2012 Archives
2012 Archives:
Featured InfoMedLinks
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Impact of lower achieved blood pressure on outcomes in hypertensive patients (Journal of Hypertension 2012) “Achieved SBP 130?mmHg or less is not associated with lower cardiovascular risk than SBP of 131 to 141?mmHg and is associated with a significantly increased risk of death and trend towards increased cardiovascular mortality. These findings support the need for randomized evaluation of treatment to more aggressive vs. conventional SBP targets.”
Is Pesticide Use Related to Parkinson Disease? (Environmental Health Perspectives 2012)
Kegel exercises for men: Understand the benefits
Meat consumption, heterocyclic amines, and colorectal cancer risk: The multiethnic cohort study. (Int J Cancer. 2012)
Overdiagnosis of Invasive Breast Cancer Due to Mammography Screening: Results From the Norwegian Screening Program (Annals 2012)
Patterns of sodium and potassium excretion and blood pressure in the African Diaspora (Journal of Human Hypertension (2012)) “In multivariate analyses both sodium (positively) and potassium (negatively) were strongly correlated with BP (P<0.001); quantitatively the association was stronger, and more consistent in each site individually, for potassium. The within-population day-to-day variation was also greater for sodium than for potassium. Among each population group, a significant correlation was observed between sodium and urine volume, supporting the prior finding of sodium as a determinant of fluid intake in free-living individuals. These data confirm the consistency with the possible role of dietary electrolytes as hypertension risk factors, reinforcing the relevance of potassium in these populations.”
Pelvic Muscle Training Effective in Treating Urinary Incontinence for Women
Pesticides May Be Linked to Slightly Smaller Babies, Shorter Pregnancies
Prevention a Low Priority in Cardiology Training
Relationships between gray matter, body mass index, and waist circumference in healthy adults. (Hum Brain Mapp. 2012)
Report Provides New Sugar Recommendations For Adults
Salt and hypertension: is salt dietary reduction worth the effort? (Am J Med. 2012)
Salt Content Variable in Fast Food in Different Countries
Salt Dangers—Beyond Hypertension
Sitting Time and All-Cause Mortality Risk in 222 497 Australian Adults (Arch Intern Med 2012) “Prolonged sitting is a risk factor for all-cause mortality, independent of physical activity. Public health programs should focus on reducing sitting time in addition to increasing physical activity levels.”
Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Caffeine Consumption: Results of a Community-based Study. (Chest. 2012) “SDB is independently associated with caffeinated soda use in the general community. Identifying excessive caffeine used in SDB has potential significance given the cardiovascular effects of caffeine and untreated SDB.”
Soda Consumption Increases Overall Stroke Risk “Researchers from Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Institute and Harvard University have found that greater consumption of sugar-sweetened and low-calorie sodas is associated with a higher risk of stroke. Conversely, consumption of caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee was associated with a lower risk. … "Soda remains the largest source of added sugar in the diet," said Adam Bernstein, MD, ScD, study author and Research Director at Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Institute. "What we're beginning to understand is that regular intake of these beverages sets off a chain reaction in the body that can potentially lead to many diseases -- including stroke." … In sugar-sweetened sodas, the sugar load may lead to rapid increases in blood glucose and insulin which, over time, may lead to glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and inflammation. These physiologic changes influence atherosclerosis, plaque stability and thrombosis -- all of which are risk factors of ischemic stroke. This risk for stroke appears higher in women than in men. In comparison, coffee contains chlorogenic acids, lignans and magnesium, all of which act as antioxidants and may reduce stroke risk. When compared with one serving of sugar-sweetened soda, one serving of decaffeinated coffee was associated with a 10 percent lower risk of stroke. In addition, study findings show that men and women who consumed more than one serving of sugar-sweetened soda per day had higher rates of high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol and lower physical activity rates. Those who drank soda more frequently were also more likely to eat red meat and whole-fat dairy products. Men and women who consumed low-calorie soda had a higher incidence of chronic disease and a higher body mass index (BMI).”
Statins as a possible cause of inflammatory and necrotizing myopathies (Atherosclerosis 2012) “Statins have recently been associated with a variety of inflammatory myopathies including polymyositis, dermatomyositis, and a necrotizing myopathy. The association of statins with necrotizing myopathy is strengthened by the discovery that the serum of some of these patients contains an anti-HMGCR antibody. This suggests that statins can cause or unmask an immune mediated myopathy.”
