- - European weblog on food, health and environment
News - week 48 - 2007
Video - GMO Trilogy - Hidden
Dangers in Kids’ Meals: Genetically Engineered Foods
Eating GM foods is a health risk
JOHN Brumby's announcement to allow
genetically modified (GM) foods to grow in Victoria threatens more than just the income of
Australia's farmers and food companies. There is irrefutable evidence that GM foods are
unsafe to eat.
Troxler's diet is simple. It's based on
low-fat, low-glycemic foods, which he said leaves people feeling full without the large
amounts of sugar and fat other foods contain.
Dr. Troxler has invested hundreds of hours
educating others about this Slow Starch Diet, also known as the Low Glycemic Index Diet.
His lectures are designed to teach people how to eat low-glycemic index foods. Glycemic
Index is a measure of how fast the starch we eat changes into blood sugar. Slow starch has
a low glycemic index and causes only a slow rise in blood sugar.
Go watch most any team in the world
practice and I guarantee you that somewhere on deck you’ll see the telltale sign of
swimmers with breathing issues. The telltale sign is, naturally, the inhaler sitting on
deck amongst pull buoys, paddles, fins, and mesh bags.
Aspartame Research Needed, Not
Coca-Cola Soft Sell
The Soil & Health Association is
calling for open and independent research into how widespread the effects of the
artificial sweetener aspartame are on the health and well-being of New Zealanders,
following last week's admission by the Ministry of Health that there were links to adverse
effects.
University of Pennsylvania study
reveals inconspicuous hosts
in the Lyme disease epidemic
A study led by a University of Pennsylvania
biologist in the tick-infested woods of the Hudson Valley is challenging the widely held
belief that mice are the main animal reservoir for Lyme disease in the US.
New treatment for age-related
macular degeneration within sight
With 8 million people at high risk for
advanced age-related macular degeneration, researchers from Harvard and Japan discovered
that the experimental drug, endostatin, may be the cure. A research report published in
the December 2007 issue of The FASEB Journal, describes how giving endostatin to mice
significantly reduced or eliminated abnormal blood vessel growth within the eye, which is
ultimately why the disease causes blindness.
New research discredits $100B
global warming 'fix'
Scientists have revealed an important
discovery that raises doubts concerning the viability of plans to fertilize the ocean to
solve global warming, a projected $100 billion venture. According to Dr. Michael Lutz at
UM's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, ocean fertilization schemes,
which resemble an artificial summer, may not remove as much carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere as has been suggested, because they ignore important natural processes.
McGill researchers link enzyme to
breast cancer malignancy
McGill University researchers have
uncovered the crucial role played by the enzyme focal adhesion kinase in the onset of
breast cancer. The research, led by Dr. William Muller -- along with colleagues from
McGill and the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research in Scotland -- was published the week
of November 26 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study's first
author is Dr. Hicham Lahlou, a post-doctoral fellow in Dr. Muller's lab.
Eczema sufferers test out benefits
of water softeners
In the very first trial of its kind in the
world over 300 families are being recruited to find out if water softeners can help in the
treatment of childhood eczema.
Antibody responses in patients with
Lyme arthritis
Findings indicate that joint inflammation
persists in patients with antibiotic-refractory Lyme arthritis after the disease-spreading
spirochetes have been killed.
Growth of CT scan use may lead to
significant public health problem
In an article in The New England Journal of
Medicine, David J. Brenner, Ph.D., and Eric J. Hall, Ph.D., from the Center for
Radiological Research at Columbia University Medical Center, argue that the potential
carcinogenic effects from using CT scans may be underestimated or overlooked. This is of
particular concern, because perhaps one-third of all CT scans performed in the United
States may not be medically necessary, the radiation researchers say.
Exercise may play role in reducing
inflammation in damaged skin tissue
A new study points to yet another reason
for people to remain physically active as they age: A link between moderate exercise and
decreased inflammation of damaged skin tissue.
A diet that includes plenty of fish,
omega-3 rich oils, fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's
disease, while high intake of omega-6 rich oils may boost the risk of developing
memory problems, say French researchers. They looked at the diets of 8,085 people
older than 65 who did not have dementia at the start of the study. Over the following four
years, 183 of the participants developed Alzheimer's disease, and 98 developed another
form of dementia. People who regularly consumed omega-3 rich oils, such as canola,
flaxseed, and walnut oil, were 60 percent less likely to develop dementia than those who
did not regularly consume such oils. The study also found that regular consumption of
fruits and vegetables lowered dementia risk by 30 percent. The study is published in the
Nov. 13 issue of The Journal of Neurology.
