Saturday, May 26, 2012

Obesity Not Always Cause Heart Disease

Obesity has been frequently associated with an increased risk of death and other cardiovascular health problems. But the scientists in the UK in the latest findings said that obese people do not always have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death.

"They are truly at risk are individuals who have obesity in combination with poor metabolic health," said Mark Hamer, a researcher from University College London.

"People with good metabolic health is not at risk of heart disease later in life - even if they are obese," said Hamer.

Meanwhile, those who are not obese but have poor metabolic health conditions, had the same risk as those with obesity is not healthy, the researchers concluded.

The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism is based on the results of a study of more than 22,000 middle-aged participants, who took part in a national health study in England and Scotland. The researchers concluded that metabolic factors may be more important in predicting whether a person's risk of cardiovascular disease or not, rather than being overweight itself.

"We encourage people with obesity to lose weight for their health. But some provision should be made about how the way we look for people at risk of metabolic disorders," says Hamer.

Adults who have a body mass index (BMI) 30 or higher categorized as obese. Said to nomal when body mass index 18.5 and 24.9 whereas a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight.

Over the past 20 years, obesity has increased significantly in the United States. More than a third of American adults are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Poor metabolic health

In his latest research, Hamer and his colleagues collected data related among body mass index (BMI) and metabolic profile. Each participant was observed for an average of seven years. Then see how many participants who died during the study and find out what caused it.

Researchers say that none of the participants had cardiovascular disease at baseline. Nearly a quarter of participants were obese, and nearly a quarter of them are considered "metabolically healthy obese" - which means they have normal blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar normal awake.

During the study period, more than 600 participants died from heart panyakit and 1,800 from other causes. The findings showed that those who are obese but not good metabolism at greater risk of dying from heart disease. But those who are obese but metabolically poor health have 59 percent and 64 percent increased risk of death from heart disease compared with healthy participants without obesity.

Among those who were not obese and metabolically unhealthy, have high levels of hypertension and inflammation are higher - comparable to an unhealthy obese participants.

Researchers say the results of this study taking into account other relevant factors such as participant age, gender, smoking, physical activity and socioeconomic status.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Foods as a Source of Good Cholesterol

Poor perception often comes when a person hears the word fat. Fat is not always bad for the body. After all, the consumption of fat is still needed as an energy source.

Types of fats in foods such as trans fats, hydrogenated oils, saturated fats and some tropical oils, can cause imbalances, chronic inflammation and disease. This type of fat that should be avoided.

While olive oil, nuts, grains and oil seeds, unprocessed vegetable oils and non-hydrogenated oils are the best choice of fat you should consume each day.

Here is a source of food that can raise levels of good cholesterol (HDL) in your body:

1. Avocado

Avocado is a fruit that has a high content of fat. But you need not worry, because in addition to the tasty fruit, avocados have the good fats (HDL). The content of lutein in avocados is believed to help improve the quality of eye health and chlorophyll content is a source of antioxidants.

2. Virgin coconut oil

Coconut oil may be the best choice as a healthy dessert menu. Although the use of palm oil continues to be studied, but the benefits have been recognized as a potent anti-bacterial, rich in vitamin C and E and iron. Some research even indicates, coconut oil can help weight management, because it reduces stress on the endocrine system.

3. Fish

Some types of fish contain fat that is good for Health Care. Salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel and tuna are the types of fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids. Fats in fish are needed to help the growth, development of brain function, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Omega-3 fatty acids can also be found in marine plants such as krill, algae, some plants and nut oils. Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce bad cholesterol (LDL), increase good cholesterol (HDL), reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is a type of omega-3 fatty acids which are found in fish oil to reduce the risk of abnormal heart rhythms that cause sudden death and heart disease, according to a study at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

4. Beans or legumes


Nuts are a source of nutrients that protect your health. People who eat nuts regularly lower risk of dying from heart attacks and strokes than those who ate little, according to a study at the Harvard School of Public Health. Agency for Food and Drug Administration, United States (FDA) even claimed, "eat-food that includes one ounce of nuts every day can reduce the risk of heart disease."

Most types of nuts mengandungan levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) is low and can increase good cholesterol. Walnuts, for example, contains omega-3 fatty acids that protect you from the deadly abnormal heart rhythm and blood clotting. Some examples of types of nuts that contain omega 3 is peanuts, red beans, almonds and walnuts.

Folic Acid Reduce Risk of Cancer in Children

One more proof of the importance of folic acid for pregnant women and fetuses. A latest research indicates, the consumption of fortified foods or fortified folic acid can reduce the incidence of kidney cancer and brain tumors in children.

