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Archive for July, 2008

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Caffeine ‘could help prevent MS’

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

From BBC NEWS

Mice given the equivalent of six to eight cups of coffee a day were less likely to develop a disease similar to multiple sclerosis, a study found.

Researchers hope this could lead to new ways to prevent MS in humans.

The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal reported that the caffeine appeared to prevent nervous system damage.

However, experts recommend no more than five cups a day, amid evidence higher doses can worsen diabetes.

While the chain reaction which leads to multiple sclerosis is still not fully understood, a key moment surrounds the entry of immune cells into the central nervous system.

Once there, they trigger “autoimmune” attacks, gradually and progressively destroying the fatty myelin sheaths that protect nerves.

Current treatments for MS are limited only to slowing the progress of the disease once it is established.

At Cornell University in the US, and Turku University in Finland, the researchers are using a mouse disease called “experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis”, or EAE, to mimic the development of MS in humans.

One of the effects of caffeine in both mice and humans affects a molecule called adenosine, which plays a role in sleep and energy production.

When mice were dosed with caffeine, adenosine could not link to a particular receptor on the surface of cells.

This in turn appeared to have an indirect effect on the ability of immune cells to enter the nervous system at a part of the brain called the choroid plexus, and the mice did not develop EAE.

While the precise reason this happened was not clear, the researchers suggested the adenosine blocking effect led to a lower number of “adhesion molecules” - needed by the immune cells to gain entry - on the surface of the choroid plexus.

Risks and benefits

Dr Linda Thompson, who led the study, said that the next step was to see if humans who drank plenty of coffee showed any signs of being less prone to MS.

“If you found a correlation between caffeine intake and reduced MS symptoms, that would point to further studies in humans.”

However, even if this were established, coffee might not be a good way to prevent MS.

The six to eight cups given to the mice is above the limit set by the Department of Health.

Other research has suggested that it might be physically addictive at these levels, and might worsen the control of type II diabetes, a far more common disease of older people.

A spokesman for the MS Society was also cautious: “Over the years there have been numerous discoveries that have prevented EAE in mice but turning this into effective therapies for humans remains a challenge.

“Based on the results of this study, we wouldn’t advise people to change their caffeine intake.”

 

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The Mediterranean Diet Reduces Mortality From All Causes

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

From NaturalNews.com

Scientists are finding that those who choose to eat according to the principles of the Mediterranean diet have a lowered rate of death from all causes. Research has shown that the Mediterranean diet has a beneficial effect against cardiovascular disease and is a preventative against a second heart attack. Now we are seeing that this diet extends longevity by reducing deaths from all diseases including cancer.

The NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study

Researchers reported in the December 10, 2007 Archives of Internal Medicine a prospective study to investigate the Mediterranean dietary pattern in relation to mortality, confirming suggestions that the diet plays a beneficial role for health and longevity.

The study participants included 214,284 men and 166,012 women in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study. During follow up for all-cause mortality from 1995 to 2005, 27,799 deaths were documented. In the first 5 years of follow up 5,985 cancer deaths and 3,451 cardiovascular disease deaths were reported. The researchers used a nine point score to assess conformity with the Mediterranean diet pattern with components including vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, whole grains, fish, monounsaturated fat-saturated fat ratio, alcohol, and meat. They calculated hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals using age and multivariate adjusted Cox models.

Results indicated that the Mediterranean diet was associated with reduced all-cause and cause-specific mortality. In men, the multivariate hazard ratios comparing high to low conformity for all-causes, CVD, and cancer mortality were 0.79, 0.78, and 0.83. In women, an inverse association was seen with high conformity within this pattern: decreased risks that ranged from 12% for cancer mortality to 20% for all-cause mortality.

Results from this study provide strong evidence of a beneficial effect from higher conformity with the Mediterranean dietary pattern on risk of death from all causes, including deaths due to cardiovascular disease and cancer in the a U.S. population.

What is the Mediterranean diet?

