PreDisease.com Blog

New research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has discovered that women who take HRT (hormone replacement therapy) may be at higher risk of developing lung cancer.

The large study, which included 36,588 women taking HRT containing both estrogen and progesterone, found that post-menopausal women taking HRT had a 50% higher risk of lung cancer. Women who took only estrogen without progesterone (unopposed estrogen) did not appear to be at higher risk of developing lung cancer.

The length of time a woman took HRT was related to their risk of developing lung cancer, as well as the later stage at which the disease was diagnosed. Other factors known to contribute to the development of lung cancer were considered, such as age and smoking status.

New recommendations for HRT state that women should take HRT for the shortest time possible, but there may be many women who have taken HRT for long periods of time, before the studies were done which pointed to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease with long-term HRT therapy. These women may be at higher risk for lung cancer and this begs the question: could HRT therapy be part of the reason that lung cancer rates have been increasing in women?

PreMenora is an all-natural botanical formulation that is taken twice daily to ease the symptoms of menopause.

Source: Hormone therapy linked to lung cancer risk

Knowing your genotype for low-fat or low-carb diets could significantly increase your chances of dieting success. Researchers followed 133 women for a year after they submitted to a genetic test to determine which type of diet their body would respond best to.

The test, which involved obtaining a sample from the inside of the women’s cheeks, was able to differentiate those women who would respond well to a low-carb diet versus women who would do better on a low-fat diet. By following the diet that their genes were naturally programmed for, the women were able to lose as much as 2 ½ times the weight of women without the genetic predisposition.

For years scientists have wondered why, when two people strictly follow the same regimented diet, one person would lose weight and one would not. The answer, according to this study, lies in our genes. Knowing which way your body is programmed might mean that dieting will prove more successful for those who diet according to their needs.

Researchers caution that further study with larger groups is necessary, but state the findings from this study had statistical relevance, and the genetic test may provide another weapon in the fight against obesity.

Source: Genes Point to Best Diets

New guidelines for prostate screening state that men aged 50 and older should discuss their risk of prostate cancer with their physician and decide whether the benefits of screening for prostate cancer is greater than the risks. Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in men; in 2009, approximately 27,000 men lost their lives to prostate cancer.

The problem lies in the fact that really effective prostate screening tests have not been developed. At present, prostate screening consists of performing a rectal exam to check for prostate irregularities and a blood test, the PSA, or prostate-specific antigen. The problem with the PSA blood test is that it can yield false-positive results. Many prostate cancers are slow growing and not immediately life-threatening, meaning that men may undergo treatments for prostate cancer that can have potentially devastating side effects, such as impotence and incontinence. The other side of the coin is that not testing may result in some cancers not being diagnosed.

The American Cancer Society is focusing on education, recommending that screening counseling should be provided prior to screening taking place, so that men are aware of the shortcomings of prostate screening, as well as the risks of not screening. The bottom line? Men should be armed with the most current information and should decide for themselves whether or not they should be screened for prostate cancer.

Source: Let men decide on prostate screening, cancer society says

Many people believe that taking aspirin (ASA) daily will help prevent a heart attack or stroke. Is there any validity to the idea that aspirin can be used to prevent cardiovascular disease?

Aspirin is a potent anti-inflammatory and pain killer; almost everyone has taken aspirin for a headache or for other body pains. However, aspirin is also a blood thinner, and it is this property that people who take daily aspirin are hoping to exploit for their own good. Aspirin is often prescribed as a preventative agent for those who have already suffered a heart attack or stroke.

A trial of almost 30,000 people, both men and women, who did not have heart disease was undertaken to determine if aspirin would prevent future heart disease. The result? Aspirin did not prevent cardiovascular disease but did raise the risk of bleeding internally in the stomach, brain or elsewhere.

The conclusion of the study’s authors was that aspirin is effective for the secondary prevention of heart attack and stroke but was not effective in preventing an initial event. The risk of bleeding, although small, outweighs the benefit of taking aspirin daily to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Source: The Benefits of Popping an Aspirin (and Some Risks)

It is estimated that 76 million people in the United States become ill after succumbing to a foodborne illness every year, with 5,000 of these people becoming so sick that they die (CDC, 2009). Alarmed by these numbers? The last few years saw an unprecedented number of foodborne outbreaks. Common culprits were peanuts, lettuce, peppers, spinach, sprouts and seafood.

What can consumers do to protect themselves and their families from foodborne illnesses?

• Don’t buy food that is packaged in damaged containers- damaged containers may be an indication that food has been contaminated, so do not eat food from containers that are dented, cracked, etcetera
• Don’t allow perishable food items to come to room temperature- store perishable items in the refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible after purchase to inhibit bacterial growth
• Don’t allow meat to thaw on the counter- meat should be thawed in the refrigerator or in
• a  microwave
• Do wash hands thoroughly before and after handling food, especially when handling meat
• Do not leave food out at room temperature for greater than 2 hours
• Don’t use a wooden cutting board- use a plastic cutting board that can be immersed in hot, soapy water after use to kill germs
• Do wash all produce carefully
• Do cook meat thoroughly- use a meat thermometer

Following these simple tips can help you and your family to avoid foodborne illnesses and stay healthy.

