Intakes of omega-3 exceeding levels consumed by the gemeral US population may significantly reduce the risk of chronic disease, suggests a new study with Yup'ik Eskimos.
High levels of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) were associated with lower levels of triglycerides, as well as higher levels of HDL cholesterol, according to data from 257 Yup'ik Eskimos published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Raised levels of the fatty acids were also associated with decreased levels of markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein(CRP), which is produced in the liver and is a known marker for inflammation. Increased levels of CRP are a good predictor for the onset of both type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. CVD causes almost 50 per cent of deaths in Europe, and is reported to cost the EU economy an estimated $202 billion per year.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Health Secrets For A Long Life
The residents of Okinawa, an island chain of Japan, are among the healthiest and longest-lved people of the world. Okinawa has more 100-year-olds than anywhere else-33.6 per 100,000, compared with approximately 10 per 100,000 in the US.
The 25-year Okinawa Centenarian Study discovered that, compared with Americans, Okinawans have:
80% lower risk of breast and prostate cancers.
50% lower risk of colon and ovarian cancers.
40% fewer hip fracures.
Minimal risk of heart disease.
What is the secret to the Okinawans' longevity-and what can you do to achieve the same health?
Healthly weight. The traditional Okinawan diet is low in fat and processed foods, as well as calories-so obesity is rare in Okinawans.
Plant based diet. About 98% fo ther Okinawan diet consists of sweet potatoes, soy-based foods, grains, fruits and vegetables. This is supplemented by a small amount of fish and lean meat.
Not smoking. Few Okinawans smoke. In the US hundreds of thousands of people die from smoking-related diseases annually.
Exercise. You look at the places around he world where people live the longest and they all get plenty of exercise. You can't expect to live a long life sitting on the couch watching TV and eating potato chips.
Social links. People who maintain active social networks live longer and are less likely to get sick. When they do get sick, they recover more quickly if they have the support of friends.
People who have spiritual or religious beliefs live longer than those who don't. They look out for each other.
Control worry and stress. While many Americans have Type A personalities, Okinawans believe that life's travails will work themselves out. The average American might be said to suffer from hurry sickness. Okinawans prefer to work at their own pace, referred to locally as Okinawa Time. They don't ingnore stress...but they rarely internalize it.
The 25-year Okinawa Centenarian Study discovered that, compared with Americans, Okinawans have:
80% lower risk of breast and prostate cancers.
50% lower risk of colon and ovarian cancers.
40% fewer hip fracures.
Minimal risk of heart disease.
What is the secret to the Okinawans' longevity-and what can you do to achieve the same health?
Healthly weight. The traditional Okinawan diet is low in fat and processed foods, as well as calories-so obesity is rare in Okinawans.
Plant based diet. About 98% fo ther Okinawan diet consists of sweet potatoes, soy-based foods, grains, fruits and vegetables. This is supplemented by a small amount of fish and lean meat.
Not smoking. Few Okinawans smoke. In the US hundreds of thousands of people die from smoking-related diseases annually.
Exercise. You look at the places around he world where people live the longest and they all get plenty of exercise. You can't expect to live a long life sitting on the couch watching TV and eating potato chips.
Social links. People who maintain active social networks live longer and are less likely to get sick. When they do get sick, they recover more quickly if they have the support of friends.
People who have spiritual or religious beliefs live longer than those who don't. They look out for each other.
Control worry and stress. While many Americans have Type A personalities, Okinawans believe that life's travails will work themselves out. The average American might be said to suffer from hurry sickness. Okinawans prefer to work at their own pace, referred to locally as Okinawa Time. They don't ingnore stress...but they rarely internalize it.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
An Apple Peel A Day Might Keep Cancer At Bay
An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Or, what appears to be more accurate: An apple peel a day might help keep cancer at bay, according to a new Cornell study.
Cornell researchers have identified a dozen compounds--triterpenoids--in apple peel that either inhibit or kill cancer cells in laboratory cultures. Three of the compounds have not previously been described in the literature.
"We found that several compounds have potent antiproliferative activities agains human liver, colon and breast cancer cells and may be partially responsible for the anticancer activities of whole apples," says Rui Hai Lie, Cornell associate professor of food science. Liu is affliated with Cornell's Institute of Comparative and Environmental Toxicoloty and is senior author of the study, which is online and published this month in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Cemistry.
"We believe that a recommendation that consumers to eat five to 12 servings of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables daily is appropriate to reduce the risks of chronic diseases, including cancer, and to meet nutrient requirement for optimum health," said Liu.
Cornell researchers have identified a dozen compounds--triterpenoids--in apple peel that either inhibit or kill cancer cells in laboratory cultures. Three of the compounds have not previously been described in the literature.