New mammography technology improves cancer detection
A new radiological diagnostic tool called
stereo mammography allows clinicians to detect more lesions and could significantly reduce
the number of women who are recalled for additional tests following routine screening
mammography. The findings from a clinical trial underway at Emory University were
presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America held in
Chicago. 0
UC Davis researchers
identify a cellular pathway that makes prostate cancer fatal
Expanding evidence that tiny strands of RNA
-- called microRNAs -- play big roles in the progress of some cancers, UC Davis
researchers have identified one that helps jump start prostate cancer cell growth midway
through the disease process, eventually causing it to become fatal.
Video: Hypoglycemia - Understanding
the risks of low blood sugar
Predicting risk of hip
fracture in postmenopausal women
To help doctors predict the five-year risk
of hip fractures in their postmenopausal patients, a team of UC Davis researchers has
developed a method that assesses nearly a dozen factors, including age, ethnicity and
level of physical activity. Working with data from tens of thousands of women who
participated in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), UC Davis professor of medicine
and internist John Robbins and his colleagues evaluated the clinical risk factors
associated with hip fractures in women and created a process that they say could be useful
in making decisions about screening and the use of medications for osteoporosis.
UC Davis researchers find evidence of mature heart cell potential
in embryonic stem cells
In a new study, UC Davis researchers report
the first functional evidence that heart cells derived from human embryonic stem cells
exhibit one of the most critical properties of mature adult heart cells, an important
biological process called excitation-contraction coupling.The finding gives scientists
hope that these cells can one day be coaxed into becoming functionally viable cells safe
for transplantation into the damaged hearts of patients with end-stage disease,
potentially avoiding the necessity of a heart transplant. Currently, there are nearly
3,000 people on heart transplant lists around the nation, including more than 300 in
California.
UC Davis researchers
discover novel pathway to increased inflammation in diabetes patients
Researchers at UC Davis Health System have
discovered a novel pathway that results in increased inflammation of blood vessels in
patients with type 1 diabetes.
Treating your periodontal
pockets may benefit your pocket book
A new study in the November issue of the
Journal of Periodontology found that prevention of periodontal diseases may lead to
savings on not only dental costs, but also medical care costs. Periodontal, or gum
diseases have been linked to systemic health conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular
disease and respiratory problems.
Expecting Mothers Should
“Brush Up” on Their Oral Hygiene Routine
Researchers have long speculated that women
with periodontal diseases may have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. One
study of 3,576 Turkish women found that those with periodontal disease were at a greater
risk for having a low birth weight and preterm birth babies than those without periodontal
disease. In addition, a second study found that nonsurgical treatments for periodontal
disease can actually reduce a woman’s risk for delivering preterm. “Our study
found that treating a woman’s periodontal disease decreased her chances of having her
baby early by almost 50%,” explained study author Fouzia Tarannum, BDS, M.R. Ambedkar
Dental College and Hospital, India. “Our research suggests that treatment of
periodontal diseases can help the health of the mother and her baby.”
Joe Camel may be long gone, but that
doesn't mean tobacco marketers have abandoned their efforts to get young people hooked on
smoking. A new Canadian study reports that tobacco marketers have found a way around
tobacco advertising restrictions, reaching teens by marketing in retail shops located near
high schools. The findings, published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health, suggest
the strategy is working.
Insulin regulates the
secretion of the antiaging hormome Klotho
Dr. Carmela Abraham, a professor of
biochemistry and medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, reports this week in
the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences new findings on Klotho, an antiaging
gene that is associated with life span extension in rodents and humans. Dr. Abraham's
interest in Klotho stems from her studies comparing the expression of genes in young and
old brains.
Herbal Tonic Recipe for
Prostate Cancer and Prevention
Nearly a quarter-million American men each
year are diagnosed with prostate cancer and many more are diagnosed with BPH or
Prostatitis; an inflammation of the prostate. Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostatic
Hyperplasia (BPH) used to be diseases of old age and was usually diagnosed around the age
of 80. Today, prostate cancer is now being diagnosed in men as young as 55.
