PreDisease.com Blog

High-density lipoprotein (HDL), or good cholesterol, acts by carrying cholesterol out of the body. It does this by binding with cholesterol in the intestines so that it is excreted as waste. For this reason, having higher levels of HDL can mean a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

HDL also exerts its protective effects by:

• increasing blood vessel’s ability to expand, or stretch
• reducing the production of harmful chemicals which can damage blood vessels
• repairing existing damage to the walls of blood vessels

Research has shown that the protective effects of HDL are not as evident in people who have diabetes. Researchers compared 10 healthy people with 33 people who had diabetes and who were taking cholesterol-lowering medications and found that the protective benefits of HDL in the diabetic patients were not as effective.

Although this was a very small study, the research shows a possible reason why people with diabetes are also more prone to cardiovascular disease, besides that fact that diabetics often have lifestyle risk factors for heart disease.

Source: Good Cholesterol Not As Protective In People With Type 2 Diabetes

It is a well-known fact that people with the condition known as prediabetes can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a condition in which fasting blood sugar levels and glucose tolerance test levels are elevated but are still within “normal” range, by modifying risk factors such as weight, diet and exercise.

A new study from researchers at the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) found that almost 30% of Americans over the age of 20 had prediabetes, but only a small percentage of these individuals (7.3%) were aware that they had the condition and less than half of these had had their blood tests repeated in the previous three years.

Those with prediabetes were more likely to:

• be male
• older in age
• have a first-generation family member with type 2 diabetes
• be overweight
• have high blood pressure and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease

The take-home message of the research is that there needs to be an increased awareness of what prediabetes is and greater measures to prevent diabetes from developing, including greater promotion and support of healthy lifestyle choices.

PreCrea is a twice-a-day botanical formula designed to help reduce blood sugar levels and promote weight loss.

Source: Diabetes Risk Reduction Behaviors Among U.S. Adults With Prediabetes, Geiss et al, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, April 2010

Spring is upon us, and with the reemergence of the sun and longer days comes unhealthy behavior that can increase your risk of skin cancer. Many people mistakenly believe that tanning is safe in small doses, despite evidence to the contrary.

Essentially, a tan is the result of damage to the skin. Exposure to ultraviolet light results in the darker colororation of the skin that many people seek, believing that they appear healthier or more attractive when they have a tanned appearance. The reality is that a tan is the result of damage, and damage to cellular DNA may result in melanoma or other skin cancers. Tanning beds are believed by many to be safer than the sun, a belief that is false according to cancer experts. There has been much controversy over the past few years, with tanning bed owners vigorously defending their product while scientists refute the claim that tanning beds are safe to use.

To lower the risk of skin cancer, you should avoid the sun as much as possible. If you plan to be in the sun, you should use an approved sunscreen with an SPF (sun protective factor) of at least 30. Cover your skin as much as possible, and wear a hat to shield both your head and your eyes. Children should have sunscreen applied by a responsible adult and should have sunscreen reapplied if they enter water. Using these simple measures can help you avoid both skin cancer and premature aging of the skin, which is accelerated by sun exposure.

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.