Thus the results of the study Kimberly J. Johnson, PhD, assistant professor at Brown School, Washington University, St. Louis, and Amy Linabery, PhD, a graduate student at the University of Minnesota.

Reduction in cancer risk, especially on the type of Wilms tumor (a type of kidney cancer), and primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of brain cancers.

Since 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has mandated the fortification of foods with folic acid because previous research suggests that prenatal consumption of folic acid significantly reduced the incidence of neural tube defects in babies.

"Our study is the largest to date to suggest that folic acid fortification can also lower the incidence of some types of childhood cancer in the United States," said Johnson.

"We found that there was an increase in cases of Wilms tumor (kidney cancer) in 1986-1997, but subsequently declined. Decline is apparently coincided exactly with folic acid fortification," he explained

Whereas in the case of PNET (brain cancer) also decreased after the year 1986-1993 has increased. Changes in the trend does not coincide exactly with folic acid fortification, but it coincided with the introduction of a recommendation in 1992 for women of childbearing age to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.

In his study researchers used data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Results Program (SEER) since 1986-2008. The data includes information about cancer cases in the various fields in the U.S. since 1973. The study involved 8829 children, from birth to age four years was diagnosed with cancer.

"There is a decrease in Wilms tumor and PNET in children detected by the analysis of some data. Most importantly, the pace of decline in Wilms tumor is found in a small study conducted in Ontario, Canada, published in 2011," said Johnson.

"Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to rule out other explanations," he added.

Johnson noted that one concern is facing a country to decide whether or not to enrich foods with folic acid to reduce neural tube defects in newborns. The reason is there is a possibility that fortification can cause unwanted damage, such as causing a new cancer or pre-cancerous.

"Here (in this finding), we show that folic acid fortification would not increase the incidence of cancer in children, which is good news," he said.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Calcium is important for bones, but do not too much

To strengthen bones, the consumption of foods and supplements that contain calcium is very important. But in fact one study found that calcium supplements may increase the risk of heart attack.

Research of the Swiss scientist who published in the British journal Heart that 24,000 people watched participants in terms of nutrition and cancer study in Europe for over 11 years. The result, though no increase in the number of cases of heart disease in the overall population, but there are some participants who were taking calcium supplements in large quantities and the researchers found an increase in cases of heart attacks in the group of participants.

Previously, many studies that raise concerns related to excessive consumption of calcium supplements may lead to heart disease because heart disease can be caused by a buildup of calcium in the arteries. However, a number of studies related to this issue led to different conclusions.

It's just that all these studies agree and have no doubt that calcium is actually consumed in the right amount is good for bone health, but if there's too much, of course given the risk of heart disease, kidney stones and other health problems.

"Many people think the more the better, but in this case more is not better," commented Dr. Ether Siris of New York-Presbyterian Columbia as reported by MSNBC, Thursday (24/05/2012).

Getting the right amount of calcium intake is a challenge for everyone. All this has been recommended that adults consume 1000 mg of calcium per day and women over 50 years need to consume 1200 mg per day. But no one ever claimed that adults over 50 years of age should consume more than 2000 mg per day.

In reality, it's easy to consume excessive calcium because 22 percent of the adult population in the United States himself admitted regularly taking calcium supplements.

In addition to supplements, foods that contain calcium such as milk, cheese and yogurt can also be an alternative. The amount of calcium three types of food itself is more than 300 mg. Even some types of cereals contain up to 1000 mg of calcium per serving.

Even so for bone health, people do need calcium, including in the form of supplements, it's just advised not to consume excessive amounts

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Threat Bacteria C. Diff in America Malignant

Populations of bacteria Clostridium difficile, known as C. Diff is increasing and causing a lot of people are infected. This bacterium usually attacks the elderly, but recently, many children in America who are also suffering from a bacterial infection C. Diff.

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic found that cases of bacterial infection due to C. Diff in children that occurred in 2004-2009 was 12 times higher than in the case between 1991-1997.

"It has been believed that patients with bacterial infections caused by C. difficile is the older patients, antibiotics drinkers, and people who work in hospitals." Said Sahil Khanna, MBBS, researchers from the Mayo Clinic Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, as reported from huffingtonpost, Thursday (5/24/2012).

C. diff has always been known as an infection experienced by older people in hospitals or in people who use antibiotics for long period of time. But recently, someone younger, healthier and do not work in a hospital can be infected with bacteria even C. Diff.

Symptoms of infection C. diff including diarrhea and abdominal cramps, but if the infection worsens, symptoms can include dehydration, fever, bloody stools and weight loss.

Research on this subject were presented at Digestive Disease Week 2012.