Tests indicate that imported “extra virgin”olive oil often fails international and USDA standards
The association between waist circumference and risk of mortality considering body mass index in 65- to 74-year-olds: a meta-analysis of 29 cohorts involving more than 58 000 elderly persons. (Int J Epidemiol. 2012)
What’s the beef with red meat?
Updated Guidelines for Cervical Cancer Screening: Less Is More
Vitamin D insufficiency and mild cognitive impairment: cross-sectional association (European Journal of Neurology 2012) “Low 25OHD concentrations were associated with MCI status in older non-demented community-dwellers with subjective memory complaint.”
Vitamin D Levels Predict All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in Subjects With the Metabolic Syndrome: The Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study (Diabetes Care 2012)
Nocturnal blood pressure and cardiovascular disease: a review of recent advances (Hypertension Research 2012) “Among these parameters, there is increasing evidence that the mean nocturnal BP level is the most sensitive predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, several studies have shown that less nocturnal BP dipping, defined as less nocturnal BP decline relative to daytime BP, or a high night–day BP ratio was associated with poor prognosis irrespective of the 24-hour BP levels. These findings can be interpreted in at least two ways: namely, high nocturnal BP or less nocturnal BP dipping might be not only a potent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but also a marker of pre-existing or concurrent diseases that can lead to nocturnal BP elevation.”
Obstructive sleep apnea. (Neurol Int. 2011) “An epidemiological review by Young et al. estimates that 1 in 5 adults has at least mild OSA and 1 in 15 adults has at least moderate OSA.6 Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children.7,8 OSA is becoming increasingly prevalent. However, because of the lack of awareness by the public and health-care professionals, the vast majority remain undiagnosed and untreated. Data from the Wisconsin sleep cohort study of patients estimate that 93% of women and 82% of men with moderate-to-severe sleep apnea were undiagnosed.9 A follow-up publication from the Wisconsin Cohort Study five years later indicated that the prevalence of OSA in people aged 30–60 years was 9–24% for men and 4–9% for women.10,11 Primary risk factors for OSA include the male gender, those over age 40, overweight persons or recent weight gain, and persons with a large neck size or small chin/jaw (Table 1).12 … The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) defines an apnea as a cessation in airflow lasting at least 10 sec; apneic episodes can last anywhere from 10 sec to min, and may occur multiple times per hour.46 Hypopnea is defined as a recognizable transient reduction (but not complete cessation) of breathing for at least10 sec. This differs from apnea in that there remains some flow of air. In the context of sleep disorders, a hypopnea event is only considered to be clinically significant if there is a 30% or more reduction in flow with an associated 4% or greater desaturation in O2 level, lasting for 10 seconds or longer, or if it is associated with an arousal or fragmentation of sleep. Apneas and hypopneas are both considered in assessing the severity of a person's sleep disorder.47 … Hypertension that is primarily caused by OSA (in contrast to essential hypertension) is distinctive in that the blood pressure does not drop significantly when the individual is sleeping.59 OSA that remains untreated can also have a negative effect on memory. Research has recently shown that individuals with OSA have mammillary bodies that were nearly 20 percent smaller on MRI.60 This decreased tissue mass may be related to the memory problems seen in chronic OSA.”
Pediatricians Sound Alarm On Overuse Sports Injuries
Rapid Rise in Blood Pressure Before Midlife May Cause Irreversible Heart Damage “Based on the study findings, Dr. Ghosh said a borderline or pre-hypertensive blood pressure reading (a systolic pressure of 120 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure from 80 to 89 mm Hg) -- even in your 30s -- should warrant more frequent monitoring so doctors can assess the rate of change in blood pressure. Current guidelines are based on a single, one-off measure of blood pressure and doctors rarely prescribe blood pressure-lowering medications for people in their 30s, as the risk of them having a cardiovascular event in the next 10 years is low. "If people have a rapid rise in blood pressure, early treatment should be considered, because we know from this study that, 30 years down the line, they're going to have more heart damage than somebody with a slower rise in blood pressure," Dr. Ghosh said. "We're potentially talking about a completely new way of assessing and treating blood pressure in younger people." The results revealed people who experienced a relatively rapid increase in blood pressure during midlife typically had a larger left ventricle -- an independent risk factor for heart disease and other health problems -- than those whose blood pressure edged up more slowly or later in life. Those taking medication to manage high blood pressure had a larger left ventricle than those with the same blood pressure who had never taken medication, suggesting that treatment in later life did not reverse the consequences of a rapid rise in blood pressure in earlier years.”