Americans tend to associate the word diet with restriction and deprivation. But forget this definition because the Mediterranean diet is based on the abundance of foods found in the countries of the Mediterranean Basin. The word diet in the title is used in the traditional sense, meaning a way or style of eating.

The most commonly understood version of the diet was presented by Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard University’s School of Public Health in the mid-1990s. It is a diet based on “food patterns typical of Crete, much of the rest of Greece, and southern Italy in the early 1960s”, according to Willett.

The traditional Mediterranean diet has been interpreted into a Pyramid with daily physical activity at its base. Regular physical activity is seen as essential for promoting healthy weight, fitness and well-being. Typical exercises of the Mediterranean’s might include walking, house cleaning, running, soccer, tennis, golf, swimming, hiking, scuba diving, ball games, skiing, surfing, yard work, dancing, weight lifting, and love making.

In ascending order, the Pyramid also includes:

* An abundance of food from plant sources, including fruits and vegetables, potatoes, breads and grains, beans, nuts and seeds. Common foods on this step include pasta, rice, couscous, and polenta.

* Emphasis on a variety of minimally processed and, wherever possible, seasonally fresh and locally grown foods. Common foods include olives, avocados, grapes, spinach, eggplant, tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, mushrooms, garlic, capers, almonds, walnuts, chick peas, white beans, lentils and other beans, and peanuts.

* Olive oil as the principle fat. Total fat can range from less than 25 percent to over 35 percent of calories, with saturated fat no more than 7 to 8 percent of calories.

* Daily consumption of low to moderate amounts of cheese and yogurt

* Weekly consumption of low to moderate amounts of fish. Common fish are shellfish and sardines.

* Weekly consumption of poultry, and from zero to four eggs per week including those used in cooking and baking.

* Sweets. Common sweets are pastries, ice cream and cookies

* Meat. Common meats are veal and lamb.

It’s quite interesting that the base of the U.S. diet is often meat, but meat is at the top of the Mediterranean diet, recommended to be eaten less frequently than even sweets.

Alcohol, particularly red wine, may be consumed in moderation and with meals.

One of the main explanations for the beneficial effects of the diet is thought to be the large amount of olive oil which is seen as lowering cholesterol levels in the blood. It is also known to lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Research indicates that olive oil prevents peptic ulcers and is effective in treatment of peptic ulcer disease, and may be a factor in preventing cancer. The consumption of red wine is considered a possible factor, as it contains flavonoids with powerful antioxidant properties. Others suspect that is it not any one particular nutrient that confers the benefits, but rather the combination of nutrients found in this diet comprised of unprocessed foods.

The olive oil, nuts and fish of the diet contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids lower triglycerides and may provide an anti-inflammatory effect helping to stabilize blood vessel lining.

Other research

The Seven Countries Study found that Cretan men had exceptionally low death rates from heart disease, despite moderate to high intake of fat. The Cretan diet is similar to other traditional Mediterranean diets, consisting mostly of olive oil, bread, fish, moderate amounts of dairy food and wine, and an abundance of fruit and vegetables.

The Lyon Diet Heart Study began as a copy of the Cretan diet, but resistance from the participants resulted in it taking a more pragmatic approach. Since the people were reluctant to move from butter to olive oil, they used a margarine based on rapeseed (canola) oil. The dietary change also included a 20% increase in vitamin C rich fruit and bread, and decreases in processed foods and red meat. This diet resulted in mortality from all causes being reduced by 70%. The study was so successful that an ethics committee decided to stop it prematurely so the results could be made immediately available to the public.

Since olive oil was not part of the diet in the Lyon Diet Heart Study, it would appear that it is not the single most important ingredient in the Mediterranean diet that it is often reported to be.

Incorporating the Mediterranean diet into your life

The principles of the diet can become part of your lifestyle based on the way you shop. Here are some things to remember.