Source : Foodborne Illness

If you have high cholesterol, you are undoubtedly aware that there are many foods that you should avoid. You may be less aware of foods that can help you lower your cholesterol naturally. The following is the short list of powerful cholesterol-fighting foods:

Soy- the American Heart Association has stated that soy does not significantly reduce LDL cholesterol (although it does slightly reduce it); however, soy has less saturated fat than meat does, so it makes sense that incorporating more soy into your diet can help you reduce your cholesterol.

Oatmeal- oatmeal contains water-soluble fiber, which is thought to bind to cholesterol molecules in the bowel and transport it out, allowing less cholesterol to be absorbed into the blood stream. However, instant oatmeal may contain sugar and other less desirable ingredients, so the oatmeal you prepare yourself is likely better for you.

Fish- Fatty fish, such as tuna, salmon, herring and mackerel, contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which have heart-healthy benefits. When using fish as part of a healthy diet, preparation is the key: fish should be broiled or baked, rather than deep-fried or covered in sauces. You should aim for at least two servings a week.

Nuts- Certain nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts and pistachios, are high in fiber, monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, protein and minerals. An ounce per day can be included in your diet to help lower cholesterol. A note of caution: avoid eating large amounts of nuts that are salt-covered; also, nuts are very high in calories.

Pre-Lipid is an all-natural botanical formulation that can be used in conjunction with a healthy diet to lower your cholesterol naturally and safely.

Having arthritis means coping with some level of pain on a daily basis. Pain can have a significant impact on physical, emotional and social well-being. So what can be done about it? The following are some proven tips for fighting arthritis pain:

Make use of assistive devices- there are many devices on the market that can be used to make life easier and less painful. Examples are devices to open jars, easing stress on painful fingers and hands. Shoe horns can make putting shoes on a lot easier. These are just a couple of examples of things that can simplify everyday life.

Try to engage in some form of exercise- many people suffering from chronic pain may find it hard to fathom, but exercise can actually improve arthritis pain, by strengthening the muscles that support inflamed joints. Exercise also releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers.

Get plenty of rest- fatigue can add to pain, making it more difficult to cope with. When we are tired, we are less able to cope with pain, both emotionally and physically.

Eat a well-balanced diet- A diet enriched with protein, vitamins, minerals will help you to maintain strength and energy, adding to your sense of well-being.

Keep your weight under control- Maintaining a healthy weight will minimize the stress on your joints. Excess weight means more wear-and-tear on your body and can lead to the development of other health problems as well.

Pre-Arthros is a twice-a-day natural formula designed to help reduce arthritis pain and inflammation.

The previous guidelines for acceptable and safe blood sugar levels during pregnancy have been lowered, meaning that more women will be determined to have gestational diabetes than ever before.

The current standards identify women who may be at higher risk of becoming diabetic later in life, but don’t take into account the risks posed to both mother and baby by higher blood sugar levels, such as high birth weight babies, increased incidence of cesarean section, premature birth and preeclampsia, a dangerous condition causing dangerously high blood pressure in pregnant women.

More than 23,000 women from nine different countries were included in a study, with the following levels recommended as the cut-off for diagnosing gestational diabetes:

• Fasting glucose of 92 or greater
• Fasting glucose test of 180 or more after one hour
• Fasting glucose tolerance of 153 after two hours

The study, which appears in the March issue of Diabetes Care, suggests that as a result of the new recommendations, 2 to 3 times as many women will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. It is hoped that the new recommendations will decrease the number of premature births, cesarean sections, high birth weight babies, and incidence of preeclampsia.

Source: Twice as Many Women May Soon Be Diagnosed With Gestational Diabetes

A study presented at the American Stroke Association’s Annual Stroke Conference revealed that women in the age group 45 to 54 were three times as likely as men in the same age group to have suffered a stroke. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted on 2,136 adults aged 35 to 64, found that although men were more likely to have traditional stroke risk factors, women suffered from stroke three times as often as men.

The culprit? Researchers controlled for other factors responsible for causing stroke, such as hypertension, smoking and high cholesterol and discovered that the main difference among men and women of this age group was in waist circumference: 62% of women versus 50% of men had abdominal obesity, which is defined as a waist circumference of more than 35 inches in women and more than 40 inches in men.

It was once thought that women had little chance of suffering a stroke before menopause, but this research seems to negate this theory. Although the relative risk of women suffering a stroke in this age group is still small (3%), the risk is real and women can decrease their risk of suffering a stroke by watching their weight (decreasing their abdominal girth), quitting smoking and eating a healthy diet.

Source: Belly Fat Is Culprit in Stroke Gender Gap

A large study of 1.3 million Swedish women over the age of 50 yielded some startling results: women who gave birth to two children had the lowest risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke later in life, while women who had no children or had one or three children had a 10% higher risk of heart disease or stroke. The risk tripled to 30% for women who had four children and rose to an astonishing 60% higher risk for mothers who had five or more children. Some of the women in the study were followed for as long as 23 years, and existing risk factors for heart disease and stroke were taken into account.

Does the study mean that women should limit the size of their family in order to decrease their future risk of heart disease and stroke? Obviously, this was not the goal of the research project. What the research shows is that there is a correlation between pregnancy and the changes that occur in circulation and blood vessels during pregnancy and the risk of future blood vessel disease, pointing the way to further studies in this area. It may also point to the need for more stringent screening for blood vessel disease in women who have given birth multiple times.

Source: Heart disease risk tied to mom’s number of births