Natural medicine found in
black raspberries found to effectively kill leukemia cells
A naturally occurring antioxidant found in
fruits and vegetables selectively kills leukemia cells without harming healthy cells,
according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
published their findings online in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. The findings
promise an effective, nontoxic approach to treating leukemia.
GlaxoSmithKline reportedly
threatened diabetes expert over Avandia warnings
A diabetes expert has claimed that
pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline threatened him with legal action after he raised
concerns about the safety of the company's anti-diabetes drug rosiglitazone, marketed as
Avandia.
Water is absolutely required for health.
Water is the beginning of life and without it, we would die very quickly. A French medical
doctor, specialising in immunology, has discovered something truly fascinating about
water. Dr. Jacques Benveniste has discovered certain scientific properties of water. These
properties cannot be explained by conventional physics. He calls this particular brand of
science digital biology. And to note: other scientists have duplicated his experiments.
A new study published in the October 2007
Lancet by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, concludes
that influenza vaccinations in the US have prevented fewer deaths than indicated by
previous research (Arch Intern Med 2005; 165: 265–72).
Consumers in Europe: survey on
services provided to EU citizens
A new publication released today by the
Directorate General of Health and Consumer Protection (DG SANCO) and the Statistical
Office of the European Communities (ESTAT), has collected comprehensive data on services
of general interest that play a central role in the economic and social lives of European
consumers. The data covers services such as energy, transport, electricity,
telecommunications, Internet, postal services and banking services. The analysis covers
the perception of consumers regarding the affordability and quality of the services. This
new approach of compiling all the different sector studies into one report, this provides
a more complete picture of the overall level of satisfaction of EU citizens with regard to
services of general interest. At the same time, sector-specific data is highlighted in
each section, for example two thirds of citizens consider electricity affordable while the
remaining third does not; 26% of citizens also believe that their interests regarding
electricity supply are not well protected; 38% of EU citizens highlighted the practical
difficulties in switching from one mobile operator to a different one.
The popularity of complementary and
alternative medicine (CAM) is undeniable. For human patients with cancer, the usage rate
is well over 50%.1 The attraction of these approaches is multifaceted; they are often
widely available, non-prescription, comforting, and “natural”. They may even
come with a claim to cure or halt the progression of cancer2 3 4. However, “There is
not a single alternative (rather than mainstream) intervention that has been demonstrated
to constitute an effective cure for cancer.”5 Nevertheless, health care professionals
are recognizing that it is important to remain open and informed about CAM. “It is no
longer acceptable to patients for physicians to label all of these alleged treatments as
ludicrous and unfounded. Medical professionals must be able to converse intelligently
about them with patients and learn not to denigrate out of hand those who utilize
alternative and complementary techniques, as long as they are safe.
In his dissertation Ramses Kemperman
describes his research on micronutrient deficiencies in schizophrenia, the role of the
intestine in the hyperserotonemia of autism, and a method for non-hypothesis driven
discovery of biomarkers in urine.
Modern technologies that enable the
unbiased, comprehensive and simultaneous study of large numbers of genes, mRNA
(gene-transcripts), proteins and metabolites in a systems biology approach, will certainly
influence the way mental disorder research is conducted. The development, evaluation and
application of an technique may even help to discover biomarkers that indicates certain
mental disorders.
Scientists identify gene
responsible for statin-induced muscle pain
Statins, the popular class of drugs used to
lower cholesterol, are among the most commonly prescribed medications in developed
countries. But for some patients, accompanying side effects of muscle weakness and pain
become chronic problems and, in rare cases, can escalate to debilitating and even
life-threatening damage. Now a study led by investigators at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical
Center, helps explain the source of these problems.
Injecting adult stem cells into a heart
following a heart attack (infarction) improves the heart function and strengthens the
heart wall. The use of such cells may eventually reduce the chance of heart failure
following a heart attack. Researchers from Leiden University discovered this in a project
forming part of the Dutch Program for Tissue Engineering, funded by Technology Foundation
STW and the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development.
A mouse resistant to cancer, even
highly-aggressive types, has been created by researchers at the University of Kentucky.
The breakthrough stems from a discovery by UK College of Medicine professor of radiation
medicine Vivek Rangnekar and a team of researchers who found a tumor-suppressor gene
called "Par-4" in the prostate.
