Proof that Fish Oils Fight Inflammation & 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.
Vitamin D May Boost Heart Failure Survival
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.
Selenium Supplements Reduce Bladder Cancer Risk
A study has found that depending on individual characteristics, increasing selenium intake can lower the risk of bladder cancer by as much as 39 percent. Selenium is an essential micronutrient that is incorporated into about 25 proteins, called selenoproteins, most of which are enzymes with antioxidant properties that prevent cellular damage caused by the by-products of oxygen metabolism.
Seven previous studies were analyzed to evaluate selenium levels – measured in toenails and blood – and the corresponding incidence of bladder cancer. Most of the subjects were from the United States but some were from Belgium, the Netherlands and Finland. Gender-specific differences seemed to account for the greater cancer-protective effect of selenium in women.
Further studies are required to determine the all-important optimum dosage of selenium. This study was released at 1pm ET on August 31, 2010 but won’t be published until a future issue of the journal, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Omega 3, Vitamin D & Parkinsons
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 still no known way to prevent Parkinson’s disease.
Black Rice Beats Blueberries
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.
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 at 8:30am (ET) on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at the American Chemical Society’s national meeting in Boston. It has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
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 the evening of Monday, August 23, 2010. Details have not yet been published.
Drink Water Before Meals for Weight Loss
A study 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.
===============================
The “excess water intake” discussed as dangerous and resulting in death mentioned in the last paragraph is probably referring to a condition called Hyponatremia – which occurs when too much water disrupts the sodium/electrolyte balance. This condition often occurs at “fun runs” or during events in which people exert themselves and drink too much water, diluting their natural electrolyte balance.
You can still drink water and avoid this condition by consuming salt and supplementing minerals. For a water soluble mineral that does not impart any taste, color, aroma, try NutraMin Pure. You can have delicious alkaline, mineral water anytime by just adding NutraMin Pure to your water, or other favorite beverage. Learn more by clicking here: NutraMin Pure.
How To Boost the Antioxidant Levels in Potatoes
A study found that two simple methods of “stressing” potatoes more than doubles the levels of some antioxidants in these vegetables. 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 five 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.
Tooth Decay – the Most Prevalent Childhood Disease
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.
Cigarettes Dangerous Even at Lowest Detectable Levels
CIGARETTE SMOKE RISKY AT LOWEST-POSSIBLE DETECTABLE LEVELS:
A study ascertained that even a small 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 – has a direct effect on the functioning of genes within the cells lining the airways. Some of these 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 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.
Chinese Herbal Formula & 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.
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 flavonoids. The researchers point out that these results apply only to the dark chocolate with at least 30 percent cocoa content commonly consumed in Sweden; most of the dark chocolate consumed in the U.S. has a15 percent cocoa content.
The full text of this study was released August 16, 2010 and will not be available until it is published in a future issue of the journal Circulation: Heart Failure.
Adversity in Childhood Can Weaken Immune Response & Longevity
A study 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 Saturday evening, August 14, 2010, at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in San Diego. It has not yet been published and is not available online.
Cardiometabolic Risks
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 suggested recommendations to limit the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks to 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 at http://bit.ly/aUOxQJ.
How to Preserve the Health Benefits of Fish
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.
On the other hand, 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.
===============================
Drug Resistant Gene Now Emerging
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, but will not be published in print until the September 2010 issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Meantime, the full-text version of the study can be accessed online at http://bit.ly/bEGfvg.
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.
Vitamin D May Help Fight Colds & 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 will be published in the September 1, 2010 issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases. It is available online now at http://bit.ly/b4ZEhE.
Theories about the Commmon Cold
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 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.
How to Avoid 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, diabetes and increasing fruit & vegetable consumption – reduced dementia risk by a full 21%.
- Depression alone accounted for a 10% risk.
- Higher education was linked to an 18% lower risk.
- Genetic tendency towards dementia accounts for 7% of cases.
This study was released August 5, 2010 and will be published in a future issue of the British Medical Journal. The journal already has made the full-text version of this important study available to the public, online at http://bit.ly/c3p7KL.
Whole Grains Proven to Lower 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 just released by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Details are available now online at http://bit.ly/9Ztt9u.
Chili Peppers Reduce Blood Pressure
A study 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.
Sunscreen with SPF 30 Not Much Better than Sunscreen with SPF 15
Sunscreen with SPF 30 does not offer twice the protection from UVB rays as a sunscreen with SPF 15.
In fact, a sunscreen with SPF 15 offers a 93% protection from UVB, while a sunscreen with SPF 30 offers only 97% protection (only 4% more) 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 3.
Nano Silver Ultra is Not Colloidal Silver
Nano Silver Ultra™ is Not Colloidal Silver
Recent reports have warned consumers about the dangers of colloidal silver. We would agree with these warnings.
Nano-Silver Ultra™ is very different from “colloidal silver.” Colloidal silver is linked to serious side affects and is a form of silver that is responsible for the blue man syndrome (Argyria). By contrast, nano-particle size silver is being adopted in the medical field for microbiological applications, which have extended into other consumer products, such as underwear, clothing, band-aids and deodorants. Between 2009 and 2010, over 1000 scientific studies have been published on the topic of silver nano-particles. These can be accessed at the National Library of Medicine, a branch of the National Institutes of Health.
Unlike colloidal silver, Nano-Silver Ultra™ is submicronized, nano-particle silver.
New Research Suggests Regular Calcium Supplement Could Increase Risk of Heart Attack
New research suggests that regularly taking calcium supplements might increase the risk of heart attack.
The study, published in the British Medical Journal, indicates that calcium supplements cause more cardiovascular events (such as heart attacks and stroke) than the number of fractures they prevent.
