Guest guest Posted June 30, 2002 Report Share Posted June 30, 2002 For all those in the UK - just in case you use any of these products. For those of you in the US, Holland & Barrett products are attached to the US they are a sister company of Vitamin World so I assume that they use the same ingredients - on Holland & Barrett products it says made by Holland & Barrett USA for H & B UK. Marianne > Daily News from Healthypages > Monday, June 24, 2002 > _______________________________ > > Survey finds “harmful†fish oil supplements > > Two retailers have been ordered to remove stocks of fish oil supplements > after a survey by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) showed they contained > unsafe levels of toxins. > > In a survey of 33 fish oil supplements the agency found that most included > only small amounts of the toxins dioxin and dioxin-like polychlorinated > biphenyls (PCBs) but two - Superdrug’s Pure Cod Liver Oil, 300ml, and > Holland & Barrett’s Pure Cod Liver Oil 250ml - contained potentially > harmful levels of these contaminants. The FSA says that if people were to > take these oils at the recommended dose then they would consume twice the > recommended tolerable daily intake of the toxins set by the independent > Committee on Toxicity. > > Dioxins and PCBs are potentially cancer-causing chemicals produced by > industrial activity, and are present in the environment and in food. They > have no immediate effect on health, even at the highest levels found in > foods, but potential risks to health come from long-term exposure to high > levels, says the FSA. > > Overall, however, the FSA says the survey of 33 samples of branded fish > oil supplements showed there had been a reduction in dioxin and PCBs > levels from surveys conducted in 1994 and 1996. > > Dr Jon Bell, of the FSA, says, “Whilst there have been measurable > improvements in reducing dioxin levels in fish oil supplements, there is > scope for additional action by the fish oil supplement industry to reduce > levels still further. > > “The agency has initiated discussions with retailers and industry about > ways to continue to reduce levels of potentially harmful dioxins in fish > oil supplements.†> > The FSA says that exposure to dioxins has increased considerably - by 75 > per cent - over the past 20 years. New EU-wide dioxin limits will come > into force on July 1, 2002 and will be enforced by local authorities. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2002 Report Share Posted July 16, 2002 This is really good news, if only ALL doctors would get their acts together. Marianne > Daily News from Healthypages > Tuesday, July 16, 2002 > _______________________________ > > Cancer patients turning to alternative medicine > > Cancer patients are increasingly turning to complementary and alternative > therapies (CAM), such as acupuncture and herbal supplements, as a means of > providing relief from their hospital treatment, according to health market > analysts. > > Business analysts Datamonitor say that as many as 60 per cent of cancer > patients in certain European countries are now using complementary > therapies to ease the painful side effects of standard cancer treatment – > this figure rises to 80 per cent in the US. > > Complementary and alternative medicines use is highest in Germany, > Datamonitor says, where products such as mistletoe have become relatively > established as a folk remedy. > > Complementary therapies are those used to reduce the side effects of > standard therapies and improve quality of life, while alternative therapies > are used instead of or as well as conventional treatments to treat the > cancer itself, say the analysts. > > They estimate that the combined global market for CAM could be as high as > $18 billion annually, rivalling sales of many traditional pharmaceutical > products. But Datamonitor says CAMs are unlikely to compete with > conventional pharmaceutical therapies. Instead, herbal, dietary and > mind-body approaches to cancer could enhance the use of other therapies, > they suggest. > > While many patients believe CAM treatments can have therapeutic as well as > quality-of-life benefits, many physicians remain unwilling to recommend > non-standard approaches. > > Datamonitor warns that cancer patients tend to seek information on CAM from > the Internet or alternative health newsletters, with many patients saying > they feel uncomfortable asking their physicians about non-standard > treatment. The analysts say this is a practice that could prove dangerous > given that many health sites are unregulated and can provide inaccurate or > incomplete information. > > Datamonitor healthcare analyst Sharon Arkoff said, “The choice to use > non-traditional products remains driven by patient word of mouth, the > Internet and alternative health newsletters. > > “While many oncologists are beginning to accept a palliative or > quality-of-life role for complementary therapies in their patients, few > physicians consider themselves adequately educated in ways in which various > vitamin and herbal supplements, and traditional cytotoxics may complement > each other.