All types of olive oil provide monounsaturated fat, but “extra virgin” olive oil is the least processed form and contains the highest levels of the protective plant compounds that provide antioxidant effects.

Walnuts contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. All nuts are very nutritionally dense foods, so they should not be eaten in large amounts. Two ounces of nuts a day is plenty. Choose soaked or sprouted nuts. They are available from several online dealers. Buy natural peanut better, preferably the kind you grind yourself at the store. This is also available online. Keep nuts on hand for a quick snack.

Eat a variety of whole fruits and vegetables every day. Shop by color. Your selection of fruits and vegetables should reflect all the colors in the produce section. Don’t try to stock up a week’s worth of fruits and vegetables. Shop more frequently so your selection is as fresh as you can get it.

Substitute wild caught fish and natural chicken for all other meats except your monthly dose of red meat.

Choose yogurt and cheeses made according to tradition. If you want low or no fat cheese, choose mozzarella or any cheese that has been traditionally made from skim milk. Stay away from any yogurt or cheese that advertises itself as reduced fat, low fat, or fat free.

And don’t forget that the Mediterranean is a very sunny warm place where people feel at ease outside. Let the sun shine on you, and let a breeze kiss your skin when you can.

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Lawmakers Agree to Ban Toxins in Children’s Items

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008

From washingtonpost.com
Congressional negotiators agreed yesterday to a ban on a family of toxins found in children’s products, handing a major victory to parents and health experts who have been clamoring for the government to remove harmful chemicals from toys.

The ban, which would take effect in six months, would have significant implications for U.S. consumers, whose homes are filled with hundreds of plastic products designed for children that may be causing dangerous health effects.

The rare action by Congress reflects a growing body of scientific research showing that children ingest the toxins by acts as simple as chewing on a rubber duck. Used for decades in plastic production, the chemicals are now thought to act as hormones and cause reproductive problems, especially in boys.

It also signals an important crack in the chemical industry’s ability to fend off federal regulation and suggests that the landscape may be shifting to favor consumers. The movement to ban the toxins accelerated last year when California prohibited their use in children’s products.

Earlier this year, the country’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart; the biggest toy seller, Toys R Us; and Babies R Us told their suppliers that they will no longer carry products containing the chemicals, known as phthalates, as of Jan. 1, 2009. Toys containing these chemicals, however, will still be on many retail shelves during the holiday season.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto said that President Bush opposes the ban but that it is too early to say whether he will veto the measure, which is part of popular legislation to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Among other things, the legislation would ban lead in children’s products and would give consumers access to a new database of complaints or accident reports for goods. The measure also allows stiffer fines for violations and enhanced enforcement of consumer safety laws.

Under language finalized yesterday, House and Senate lawmakers agreed to permanently ban three types of phthalates from children’s toys and to outlaw three other phthalates from products pending an extensive study of their health effects in children and pregnant women.

Phthalates make plastics softer and more durable and also are added to perfumes, lotions, shampoos and other items. They are so ubiquitous that in one 1999 study, the Food and Drug Administration found traces in all of its 1,000 subjects.

The measure had wide support in the Senate, but it bogged down in the House, where the chemical industry waged a costly battle to defeat it. The campaign was led by Exxon Mobil, which manufacturers diisononyl phthalate, or DINP, the phthalate most frequently found in children’s toys. The company spent a chunk of its $22 million lobbying budget in the past 18 months to try to prevent any ban.

Daryl Ditz, senior policy adviser at the Center for International Environmental Law, said industry viewed the ban as a benchmark that might signal a shift in Congress’s willingness to toughen restrictions on toxins.

“The great fear is that if a big, established chemical like this can be driven from the market, what’s next?” he said.

Said Andy Igrejas of the Pew Charitable Trusts: “The debate over this one set of chemicals is a referendum on a broken system. Congress saw just how screwed up the system is in protecting people from chemicals, especially children.”

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who sponsored the measure, said yesterday that the action is a first step toward moving the United States closer to the European model, where industry must prove the safety of a chemical before it is allowed on the market.