A study by Indiana University researchers
found the chlorinated flame retardant Dechlorane Plus in the bark of trees across the
northeastern US, with by far the highest concentrations measured near the Niagara Falls,
N.Y., factory where this chemical is produced.
Study suggests link between
obesity, poor bone health
Being overweight is a known risk factor for
heart disease, diabetes and a host of other health conditions. Now, a University of
Georgia study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition finds that obesity may also be bad for bone health.
A new study provides the first evidence
that people with higher body mass index may have a greater response to ozone than leaner
people. Short-term exposure to atmospheric ozone has long been known to cause a temporary
drop in lung function in many people. This is the first study in humans to look at whether
body weight influenced how much lung function falls after acute ozone exposure.
Penn research shows transcranial
magnetic stimulation effective in treating major depression
Researchers at the University of
Pennsylvania School of Medicine and other study sites have found that transcranial
magnetic stimulation -- a noninvasive technique that excites neurons in the brain via
magnetic pulses passed through the scalp -- is a safe and effective, nondrug treatment
with minimal side effects for patients with major depression who have tried other
treatment options without benefit.
CT Scans to Determine Heart Disease
in the Emergency Room
In the future, patients who arrive at a
hospital Emergency Department complaining of chest pain may be diagnosed with a
sophisticated CT scan. If the diagnosis is negative, the patient can go home—and the
total time at the hospital will be much shorter than it is today.
Omega-3 fatty acids protect against
Parkinson's, study says
Omega-3 fatty acids protect the brain
against Parkinson's disease, according to a study by Université Laval researchers
published in the online edition of the FASEB Journal. This study is the first to
demonstrate the protective effect of a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids against
Parkinson's.
What are the benefits and risks of
fitting patients with radiofrequency identification devices?
In 2004, the United States Food and Drug
Administration approved a radiofrequency identification device that is implanted under the
skin of the upper arm of patients and that stores the patient's medical identifier. A
debate in this week's PLoS Medicine discusses the pros and cons of patients getting fitted
with such an RFID chip.
High-glycemic index carbohydrates
associated with risk for developing type 2 diabetes in women
Eating foods high on the glycemic index,
which measures the effect of carbohydrates on blood glucose levels, may be associated with
the risk for developing type 2 diabetes in Chinese women and in African-American women,
according to two studies in the Nov. 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the
JAMA/Archives journals. However, eating more cereal fiber may be associated with a reduced
risk for type 2 diabetes in African-American women.
Not enough 'good' cholesterol makes
it harder to recover from stroke
People are at an increased risk of memory
problems and greater disability after stroke if they have low levels of "good"
cholesterol and high levels of homocysteine, an amino acid acquired mostly from eating
meat. The findings are published in the Nov. 27, 2007, issue of Neurology, the medical
journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Mismatched prostate cancer
treatment more common than expected
More than a third of men with early
prostate cancer who participated in a study analyzing treatment choice received therapies
that might not be appropriate, based on pre-existing problems with urinary, bowel or
sexual function. The prevalence of these treatment "mismatches" could reflect
patient unwillingness to discuss such problems with their physicians.
Depression linked to bone-thinning
in premenopausal women
Even in young women, depression is as
potent a risk factor for osteoporosis as are low calcium intake, smoking, and lack of
exercise, NIH researchers have found. Imbalances in the immune system appear to be
involved. Depression generally isn't on clinicians' radar screens as a risk factor for
bone-thinning -- but it should be.
Insufficient vitamin B levels may
promote colon cancer
Moderate deficiency of folate, riboflavin,
and vitamins B6 and B12 together may promote the risk of DNA damage and increase the risk
of colorectal cancers, suggests a new study with mice.
Many of the flavoured yoghurts touting
themselves as lite or low fat actually give you more kilojoules per serve than plain,
full-fat yoghurt, because of the amount of sugar they contain.
A new product is doing what even the
harshest chemicals and antibiotics can't do. OdorXit-Prevent ClO2 is killing the dangerous
mold, bacteria, fungus and staph that are increasingly putting the nation's health at
risk. Its unique chemical formulation is so safe and effective it can even be used in
healthcare facilities.
PARENTS have long been told to get
asthmatic children into the pool, but new reports suggest the exercise meant to fix
respiratory problems may cause them.