Sleeping Too Much or Too Little Can Be Bad for Your Heart“Getting too little sleep -- or even too much -- appears to spell trouble for the heart. New data reveal that adults who get less than six hours of sleep a night are at significantly greater risk of stroke, heart attack and congestive heart failure. Even those who reportedly sleep more than eight hours a night have a higher prevalence of heart problems, namely chest pain (angina) and coronary artery disease, a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart, according to research presented March 25 at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session.”
Sun Exposure Not Enough to Correct Vitamin D Deficiency
Sweetened Beverage Consumption, Incident Coronary Heart Disease and Biomarkers of Risk in Men. (Circulation. 2012)
Trends in Cardiovascular Health Metrics and Associations With All-Cause and CVD Mortality Among US Adults (JAMA 2012) “The healthy diet score from the AHA ranges from 0 to 5 and is calculated by summing the following components, assigning 1 point each for the consumption of fruits and vegetables (=4.5 cups/d), fish (=two 3.5-oz servings/wk), fiber-rich whole grains (=three 1-oz–equivalent servings/d), sodium (<1500 mg/d), and sugar-sweetened beverages (=36 oz/wk). … Elevated blood pressure, including prehypertension and hypertension, was associated with the largest adjusted PAFs for all-cause and CVD deaths in this cohort (30.4% and 40.6%, respectively). Hypertension affected approximately 68 million individuals in the United States in 2009.27 Studies suggest that for every 10% increase in hypertension treatment, an estimated 14 000 deaths would be prevented annually.28 Although the awareness, treatment, and management of hypertension are extremely important in prevention of CVD incidence and mortality, our results indicated that the desirable level of blood pressure (<120/<80 mm Hg) among the adult population remained unchanged since 1988. In addition to high sodium intake,29 overweight or obesity, lack of physical activity, high alcohol intake, and poor diet are other important modifiable risk factors for elevated blood pressure and hypertension, supporting the importance of primordial prevention of elevated blood pressure through behavioral and policy changes.”
Vitamin D deficiency and supplementation and relation to cardiovascular health (The American Journal of Cardiology 2012) “In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency was associated with a significant risk of cardiovascular disease and reduced survival. Vitamin D supplementation was significantly associated with better survival, specifically in patients with documented deficiency.”
Vitamin D on Trial “The forms of vitamin D that are obtained from foods and supplements (D2 and D3), as well as endogenously upon sun exposure (D3), are biologically inert. Two hydroxylation reactions are necessary to convert the vitamin to its active form. The first reaction occurs in the liver and converts the vitamin to an intermediate known as 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25D), or calcidiol. The second reaction occurs primarily in the kidneys, and results in the vitamin’s active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D), or calcitriol. … “In nutrition we talk about maintaining normal adequacy, but some people may require more vitamins than others, and identifying those populations will really be the future of nutrition,” says Milner. “It’s the classic ‘one size does not fit all.’ I’m hoping we can identify biomarkers that tell us who will really benefit, and who doesn’t need to worry.” “
A Soda a Day Raises CHD Risk by 20%
A systematic review of fish-oil supplements for the prevention and treatment of hypertension. (Eur J Prev Cardiolog. 2012)
Breathing Smog in Pregnancy Linked to Child's Behavior Problems “Women exposed to higher levels of certain air pollutants while pregnant are more likely to have children with anxiety, depression and attention problems by ages 6 and 7, new research suggests."
Cancer in Colas' Caramel Coloring?
