A new study warns that chronic gum disease, which had long been linked to heart attack and stroke, is a risk factor for cancers of the head and neck.
According to the study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, chronic periodontitis, an advanced gum disease determined by progressive loss of bone and soft tissue that surround the teeth, is associated with increased risk of head and neck tumors.
Periodontitis significantly increases the risk of head and neck cancer even in subjects who had never used tobacco and alcohol. With each millimeter of alveolar bone loss, the risk of developing head and neck cancer is reported to increase by more than 4-fold.
Scientists believe that their findings explain the reason for which the rate of head and neck cancer continues to climb despite the considerable decline in smoking rates in the past 40 years.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Drinking tea strengthens bones
Drinking tea not only refreshes your mind but also this ancient drink has beneficial effects on bones, a new study has disclosed.
The Australian study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, revealed tea may help preserve the hip structure in elderly women.
The findings showed that bone mineral density is 2.8% higher in tea drinkers. In addition, during a 4-year period the tea drinkers lost an average of 1.6% of total hip density compared to 4.0% in non-tea drinkers.
Previous studies had also shown that drinking tea was associated with a higher bone mineral density and a reduced risk of hip fracture. Bone mineral density is the second most important risk factor for hip fractures apart from aging.
Lifestyle factors, including dietary intake of calcium, protein, and sodium, affect bone density and the risk for hip fractures.
The Australian study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, revealed tea may help preserve the hip structure in elderly women.
The findings showed that bone mineral density is 2.8% higher in tea drinkers. In addition, during a 4-year period the tea drinkers lost an average of 1.6% of total hip density compared to 4.0% in non-tea drinkers.
Previous studies had also shown that drinking tea was associated with a higher bone mineral density and a reduced risk of hip fracture. Bone mineral density is the second most important risk factor for hip fractures apart from aging.
Lifestyle factors, including dietary intake of calcium, protein, and sodium, affect bone density and the risk for hip fractures.
Green tea tackles colorectal cancer
A recent animal study suggests that polyphenon E, a compound found in green tea extract limits the growth of colorectal tumors in rats.
According to results presented at the Sixth International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention, rats on a diet containing polyphenon E are less likely to develop colon cancer. The study shows polyphenon E decreases the number of malignant tumors per rat and the tumor size.
Findings reveal 67 percent of the rats on a normal diet developed malignant tumors while in the treated group the risk was about 27 percent.
In addition, tea polyphenols decreased the tumors per rat by 80 percent compared to the control group.
It should be noted that at the same conference, black raspberry gel and 'Blueberry Punch' (an antioxidant-boosted beverage) were reported to be effective in treating oral cancer lesions and prostate cancer.
According to results presented at the Sixth International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention, rats on a diet containing polyphenon E are less likely to develop colon cancer. The study shows polyphenon E decreases the number of malignant tumors per rat and the tumor size.
Findings reveal 67 percent of the rats on a normal diet developed malignant tumors while in the treated group the risk was about 27 percent.
In addition, tea polyphenols decreased the tumors per rat by 80 percent compared to the control group.
It should be noted that at the same conference, black raspberry gel and 'Blueberry Punch' (an antioxidant-boosted beverage) were reported to be effective in treating oral cancer lesions and prostate cancer.
Green tea lowers prostate cancer risk
Japanese scientists suggest drinking daily five or more cups of green tea could halve the risk of developing advanced prostate cancer.
According to the article published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, there was a 50 percent lower risk of having advanced prostate cancer in men who drank five or more cups of green tea daily compared with those who had less than a cup.
Findings show while drinking green tea lowers the risk of advanced prostate cancer; it is not associated with localized prostate cancer.
Researchers claim that a substance called catechin in green tea is responsible for reducing cancer risk by curbing testosterone levels which cause prostate cancer.
The study suggests that the lower incidence of prostate cancer in Asians may be linked to the higher consumption of green tea.
Previous studies had reported various health benefits for the green tea catechin including reduced cancer and heart attack risks.