“Chemical additives should not be placed in products that can impact health adversely until they are tested and found to be benign,” she said.

U.S. companies manufacture $1.4 billion worth of phthalates annually, and less than 5 percent of that is used in children’s products, according to the American Chemistry Council, which represents chemical makers.

Sharon Kneiss, a vice president at the trade group, said Congress acted prematurely. “There is no scientific basis for Congress to restrict phthalates from toys and children’s products. With over 50 years of research, phthalates are among the most thoroughly studied products in the world, and have been reviewed by multiple regulatory bodies in the U.S. and Europe,” she said.

Exxon Mobil contended that banning phthalates may inadvertently expose children to greater risks, because manufacturers will be forced to use substitute chemicals that may be even more hazardous.

“What’s at stake is, in fact, children’s safety,” said Elissa Sterry, a vice president at Exxon Mobil Chemicals. “If DINP is replaced by alternative products, that’s a potential risk to children.”

The industry’s position was repeated by Keith Hennessey, director of Bush’s Economic Policy Council, who wrote to the Senate saying that a ban could hurt children.

“Banning a product before a conclusive, scientific determination is reached is short-sighted and may result in the introduction of unregulated substitute chemicals that harm children’s health,” he wrote.

Most research on phthalates has been performed on rodents, and chemical makers say there is no evidence that humans are similarly affected. They also contend that children are exposed to phthalate levels far below the doses administered to laboratory rats.

But the first study involving human babies in 2005 raised questions about those arguments. Federally funded research by the Center for Reproductive Epidemiology at the University of Rochester Medical School found that male babies born to women with high levels of phthalates in their blood exhibited changes related to low sperm count, undescended testicles and other reproductive problems. In that study, the infants were exposed to phthalate levels way below the doses administered in rat experiments. Other studies have connected some phthalates to liver and kidney cancer.

Health experts argue that dangers may be more significant from cumulative exposure, because phthalates surround babies not only in toys and products but also in breast milk if the mother has been exposed to the chemicals.

The European Union banned six phthalates from children’s products in 1999 and more than a dozen other countries have done the same.

California’s ban has been followed by legislation in Washington state and Vermont.

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Lead Exposure in Childhood Linked to Criminal Behavior Later

Monday, July 28th, 2008

30-year study finds higher blood lead levels raised risk of arrest in adulthood 

From HealthDay

Children who are exposed to lead at a young age are more likely to be arrested later in life.

A study in the May 27 issue of PLoS Medicine is the first empirical evidence that elevated blood lead levels, both in the pregnant mother and in the child, are associated with criminal behavior in young adulthood.

“I never would have thought that we would be seeing these effects into the later 20s,” said study co-author Kim Dietrich, a professor of environmental health at the University of Cincinnati. “I’m actually quite astounded and quite worried about this. Although lead levels have been going down in this country, a large proportion of the population now in their 20s and 30s had blood levels in this neurotoxic range.”

Childhood lead exposure has been linked with anti-social behavior, lower IQ, attention deficits, hyperactivity and weak executive control functions, all of which are risk factors for future delinquent behavior (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, in particular, is a risk factor for adult criminal behavior). Studies have also related sales of leaded gasoline or high atmospheric lead levels with criminal behavior.

Although use has been curtailed recently, in the past lead was widely used in paint, solder for water pipes and gasoline. The U.S. government banned lead paint and solder in 1978 and 1986, respectively. By 1996, leaded gasoline had been phased out. These efforts resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of U.S. children with blood lead levels considered “of concern” (from 13.5 million in 1978 to 310,000 in 2002).

But many older buildings, especially those in poor, inner-city neighborhoods, still have lead paint on the walls and windowsills. Earlier this year, the U.S. government issued new rules designed to protect children from exposure to lead-based paint during repairs and renovations to homes and buildings. The new rules will take effect in 2010.