CDC: Foodborne Illness on the Rise
Cold Air May Raise Heart-Attack Risk During Exercise
Cutting red meat intake could lengthen lifespan, Harvard study finds
Eating Meat Ups Risk of Cardiovascular and Cancer Mortality
Even a Little Drinking May Raise Breast Cancer Risk: Study
Heart Attacks in Women: Different Symptoms, Different Outcomes
Overeating Tied to Increased Risk for Memory Loss “New data from the Mayo Clinic Study on Aging suggest that consuming between 2100 and 6000 calories per day may double the risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in adults aged 70 years and older. "We observed a dose-response pattern...: the higher the amount of calories consumed each day, the higher the risk of MCI," study author Yonas E. Geda, MD, from the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology, noted in a statement. … "We know that diet and physical exercise — 2 key Alzheimer's prevention strategies — also prevent diabetes, which increases the probability of developing Alzheimer's dementia," said Dr. Small, who is director of the university's Longevity Center. "Healthy lifestyle habits not only protect our brains but our bodies, too, as we age."“
Poor Oral Health and Coronary Artery Disease: A Case-Control Study. (J Periodontol. 2012) “Conclusion: Poor oral health was significantly associated with coronary artery disease in this study sample matched for socio-demographic characteristics.”
Signs of Neuro-problems?“Previous studies have linked slow walking speed with death from heart attacks and other heart problems, while fast walking has been tied to longevity. The new research adds to these findings, with brain scans of nearly 2,500 people linking slower walking to a higher risk of dementia. The study also found that stronger grip was associated with a lower risk of stroke.”
Smoking Linked to Cognitive Decline in Men
Statins Associated With Significant Increase in Diabetes Risk “Statin use in postmenopausal women is associated with a significantly increased risk of diabetes mellitus, research shows [1]. New data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) hints that the risk of diabetes is higher than suggested by previous studies, with investigators reporting a 48% increased risk of diabetes among the women taking the lipid-lowering medications. "With this study, what we're seeing is that the risk of diabetes is particularly high in elderly women, and this risk is much larger than was observed in another previous meta-analysis," senior investigator Dr Yunsheng Ma (University of Massachusetts Medical School, Boston) told heartwire . "For doctors treating patients, we would like them to really look at the risk-benefit analysis, especially in different age groups, such as older women." “
Statins do not decrease mortality in primary prevention
Stroke Risk Rises With Duration of Type 2 Diabetes: Study
WARNING! Normal Blood Pressure May Be High Blood Pressure!
Women Have Less Chest Pain, More Deaths
A Visual Guide to Breast Cancer (slides)
ADHD as a Serious Risk Factor for Early Smoking and Nicotine Dependence in Adulthood. (J Atten Disord. 2012)
Air Pollution Linked to Cognitive Decline in Women
Arsenic found in organic baby food, cereal bars
Big meals in ‘memory loss link’ in elderly
Diabetes Risk from Sitting Around “Dr Thomas Yates who led the study said: "This study provides important new evidence that higher levels of sitting time have a deleterious impact on insulin resistance and chronic low-grade inflammation in women but not men and that this effect is seen regardless of how much exercise is undertaken. This suggests that women who meet the national recommendations of 30 minutes of exercise a day may still be compromising their health if they are seated for the rest of the day. 'It therefore suggests that enabling women to spend less time sitting may be an important factor in preventing chronic disease.'”
Diagnostic accuracy of home vs. ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in untreated and treated hypertension. (Hypertens Res. 2012) “HBP appears to be a reliable alternative to ABP in the diagnosis of hypertension and the detection of WCP and MH in both untreated and treated subjects.
Even Moderate Air Pollution Can Raise Stroke Risks
Fight Menopause With a Strong Heart “After menopause, women may develop arterial stiffness – marked by increased pulse pressure – according to many studies. Arterial stiffness can make it easier for plaque to build up inside arterial walls, which may result in coronary atherosclerosis, which is a thickening of the artery walls and a precursor to cardiovascular disease, a major cause of death in elderly women. In the study, researchers administered BH4 oral treatment to 24 women in postmenopause and 9 women in premenopause. BH4 is a naturally occurring chemical that aids in the production of nitric oxide, which is beneficial to arterial health, say the researchers. Nitric oxide causes arteries to dilate, and without it, arteries can stiffen and cause high blood pressure, thickening of the left ventricle and may increase the risk for heart disease, stroke and dementia, says lead researcher Dr. Kerrie Moreau, associate professor of medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, in a statement. … To prevent vascular health decline, we can intervene with appropriate therapeutic strategies such as exercise, diet and/or hormone therapy, says Moreau.”
