Cardiovascular disease Archives

High fiber diet reduces colorectal cancer risk

High fiber diet linked to reduced risk of colorectal cancer – Dietary fiber, whole grains, and risk of colorectal cancer – Eating a diet high in fibre, particularly from cereal and whole grains, is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer. Intake of dietary fibre and whole grains is known to help protect against cardiovascular disease, but its association with colorectal cancer risk is less clear. And, although the idea that dietary fibre reduces the risk of colorectal cancer has been around for nearly 40 years.

Alcohol increases breast cancer risk in women

New analysis from the Nurses’ Health Study: Association of alcohol with risk of breast cancer – Women who consume alcohol show an increase in their risk of developing breast cancer. This relation is stronger for women who drink in binges, are also taking post-menopausal hormonal therapy, and/or have low intakes of dietary folate.

Red meat increases type 2 diabetes risk

Red meat linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes — Processed red meats especially boost risk – A recently published study by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) finds a strong association between the consumption of red meat-particularly when the meat is processed-and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

HIV drugs may cause premature aging

Premature aging caused by some HIV drugs, study shows – Researchers revealed that a class of anti-retroviral drugs (NRTIs) commonly used to treat HIV can cause premature ageing, as the drugs damage DNA in the patient’s mitochondria. HIV-infected people treated with antiretroviral drugs sometimes show advanced signs of frailty and age-associated diseases such as cardiovascular disease and dementia at an early age.

Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis medications lowers diabetes risk

Certain drugs lower risk of diabetes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis – Certain rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis medications are associated with reduced diabetes risk, revealed by researchers. 2 disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, TNF inhibitors and hydroxychloroquine, are associated with a reduced risk for the development of diabetes in psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis patients

Smoking may increase risk of prostate cancer recurrence

Smoking may increase risk of prostate cancer recurrence, death – Researchers found that men with prostate cancer who were current smokers had a 61% increased risk of dying from prostate cancer, and a 61% higher risk of recurrence compared with men who never smoked. This new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and University of California, San Francisco, researchers suggests that men with prostate cancer who smoke increase their risk of prostate cancer recurrence and of dying from the disease.

Blood pressure changes are age related but important for health

Blood pressure changes are age-related – The main causes of increases in blood pressure over a lifetime are modifiable and could be targeted to help prevent cardiovascular disease: although high blood pressure sometimes has no obvious symptoms, this condition, which affects about a third of the adult UK and US populations, can lead to life-threatening heart attacks and stroke, so reducing blood pressure is very important for health.

Niacin and statin treatment did not protect heart

NIH stops clinical trial on combination cholesterol treatment — Lack of efficacy in reducing cardiovascular events prompts decision – The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health has stopped a clinical trial studying a blood lipid treatment 18 months earlier than planned.

Brisk walking could improve prostate cancer outcomes

Brisk walking may help men with prostate cancer, UCSF study finds – Men with prostate cancer can improve their outcomes if they walk briskly for at least three hours a week following their diagnosis, according to a recent study in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

Tai chi helps improve mental health and prevent falls in elderly

T’ai chi helps prevent falls and improve mental health in the elderly — Systematic reviews of t’ai chi: An overview – T’ai chi has particular health benefits for older people, including helping to prevent falls and improving mental wellbeing, reveals a review published ahead of print in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Low sodium excretion linked to higher heart disease incidence

Study evaluates relationship of urinary sodium with health outcomes – In a study conducted to examine the health outcomes related to salt intake, as gauged by the amount of sodium excreted in the urine, lower sodium excretion was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death, while higher sodium excretion did not correspond with increased risk of hypertension or cardiovascular disease complications.

Most obese adolescents lacking vitamin D

Obese adolescents lacking vitamin D — New study from Hasbro Children’s Hospital finds need for increased surveillance – A new study from Hasbro Children’s Hospital has found that most obese adolescents are lacking in vitamin D. The researchers call for increased surveillance of vitamin D levels in this population and for further studies to determine if normalizing vitamin D levels will help to lower the health risks associated with obesity.