots and heart disease in general. The study showed that, once in the bloodstream, Streptococcus bacteria make blood platelets bind together and completely encase the bacteria, protecting the bacteria from the body’s immune system and from antibacterial drugs. This creates small clots, growths on the heart valves, or inflammation of the blood vessels. This study was released September 9, 2010 at the autumn meeting of the Society for General Microbiology in Nottingham, UK. However, it has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal and is not yet available online.

VITAMIN B SUPPLEMENTS COULD HALT ALZHEIMER’S PROGRESSION: A study has found that supplementing the diet with large doses of vitamin B could cut, by a third to a half, the brain shrinkage that is common in elderly people with early signs of the disease and could slow, or even halt, the memory-robbing disease’s progression. The researchers stressed the need for further study to confirm these results but described the study outcome as “striking” and “dramatic.” Over a two-year period, half of the168 volunteers, all of whom were over the age of 70 and had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), were given high daily doses of the B vitamins folate, B6 and B12, higher doses than normally found in supplements or diet. “Participants were randomly assigned to two groups of equal size, one treated with folic acid (0.8 mg/d), vitamin B12 (0.5 mg/d) and vitamin B6 (20 mg/d), the other with placebo.” On average, compared to the group that received only placebo pills with no active ingredients, B-taking volunteers exhibited an average 30 percent lower degree of brain shrinkage, which is associated with atrophy; but in some cases, the reduced amount of atrophy was lower by as much as fifty percent. The study was released September 8, 2010 by the online journal Public Library of Science ONE and can be accessed free online at: http://bit.ly/btsJCl.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Your body may make better use of supplemental vitamin D if you take it with your largest meal, boosting its uptake over a two- to three-month period, by as much as 56 percent, according to a study at the Cleveland Clinic, detailed in the April 2010 issue of the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. Vitamin D is loosely linked with a decreased risk of autoimmune disorders. If you’re considering taking vitamin D supplements, talk to your natural health practitioner about dosages.

SORGHUM FOUND TO BE ANTIOXIDANT-RICH — EVEN RICHER THAN BLUEBERRIES: A study has concluded that sorghum bran contains greater antioxidant content and anti-inflammatory power than known antioxidant-rich superstars, such as blueberries and pomegranates. Researchers tested four varieties of sorghum and found that the two with the highest tannin composition – the black and sumac sorghum varieties – contain a whopping 23 to 62 mg of polyphenolic compounds per gram compared to antioxidant-rich blueberries, which contain 5 mg per gram, or pomegranate juice, which contains 2 to 3.5 mg per gram. Many fruits also contain antioxidants but sorghum bran, suggested the researchers, may prove to be the very richest and cheapest source. High-antioxidant berries and fruits are among the most expensive. Low tannin sorghum is commonly fed to animals or used to make ethanol to fuel cars. Only recently, has high-tannin sorghum bran been added to a few food items; the study team hopes to interest manufacturers in adding the low-cost, high-tannin extract to foods and beverages in order to prevent disease “rather than promote it.” In addition to antioxidants, sorghum also contains fiber. This study was published in the August 2010 issue of the Journal of Medicinal Food. The full-text version of this study is available online at http://bit.ly/cQPqCd with journal subscription or article access fee payment.

DIET-INDUCED OBESITY ACCELERATES LEUKEMIA: A study has found that obesity resulting from diet accelerates – and theoretically, at least, may even trigger – the progression of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Obesity has long been associated with an increased incidence of many cancers, including leukemia; but it has not been clear whether the higher risk was caused by obesity or by some other risk such as lifestyle or genetics. The researchers suggest that obesity may trigger leukemia and that “some hormone or factor in overweight individuals, perhaps produced by the fat tissue itself, may signal leukemia cells to grow and divide.” Not all obesity is caused by diet; weight gain can also be caused by genetics, aging, pregnancy, lack of sleep, some medicines and certain health conditions. This study is important due to the prevalence of obesity in society. Also, leukemia is the most common type of childhood cancer at a time when childhood obesity is at an all-time high. This just-released study will be published in the October 5, 2010 issue of the journal Cancer Prevention Research. It is now available online at http://bit.ly/cIvDkG with a journal subscription or payment of an article access fee.

SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTS MAY DECREASE RISK OF BLADDER CANCER: A study has found that a higher intake of selenium may lower the risk of bladder cancer. Researchers analyzed several previous studies and examined selenium content in toenails and blood and compared these measurements with the incidence of bladder cancer. Although there was a general protective effect for selenium levels, women benefited most in terms of bladder cancer risk. (Selenium is found in plant foods grown in selenium-rich soils, in the meat of animals that grazed on selenium-rich soils, and in selenium supplements. It is an essential micronutrient that is incorporated into about 25 proteins, called selenoproteins, which prevent cellular damage caused by the by-products of oxygen metabolism.) Further study is required to confirm these results and to determine the optimum dose of selenium to provide a protective effect against bladder cancer. This study was released August 31 and published in the September 2010 issue of the journal, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. The full-text version is now available online with a journal subscription or payment of an article access fee at http://bit.ly/cImcWJ.

DID YOU KNOW…?
An “abnormal” body weight prior to a cancer diagnosis is linked to a greater risk of later dying from the cancer; and correcting improper weight after diagnosis might not have any effect on risk because, says one researcher, “at that point, it may be too late.” A study of postmenopausal women found that a greater cancer mortality risk was strongly associated with pre-diagnosis weights that were either “underweight,” or “obese.” Underweight patients had an 89 percent greater mortality risk and obese patients, a 45 percent greater mortality risk, relative to normal-weighted individuals. Also, aside from overall weight, women with a high waist-to-hip ratio before diagnosis had a 30-40 percent higher risk of death. The mechanism behind these links is unknown. The study was reported in the September 2010 issue of the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, an American Association for Cancer Research journal.

ANTIBIOTIC USE ALTERS INTESTINAL FLORA: A study has found that repeated use of antibiotics causes increasing and persistent changes in the composition of the gut’s beneficial bacteria colony. A previous study by the same scientist had shown that friendly bacteria in the gut bounce back fairly quickly after a single, short-term round of Cipro, an antibiotic often used for intestinal, urinary and systemic infections. But this longer study found that as few as two rounds of Cipro six months apart is sufficient to produce subtle, long term effects such as the replacement of an entire species of bacteria with a closely related species; or the complete elimination of some species. The problem with this subtle effect is that an eradicated bacteria species may have performing an important function such as fighting a particular pathogen with the toxin it produces; with those particular bacteria missing, the pathogen could multiply unchecked until, years later, it has invaded the patient’s system. The second administration of antibiotics appeared to have a greater impact than the first, although the effect varied between test subjects. This study was released September 13, 2010 and will appear in a future issue of the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Details have not yet been made available.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Pregnant women who eat a lot of fish containing significant levels of mercury can cause developmental delays and brain damage in their newborns. Especially high in mercury are shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish. Canned light tuna (vs. other tuna), shrimp, salmon, pollock and catfish generally have lower amounts of mercury but still should be eaten only in moderation while pregnancy. Baking, broiling, grilling and poaching are the healthiest ways to cook fish.

WATERCRESS MAY “TURN OFF” BREAST CANCER: A study has found that a compound in watercress may have the power to suppress breast cancer cell development. Normally, as cancer cells develop, they send out signals that cause new blood vessels to grow into the tumor and these nourish the rapidly growing cancer cells with oxygen and nutrients. But a watercress compound – called phenylethyl isothiocyanate – appears to turn off the tumor signal within the body, effectively starving the breast cancer cells. The amount of watercress consumed by test subjects was 80gm, which is about a cereal bowl full. (This leaf vegetable is known for its tangy, peppery flavor and is a member of the Brassica or cruciferous family, which includes cabbage and broccoli. Previously, watercress has been linked to a lower risk of lung cancer and of low thyroid levels.) The study leader suggested more research is needed on the relation between what we eat and cancer. This study was presented at a September 14, 2010 press conference and will be published in the current issue of the British Journal of Nutrition.

MOST COMMON EXERCISE IS…PREPARING A MEAL: A study has found that the most common “moderate” physical activity regularly pursued by Americans is – brace yourself – preparing meals, and eating and drinking. The five-year study of over 80,000 people found that five percent of respondents engaged in vigorous activity such as running; but the study also found that over 95 percent of subjects cited their most active exercise as eating and drinking. Eighty percent of the subjects reported their main activity was watching television or a movie. Other “light exercise” reported was washing and grooming. Recent studies have shown a strong connection between reported trends of sharply reduced levels of physical activity on the one hand and lowered life spans, reduced years of healthy living and greater obesity rates on the other hand. Obesity rates in the U.S. have soared from 14 percent in 1993 to 27 percent in 2008. The relation between sedentary activity and obesity rates is undeniable, according to the researchers. Perhaps, nothing underscores that more than learning that preparing and consuming meals counts as the most common form of exercise, say researchers. This just-released study will be published in the October 2010 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The full-text version is available online at: http://bit.ly/9OlOfn with a journal subscription or payment of an article access fee.

