Previous studies have shown that high cholesterol levels are a risk factor for coronary-vascular disease. Now research reports that daily intake of healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, oleic acid, and multivitamins (folic acid and vitamins A, B6, D and E), lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of coronary-vascular disease, including peripheral vascular disease and intermittent claudication (PVD-IC).Read More
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On May 11, 2010 First Lady Michelle Obama presented her Childhood Obesity Action Plan at the White House in Washington, DC. Mrs. Obama was joined by Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes and members of the Childhood Obesity Task Force. Last February 2010, the First Lady announced the Let's Move campaign to fight childhood obesity. President Obama then signed a Presidential Memorandum creating a Task Force on Childhood Obesity. Childhood obesity is one of the...Read More
Previous studies suggest an association between the number of children fathered and a man's risk for aggressive prostate cancer. Now research reports that infertile men have an increased risk of prostate cancer. The study authors suggest that infertile men should be considered for early prostate cancer screening. The common metabolic pathways linking infertility and prostate cancer require further research. The study, published in Cancer, investigated the association of male infertility and prostate cancer risk. Researchers...Read More
Bilberries (a fruit related to blueberries) are rich in flavonoid antioxidants including anthocyanins and flavonols. Previous studies suggest that these flavonoids have health benefits. Antioxidants such as those found in bilberries neutralize harmful free radicals (toxic byproducts of metabolic functions) and protect against oxidative stress. Now research reports that bilberries may improve eye inflammation. The study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, examined the therapeutic effects of bilberry extract on lab mice with...Read More
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation in the joints, leading to chronic pain, deformities and disability. RA affects nearly 1% of Americans (about 2.1 million people in the United States). Now a meta-analysis reports that seven genetic variants are linked with an increased risk of RA. This discovery may help develop genetic tests for determining RA risk. A meta-analysis examines similar studies to reveal trends that may not be evident from...Read More
Gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease, is an extreme sensitivity to the protein gluten, found in cereal grains like wheat, rye and barley. The body's immune system mistakenly identifies gluten as harmful, leading to inflammation and damage in the small intestine. Now research reports that probiotics may improve celiac disease. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in the intestinal flora that promote gastrointestinal (GI) health and immunity. The study, published in the Journal of Leukocyte...Read More
Previous studies suggest that sulforaphane, derived from broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, has anticancer and antioxidant effects. Now research reports that sulforaphane derived from broccoli extract destroyed the growth of breast cancer stem cells. Breast cancer malignancies originate with cancer stem (unspecialized) cells. The study, published in Clinical Cancer Research, investigated sulforaphane's effects on breast cancer stem cells. Researchers at the University of Michigan injected various concentrations of sulforaphane extracted from broccoli into mice implanted...Read More
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that consumers should stop using certain infant and children's Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl products. Johnson & Johnson McNeill Consumer Healthcare division in consultation with the FDA voluntarily recalled the products when discovering they may not meet required quality standards. "We want to be certain that consumers discontinue using these products and that they know what to do if they have concerns about a specific product," states...Read More
Previous studies suggest that calorie restriction can increase longevity and decrease oxidative stress (DNA damage) in a variety of species including humans. Biological signs of aging include increased levels of glucose, insulin and triglycerides. Now research reports that lowering insulin levels may increase longevity. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Research, compared the effects of a low-carbohydrate, high fat, moderate protein diet on blood factors related to aging. Researchers at Duke University in...Read More
In 2009, Canadian researchers became concerned that there may be a link between seasonal flu shots and an increased risk of swine flu. Now studies report that seasonal flu vaccination may increase the risk of H1N1 swine flu infection. However, there may be an unidentified factor causing the association. Researchers recommend further studies to determine if seasonal flu vaccine depresses immunity against swine flu. The study, published in PLoS Medicine, investigated the association of seasonal...Read More
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers for men in the United States. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 192,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009. Now the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the release of Dandreon Corp.'s Provenge vaccine. Although called a 'vaccine', Provenge does not prevent prostate cancer. Instead, it is an immunotherapy that stimulates the body's immune system to fight the disease. Provenge was studied in...Read More
Metabolic syndrome, also known as Syndrome X, is a condition linked to heart disease and diabetes. Symptoms include obesity (especially around the waist), high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and insulin resistance. Now research reports that probiotics may improve metabolic syndrome. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in the intestinal flora that promote gastrointestinal (GI) health and immunity. The study, presented at the Keystone Symposium on Diabetes in Canada, examined the therapeutic effects of probiotic strain...Read More
Previous studies have shown that fish oil supplements and diets containing fish reduce plasma levels of cholesterol. Now research reports that fish intake may lower cholesterol subfractions, including medium and small very low density lipoprotein ('bad') cholesterol.Read More
On May 11, 2010 First Lady Michelle Obama presented her Childhood Obesity Action Plan at the White House in Washington, DC. Mrs. Obama was joined by Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes and members of the Childhood Obesity Task Force. Last February 2010, the First Lady announced the Let's Move campaign to fight childhood obesity. President Obama then signed a Presidential Memorandum creating a Task Force on Childhood Obesity. Childhood obesity is one of the...Read More