"We found that several compounds have potent antiproliferative activities agains human liver, colon and breast cancer cells and may be partially responsible for the anticancer activities of whole apples," says Rui Hai Lie, Cornell associate professor of food science. Liu is affliated with Cornell's Institute of Comparative and Environmental Toxicoloty and is senior author of the study, which is online and published this month in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Cemistry.
"We believe that a recommendation that consumers to eat five to 12 servings of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables daily is appropriate to reduce the risks of chronic diseases, including cancer, and to meet nutrient requirement for optimum health," said Liu.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Stress Linked to Cancer
Scientists have discovered that everyday emotional stress is a trigger for the growth of tumors. Any sort of trauma, emotional or physical, can act as a "pathway" between cancerous mutations, bringing them together in a potentially deadly mix.
The findings seem to show for the first time that the conditions for developing the disease can be affected by your emotional environment, including everyday work and family stress.
Until now, scientists believed more than one cancer causing mutation needed to take place in a single cell in order for tumors to grow.
But researcher showed that mutations can promote cancer even when they are located in different cells, because stress opens up "pathways" between them.
The study by Yale Univesity researchrs found that stress, even the normal everyday variety, can act as a pathway between cancerous mutation, potentially triggering the growth of tumors.
The National Cancer Institute has said that research with animal models suggests that "your body's neuroendocrine response (release of hormones into your blood in response to stimulation of your nervous system) can directly alter important processes in cells that help protect against the formation of cancer, such as DNA repair or the regulation of cell growth."
Other research has shown that norepinephrine, a hormone produced during periods of stress, may INCREASE THE GROWTH RATE OF CANCER.
Norepinephrine can stimulate tumor cells to produce two compounds (matrix metalloproteinases called MMP-2 and MMP-9) that break down the tissue around the tumor cells and allow the cells to more easily move into your bloodstream.
Once there, they can travel to other organs and tissues and form additonal tumors, a process called metastasis.
Norepinephrine may also stimulate the tumor cells to release a chemical (vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF) that can aid in the growth of the blood vessels that feed cancer cells. This can increase the growth and spread of the cancer.
The stress hormone epinephrine has also been found to cause changes in prostate and breast cancer cells in way that may make them resistant to cell death. This means that emotional stress could both CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CANCER AND REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TREATMENTS.
The findings seem to show for the first time that the conditions for developing the disease can be affected by your emotional environment, including everyday work and family stress.
Until now, scientists believed more than one cancer causing mutation needed to take place in a single cell in order for tumors to grow.
But researcher showed that mutations can promote cancer even when they are located in different cells, because stress opens up "pathways" between them.
The study by Yale Univesity researchrs found that stress, even the normal everyday variety, can act as a pathway between cancerous mutation, potentially triggering the growth of tumors.
The National Cancer Institute has said that research with animal models suggests that "your body's neuroendocrine response (release of hormones into your blood in response to stimulation of your nervous system) can directly alter important processes in cells that help protect against the formation of cancer, such as DNA repair or the regulation of cell growth."
Other research has shown that norepinephrine, a hormone produced during periods of stress, may INCREASE THE GROWTH RATE OF CANCER.
Norepinephrine can stimulate tumor cells to produce two compounds (matrix metalloproteinases called MMP-2 and MMP-9) that break down the tissue around the tumor cells and allow the cells to more easily move into your bloodstream.
Once there, they can travel to other organs and tissues and form additonal tumors, a process called metastasis.
Norepinephrine may also stimulate the tumor cells to release a chemical (vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF) that can aid in the growth of the blood vessels that feed cancer cells. This can increase the growth and spread of the cancer.
The stress hormone epinephrine has also been found to cause changes in prostate and breast cancer cells in way that may make them resistant to cell death. This means that emotional stress could both CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CANCER AND REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TREATMENTS.
Monday, February 1, 2010
More Information on Vitamin D
Need another reason to keep you vitamin D intake up? New research suggests that low levels of this essential nutrient can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Researchers in Utah followed 27,000 men and women over the age of 50 who had no history of heart disease. After a year, they found those with the LOWEST levels of vitamin D were:
1. 77% more likely to die than those with adequate levels of vitamin D.
2. 45% more likely to develop coronary artery disease.
3. 78% more likely to develop a stroke.
4. Twice as likely to develop heart failure.
The study, from the Intermountain Medical Center, Was presented at the November 16, 2009, session of the American Heart Association's Scientific Conference.
1. 77% more likely to die than those with adequate levels of vitamin D.
2. 45% more likely to develop coronary artery disease.
3. 78% more likely to develop a stroke.
4. Twice as likely to develop heart failure.
The study, from the Intermountain Medical Center, Was presented at the November 16, 2009, session of the American Heart Association's Scientific Conference.
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