Dietrich’s paper is part of a larger study initiated in 1979 to study the effects of both prenatal and early childhood lead exposure on the growth and development of children. Pregnant women recruited into the study lived in areas of Cincinnati with a high concentration of older, lead-contaminated housing.

For the current report, researchers looked at maternal blood lead concentrations during pregnancy as well as concentrations in 250 children at regular intervals until they were almost 7. Arrest and incarceration information taken from county records years later was correlated with those blood lead levels.

Arrest rates were higher as blood lead concentrations went up. The association between high blood lead levels and violent crimes was even stronger. Any 5 micrograms per deciliter elevation in blood lead levels increased the rate of arrest for violent offenses by more than 25 percent, Dietrich said.

This was true even after adjusting for a multitude of other factors.

“In essence, we stripped away the variants that could be accounted for by early home environment — their health at birth, mother’s ingestion of drug and alcohol during pregnancy, their own ingestion of drugs postnatally and as adolescents and as young adults,” Dietrich explained.

A companion paper in the same issue of the journal found that, based on MRI data, exposure to lead during childhood was associated with reductions in gray matter volume in the brain in adulthood. The reductions were related to specific regions, including those responsible for executive function, mood regulation and decision-making. The reductions were more striking in males than females.

“This is shedding new light that no dose is safe for lead,” said Kim Cecil, co-author of the companion paper and an associate professor of radiology, pediatrics and neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

And while lead has been largely removed from the landscapes of developed countries, the same is not necessarily true in other parts of the world, Cecil pointed out.

Even in the United States, more could be done, Dietrich said.

“The Office of Management and Budget estimated that nearly 60 percent of children on Medicaid are not being screened [for lead exposure], as they should be,” he said. “And a recent study in Michigan found that 40 percent of children with blood levels in the neurotoxic range were never followed up.”

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Breast Cancer Chemotherapy and Brain Function

Saturday, July 26th, 2008

From medwire-news.md

Around one-third of breast cancer patients who receive adjuvant chemotherapy experience subtle disturbances in cognition, especially working memory, a Canadian study has shown.

Reassuringly, the researchers found that these impairments were mostly resolved 1 year after completion of therapy, contrary to some previous suggestions in the literature.

Due to advancements in the detection and treatment of breast cancer, patients are surviving for longer and there is increasing emphasis on the long-term adverse effects of certain therapies, Barbara Collins (The Ottawa Hospital, Ontario) and colleagues note in the journal Psycho-Oncology.

They add: “Many breast cancer patients complain of poor concentration and memory, and muddled, inefficient, and effortful thought processes - a condition known in patient circles as ‘chemo fog’ or ‘chemo brain’.”

Studies have established that breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy are at increased risk for cognitive compromise, but what is less clear is for how long these effects last.

The researchers performed a battery of neuropsychologic tests on 53 postmenopausal breast cancer patients before they underwent chemotherapy, 1 month after completion of the treatment course, and again 1 year later.

They performed the same tests on 40 breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant hormonal therapy as a control group, noting that “reliance on a healthy control group does not control for a myriad of potentially confounding host- and disease-related factors that could account for incident cognitive decline.”

Before starting treatment, patients due to receive chemotherapy did not differ significantly in overall cognition score from patients due to receive hormonal therapy.

One month after completion, chemotherapy patients were 2.72-times more likely to show an overall decline in cognition from baseline than patients who received hormonal therapy.

Areas of cognition that were frequently impaired in chemotherapy patients included working memory and visual memory.

When chemotherapy patients were assessed 1 year after completion of therapy, cognition scores had returned to levels seen before treatment.

Collins et al comment: “It seems reasonable to advise breast cancer patients that approximately one-third of women receiving standard dose adjuvant chemotherapy experience very subtle disturbances in cognition, especially working memory.

“But that, by 1 year after completion of treatment, cognitive function is not likely to differ from that of women receiving adjuvant hormonal therapy only.”

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