According to the article published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, there was a 50 percent lower risk of having advanced prostate cancer in men who drank five or more cups of green tea daily compared with those who had less than a cup.
Findings show while drinking green tea lowers the risk of advanced prostate cancer; it is not associated with localized prostate cancer.
Researchers claim that a substance called catechin in green tea is responsible for reducing cancer risk by curbing testosterone levels which cause prostate cancer.
The study suggests that the lower incidence of prostate cancer in Asians may be linked to the higher consumption of green tea.
Previous studies had reported various health benefits for the green tea catechin including reduced cancer and heart attack risks.
Scientists say exercise strengthens brain
Scientists say exercise boosts brainpower by building new brain cells in a brain region linked with memory and memory loss.
Researchers have conducted tests on mice and found out exercise affects a part of the brain called dentate gyrus, which is responsible for age-related memory loss.
Later they used magnetic resonance images to figure out the effect of exercise on human. They found similar patterns in human. "Once these findings were established in mice, we were interested in determining how exercise affects the hippocampal cerebral blood volume maps of humans," they wrote.
They, however, could not dissect the brains of people to see if new neurons grew, but they could use MRI to have a peek.
Researchers have conducted tests on mice and found out exercise affects a part of the brain called dentate gyrus, which is responsible for age-related memory loss.
Later they used magnetic resonance images to figure out the effect of exercise on human. They found similar patterns in human. "Once these findings were established in mice, we were interested in determining how exercise affects the hippocampal cerebral blood volume maps of humans," they wrote.
They, however, could not dissect the brains of people to see if new neurons grew, but they could use MRI to have a peek.
Exercise hastens prostate cancer growth
American researchers suggest that exercising is associated with an accelerated tumor growth rate compared to a sedentary lifestyle.
According to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in San Diego, cancerous cells in active mice multiply twice as quickly as in their peers who do not exercise.
Findings showed that exercise speeds up the tumor growth by increasing the blood flow of the prostate gland. Duke University Medical Center scientists recommend prostate cancer patients to continue exercising despite the findings of the present study.
They maintain although exercise may promote tumor growth, it reduces the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and obesity which are the leading causes of several life-threatening complications.
According to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in San Diego, cancerous cells in active mice multiply twice as quickly as in their peers who do not exercise.
Findings showed that exercise speeds up the tumor growth by increasing the blood flow of the prostate gland. Duke University Medical Center scientists recommend prostate cancer patients to continue exercising despite the findings of the present study.
They maintain although exercise may promote tumor growth, it reduces the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and obesity which are the leading causes of several life-threatening complications.
Exercise ups anemia risk in young men
While exercise is believed to be good for health, a new study finds that strenuous physical activity places young men at an increased risk of iron deficiency.
According to the study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, intense physical activity increases the risk of developing anemia (low blood count) as well as iron deficiency in young men.
An intense six-month training program is reported to not only triple the risk of anemia to over 50 percent but also to double the risk of iron deficiency from about 15 to 27 percent.
"Iron deficiency and anemia are generally uncommon findings in healthy male adolescents. However, athletes who engage in strenuous physical activity are known to be at increased risk for so-called 'sports anemia," reported scientists.
Researchers believe drinking sufficient amounts of water is the main reason, which may contribute to the condition through temporarily diluting the blood and subsequently damaging blood cells.
According to the study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, intense physical activity increases the risk of developing anemia (low blood count) as well as iron deficiency in young men.
An intense six-month training program is reported to not only triple the risk of anemia to over 50 percent but also to double the risk of iron deficiency from about 15 to 27 percent.
"Iron deficiency and anemia are generally uncommon findings in healthy male adolescents. However, athletes who engage in strenuous physical activity are known to be at increased risk for so-called 'sports anemia," reported scientists.
Researchers believe drinking sufficient amounts of water is the main reason, which may contribute to the condition through temporarily diluting the blood and subsequently damaging blood cells.
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