To avoid bacterial infection C. diff, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends to perform the following steps:

1. Washing hands with soap and water regularly

2. Disinfection when you make contact with people with infectious C. diff

3. Wash clothes that may have been in contact with feces

4. Avoid the use of antibiotics unless recommended by a physician

5. Use disposable gloves around people who are infected with C. diff.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Types of Cancer The Most Deadly and Difficult Healed

You know cancer? This disease is one of the world's number one killer. There are over 100 different types of cancer and a variety of causes, ranging from radiation, chemicals, until the virus. But from various causes, there is one thing that is always the same. Cancer is characterized by abnormal cell growth. Cancer are the most deadly and difficult to cure what?


According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cancer is the number two cause of death in the United States after heart disease. Even when it was diagnosed early and dealt with cutting-edge treatments, the cancer still has the power to kill.

Indeed there have been many successful treatments today and not find some twenty years ago. But the treatment of cancer still remains elusive due to many factors.

Cancer cell growth remains unpredictable and still mysterious in some cases. In fact, after going through an apparently effective treatment, cancer cells are able to hide in some patients and reappears.

Approximately U.S. $ 200 billion (approximately USD 1800 billion) was spent in cancer research since the early 1970's. Survival for all cancer patients in the U.S. also has increased from about 50% in the 1970s to reach 65% at this time.

"We will not be able to achieve progress it is today if the health sciences are not funded. The basis of science teaches us about the mechanisms and effectiveness of drugs. We take that information and apply it to the clinic to find out whether the new ways it's successful in treating cancer, "said Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society as reported myhealthnewsdaily.com, Thursday (01/26/2012).

Here are 10 types of cancer that claimed the lives of most of the year 2003 to 2007 according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI):

1. Lung cancer and bronchial

Lung cancer and bronchial cancer is the number one killer in the United States. Smoking and using tobacco products is the main cause. This cancer is most common in people aged 55-65 years.

There are two main types of cancer: cancer of the lung cells of the most common, and small lung cell cancer spreads faster. More than 157,000 people are estimated to die from lung cancer and bronchial in 2010.

2. Colon and rectum cancer

Colon cancer tissue grows in the colon, whereas rectal cancer grows in a few inches in the large intestine near the anus. Most cases start with a small blob of cells or the benign polyps and from time to time to grow into cancer.

Inspection is highly recommended to find polyps before they turn into cancer. Colorectal cancer is estimated to kill more than 51,000 people in 2010.

3. Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the second most popular in the United States after skin cancer. This cancer can also strike men. There are nearly 2,000 cases of breast cancer in men between 2003 and 2008.

Cancer cells usually form in the ducts that drain milk to the nipple or the glands that produce milk. Nearly 40,000 people are estimated to die from breast cancer in 2010.

4. Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer appears in the pancreatic tissue that help digestion and regulate metabolism. Early detection and treatment are often difficult because secretly and quickly spread. Pancreatic cancer claimed an estimated 37,000 lives in 2010.

5. Prostate Cancer
This cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men after a second lung cancer and bronchial. Prostate cancer usually starts to grow slowly in the prostate gland, the gland that produces seminal fluid to transport sperm.

Some types of cancer is still confined to the prostate gland, and is more easily treated. But other types are more aggressive and spread more rapidly. Prostate cancer is estimated to kill about 32,000 people in 2010.

6. Leukemia
There are many types of leukemia or blood cancer, and all of them attacking the body's blood-forming tissue such as bone marrow and lymphatic system. Blood cancer resulting in the overproduction of abnormal white blood cells.

Types of leukemia are classified by how fast the cells spread and anything that is affected. This type of acute myelogenous leukemia is the most ferocious and killed 41,714 people in 2003 to 2007. Nearly 22,000 people are expected to die from leukemia in 2010.

7. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
This cancer attacks the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cells and is characterized by swollen lymph glands, fever and lost weight.

There are several types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and categorized based on the growth rate and type of lymphocytes affected. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is more deadly than Hodgkin's lymphoma and is thought to have killed more than 20,000 people in 2010.

8. Liver cancer and intrahepatic bile ducts
Liver cancer is one of the most common form of cancer worldwide, but rare in the United States.

This cancer is closely related to intrahepatic bile duct cancer that attacks the ducts that carry bile from the liver into the small intestine. Nearly 19,000 Americans are estimated to die from Kaner liver and intrahepatic bile ducts in 2010.

9. Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women of four numbers between 2003 and 2007. The average age of women diagnosed with this cancer is 63 years old. This cancer is more easily treated but more difficult to detect at an early stage.

Symptoms include abdominal discomfort, urgency to urinate and pelvic pain. Nearly 14,000 women estimated to die from ovarian cancer in 2010.

10. Esophageal cancer
This cancer begins in cells lining the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach, and usually occurs at the bottom of the esophagus.

