Resveratrol stops breast cancer growth

New research in the FASEB Journal shows that resveratrol blocks the growth effects of estrogen by reducing the specific breast cancer receptorsA new research report appearing in the October 2011 issue of The FASEB Journal (https://www.fasebj.org) shows that resveratrol, the "healthy" ingredient in red wine, stops breast cancer cells from growing by blocking the growth effects of estrogen. This discovery, made by a team of American and Italian scientists, suggests for the first time that resveratrol is able to counteract the malignant progression since it inhibits the proliferation of hormone resistant breast cancer cells. This has important implications for the treatment of women with breast cancer whose tumors eventually develop resistance to hormonal therapy."Resveratrol is a potential pharmacological...

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Treat Arthritis Naturally: Supplements and Natural Cures for Osteoarthritis

Arthritis is a very common age related disease; and osteoarthritis (OA) affects millions across the globe. However, eating correctly and taking certain supplements can help slow down the progression of the disease, relieve pain and stiffness and stave of excessive cartilage degeneration.What Is Osteoarthritis?OA is a degenerative joint disorder wherein, the joint gradually loses its cartilage. The cartilage is a smooth, shock absorbing substance that prevents the joint surfaces from rubbing against one another. OA commonly affects the knees, hips, spine and fingers and is manifested as: pain and discomfort in the affected joint, stiffness and...

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Even high-but-normal blood pressure elevates stroke risk

Ω People with prehypertension have a 55 percent higher risk of experiencing a future stroke than people without prehypertension, report researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine in a new meta-analysis of scientific literature published in the September 28 online issue of the journal Neurology.Prehypertension is clinical category created by experts in 2003 to describe patients whose blood pressure was elevated, but still considered within normal range. Hypertension or abnormally high blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and strokes, but much less is known about the health threat posed of prehypertension, which is defined by a systolic pressure reading between 120 and 139 mmHg (the top number) and a diastolic reading between 80 and...

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Saw palmetto no more effective than placebo for urinary symptoms

ΩNIH-funded study finds dietary supplement does not alleviate BPHSaw palmetto, a widely used herbal dietary supplement, does not reduce urinary problems associated with prostate enlargement any better than a placebo, according to research funded by the National Institutes of Health. The study was published Sept. 28 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.Prostate enlargement, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), can cause frequent urination, a weak or intermittent urine stream and an inability to empty the bladder completely. More than half of men in their 60s, and up to 90 percent in their 70s and 80s, have symptoms of BPH.The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)...

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Low Vitamin B12 Levels May Lead to Brain Shrinkage, Cognitive Problems

ΩOlder people with low levels of vitamin B12 in their blood may be more likely to lose brain cells and develop problems with their thinking skills, according to a study published in the September 27, 2011, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Foods that come from animals, including fish, meat, especially liver, milk, eggs and poultry, are usually sources of vitamin B12.The study involved 121 people age 65 and older living on the south side of Chicago. Their blood was drawn to measure levels of vitamin B12 and B12-related metabolites that can indicate a B12 deficiency. The participants also took tests measuring their memory and other cognitive skills. An average of four-and-a-half years later, MRI scans of the participants’ brains were taken to...

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Increased Caffeinated Coffee Consumption Associated With Decreased Risk of Depression in Women

ΩThe risk of depression appears to decrease for women with increasing consumption of caffeinated coffee, according to a report in the September 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.Caffeine is the most frequently used central nervous system stimulant in the world, and approximately 80 percent of consumption is in the form of coffee, according to background information in the article. Previous research, including one prospective study among men, has suggested an association between coffee consumption and depression risk. Because depression is a chronic and recurrent condition that affects twice as many women as men, including approximately one of every five U.S. women during their lifetime, “identification of risk factors for depression among women and...

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Research Finds Link Between Statin Use and Progressive Muscle Disease

ΩEach year, millions of Americans take statins, drugs collectively known to lower their blood cholesterol levels. While the drugs have proven effective in reducing heart attacks and strokes, for some people these benefits come at a cost: widespread muscle pain that persists as long as the drugs are taken. New NIAMS-supported research has found that for a subset of patients, statins appear to trigger a far more serious muscle condition that persists long after the drugs are stopped.This discovery, published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism by a multidisciplinary team of researchers at The Johns Hopkins University, began in 2010 when they noted that some patients at the university’s Myositis Center had unique antibodies that seemed to be associated with necrotizing myopathy, a progressive...

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Monounsaturated Fatty Acids = Less Cognitive Decline

ΩA diet high in monounsaturated fatty acids may be associated with less cognitive decline in older healthy women, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Previous research has linked cognitive decline with cardiovascular disease, and certain types of dietary fatty acids (saturated and trans) are a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, in this study, no association was found between cognitive decline and saturated or trans fatty acids. Monounsaturated fats are found in olive and canola oils, and saturated fats are found in coconut and palm oils as well as in butter, cheese, milk, and fatty meats. Trans fats are found in some margarines, commercial baked goods, and other foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oil.Researchers...