POOR DIET AND INADEQUATE EXERCISE MAY UNDERLIE CHILDHOOD ASTHMA: A study of 18,000 children aged four to 12 suggests that unbalanced nutrition and lack of exercise may be the major risks of developing childhood asthma, even in those of a healthy weight. These findings challenge the long-held idea that obesity itself is a risk factor for asthma. Instead, despite the fact that obese individuals showed a greater risk of asthma, the study implicated these patients’ metabolic dysfunction in the risk of asthma, such as triglyceride levels and glucose metabolism – and not their obesity itself. The conditions known as dyslipidemia (high triglyceride levels) and hyperinsulinemia (acanthosis nigricans or AN) are very common in both obesity and metabolic syndrome and as a result, suggests the study, obesity has been linked with asthma risk when in fact, these conditions themselves are the most likely risk factor. Metabolic factors, suggests the study, may be the actual cause of the airway inflammation and hyper-reactivity that leads to asthma. In fact, it is the childhood experience of poor nutrition and lack of exercise that may lead to later asthma, according to the research. This study was released September 16, 2010 and will be published in a future issue of the journal, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Details are not yet available to the public.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Floating an egg in plain – not salted – water will let you judge the size of the air-cell at the large end of the egg, which indicates the egg’s age. A fresh egg will settle to the bottom of the container of water and rest horizontally because the air cell is still small. But the larger air cell of a one-week-old egg will cause the large end of the egg to rise up slightly. Eggs that are two to three weeks old will settle to the bottom of the container vertically, large end up. And a very old egg will just float right on the surface. Don’t ever eat eggs that float.

ANXIETY MEDS RAISE MORTALITY RISK: A 12-year study of 14,000 patients has found that patients who take medications to treat insomnia and anxiety, even on an irregular schedule, have a 36 percent greater risk of dying than those who do not. This is considered a small but significant increase in risk. What causes this higher risk of mortality among those taking drugs to treat insomnia and anxiety is not clear but researchers pointed out that these prescriptions affect reaction time, alertness and coordination, making patients subject to falls and accidents. Also, patients on these meds are more prone to breathing problems during sleep; and some drugs of this type increase the risk of suicidal behaviors. The team leader suggested that non-drug cognitive behavioral therapies have been shown to be effective against both insomnia and anxiety and that this type of therapy should be suggested to patients. Also, according to the head researcher, “These medications aren’t candy, and taking them is far from harmless.” This study was published in the September 2010 issue of the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry and is available online now in its full-text format at: http://bit.ly/964IPZ.

SPECIAL DIET PREVENTS KIDNEY STONES: A study has found that the DASH diet, a diet designed to combat high blood pressure and also known as Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, also helps prevent kidney stones. This diet is high in fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, dairy products, and whole grains, and low in sweetened beverages and red and processed meats. Despite similar fluid intakes, the study observed a greater output of urine among those on the DASH diet, which may stem partly from the fact that DASH foods have higher water content. More important, DASH subjects’ urine held higher concentrations of citrate, an important inhibitor of calcium kidney stones. Researchers suggested that two foods prominent in the DASH diet have potent kidney stone-fighting properties: low-fat dairy products and plant foods. This just-released study will be published in the October 2010 issue of the journal, Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. It is now available online at http://bit.ly/aZu1yY with subscription to the journal or payment of an article access fee.

VIRUS MAY BE BEHIND OBESITY EPIDEMIC: A study has found that a gene in a specific virus can turn adult stem cells into fat cells. The study shows that many cases of obesity can be blamed on a specific virus named “human adenovirus-36 (Ad-36)”. This does not mean that obesity is always the result of a particular virus; but it does suggest that many cases of obesity may stem from infection by this virus. Another aspect of the study suggests that the weight gain effect can continue up to six months after the virus has left the body. The researchers stated that it is possible that other viruses may have a similar effect. Obesity may even be considered, suggests the study team, a complex disease involving many different viruses. Research is needed, says the study team, to determine why some people with the virus develop obesity while others with the same virus do not. Ninety-seven million adult Americans are obese. Obesity increases the risk of many illnesses, including type-2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and osteoarthritis. This study was presented today at the 234th annual meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston. It has not yet been published in a peer reviewed journal.