Video - The Untold Story Of FDA's
Approval of rBGH (rBST) in Milk
Isotonic seawater and Alzheimer
The Ocean Water properties as supplemental
food are giving excellent results in the sports field and in other areas of human
activity, for which we hope that it will be very positive for Alzheimer patients.
Smoking Before, After Pregnancy
Harms Daughters' Fertility
Researchers have identified the chemical
pathway by which a mother's smoking before and after pregnancy might reduce her daughter's
fertility by as much as two-thirds.
Agricultural Antibiotics May Be The
Cause Of Super-Bugs
According to recent research, farms may be
more effective sources of transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to the community
than hospitals. Fresh poultry from animals not treated with antibiotics will probably pose
a smaller risk to your health. If you catch any disease from it, antibiotics will really
work for you if you need them.
Maryland Schools Have Huge
Financial Stake in Coerced Vaccinations of Schoolchildren
What could possibly be behind these forced
vaccinations? There are several factors that could be at play, but the primary suspicion
that stands out in my mind is money. So I called the communications department of the
Prince George's County School District to ask them specifically some questions about the
amount of money the school district gets paid per child per day.
Hundreds of strokes could be prevented each
year if patients suffering 'mini strokes', known as transient ischaemic attacks or TIAs,
were assessed sooner by specialist clinicians.
A University of Manchester study has found that almost two-thirds of patients attending
what are termed 'rapid access' TIA clinics took more than the recommended seven days to be
seen by a suitably trained professional. A TIA, often characterised by a temporary
weakening of one side of the face and the corresponding arm, drastically increases a
person's chance of suffering a major stroke within days of the initial symptoms, with some
studies putting the risk as high as a one-in-four probability. Despite the obvious
importance of early assessment, the research — published today (Thursday) ahead of
print in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry — suggests that, on
average, access to the specialist clinics takes at least twice as long as it should.
Queen’s University researchers are
appealing for volunteers to help investigate whether dogs can reliably detect changes in
their owner’s diabetic state. Dr Deborah Wells, from the School of Psychology at
Queen’s, and Dr Shaun Lawson, from the University of Lincoln, are appealing for 100
Type One diabetics to complete an online survey. The researchers are also seeking video
footage of dogs reacting to their owner’s ‘hypos’ or low blood sugar
levels.
Scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for
Infection Research (HZI) have discovered a class of natural substances that are produced
by soil bacteria and prevent somatic cells from dividing. After years of in-depth
research, the US pharmaceuticals company Bristol-Myers Squibb is now launching this agent
on the American market as a treatment for cancer. The epothilones that Prof. Gerhard
Höfle and Prof. Hans Reichenbach of the HZI have been studying for more than 20 years are
produced by myxobacteria living in the soil. Epothilones block the somatic cell components
known as microtubules, preventing the cells from dividing any further and causing them to
die off and decompose. The effect of epothilones on cancerous cells, which are
characterised by their tendency to divide uncontrollably, is particularly dramatic:
tumours can shrink or even disappear.
Around 8000 acute drug related deaths are recorded each year throughout the EU and Norway,
mostly involving young people. At EU level, there is a small but statistically significant
fall in reported deaths (from 8838 to 8306 according to the EMCDDA annual report, 2004).
National statistics on 'drug deaths' usually refer to acute deaths directly related to
drug consumption or 'overdoses', although differences between countries exist. The real
figure is thought to be considerably higher because of underreporting of deaths related to
overdoses and also because of deaths indirectly related to drug use, such as AIDS and
other infectious diseases and suicide, accidents and violence.
This is thought to increase the real number
of deaths that can be related to drugs as much as three-fold. The number has of drug
related deaths has stabilised or even decreased in recent years. Harm reduction methods,
such as needle exchange programmes, substitution programmes with methadone and related
substances for opiate users, low-threshold and outreach services (for example walk-in
clinics for addicted people irrespective of current drug use) are thought to have played a
part in this development.
MEA writes to the London Evening
Standard about their item on the NICE guidelines
NICE are recommending that CBT, or graded
exercise treatment, should be the only forms of specific treatment for everyone in the
mild to moderate category - even though patient evidence submitted to the Chief Medical
Officer's report found that these expensive courses of treatments are often ineffective
(67% in the case of CBT) and may even be harmful (50% in the case of graded exercise).
