Copenhagen researchers followed 47,769 people diagnosed with cancer before age 20 between 1943 and 2005 and found them three times likelier than their peers to develop a new cancer, a risk persisting into their seventies. Lead author Jorgen Olsen blames the treatments, not genetics.
Food Consumer
Chemical
BPA hazards ringing alarm bells
The FDA has still issued no verdict on BPA in food containers, a spokeswoman said, even as cities, states and countries ban it and studies link it to cancers, diabetes and heart disease. Regulators in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan call current exposure no immediate risk.
Lifestyle
Longer, slower walks most beneficial for heart health
In a Circulation study, 74 coronary patients assigned to walk 45 to 60 minutes 5 to 6 days a week lost 18 pounds, against 8 in standard rehab, and gained in cardiac function, fat loss, insulin sensitivity, blood pressure and cholesterol.
Miscellaneous
13-year-old Hauser back home for cancer treatment
Daniel Hauser, 13, and his mother flew home to New Ulm, Minnesota at 3 a.m. Monday after fleeing court-ordered chemotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma. The court holds legal custody, arrest warrants are to be lifted, and their attorney says his mother will abide by the court.
Diet
DASH diet leads to healthy heart
Following more than 36,000 Swedish women for seven years, researchers found those whose eating most resembled the DASH plan had heart failure rates 37 percent lower than the bottom quarter. The top tenth had half the rate of the lowest scorers; 443 women developed heart failure.
Lifestyle
Exercise doesn’t boost metabolism long
Research by Dr. Edward Melanson at the University of Colorado found that moderate exercise of under an hour has little effect on 24-hour fat oxidation. If you replace the calories you burn, he said, you are no better off for fat loss than if you had not exercised at all.
Vitamins
Vitamin D: A “Legal” Performance Enhancing Substance?
Citing an American College of Sports Medicine statement, the article reports that activated vitamin D acts as a hormone regulating over 1,000 genes, including in muscle and nerve, and that studies since the 1950s tie musculoskeletal performance to vitamin D levels, peaking with summer sun.
Drug
How Safe Is Your Asthma Medication?
Robert Davidson, a former clinical research subinvestigator at a Tucson allergy clinic, alleges trials of seven approved asthma and allergy drugs were corrupted by protocol violations and falsification, with unsuitable patients enrolled and staff unblinding studies.
Disease
Gum disease linked to heart attacks
University of Kiel researchers found a gene on chromosome 9 in both 1,097 heart disease patients and 151 gum disease patients, which they say shows how the two conditions are linked. Study leader Arne Schaefer urges people with periodontitis to seek treatment early.
Vitamins
High vitamin D linked to better cognitive function in old people
A Manchester study of 3,000 European men found those with more vitamin D in their blood did better on cognitive and social tests, with results published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. An earlier study of 900 people tied higher levels to better physical performance.
Food
Astaxanthin: Algae’s Little Miracle Nutrient
Naturalnews.com compiled studies crediting astaxanthin, a carotenoid from microalgae, with fighting wrinkles, easing inflammation and absorbing free radicals that damage mitochondria. It also crosses the blood-brain barrier, protecting neurons in Japanese experiments.
Vitamins
Vitamin K helps strengthen bones
A Nutrition Research review of seven trials in postmenopausal women found high doses of vitamins K1 and K2 raised bone mineral density only moderately yet reduced clinical fractures. Women took 200 micrograms to 5 milligrams of K1 daily, or 45 milligrams of K2, for two years or more.
Minerals
Is calcium supplementation effective?
Dr. Robert Thompson argues calcium supplements create a mineral imbalance that can lower bone density. A Women's Health Initiative study of 36,282 women found only a 1 percent hip gain; lead author Elizabeth Nabel still recommends continuing, while others cite kidney stone risk.
Cooking
Healthy Recipes: Honeydew-Kiwi Smoothies
A smoothie of frozen honeydew, kiwi, lime juice and agave nectar, offered as an alternative to handing kids a sports drink or soda. Makes two servings at 120 calories, and is an excellent source of vitamin C and potassium.
Lifestyle
Is detoxing necessary to a healthy lifestyle?
Mintel counted 54 new detox products in 2008. The Cleveland Clinic's Tanya Edwards says changing your diet accomplishes the same thing far less drastically, and a Navy internist quoted here calls the industry close to fraud; most regimens act as laxatives.
Miscellaneous
Health - Happiness Link found
A University of Kansas and Gallup World Poll study of more than 150,000 adults in over 140 countries found positive emotions tracked with better physical health even among people whose basic needs were unmet. Ireland ranked most optimistic; the United States came 10th.
Chemical
Arsenic in well water higher than thought
A US Geological Survey sampling of 2,100 private wells in 48 states found more than 20 percent held at least one contaminant of potential health concern, most often radon or arsenic. Private wells supply about 43 million Americans and are not federally regulated.
Chemical
Hexane ignites soy controversy
An investigation by Cornucopia and Natural News reports that soybeans are bathed in hexane, a volatile gasoline by-product, during processing, leaving residues never tested for toxicity. Two processing plant hexane accidents injured 11 people and killed two workers.
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