Calcium supplements are commonly taken by older people as a measure to reduce the effects of osteoporosis. The widely used supplements have been shown to marginally reduce the risk of fracture for osteoporosis sufferers and improve bone density, but very little research has been compiled on the risks of calcium supplementation.
The new study, led by Professor Ian Reid at the University of Auckland, is a meta-analysis of fifteen randomized trials on calcium supplements conducted in the last twenty years, with the aim to investigate the links between calcium supplementation and cardiovascular events.
From analyzing the data on the 12,000 people involved in the 15 trials, the researchers found that calcium supplements increase the risk of heart attack by about 30 percent. Although this increase in heart attack risk is modest, the researchers suggest that the widespread use of calcium supplements means “even a small increase in incidence of cardiovascular disease could translate into a large burden of disease in the population.” The researchers wrote: “The likely adverse effect of calcium supplements on cardiovascular events, taken together with the possible adverse effect on incidence of hip fracture and its modest overall efficacy in reducing fracture (about 10% reduction in total fractures) suggest that a reassessment of the role of calcium supplements in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis is warranted.”
The results observed in this study only saw an increased risk in people using supplementation, and do not affect people with high dietary intakes of calcium. Professor Reid explained that this could be related to higher blood calcium levels from supplementation compared to dietary calcium – higher blood calcium levels are believed to lead to hardening of the arteries, which can cause heart attacks.
Read more here at the national library of medicine: Pub Med: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20671013
====================================
The latest research shows that Vitamin K2, specifically menaquinone 7 derived from soy can support healthy bone density and cardiovascular health. Learn more here: http://www.advantig.net/products/osteo-k-2.
The Magic 7 – Sleep & Cardiovascular Risk
A recent study shows that even among healthy people 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.
Longer sleep duration may be related to an underlying sleep-related breathing disorder or poor sleep quality.
This study was published in the August 1, 2010 issue of the journal, Sleep. It is available online with a subscription to the journal or a membership the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
For deep, restful sleep, try Z-Caps! http://www.advantig.net/products/z-caps
Vitamins K1 & K2 Reduce Diabetes Risk
A study found that higher intakes of phylloquinone and menaquinone (also known as Vitamin K1 and Vitamin K2) reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The research covered a 10-year period and observed that those with the highest intake of phylloquinone had a 19% lower risk of diabetes compared to those with the lowest intake. To a lesser extent, menaquinone was linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes which was further reduced with greater intake of menaquinone. Dietary deficiencies of vitamin K are rare; however, deficiencies are more common in those with liver disease, cystic fibrosis and inflammatory bowel diseases and are linked to long-term aspirin use.
Phylloquinone, or vitamin K1, is found chiefly in leafy green vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard and brassica (vegetables such as cabbage, kale, cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts). Some fruits such as avocado and kiwi are also high in vitamin K1. Menaquinone, or vitamin K2, is found in meat, eggs, dairy and natto (fermented soybeans). The study will be published in the August 2010 issue of the journal, Diabetes Care. It is now available online at http://bit.ly/aq90QB.
Toxic Sales Receipts?
Sales receipts contain up to 1,000 times the amount of BPA found in the epoxy lining of some food cans, a previous source of controversy.
Just one grocery receipt contained 41 mg, which exceeds the EPA’s maximum ingestion limit for a 155-pound male. The chemical residue on receipts sinks into the skin to the point that it may not wash off; whether it actually transfers to the blood vessels deep in the skin is not known.
BPA was found on 40 percent of the receipts collected from supermarkets, automated teller machines, gas stations and chain stores by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), according to the group’s release to the media on July 27. Prompting this EWG survey, scientists had reported July 11, 2010 that the thermal paper used in sales receipts is a major source of BPA although their study will not be published until a future issue of the journal, Analytical & Bioanalytical Chemistry. Meanwhile, this study is available online at the journal site at http://bit.ly/abynos.
Listening to Music While Studying Impairs Performance
A study found that listening to background music while performing cognitive tasks – yes, kids, such as studying – impairs overall mental performance and ability to do arithmetic or recall information later.
The surprising aspect to the study findings is that the interference with mental ability and ability to recall remained strong even when the music being heard is among a person’s favorite music; same as listening to music the subject hated. Quiet produced the best recall performance.
The researchers stressed that music might have some generally beneficial effect on our health but only when one listens to it prior to – never while – performing mental tasks or memorizing material. This study will be published in the September 2010 issue of the journal, Applied Cognitive Psychology. It is available early to read online at http://bit.ly/aCr5GE.
Insomnia & Sleep Drugs in Children
A study found that among children visiting child psychologists for mental health issues, 20% of preschoolers, and a third of school-aged children and adolescents, suffer from insomnia.
Researchers also discovered many of these young patients receive drugs to promote sleep. This is a substantial percentage to have sleep problems.
The psychologists prescribed drugs to alleviate the impact late-onset sleep and disturbed sleep have on daytime functioning; also, medications prescribed for psychological issues may have a negative effect on sleep.
Despite prescribing a wide array of sleep medications, the psychologists expressed concerns about the use of sleep medications – including sedatives, antihistamines and antidepressants – by children with many pointing out that little data exist on the effectiveness and safety of these drugs in children and adolescents.
The researchers concluded there is need for further study on appropriate treatment choices for children with sleep problems. They also reported that past studies found behavioral treatments such as relaxation techniques, sleep restriction and cognitive behavioral therapy to be effective for childhood insomnia.
This study will appear in the August 2010 
print issue of the journal, Sleep Medicine. Further details can be read online now at: http://bit.ly/aYBILR.