STRAIGHTEN UP - Natural Awakenings

healthbriefs
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
A
Household Chemicals
May Pose Risk for
Breast Cancer
study recently published in the journal Environmental
Health reports that frequent use of common household
cleaning products may increase a woman’s risk for breast
cancer. The study was undertaken by the Silent Spring Institute,
a partnership of scientists, physicians, public health
advocates and community activists dedicated to identifying
links between the environment and women’s health,
especially breast cancer. Researchers conducted telephone
interviews with 787 women diagnosed with breast cancer and 721 comparison
women, questioning them about their product use, beliefs about breast cancer
causes, and established and suspected risk factors.
Executive Director Julia G. Brody, Ph.D., says, “Women who reported the
highest combined cleaning product use had a doubled risk of breast cancer compared
to those with the lowest reported use. Use of air fresheners and products for
mold and mildew control were associated with increased risk. To our knowledge,
this is the first published report on cleaning product use and the risk of breast cancer.”
The use of insect repellents was also associated with increased risk.
The Science Behind
an Apple a Day
According to Bahram H. Arjmandi, Ph.D., a
registered dietician and chair of the Department
of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences at Florida
State University, there is scientific truth in the adage,
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” The nationally
recognized nutrition researcher, a Margaret A.
Sitton professor, maintains that apples are a “miracle
fruit,” providing health benefits beyond fiber.
Earlier animal studies have shown that the pectin
and polyphenols in apples improve lipid metabolism and lower the production of
pro-inflammatory molecules. Arjmandi’s new study is the first to evaluate the long-term
cardio-protective effects of eating apples daily. He randomly assigned 160 women, ages
45 to 65, to one of two dietary intervention groups: one received 75 grams of dried
apples each day (the equivalent of four or five fresh apples); the other ate dried prunes.
Arjmandi reports surprising results: “Incredible changes in the apple-eating
women happened by six months—they experienced a 23 percent decrease in LDL
[bad] cholesterol.” Daily apple consumption also led to lower levels of C-reactive
protein, which is known to trigger inflammation in the body. In another unexpected
benefit, the apple-eaters lost an average of 3.3 pounds.
Source: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
14 Chicago North & North Shore www.NAChicagoNorth.com
saffLower
oiL — good for
the heart
S afflower oil, a common cooking
oil, may help improve insulin
sensitivity, lower inflammation and
blood sugar levels, and elevate HDL
(good) cholesterol in overweight
women with Type 2 diabetes, according
to new research from Ohio State
University. The study also revealed
that the oil helps reduce abdominal
fat, which is linked to an increased
risk of heart disease. The findings indicate
that a daily dietary dose of one
and two-thirds teaspoons is sufficient
for a person to benefit from the oil’s
Cautionary news
about CaLCium
New research published online in
the British Medical Journal adds
to mounting evidence that calcium
supplements may increase the risk of
cardiovascular events, particularly
heart attacks, in postmenopausal
women. Many older women take
calcium supplements to manage
osteoporosis, but after re-analyzing
data on 16,718 women participating
in the seven-year Women’s Health
Initiative Calcium/Vitamin D Supplementation
Study, researchers at the
University of Auckland, in New Zealand,
now urge reassessment of calcium
prescriptions to maintain bone
health. Their metastudy showed that
postmenopausal women
that took combined
calcium and vitamin
D supplements had
increased risk of
heart attacks.