STRESS BEFORE CANCER THERAPY LEADS TO RECURRENCE: A study has concluded that any form of stress during the one or two days prior to treatment for cancer – even the physical stress caused by intense exercise – activates a stress-sensitive protein known as the Hsp27 protein. This protein in turn protects cancer cells, allowing them to survive the treatment, thus sabotaging therapy and leading to a recurrence of the cancer. Although breast cancer cells were the subject of the study, the researchers said this proves that all types of adenocarcinoma cells – cancer cells that originate in a gland – appear to have found a way to adapt and resist treatment by using this stress-related protein. In the face of stress, the protein is activated by the presence of what is called “heat shock factor-1” and blocks the process that kills cancer cells even after their DNA has been damaged by radiation or chemotherapy. Stress includes physical exercise and even UV radiation from sunlight. This study was released September 21, 2010 by the journal Molecular Cancer Research. Full details are now available online at http://bit.ly/ctzTPU with journal subscription or payment of an article access fee.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Environmental pollutants trapped in fat cells could be released back into circulation when people shed a lot of weight. A study found strong correlation between weight loss and blood levels of six persistent organic pollutants. There is no proof that weight loss leads directly to the release of pollutants from fat cells into the blood but the evidence of the study is consistent with that mechanism, reported the researchers. The study was published in the September 7, 2010 issue of the Journal of Obesity.

MULTIVITAMIN USE MAY PREVENT HEART ATTACKS IN WOMEN: A study of 31,671 women has found that, compared to taking no supplements at all, regular daily use of multivitamins over a minimum ten-year period reduced the incidence of myocardial infarction (heart attack), at least among those women who had no history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) at the start of the study. There was no similar benefit for women who had a history of CVD. But among those with no CVD history, supplements other than multivitamins had little effect on heart attack risk; multivitamins alone reduced heart attack risk by 27 percent; and multivitamins taken with other supplements lowered heart attack risk by 30 percent. Multivitamins were estimated generally to contain close to the recommended allowances for vitamins A, C, D, and E, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid. The relationship is not necessarily one of cause-and-effect and further study is needed on the exact contents of multivitamins, the required duration of use, and the reason that supplements had no heart benefit for women with CVD. This study was released September 22, 2010 and will be published in a future issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It can be read online in the meantime at http://bit.ly/a1wmNr with journal subscription or payment of an article access fee.

HIGHER CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D LEVELS INCREASE WEIGHT LOST THROUGH DIETING: A study has determined that the weight lost on identical weight-loss diets is greater among those with higher intakes of dairy calcium; and separately, among those with higher blood levels of vitamin D. Regardless of the specific diet, those with the highest calcium intake dropped an average of 12 pounds in two years. However, those with the lowest intake of dairy calcium lost only seven pounds on average in the same period. Aside from calcium, individuals who had the highest levels of vitamin D lost the most weight when dieting; and vitamin D levels increased as weight dropped. It did not matter whether the diet was low-fat, low-carb or Mediterranean. This confirms previous research finding that obese people have lower levels of vitamin D. Although the study assessed dairy calcium only, calcium is also available from supplements and other foods. Vitamin D increases calcium absorption and is found in supplements, fatty fish and eggs. It is also manufactured by the body from direct sun exposure. This study was published in the September 2010 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and is now available online at http://bit.ly/aC1RNA for journal subscribers and those who pay an article access fee.

MONTHLY HORMONAL CYCLES LINKED TO ABILITY TO CONCENTRATE: A new study on rats has confirmed a previously suspected, biological link between an individual’s current estrogen level and her ability to pay attention, focus and learn. Women have high estrogen levels when they are ovulating and prior research has shown that these are the times when they have trouble focusing and learning. Until now, it was not known whether the increase in fogginess and the increase in the level of this hormone constituted a cause-and-effect link. But researchers used rats to study how estrogen affects their “latent inhibition,” which is a form of memory formation, which is essential learning. They found that rodents with low estrogen levels learned to associate a stimulus with a specific sound tone far faster than those with high estrogen levels, showing that, even in a different species, estrogen itself has a direct effect on the brain by inhibiting cognitive ability. Further study may explain how it does this. This study was released ahead of print publication in a future issue of the journal Brain and Cognition. It is available at the journal’s site with the payment of a fee.