Kegel Exercises: An Undercover Secret
Kids Still Eating Too Much Added Sugar
Low Levels of Vitamin D May Be Linked to Depression
Major JAMA Study Shows Statins Do Not Prevent Heart Disease
New ACCP Thrombosis Guidelines Offer Weak Support for Aspirin in Primary Prevention
NIH - Pillbox – identification of pills
Nocturia, sleep-disordered breathing, and cardiovascular morbidity in a community-based cohort. (PLoS One. 2012) “Nocturia is independently associated with sleep-disordered breathing. After adjusting for SDB, there remained an association between nocturia and cardiovascular morbidity.”
Sugar-sweetened beverage, sugar intake of individuals, and their blood pressure: international study of macro/micronutrients and blood pressure. (Hypertension. 2011) “These findings, plus adverse nutrient intakes among SSB consumers, and greater sugar-BP differences for persons with higher sodium excretion lend support to recommendations that intake of SSBs, sugars, and salt be substantially reduced.”
Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Pharmacologic Interventions to Improve Quality of Life and Well-being in People With Dementia. (Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2012) “We found no consistent evidence that any drug improves quality of life in people with dementia. We recommend that all dementia trials should include quality of life as an outcome, as this is important to patients, and cannot be presumed from improvements in cognition or other symptomatic outcomes, especially if the latter are small.”
Too Much Fructose Sweetener Tied to Heart Risks in Teens
New Definition of Autism Will Exclude Many, Study Suggests
Nocturia, sleep-disordered breathing, and cardiovascular morbidity in a community-based cohort. (PLoS One. 2012) “Nocturia is independently associated with sleep-disordered breathing. After adjusting for SDB, there remained an association between nocturia and cardiovascular morbidity.”
NGC - Medical management of adults with hypertension. (2011)
No Safe Level of Alcohol Use in Pregnancy
Nocturia is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and death (BJU International 2012)
Obesity and Pain Linked, Study of One Million Americans Shows
Prostate Cancer Screening in the Randomized Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial: Mortality Results after 13 Years of Follow-up (J Natl Cancer Inst (2012)
Salt consumption and cardiovascular, renal, and hypertensive diseases: clinical and mechanistic aspects (Current Opinion in Lipidology 2011) “It is now generally accepted that there is a direct positive correlation between dietary salt and arterial pressure. Thus, the beneficial effects of dietary salt reduction are, at least in part, due to a decrease in arterial pressure. Furthermore, the beneficial, pressure-independent effects of sodium restriction on the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys are being increasingly recognized, but not generally appreciated.”
Science Shows How Exercise Might Help in Prostate Cancer
Blood Pressure Differences Between Arms Could Signal Heart Risk “People whose systolic blood pressure -- the upper number in their reading -- is different in their left and right arms may be suffering from a vascular disease that could increase their risk of death, British researchers report. The arteries under the collarbone supply blood to the arms, legs and brain. Blockage can lead to stroke and other problems, the researchers noted, and measuring blood pressure in both arms should be routine.”
CDC: Bread Beats Out Chips as Biggest Salt Source “Breads and rolls aren't really saltier than many of the other foods, but people tend to eat a lot of them, said Mary Cogswell, a CDC senior scientist who co-authored the report. Salt is the main source of sodium for most people, and sodium increases the risk of high blood pressure, a major cause of heart disease and stroke. Health officials say most Americans get too much salt, mostly from processed and restaurant foods -- not added from the salt shaker.”
Consumption of fried foods and risk of coronary heart disease: Spanish cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study (BMJ 2012) “In Spain, a Mediterranean country where olive or sunflower oil is used for frying, the consumption of fried foods was not associated with coronary heart disease or with all cause mortality.”
Contaminant in Drinking Water Linked to Mental Illness
Decaffeinated Coffee May Help Improve Memory Function and Reduce Risk of Diabetes
Diet Soft Drink Consumption is Associated with an Increased Risk of Vascular Events in the Northern Manhattan Study. (J Gen Intern Med. 2012)
Drinking Late in First Trimester May Be Most Hazardous
Effects of moderate aerobic exercise training on chronic primary insomnia (Sleep Medicine 2011) “Long-term moderate aerobic exercise elicited significant improvements in sleep, quality of life and mood in individuals with chronic primary insomnia.”