Previous studies suggest an association between the number of children fathered and a man's risk for aggressive prostate cancer. Now research reports that infertile men have an increased risk of prostate cancer. The study authors suggest that infertile men should be considered for early prostate cancer screening. The common metabolic pathways linking infertility and prostate cancer require further research. The study, published in Cancer, investigated the association of male infertility and prostate cancer risk. Researchers...Read More
The animal study, published in the journal, Lipids (2004, vol 39, no 12), investigated the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), isolated from fish oil, on the accumulation of body fat during an obesity-promoting diet.Read More
Bilberries (a fruit related to blueberries) are rich in flavonoid antioxidants including anthocyanins and flavonols. Previous studies suggest that these flavonoids have health benefits. Antioxidants such as those found in bilberries neutralize harmful free radicals (toxic byproducts of metabolic functions) and protect against oxidative stress. Now research reports that bilberries may improve eye inflammation. The study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, examined the therapeutic effects of bilberry extract on lab mice with...Read More
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation in the joints, leading to chronic pain, deformities and disability. RA affects nearly 1% of Americans (about 2.1 million people in the United States). Now a meta-analysis reports that seven genetic variants are linked with an increased risk of RA. This discovery may help develop genetic tests for determining RA risk. A meta-analysis examines similar studies to reveal trends that may not be evident from...Read More
Gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease, is an extreme sensitivity to the protein gluten, found in cereal grains like wheat, rye and barley. The body's immune system mistakenly identifies gluten as harmful, leading to inflammation and damage in the small intestine. Now research reports that probiotics may improve celiac disease. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in the intestinal flora that promote gastrointestinal (GI) health and immunity. The study, published in the Journal of Leukocyte...Read More
Previous studies have suggested that small dense LDL (sdLDL) cholesterol is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Now research reports that men with a higher intake of fatty acids found in milk products have lower levels of sdLDL, which may benefit heart health.Read More
Previous studies suggest that sulforaphane, derived from broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, has anticancer and antioxidant effects. Now research reports that sulforaphane derived from broccoli extract destroyed the growth of breast cancer stem cells. Breast cancer malignancies originate with cancer stem (unspecialized) cells. The study, published in Clinical Cancer Research, investigated sulforaphane's effects on breast cancer stem cells. Researchers at the University of Michigan injected various concentrations of sulforaphane extracted from broccoli into mice implanted...Read More
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2004;79(1):80-85) shows that higher levels of selenium are related to lower rates of death from a certain type of gastric cancer and esophageal cancer.Read More
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that consumers should stop using certain infant and children's Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl products. Johnson & Johnson McNeill Consumer Healthcare division in consultation with the FDA voluntarily recalled the products when discovering they may not meet required quality standards. "We want to be certain that consumers discontinue using these products and that they know what to do if they have concerns about a specific product," states...Read More
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2004;79(2):289-294) shows that higher antioxidant levels are associated with improved physical strength and performance in the elderly.Read More
Previous studies suggest that calorie restriction can increase longevity and decrease oxidative stress (DNA damage) in a variety of species including humans. Biological signs of aging include increased levels of glucose, insulin and triglycerides. Now research reports that lowering insulin levels may increase longevity. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Research, compared the effects of a low-carbohydrate, high fat, moderate protein diet on blood factors related to aging. Researchers at Duke University in...Read More
The use of vitamins in the prevention of various types of cancer is a hot topic and frequently scrutinized in the medical press. A new study shows that in women with viral cirrhosis of the liver, supplementation with vitamin K2 may help prevent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of liver cancer.Read More
In 2009, Canadian researchers became concerned that there may be a link between seasonal flu shots and an increased risk of swine flu. Now studies report that seasonal flu vaccination may increase the risk of H1N1 swine flu infection. However, there may be an unidentified factor causing the association. Researchers recommend further studies to determine if seasonal flu vaccine depresses immunity against swine flu. The study, published in PLoS Medicine, investigated the association of seasonal...Read More
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers for men in the United States. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 192,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009. Now the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the release of Dandreon Corp.'s Provenge vaccine. Although called a 'vaccine', Provenge does not prevent prostate cancer. Instead, it is an immunotherapy that stimulates the body's immune system to fight the disease. Provenge was studied in...Read More
Numerous research studies have shown that zinc can improve immune function. Now another clinical trial in children shows that zinc may be useful in treating severe lower respiratory infection.Read More
Metabolic syndrome, also known as Syndrome X, is a condition linked to heart disease and diabetes. Symptoms include obesity (especially around the waist), high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and insulin resistance. Now research reports that probiotics may improve metabolic syndrome. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in the intestinal flora that promote gastrointestinal (GI) health and immunity. The study, presented at the Keystone Symposium on Diabetes in Canada, examined the therapeutic effects of probiotic strain...Read More
In vitro studies have suggested that olive oil prevents low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol oxidation (a risk factor for cardiovascular disease). Now research reports that olive oil consumption may decrease LDL ('bad' cholesterol) and increase HDL high-density lipoprotein ('good' cholesterol) in humans.Read More