U.S. CHILDREN DRINK TOO LITTLE WATER, STUDY: A study of 3,978 children aged 2 to 19 years of age has found that a large proportion of American kids drink less water than is recommended as the minimum daily amount. Sugar-sweetened beverages accounted for much of their fluid intake. Also, the researchers concluded that children who do consume the most water each day are less likely to consume sugary drinks and high-calorie foods. Only 15 to 60 percent of boys, and 10 to 54 percent of girls, depending on age, drink the minimum amount of water recommended by the U.S. Institute of Medicine. Dehydration can cause fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches, dry mouth and even impaired cognition and mental performance. The study looked at water intake from all sources, including water itself, water in moist foods, moisture in all beverages, such as milk and juice. As children aged, their water consumption increased while their intake of nutritive beverages such as milk and fruit juice decreased. This just-released study will be published in the October 2010 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It is available at http://bit.ly/cIOrCT with journal subscription or access fee.

MS SYMPTOMS EASED BY ‘MINDFULNESS MEDITATION’: A study has determined that learning mindfulness meditation can help Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients with the fatigue, depression and other life challenges that usually accompany the disease. The effect lasted for six months. For the study, 150 MS patients were assigned either to regular medical care alone or to medical care plus weekly classes lasting two and a half hours; the classes included mental and physical exercises aimed at developing nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment, or “mindfulness.” Those who went through the mindfulness training were far better able to cope with fatigue and depression; in fact, mindfulness helped reduce depressive symptoms by over 30 percent. Mindfulness is a concept that might be described as “calm awareness of one’s body functions, feelings, content of consciousness, or consciousness itself.” This study was the largest of its type and is considered to have been well-conducted. The study was published in the September 28, 2010 issue of the journal, Neurology, and is now available online at http://bit.ly/dgV6cb with journal subscription or payment of an article access fee.

STRONG LINK BETWEEN AIR POLLUTION AND DIABETES: A study has found a strong link between particulate air pollution and adult diabetes; and between pollution and inflammation, which may contribute to insulin resistance, which in turn is linked to diabetes. The study focused on a particular size of fine particulates in air pollution (0.1 to 2.5 nanometers in size), the same size associated with a key component of haze, smoke and motor vehicle exhaust. Researchers adjusted the data to rule out the effects of known diabetes risk factors, including obesity, exercise, geographic latitude, ethnicity and population density. But there was still a very strong correlation between air pollution and the incidence of diabetes. The study team did not point to air pollution as necessarily being a cause of diabetes but it came across as a valid predictor of the disease. Even within counties falling within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits for air pollution exposure, those with the highest levels of exposure were 20 percent more likely to develop diabetes. The team suggested EPA standards may not be adequate to protect people from pollution. Released September 29, this study will be published in the October 2010 issue of Diabetes Care. It is online now at http://bit.ly/dqTEPB without charge.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Tea lovers’ beverage of choice lowers blood pressure. Drinking just a half-cup of green or oolong tea per day reduces a person’s risk of high blood pressure by almost 50 per cent. People who drink at least two and a half cups per day reduce their risk even more. Risk is reduced even if tea drinkers have known risk factors for high blood pressure, such as high sodium intake.

Click here to search the Emerson Ecologics website for direct access to many of your supplements.

BRIEF EXERCISE SPURTS OFFSET AGING: Brief spurts of exercise may offset the aging effect associated with stress, according to a study released by the journal, PLoS One. Fourteen minutes of exercise per day, three days per week may be sufficient to offset the aging effect of stress on telomeres, short pieces of DNA that shorten – or age – with time and stress. Tiny pieces of DNA known as telomeres tend to shorten over time in reaction to various forms of stress. [Read more →]

CAFFEINE AFFECTS GRANDCHILDREN’S BIRTH WEIGHT: A Dutch study examined the effects of a high intake of caffeine from coffee and tea during pregnancy on fetal growth and development. Babies of women with a high caffeine intake – defined as six or more cups a day – were smaller in length. More surprising, [Read more →]

Margarine was originally manufactured to fatten turkeys. When it killed the turkeys, the people who had put all the money into the research wanted a payback so they put their heads together [Read more →]

Regular breast self-exam may be safer and more effective than mammograms.

Breast awareness is critical to the all-important early detection of possible breast disease.  Men get breast cancer also, and it’s not rare in men, although it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, after lung cancer. [Read more →]