Even Mild Dehydration May Cause Emotional, Physical Problems “Even mild dehydration may affect our moods and ability to concentrate. In a new study of 25 healthy women, mild dehydration dampened moods, increased fatigue, and led to headaches. The women in the study were aged 23, on average. They were neither athletes nor couch potatoes. Women participated in three experiments separated by 28 days. In two of these, dehydration was induced via walking on a treadmill with or without a diuretic pill. These pills encourage urination, and can lead to dehydration.”
Exercise training restores hypertension-induced changes in the elastic tissue of the thoracic aorta. (J Vasc Res. 2011)
Fructose and cardiometabolic disorders: the controversy will, and must, continue. (Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2010)
Heading Soccer Ball Linked to Brain Injury
High Blood Pressure and the DASH Diet “One step to lower high blood pressure: Incorporate the DASH diet into your lifestyle. Doctors recommend: Eating more fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods Cutting back on foods that are high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and total fat Eating more whole grain products, fish, poultry, and nuts Eating less red meat and sweets Eating foods that are rich in magnesium, potassium, and calcium The DASH diet, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, is an example of such an eating plan. In studies, patients who were on the DASH diet reduced their blood pressure within two weeks. Another diet -- DASH-Sodium -- calls for reducing sodium (salt) to 1,500 mg a day (about 2/3 teaspoon). Studies of patients on the DASH-Sodium plan significantly lowered their blood pressure. … Here are some tips to get you started on the DASH diet: Add a serving of vegetables at lunch and at dinner. Add a serving of fruit to your meals or as a snack. Canned and dried fruits are easy to use. Use only half the butter, margarine, or salad dressing, and use low-fat or fat-free condiments. Drink low-fat or skim dairy products three times a day. Limit meat to six ounces a day. Try eating some vegetarian meals. Add more vegetables, rice, pasta, and dry beans to your diet. Instead of typical snacks (chips, etc.), eat unsalted pretzels or nuts, raisins, graham crackers, low-fat and fat-free yogurt and frozen yogurt; unsalted plain popcorn with no butter, and raw vegetables. Read food labels carefully to choose products that are lower in sodium.”
High Levels of MRSA Bacteria in U.S. Retail Meat Products, Study Suggests
High-Normal Blood Pressure Raises Heart Risks in Men ““Having high blood pressure in middle age is a major risk factor for developing atrial fibrillation later in life, and now new research links high-normal-range blood pressure with an increase in risk. More than 2 million mostly older Americans have the heart rhythm disorder known as atrial fibrillation, which greatly increases their risk for stroke, heart failure, and death. Researchers followed about 2,000 Norwegian men for an average of 30 years, during which time 270 developed atrial fibrillation. Men whose systolic blood pressure (the upper number) was in the high-normal range at the start of the study were 50% more likely than men with normal blood pressure to develop the heart rhythm condition. An earlier study in women who were followed for an average of 14 years also showed high-normal blood pressure to be associated with a higher risk for atrial fibrillation. … Prehypertension is common in people with metabolic syndrome, which is a group of risk factors associated with an elevated risk for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. “This study is another example of a metabolic syndrome trait being associated with higher [heart disease and stroke] risk,” says AHA spokesman Roger Blumenthal, MD, who directs the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Preventive Cardiology Center. Blumenthal says the findings should serve as a wake-up call for those with blood pressure readings in the high-normal range, adding that people with systolic blood pressure readings in the 130s and diastolic readings in the 80s should be counseled to make lifestyle changes that can improve the numbers. “That means revving up your diet and exercise schedule and losing weight if you are overweight,” he says.
Is the metabolic syndrome caused by a high fructose, and relatively low fat, low cholesterol diet? (Arch Med Sci. 2011) “The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is manifested by a lipid triad which includes elevated serum triglycerides, small LDL particles, and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, by central obesity (central adiposity), insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and elevated blood pressure, and it is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. We have developed a new hypothesis regarding MetS as a consequence of a high intake in carbohydrates and food with a high glycemic index, particularly fructose, and relatively low intake of cholesterol and saturated fat. … Fructose also leads to increased levels of advanced glycation end products. The macrophages exposed to advanced glycation end products become dysfunctional and, on entry into the artery wall, contribute to plaque formation and thrombosis.”