†> > Many doctors and other health professionals interviewed by Datamonitor said > they would like more formal education about the potential of CAM to help > patients. > > © Health Media Ltd 2002 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 27, 2002 Report Share Posted July 27, 2002 Something positive for a change. Marianne > Daily News from Healthypages > Friday, July 26, 2002 > _______________________________ > > Smoke-free workplaces encourage smokers to quit > > Introducing smoke-free workplace policies not only tackles the dangers > caused by passive smoking but also encourages smokers to quit and cut down > on their habit, say US researchers. > > A systematic review of 26 investigations into the effects of smoke-free > workplaces, undertaken by researchers from the University of California at > San Francisco, showed that smoke-free workplaces reduced smoking prevalence > by nearly 4 per cent. > > The combination of the effects of stopping smoking and the lower > consumption rate for continuing smokers meant that, on average, about 1.5 > fewer cigarettes were smoked per day for each employee. > > This translates to a 29 per cent reduction in total cigarette consumption, > say Drs Caroline Fichtenberg and Stanton Glantz, authors of the review. > > To obtain similar results through discouraging smoking by putting up > tobacco prices would require a 73 per cent rise in the cost of cigarettes, > say the authors. > > In the UK this would mean increasing cigarette taxes from £3.44 to £6.49 > per packet. > > Drs Fichtenberg and Glantz estimate that if all workplaces became > smoke-free, per capita cigarette consumption would drop by 4.5 per cent in > the US and 7.6 per cent in the UK. > > They say that the dramatic effect smoke-free workplace policies have on > people’s smoking habits explains why “the industry fights so hard against > legislation to ensure that workplaces become smoke-freeâ€. > > A statement from the anti-tobacco campaigning group Action on Smoking and > Health (ASH) said that the study provided a “compelling argument†to > restrict smoking in the workplace. > > The organisation points out that the government’s own health and safety > advisers recommended an Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) to be implemented > in September two years ago. > > “Surely even the most hardy Whitehall opponents of the AcoP wouldn’t be > stupid enough to look this gift horse in the mouth and ignore a policy > change which saves lives?†said a spokeswoman for ASH. > > “Based on government’s own figures, this study shows stopping smoking at > work has the potential to save 92 lives a week because of the knock-on > effect of reducing smoking prevalence,†she said. > > The research is published in the current edition of the British Medical > Journal. > > © Health Media Ltd 2002 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2002 Report Share Posted July 30, 2002 I for one know that I am positively going to live longer LOL Marianne > Daily News from Healthypages > Tuesday, July 30, 2002 > _______________________________ > > Positive thoughts may increase longevity > > Thinking positively about growing older may increase your lifespan, > according a study conducted in the US. > > Researchers from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Yale > University, Connecticut, analysed data collected from 660 participants over > the age of 50 who were taking part in the Ohio Longitudinal Study of Aging > and Retirement. > > The team compared the mortality rate with responses made 23 years earlier > to a questionnaire that asked participants to agree or disagree with > statements such as “As you get older, you are less usefulâ€. > > The researchers found that older people with more positive attitudes > towards ageing lived an average of 7.5 years longer than those with more > negative views of growing old. This finding held true even after other > factors were taken into account, such as overall health and gender. > > The study’s authors said, “The effect of more positive self-perceptions of > ageing on survival is greater than the physiological measures of low > systolic blood pressure and cholesterol, each of which is associated with a > longer lifespan of four years or less. > > “It is also greater than the independent contributions of lower body mass > index, no history of smoking and a tendency to exercise – each of these > factors has been found to contribute between one and three years of added > life,†they added. > > Although the researchers found that the will to live partially accounted > for the relationship between positive thoughts and survival, it did not > completely explain the difference in longevity. > > They say another factor could be cardiovascular response to stress, which > previous studies have shown is adversely affected when older people are > exposed to negative stereotypes of ageing. > > The authors conclude, “Our study carries two messages. The discouraging one > is that negative self-perceptions can diminish life expectancy; the > encouraging one is that positive self-perceptions can prolong life > expectancy.†> > The research is published in the Journal of Personality and Social > Psychology. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2002 Report Share Posted July 31, 2002 Some very interesting reports here today. Marianne > Daily News from Healthypages > Wednesday, July 31, 2002 > _______________________________ > > some cereals “as nutritious as biscuits†> > Starting your day with certain breakfast cereals appears to be as healthy > as dining on biscuits and cakes, say UK researchers. > > A report by the Food Commission shows that some breakfast cereals contain > such high levels of sugar and fat that eating a single portion is similar > to eating five chocolate chip cookies or a slice of chocolate cake. > > The commission suggests that these cereals should be removed from the > breakfast section in the supermarket and relocated to the biscuit section. > > Researchers analysed the nutritional values of 10 cereal products as > recorded on the food labels. Foods examined included Quaker’s Harvest Red > Berries Crunch, Tesco’s Choc & Nut Crisp, and Sainsbury’s Strawberry and > Banana Crisp. > > They found that some cereal products contained fat levels of up to 20 per > cent and sugar levels of up to 30 per cent. In comparison, chocolate chip > cookies were 24 per cent fat and 22 per cent sugar, while chocolate cake > was 10 per cent fat and 34 per cent sugar. > > Many of the cereals were also low in fibre, the report shows. > > Researchers write, “These products are not the bowl of cereals they should > be, but are a bowl of crumbled cookies.†> > Dr Tim Lobstein, director of the Food Commission, says, “We are all > encouraged to think of breakfast cereals as healthy foods, and health > promoters tell us to eat more of them and to cut back on sweet, fatty foods > like cakes, pastries and biscuits. But now we find that some cereals are > undermining the message.†> > But a spokesperson for Tesco hit back at the Food Commission’s report. He > said no health claims are made about the products and their nutritional > value is displayed for consumers to make an informed decision. > > Brigid McKevith, a nutritional scientist at the British Nutrition > Foundation, says the findings show that just because a product is called a > breakfast cereal, it does not guarantee it will be healthy. > > She says the report highlights the importance of labelling information, and > how consumers can use that to make better choices. > > © Health Media Ltd 2002 > > > ******************************* > > Other stories > > Bile acid may combat Huntington’s disease > Researchers in the US have found that an acid in bile may inhibit the brain > cell death associated with Huntington’s disease (HD), offering a possible > future treatment for people suffering from this disorder. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=4378 > > Health department defends smallpox vaccine > The Department of Health says its decision to buy the “Lister†strain of > smallpox vaccine was based on expert scientific advice, despite suggestions > that a different strain is more likely to be used by terrorists. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=4379 > > “Infection risk†from early-morning training > Athletes should conduct intensive training in the evening, say UK > researchers who have discovered that exercising early in the morning could > increase the risk of infection. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=4380 > > “Sleep disorder increases heart disease risk†> A Swedish study of middle-aged men has associated a sleep disorder, called > obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), with a fivefold increase in the risk of > heart disease. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=4381 > > “Batting first increases injury risk†> Fast bowlers are at an increased risk of injury if their team bats first, > Australian researchers have found. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=4382 > > Stress a “ leading cause †of employee absence > Stress is the most common cause of long-term absence among non-manual > workers in the UK, according to a report from human resources specialists. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=4383 > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2002 Report Share Posted August 21, 2002 In a message dated 21/08/02 06:09:24 GMT Daylight Time, healthy.pages writes: > Daily News from Healthypages > Wednesday, August 21, 2002 > _______________________________ > > Mushrooms from the Far East hailed as cancer treatment > > The “remarkable†medicinal properties of exotic mushrooms could herald a > new approach to cancer treatment, say experts. > > Researchers for the charity Cancer Research UK make the claim after > carrying out a review of the medicinal use of fungi – such as the shiitake, > enoke and oyster mushrooms – in Japan, China and South Korea. > > In the Far East, exotic mushrooms have long been reported to have > anti-tumour properties and to stimulate the immune system. > > The charity’s review found evidence that these mushrooms can help reduce > the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. > > As well as being “very nutritious†and rich in amino acids and vitamins, > these exotic fungi have “special medicinal propertiesâ€, says Professor > John Smith of the University of Strathclyde, who led the review. > > However, he pointed out that while the large flat mushrooms and button > variety widely consumed in the UK are highly nutritious, there is no > evidence that they share the same medicinal benefits as those types of the > fungi eaten more commonly in the Orient. > > Prof Smith says that many so-called “medicinal mushrooms†show > cholesterol-lowering properties and could have an important role in > treating cardiovascular disease. > > Among the projects reviewed by the scientists was a 14-year survey in > Japan, which showed a regular diet of edible medicinal mushrooms was > associated with low cancer death rates. > > Sir Paul Nurse, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said, “The > information coming out of the East about the apparent benefits of mushrooms > for health and the potential to help treat cancer patients is very > interesting. > > “More work needs to be done on how mushrooms can be used in western > medicine,†he said. > > Dr Richard Sullivan, the charity’s head of clinical programmes, said, “A > vast amount of information has been collated which suggests that compounds > derived from mushrooms could have a hugely beneficial influence on the way > cancer is treated.†> > More than 100 species of mushroom are used by Chinese medical practitioners > as treatments for a wide range of ailments. > > © Health Media Ltd 2002 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2002 Report Share Posted October 17, 2002 Thought that at least the first story would interest many of you, especially those in the UK. marianne > Daily News from Healthypages > Thursday, October 17, 2002 > _______________________________ > > Salmonella outbreak linked to raw eggs > > The Food Standards Agency has issued a hygiene alert to all UK food > businesses after one person died from an unusual form of salmonella in > Cheshire over the weekend. > > > The agency is advising businesses to use pasteurised eggs – instead of > ordinary eggs – in products that will not be cooked, or only lightly > cooked, before eating. This is because some eggs can contain salmonella, > and only cooking or pasteurisation can kill the bacteria. > > Since early September, more than 150 people in north-west and south-east > England have been taken seriously ill with a rare form of salmonella called > Enteritidis PT 14b. Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting and fever. > > Health officials and scientists are still working to identify the source of > the infection, but investigators have found a common thread relating to the > handling of eggs by local food businesses in each of the outbreak areas. > > Dr Roger Skinner, head of the food agency’s microbiological safety > division, said, “Food businesses need to remember that they should use > pasteurised egg in their raw or lightly cooked products, particularly if > their products may be eaten by vulnerable groups such as the elderly or > pregnant women. They could be putting people at risk if they do not follow > that advice.†> > He added, “Good practice in the handling and use of ordinary eggs helps > avoid cross-contamination. It is also important to remember that the > salmonella bug can be easily killed if eggs are properly cooked before use.†> > > © HMG Worldwide 2002 > > > ******************************* > > Other stories > > Teen angst results from “busy brain†> Teenage angst, often satirised in the media, may be more to do with > accelerated brain development during adolescence than a deliberate attempt > to rebel, according to US researchers. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5015 > > Government takes first step to tackle alcohol abuse > The government has begun consultation on its national strategy to reduce > health problems associated with alcohol abuse. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5016 > > Government “not on top†of hospital-acquired infections > Rates of hospital-acquired infection (HAIs) have continued to increase, > despite high-profile government efforts to clean up NHS hospitals, the > Liberal Democrats say. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5017 > > Drinking in pregnancy “increases offspring’s breast cancer risk†> Women who drink alcohol during pregnancy could increase their daughter’s > risk of breast cancer in later life, US research in animals suggests. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5018 > > “Women less prone to stress than men > Women may be less susceptible to stress than men thanks to the protective > properties of the female sex hormone oestrogen, according to UK scientists. > > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5019 > > More NHS patients to get leukaemia drug > The number of NHS leukaemia patients who will benefit from the drug > imatinib (Glivec®) has increased, following the publication of guidance > from a government medicines advisor. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5020 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2002 Report Share Posted October 19, 2002 There are some intereting points raised in this newsletter Marianne > Daily News from Healthypages > Friday, October 18, 2002 > _______________________________ > > Many parents unaware of cot death risks > > A third of all parents in the UK are unaware that putting babies on their > backs is the safest way for them to sleep and significantly reduces the > risk of cot death, according to a new survey. > > Researchers from the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSIDs), in > London, surveyed a nationally representative base of 238 parents on their > knowledge of ways to protect babies from risk while sleeping. > > The team found that 33 per cent of parents did not know that it is safer to > place a baby on its back while sleeping. Furthermore, more than half the > parents thought that a baby’s bedding should be left loose rather than > tucked in, even though experts advise that tucking in the covers > significantly lowers the risk of cot death. > > In addition, the survey also revealed that only 59 per cent of parents were > aware of the “feet to foot†advice – placing babies on their backs with > their feet at the foot of the cot. The position is recommended by the > Department of Health to prevent babies from wriggling down the cot and > getting their heads covered by bedding, which also increases the risk of > cot death. > > Commenting on the findings, Joyce Epstein, director of FSIDs, said, “On the > back, feet to foot, free from the dangers of loose bedding – this is the > safest way for babies to sleep. With seven babies still dying suddenly and > unexpectedly every single week, it is vitally important we continue working > to hammer the ‘reduce the risk of cot death’ message home with parents and > carers.†> > Rob Holmes, managing director of Grobag™, the company who sponsored the > research, added, “Two thousand babies were born today. One baby died as a > cot death.†He said it was the leading cause of death in babies over one > month old in the UK and the worst tragedy a family could ever experience. > > “We must use every opportunity to make sure parents understand how to > reduce the risk of cot death for their babies,†he said. > > Parents wanting further information can call the FSIDs helpline on 0870 787 > 0554. > > © HMG Worldwide 2002 > > > ******************************* > > Other stories > > Drug and tobacco use “increased in schizophrenia†> People with schizophrenia have greater problem use of alcohol and drugs > compared with the general population, say UK researchers. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5028 > > Defibrillators in public places can save lives > Providing automated external defibrillators in well-marked public areas may > save the lives of people suffering a cardiac arrest by allowing “good > Samaritans†the opportunity to provide the resuscitating shock, new > research suggests. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5029 > > Blood test may help diagnose prostate cancer > A simple 30-minute test on a single drop of blood could help doctors decide > whether a patient has prostate cancer or a benign tumour, report US > scientists. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5030 > > Women unaware of age link to breast cancer > Some women may be underestimating their chance of developing breast cancer > because they do not realise old age is the greatest risk factor for the > disease, says a UK charity. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5031 > > Scientist develop “brain on a chip†> US scientists have devised a way of keeping slices of living brain tissue > alive for weeks and say the discovery could lead to better drugs for > neurological and psychiatric disorders. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5032 > > Heart disease care “not good enough†> The provision of care for cardiac patients is far from adequate and there > is an urgent need for more specialist staff, warn specialists. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5033 > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2002 Report Share Posted October 24, 2002 Daily News from Healthypages Thursday, October 24, 2002 _______________________________ Aspirin ban to be extended to under-16s The government is expected to ban the use of aspirin for children under the age of 16 because of possible links with a rare brain and liver condition. Regulations already prohibit aspirin use in children under 13. But the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) wants a legal change, which will require aspirin products to carry a warning advising parents and health professionals that children under 16 should not take the medication. The agency says the move follows advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) regarding the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome – a rare but potentially fatal condition that affects the brain and liver, and which is found almost exclusively in children. The symptoms include severe vomiting, drowsiness or loss of consciousness following a viral infection. However, diagnosis can only be confirmed through specialist tests performed in a hospital. The CSM says the causes are not fully understood, but that a link between aspirin use among children and a virus is considered likely. CSM Chair Professor Alasdair Breckenridge said there was no cause for panic or concern, but that parents and children should be aware of the importance of the warning. “The risk of Reye’s syndrome in 12 to 15s is very small but there have been concerns that earlier advice was too complex for products that are available on general sale – in the supermarket and corner shop – requiring a diagnosis of fever by a parent or minor,†he said. “There are plenty of analgesic products containing paracetamol and ibuprofen for this age group not associated with Reye’s syndrome. There is simply no need to expose those under 16 to the risk – however small.