Men are more likely to die than women due to esophageal cancer between 2003 and 2007. This cancer is estimated to kill 14,500 people in 2010.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Types of Food Efficacious for Men

Body fit and healthy is everyone's dream. To make it happen, it takes a strong commitment, healthy lifestyles and quality of nutrition derived from the food you consume.

Special for the men, it helps to know the kinds of nutritious foods and nutritious for your body. Below, there are several common types of food you consume, but some may have never known before. But there's nothing wrong, you try to eat them for health:

1. Bit

Bulbs that this one has a very sweet taste than other vegetables. The dark red fruit contains a lot of sugar in layers of rough skin. Why bit healthy? Like spinach, beets rich in folate and betaine. Two types of these nutrients can reduce levels of homocysteine ​​in your blood vessels.

Homocysteine ​​is a compound in the blood that can damage arteries and increase the risk of heart disease. The content of natural pigments - called betacyanins - in bits is a natural cancer prevention.

2. Cabbage / cabbage


Who does not know this vegetable. One cup of chopped cabbage contains 22 calories and a number of other important nutrients. Call it sulforaphane, a chemical that can increase the production of enzymes in the body that inhibit the cell damage caused by free radicals and reduce the risk of cancer. The experts at Stanford University stated, sulforaphane can increase the production of an enzyme inhibitor of cancer is more effective than other chemical compounds contained in vegetables.

3. Guava

Guava or Guava is a tropical fruit that has a complicated structure of acid. The sweet taste of this fruit will taste when you bite the middle. Guava rich in lycopene, a type of antioxidant that can cope with prostate cancer. A cup of Guava juice contains 688 milligrams of potassium, or 63 percent more than that found in bananas. Guava is also known as high-fiber foods. There are about 9 grams of fiber in a glass of Guava.

4. Swiss chard

A half cup of cooked Swiss chard contains 10 mg each of lutein and zeaxanthin. According to Harvard scientists, these two compounds - also known as carotenoids - may protect the retina from damage due to aging. Two of these nutrients, which is actually a pigment, will accumulate in the retina, which used to absorb various types of short-wave rays that could potentially damage the eye. Therefore, the more lutein and zeaxanthin are consumed, the better protection of your eyes.

5. Cinnamon


Cinnamon can help you control your blood pressure, which would affect the risk of heart disease. In fact, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) states, people with type 2 diabetes who consumed 1 gram of cinnamon daily for six weeks (about 1 / 4 teaspoon daily) significantly decreased blood sugar levels, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol. Cinnamon contains methylhydroxychalcone polymers, which can increase the body's cells ability to metabolize sugar by up to 20 times.

6. Purslane

Purslane or purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is one of the weeds that grow in plantations chili. Weeds are known as nutritious crops in several countries such as China, Mexico and Greece. In Indonesia purslane is also known to have utility as a refresher, a tonic on the state of fatigue or a substitute for ginseng

According to experts at the University of Texas at San Antonio, purslane contained in omega-3 is very good for heart health. The scientists also reported, purslane contain melatonin - a type of antioxidants can prevent cancer growth - 10 to 20 times more than any other fruit or vegetable.

7. Pomegranate juice


For years known as the pomegranate juice drink, especially popular in the Middle East region. Israeli scientists reveal that men who drank 2 ounces (about 60 ml) of pomegranate juice every day for a year decreased systolic pressure by 21 percent. These habits also improve the blood circulation system. Get used to drink 4 ounces of pomegranate juice because it can meet 50 percent of vitamin C your body eraser day.

8. Gojiberri or wolfberry fruit

Because it tastes sweet, herbal red lights since long been used as a nutritious ingredient that can be added to the dishes of boiled meat, chicken or seafood.

Wolfberry fruits contain beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin B1 and B2, beta-sitosterol (an anti-inflammatory), linoneat acid, and other useful materials. Based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, wolfberry efficacious strengthen blood circulation, strengthen the kidneys and liver and provide moisture to the lungs. Wolfberry is often used to treat diseases "consumptive" marked by a sense of thirst (as in diabetes and tuberculosis), mengarasi dizziness, blurred vision, lack of clear vision and chronic cough.

9. Fruit Plums


This fruit contains neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acid, a type of antioxidant that is effective against "superoxide anion radical." Types of free radicals can cause damage to cells, especially that caused cancer.

10. Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds may be the most bernutirisi part in the flask. By eating pumpkin seeds, your body needs magnesium to be fulfilled. This is important because French scientists recently found men with high levels of magnesium in their blood have a tendency to 40 percent lower risk of early death, than men with low levels of magnesium. Men should consume an average of 353 mg of this mineral every day, while the USDA recommends at least 420 mg.