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High Blood Pressure Is Linked to Increased Risk of Developing or Dying from Cancer

ΩRaised blood pressure is linked to a higher risk of developing cancer or dying from the disease according to the findings of the largest study to date to investigate the association between the two conditions.Dr Mieke Van Hemelrijck will tell the 2011 European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress in Stockholm that there had been contradictory results from previous, smaller studies investigating the link between cancer and blood pressure. However, her study, which included 289,454 men and 288,345 women, showed that higher than normal blood pressure was statistically significantly associated with a 10-20% higher risk of developing cancer in men, and a higher risk of dying from the disease in both men and women.Dr Van Hemelrijck, a research associate in the Cancer Epidemiology Group at King's College...

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Exposure to goats could increase the risk of lung cancer

ΩExposure to goats could increase the risk of a certain type of lung cancer, according to French researchers.The study has linked a professional exposure to goats with a distinct subset of lung cancer, known as pneumonic-type lung adenocarcinoma (P-ADC).This form of lung cancer has a weak association with tobacco smoking when compared with other types of the disease. In attempting to identify other triggers that may cause the disease, scientists have previously noticed similarities between P-ADC and a viral infection which causes growths in the lungs of sheep. Given these similarities, the researchers have investigated whether a viral agent found in sheep and goats could be easily transferred to people who work with the animals, leading to a partiality for P-ADC.The current epidemiologic study...

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Alcohol can reduce asthma risk

ΩAmsterdam, The Netherlands: Drinking alcohol in moderate quantities can reduce the risk of asthma, according to Danish researchers.The study, which will be presented today (25 September 2011) at the European Respiratory Society's Annual Congress in Amsterdam, found that drinking 1-6 units of alcohol a week could reduce the risk of developing the condition.The research examined 19,349 twins between the ages of 12 and 41 yrs of age. All participants completed a questionnaire at the start and end of the study to compare alcohol intake with the risk of developing asthma over 8 yrs.The results showed that the lowest risk of asthma was seen in the group which had a moderate intake of alcohol, as less than 4% of those who drank 1-6 units per week developed asthma.The highest risk of asthma was observed...

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Fruits and vegetables reduce risks of specific types of colorectal cancers

ΩThe effects of fruit and vegetable consumption on colorectal cancer (CRC) appear to differ by site of origin, according to a new study published in the October issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Researchers found that within the proximal and distal colon, brassica vegetables (Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli) were associated with decreased risk of these cancers. A lower risk of distal colon cancer was associated with eating more apples, however an increased risk for rectal cancer was found with increasing consumption of fruit juice."Fruits and vegetables have been examined extensively in nutritional research in relation to CRC, however, their protective effect has been subject to debate, possibly because of different effects on different subsites...

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Moving Despite Back Pain Better Than Resting

Patients Who Followed Recommendations to Move Despite Back Pain Fared Better Than Those That Rested in Small StudyA researcher at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg suggests that people with back pain who are advised to stay active should move despite the pain, not rest. Patients with acute low back pain who were advised to stay active despite the pain fared better than those who were told to adjust their activity in line with their pain.The thesis looked at 109 patients with acute severe lowback pain. They were randomly advised in one of two ways: "stay active even though it hurts" or "adjust your activity to the pain." They were also asked to keep a diary for seven days and to note how many steps they took each day, to what extent they could carry out their day-to-day activities...

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Depression Associated With Increased Risk of Stroke and Stroke-Related Death

ΩAn analysis of nearly 30 studies including more than 300,000 patients finds that depression is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing stroke and dying from stroke, according to an article in the September 21 issue of JAMA."Stroke is a leading cause of death and permanent disability, with significant economic losses due to functional impairments. Depression is highly prevalent in the general population, and it is estimated that 5.8 percent of men and 9.5 percent of women will experience a depressive episode in a 12-month period. The lifetime incidence of depression has been estimated at more than 16 percent in the general population," according to background information in the article. Whether depression increases the risk of stroke has been unclear.An Pan, Ph.D., of...

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Soy protein reduced progression of clogged arteries in women within 5 years of menopause

ΩThis large scale, first-of-a-kind study will be published in the November issue of StrokeA new study published in the November 2011 issue of Stroke reveals some promising data on the positive effects of soy protein reducing the progression of clogged arteries in women who were within five years of menopause. This study was the largest and longest randomized controlled human study conducted to-date that directly investigated the efficacy of isolated soy protein consumption on the progression of atherosclerosis (lipid deposition in the artery walls)."These results are consistent with what we have learned through research conducted over the past decade," said Howard N. Hodis, MD, USC Keck School of Medicine and lead author of the study. "The literature demonstrates that there is a 'window of...

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A Bout of Exercise May be the Cure for Brain Fatigue

ΩResearchers have long known that regular exercise increases the number of organelles called mitochondria in muscle cells. Since mitochondria are responsible for generating energy, this numerical boost is thought to underlie many of the positive physical effects of exercise, such as increased strength or endurance. Exercise also has a number of positive mental effects, such as relieving depression and improving memory. However, the mechanism behind these mental effects has been unclear. In a new study in mice, researchers at the University of South Carolina have discovered that regular exercise also increases mitochondrial numbers in brain cells, a potential cause for exercise’s beneficial mental effects.Their article is entitled "Exercise Training Increases Mitochondrial Biogenesis in the...