Lifetime risks of cardiovascular disease. (N Engl J Med. 2012)
10 Cancer Symptoms Women Shouldn't Ignore
Bacon linked to higher risk of pancreatic cancer, says report “Daily consumption of bacon and other red meat products can raise cancer rates, according to the study. Eating two rashers of bacon a day can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer by 19% and the risk goes up if a person eats more, experts have said. Eating 50g of processed meat every day – the equivalent to one sausage or two rashers of bacon – increases the risk by 19%, compared to people who do not eat processed meat at all.”
Breastfeeding and Allergy: The Evidence (Ann Nutr Metab. 2011)
Dairy products and cancer. (J Am Coll Nutr. 2011)
Double Check Dose Before Giving Acetaminophen To Infants, FDA
Flush With Germs: Lidless Toilets Spread C difficile
Frequent red meat eaters at higher risk of stroke “A high-protein diet might benefit health in some ways, but depending on what kind of protein a person consumes, it could raise their stroke risk too, suggests a large new study that finds eating lots of red meat ups the likelihood of having a stroke while poultry lowers it.”
Fruit, veggie lovers not immune to weight gain
Half of Asthma Patients Do Not Respond to Standard Therapy “The investigators found that the patients with asthma who were persistently noneosinophilic did not have a forced expiratory volume in 1 second response to a 2-week period of intense treatment with oral and inhaled corticosteroids and oral zafirlukast. The poor response to intense combined treatment seen in patients with persistently noneosinophilic asthma suggests that these patients have a unique disease phenotype for which new treatments need to be developed. The study also indicates that the persistently noneosinophilic group is not homogenous and cannot be easily identified clinically.”
Mediterranean Diet Gives Longer Life, Swedish Study Suggests
Mental Decline Can Start at 45, Study Finds
Missed Naps Could Put Toddlers at Risk for Mood Disorders “Toddlers who miss daytime naps may be at increased risk for mood disorders later in life, a new study indicates. Researchers looked at toddlers aged 30 months to 36 months and found that depriving them of a single daily nap resulted in more anxiety, lower levels of joy and interest, and reduced problem-solving abilities. "Many young children today are not getting enough sleep, and for toddlers, daytime naps are one way of making sure their 'sleep tanks' are set to full each day," study leader Monique LeBourgeois, an assistant professor in the integrative physiology department at the University of Colorado, Boulder, said in a university news release. "This study shows insufficient sleep in the form of missing a nap taxes the way toddlers express different feelings, and, over time, may shape their developing emotional brains and put them at risk for lifelong, mood-related problems," she explained.”
More Frequent Aspirin Use Associated With More Severe AMD
Parental Smoking and the Risk of Middle Ear Disease in Children (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2012) “Exposure to SHTS, particularly to smoking by the mother, significantly increases the risk of MED in childhood; this risk is particularly strong for MED requiring surgery. We have shown that per year 130 200 of child MED episodes in the United Kingdom and 292 950 of child frequent ear infections in the United States are directly attributable to SHTS exposure in the home.”
Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in preschoolers. (J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2011)
Sugary drinks tied to breastfed kids' weight “Babies who were breastfed longest and drank few or no sugary beverages were about half as likely to be obese as kids who weren't breastfed or who consumed the most sugary drinks, in a new study of Hispanic children in southern California. The research, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, is one of the first looks at the combined effects of breastfeeding and how many sugary drinks, like soda and juice drinks, children consume in the first few years of their lives. Past studies have suggested that breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of obesity in children; however, Jaimie Davis, the study's lead author and a professor at the University of Southern California, said mothers will also give their babies and toddlers sugary drinks. "What happens is that they're breastfeeding and they're often giving their kids juice or Gatorade," said Davis. "They don't realize it's having the counter effect." “
Traffic-Related Pollutants and Wheezing in Children. (J Asthma. 2012)
Should You Have a PSA Screening Test? Johns Hopkins Responds to Recent USPSTF Recommendations
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