†The MCA has launched an eight-week consultation on proposing a warning on all aspirin products about the risk of Reye’s syndrome. © HMG Worldwide 2002 ******************************* Other stories Internet may change doctor/patient relationship Consumers are increasingly turning to the Internet for health-related information – a situation that may change patient/doctor relationships, according to independent market analysts Datamonitor. Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5080 Doctors “too embarrassed†to discuss sex Oncologists, nurses and cancer patients are often too embarrassed to discuss sexual problems that arise as a result of malignant disease, say UK researchers. Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5081 Tea health claims “misleading†A tea manufacturer has come under fire from the advertising watchdog for making “misleading†health claims for the drink. Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5082 Short-term diet-exercise regime enough to lower heart risk Obese men who go on a three-week, low-fat, high-fibre diet and daily exercise plan can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease, new research from the University of California suggests. Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5083 Skiers urged to cover up this winter The charity Cancer Research UK is launching a campaign to encourage skiers to protect themselves in the sun during the coming winter. Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5084 Worms offer clues to human ageing Microscopic worms appear to age in much the same way as humans, say US scientists, and could provide clues to some of the damaging effects associated with human aging. Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5085 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2002 Report Share Posted October 30, 2002 A couple of thought provoking items on this one. marianne > Daily News from Healthypages > Wednesday, October 30, 2002 > _______________________________ > > Cutting calories “slows ageing†> > Consuming fewer calories could be the key to longer life, according to US > researchers. > > Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that middle-aged > mice put on calorie-controlled diets showed signs of a “remarkable†> improvement in heart health in old age. > > Researchers suspect that the findings might also apply to humans – and that > people could extend their heart’s working life by making changes to their > diet even when they are older. > > The results, which identify “genetic pressure points†for slowing > age-related heart disease, could also help pharmaceutical companies develop > medicines to prevent the genetic changes that underlie heart disease, say > researchers. > > The team believes that cutting calories slows down the deterioration of the > heart by influencing the genetic programme that governs heart cells. > > In animals on a full diet, ageing appears to affect genes that help the > hardest working cells in the body carry out their functions and remain > healthy. > > For example, the Wisconsin team observed genetic changes with ageing that > effectively shifted the source of energy for heart cells, and damaged their > ability to communicate with the central nervous system. > > In addition, genes that play a role in increasing the size of heart cells – > a condition that often precedes heart disease – come into play as the > hearts in animals on a regular diet age, says lead researcher Professor > Tomas Prolla. > > But in mice on a restricted diet, many of the age-related genetic changes > were prevented, researchers report. Caloric restriction, among other > things, inhibited the genes involved in cell death and those that prompt > inflammation, suggesting that the heart cells of animals on > calorie-controlled diets are healthier overall. > > “It looks like caloric restriction just retarded the whole ageing process > in the heart,†says Prof Prolla. > > “The most surprising thing to me is that caloric restriction, even when > started in middle age, has a very strong effect on changes that occur with > ageing,†he adds. > > Researcher Professor Richard Weindruch says the work strongly suggests that > influencing the genetic events that occur with ageing – whether through > dietary restriction started in middle age or through new drugs – can slow > ageing of the heart. > > The findings are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of > Sciences. > > © HMG Worldwide 2002 > > > ******************************* > > Other stories > > Long-term oestrogen therapy “worsens memory loss†> The use of long-term oestrogen replacement therapy (ERT) for postmenopausal > women with Alzheimer’s disease may worsen memory loss, according to a > recent US study. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5106 > > New bowel cancer test “could save lives†> UK scientists have developed a new test for bowel cancer, which they say > could help save lives through earlier diagnosis of the condition. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5107 > > Babies to get NHS numbers at birth > From Tuesday (29/10/02), all babies born in England and Wales will be > issued with an NHS number at birth, rather than having to wait until they > are registered. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5108 > > Stress “may increase risk of stroke†> People experiencing high levels of stress at least once a week could have > an increased risk of fatal stroke, according to Danish researchers. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5109 > > Charities worried about palliative care guidance > Leading UK cancer and hospice charities have expressed concerns about new > guidelines being developed for NHS supportive and palliative care. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5110 > > Paracetamol warning for expectant mothers > Women who frequently take paracetamol during pregnancy may be increasing > the risk of wheeze in their children, according to a UK study. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5111 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2002 Report Share Posted November 1, 2002 > Heart failure drug may put women at risk > The drug digoxin, often used in the treatment of heart failure, increases > risk of death in women but not men, according to the results of a recent US > study. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5133 > > Calls for expansion in genetic screening for prostate cancer > Plans for a pan-European screening study, targeting men at a high genetic > risk of prostate cancer, have been unveiled by Cancer Research UK. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5134 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2002 Report Share Posted November 4, 2002 > Daily News from Healthypages > Monday, November 04, 2002 > _______________________________ > > Parental legal battles cause “serious distress†to children > > Distress and anxiety is more prevalent among children of parents who use > the divorce courts to settle disputes over contact with their offspring, > compared with those who do not resort to legal intervention, report UK > researchers. > > A study commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to examine the > success of contact agreements without legal intervention, discovered that > the children involved found the experience less distressing. > > The foundation – an independent organisation seeking solutions to social > problems – also calls for more access to counselling for children, along > with other support services. > > Researchers from the University of East Anglia carried out 140 interviews > with parents and children in 61 families affected by separation or divorce. > > > They discovered that, in 27 families in which children continued contact > with both parents, arrangements had been made without legal intervention. > > Children from 25 families in which contact was in dispute, were “acutely > aware†of the situation and found it “very distressingâ€, said Dr Liz > Trinder, one of the study’s investigators. > > Parent-child relationships need greater resources to prevent damage to the > children involved, which could be achieved by redirecting money away from > that spent on settling disputes which “exacerbate†the situation, says Dr > Trinder. > > Jonathan Tross, chief executive of the Children and Family Court Advisory > and Support Service, says, “Contact arrangements should focus primarily on > the welfare and interests of the children involved, who can often get > caught in the crossfire of the parental conflict.†> > © HMG Worldwide 2002 > > > ******************************* > > Other stories > > Trust closes helpline following CJD scare > The trust involved in the CJD scare has now managed to contact every > patient who could be at risk of contracting the disease. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5145 > > Caesarean births “could be safer for twins†> Twins should be delivered by Caesarean section to reduce the risk of death > for the second infant, according to a UK study. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5146 > > Consultants seek urgent contract talks > Consultant leaders want urgent talks with ministers following the decision > by senior hospital doctors to reject proposed reforms to their pay and > conditions. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5147 > > Poverty linked to epilepsy > People who are socially and economically disadvantaged are more likely to > develop epilepsy than their wealthier peers, according to a UK study. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5148 > > Used mattresses linked to cot death > Babies who usually sleep on mattresses that have been previously used by > other children may be at an increased risk of cot death, according to UK > researchers. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5149 > > Scottish births reach “all-time low†> The number of births registered in Scotland has reached its lowest point > since records began in 1855, according to official figures. > Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5150 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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