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Jon's Health Tips - Latest Health Research

1. I always thought the best part (healthwise) of the apples I eat (and I should eat more) was the skin: Apples and pears may keep strokes away.That's the conclusion of a Dutch study published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association in which researchers found that eating a lot of fruits and vegetables with white flesh may protect against stroke.While previous studies have linked high consumption of fruits and vegetables with lower stroke risk, the researchers' prospective work is the first to examine associations of fruits and vegetable color groups with stroke.The color of the edible portion of fruits and vegetables reflects the presence of beneficial phytochemicals such as carotenoids and flavonoids.Fruits and vegetables were classified in four color groups: * Green, including...

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Selenium Health Benefits: Selenium Deficiency Treatment Foods

Recent studies have shown that selenium works quickly and stimulates cellular growth and prevents the cells from becoming cancerous. Based on test tube studies, experts have suggested that selenium’s cancer fighting abilities are fast acting and highly beneficial. Selenium, though a trace mineral, has potent anti-oxidant properties and is also beneficial as a anti-aging agent. Selenium is found naturally in various foods and is also beneficial in treating selenium deficiency symptomsSelenium is an important tracemineralWhat is selenium deficiency? Selenium Deficiency Symptoms An adult human body needs approximately 50 micrograms of selenium each...

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An Apple or Pear a Day May Keep Strokes Away

ΩApples and pears may keep strokes away.That's the conclusion of a Dutch study published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association in which researchers found that eating a lot of fruits and vegetables with white flesh may protect against stroke.While previous studies have linked high consumption of fruits and vegetables with lower stroke risk, the researchers' prospective work is the first to examine associations of fruits and vegetable color groups with stroke.The color of the edible portion of fruits and vegetables reflects the presence of beneficial phytochemicals such as carotenoids and flavonoids.Researchers examined the link between fruits and vegetable color group consumption with 10-year stroke incidence in a population-based study of 20,069 adults, with an average age of...

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Probiotics Have Slight Preventive Effect on Colds: Review

ΩTaking probiotics seems to provide both children and adults with a mild degree of protection against many upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) including the common cold, according to a new systematic review. People who consume probiotics are also less likely to end up taking antibiotics for an upper respiratory infection, the review found.Probiotics are in fermented foods like yogurt, soy yogurt and kefir. People also often take probiotics as supplements. The reviewers compared how often colds and other respiratory infections occurred in people who consumed probiotics to people who took placebos and found a statistically significant difference.“Probiotics intervention was better than placebo in reducing the number of participants experiencing episodes of acute upper respiratory tract...

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Link between high cholesterol and Alzheimer's disease

ΩPeople with high cholesterol may have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the September 13, 2011, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology."We found that high cholesterol levels were significantly related to brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease," said study author Kensuke Sasaki, MD, PhD, of Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan.For the study, the cholesterol levels were tested for 2,587 people age 40 to 79 who had no signs of Alzheimer's disease. Then they examined 147 autopsied people who died after a long observation period (10 to 15 years). Of those, 50 people, or 34 percent, had been diagnosed with dementia before death.The autopsies looked for plaques and tangles in the brain, both known to...

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Long-term use of nonaspirin anti-inflammatory drugs and renal cell cancer

ΩLong-term use of nonaspirin anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with an increased risk of renal cell cancer (RCC), according to a report in the September issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.According to background information in the article, in the United States, kidney cancer is the seventh leading type of cancer among men and the ninth leading type of cancer among women. The most common type of kidney cancer, renal cell cancer, accounts for 85 percent of all cases. Analgesics (pain-relieving medications) are among the most commonly used groups of drugs in the United States, and some appear to have protective effects against cancer. "However," the authors write, "some epidemiologic data, mainly from case-control studies, suggest an association...

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Even low-dose aspirin may increase risk of GI bleeding

ΩThe risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding needs to be considered when determining the potential preventive benefits associated with low-dose aspirin for cardiovascular disease and cancer. According to a new study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the use of low-dose aspirin increases the risk for GI bleeding, with the risk being increased further with accompanying use of cardiovascular disease-preventing therapies, such as clopidogrel and anticoagulants. In patients who took proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), bleeding risk decreased. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology is the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association."The use of aspirin has been proven beneficial in reducing cardiac events and deaths in patients who have cardiovascular disease, and has...

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Primary component in turmeric kicks off cancer-killing mechanisms in human saliva

ΩStudy could have an impact in fighting head and neck cancersCurcumin, the main component in the spice turmeric, suppresses a cell signaling pathway that drives the growth of head and neck cancer, according to a pilot study using human saliva by researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.The inhibition of the cell signaling pathway also correlated with reduced expression of a number of pro-inflammatory cytokines, or signaling molecules, in the saliva that promote cancer growth, said Dr. Marilene Wang, a professor of head and neck surgery, senior author of the study and a Jonsson Cancer Center researcher."This study shows that curcumin can work in the mouths of patients with head and neck malignancies and reduce activities that promote cancer growth," Wang said. "And it not only...

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