Heath risk: Drinking sugary drinks is said to increase pancreatic stress
People who have at least two sugary fizzy drinks each week may be putting themselves at risk of deadly pancreatic cancer, scientists say.
A study found that consumer two or more calorific soft drinks a week increases the chances of developing the disease by 87 per cent, compared to people who avoid them.
The scientists who made the discovery are unsure whether fizzy drinks are to blame - or whether people who consume them are more likely to have unhealthy lifestyles that put them at greater risk of cancer.
Some studies, however, have shown that soft drinks trigger a spike in blood sugar which puts the pancreas under extra stress.
I have often thought that getting diagnosed with diabetes helped me improve my health by prompting me to cut out all sugary drinks and foods. Do you see it coming, a brand new tax on soft-drinks?
Brigney Polio 4, reacts after getting a swine flu vaccination at Carlin Springs Elementary School in Arlington, Va., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
(AP) Is the U.S. swine flu epidemic over? Federal health officials won't go so far as to say that, but on Friday they reported for the fourth week in a row that no states had widespread flu activity.
U.S. cases have been declining since October. An official with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says swine flu cases are still occurring and are likely to continue a while longer at some level.
But another expert said a future large wave of cases now seems very unlikely. The expert, Vanderbilt University's Dr. William Schaffner, said the epidemic has "one foot in the grave."
I did not yet receive the swine flu vaccine, although I worried about getting the flu or a cold during my recent cataract surgery, now completed on both eyes. Sneezing and surgery don’t seems to go together, do they?
Pill: Could prevent osteoporosis
A pill that blocks production of a natural chemical in the gut could potentially cure the common bone thinning disease osteoporosis, say scientists.
The drug prevents the synthesis of serotonin, best known for its functions in the brain.
It halted osteoporosis in mice and rats, and may be similarly effective in humans, researchers believe.
In the brain, serotonin assists the transmission of messages between nerve cells and has a big impact on mood.
But 95% of the body’s serotonin is found in the gut, where its major function is to inhibit bone formation, said the researchers.
By shutting off intestinal serotonin production, the scientists prevented osteoporosis in post-menopausal female mice.
This could be another one of those discoveries that makes a big difference in the length and quality of life, but I wonder how a human being can handle the serotonin depletion, would such a pill affect the mood, as well?
Bridgette Allen conducts a cholesterol test in the back room of Pop’s Barber Shop on Saturday. Pine Bluff Commercial/Ralph Fitzgerald
“Today is African-American HIV Testing Day, then you have the big one which is World Aids Day Dec. 1,” said Chinetta Davis of Jefferson Comprehensive Care. “This is kind of a piggyback on World Aids Day but it’s targeted toward African-Americans and it’s in February because it’s Black History Month.”
HIV screenings were conducted in the mobile health unit and nurses Alice Pridgeon and Bridgette Allen conducted blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol testing in the back room of Pop’s.
“It’s important that people know their HIV status and we want to raise awareness,” Davis said. “We evaluate people and if they’re positive they can start getting care.”
The initial idea of the HIV screening event was expanded to include other testing.
Our people need more free screening such as this, because so much damage can be done when you don’t know you have a disease such as diabetes or HIV. I think we will see much more of this in the near future as we get more health awareness.
Corkery/News
Samantha Harris ,Vivica Fox ,Jennie Garth , Kristi Yamaguchi and Susan Lucci (Dancing With The Stars Reunion) at the Red Dress Collection benefitting "The Heart Truth."
Spot a lady in red today, and chances are she isn't making a fashion statement - it's part of a health movement.
Feb. 5 is National Wear Red Day, when women across the U.S. are encouraged to don a red article of clothing to help build awareness for heart disease, the No. 1 killer of adult females.
Each year nearly half a million women die from heart disease, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), which sponsors the event.
I don’t think it’s too late to wear red, the idea being that someone asks you why you are wearing red, and you start a little discussion about women and heart disease. It could happen.
The Idaho Food Bank and 'Feeding America', the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, released findings of a new study showing a dramatic increase in the growth of hunger in Idaho. Food banks are working to keep up with the great need for food.
Food storage warehouses are seeing provisions come and go much faster than ever before. According to the study 'Hunger in Idaho 2010' more than 140,000 Idahoans received emergency food last year; this is a 59 percent increase from 2006.
Nationally, 'Feeding America' food banks provide free food assistance to 37 million people each year, including 14 million children, and 3 million seniors; this is a 46 percent increase from 2006.
No American should have to go hungry in this the land of plenty, and as far as medicine goes, I hope the medical world supports the many great organizations fighting hunger in this country.
Posted
Feb 08 2010, 12:56 AM
by
Robert Gleeman