"Obese BMI Does Not Harm Current Health of Young Adults
Source: Ohio State University/ International Journal of Obesity
May 2010
Researchers from Ohio State University have found that those with an overweight BMI are generally not more unhealthy than those with a normal weight BMI. Instead of looking at "traditional risk factors", the researchers looked at the types and number of medications the study participants were taking.
For more information go to the article at: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/bmiillness.htm
***Gazette Editor note
I would like to begin a blog discussion about these findings. First the title is quite misleading as it implies that "obese" BMI (>30) does not harm current health, yet their findings were among individuals in the overweight BMI range (>25-29.9). Furthermore, it is also important to note that health conditions such as hypertension or hypercholestrolemia are often overlooked by clinicians and therefore may not be treated. Secondly, the first line of defense for those with these health conditions may not be drugs, but as we know it lifestyle modifications such as alteration in diet and activity habits. So, by investigating the types of and number of medications to reveal an individual's health status may be less than reliable given these factors.
Please comment :)
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Burgers and Fries Worsen Asthma, Study Suggests
Source: Yahoo! News
May 16, 2010
Researchers from the University of Newcastel found evidence of patients with asthma who ate a high fat meal had increased inflammation (presence of neutrophils) in their airways compared to those who ate a low- fat meal. The high fat meal consisted of burgers and hashbrowns (52% calories from fat) vs. the low fat meal which consisted of low fat yogurt (13% calories from fat). Upon treatment with albuterol, following the meal, those who consumed the high fat meal showed less improvement in their lung function
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EPIC study shows minimal association between fruit/vegetable intake and cancer risk
Source: ABC News
April 7, 2010
The age old advice to eat your veggies may not have such a large impact on cancer risk as once thought. A large European prospective study (EPIC) with nearly 500,000 participants found that over nine years, an increase in fruit/vegetable intake of 7 ounces per day decreased overall cancer risk by 3%. To read more, or to see the publication in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, check out the following links.
ABC News
PubMed
4/5/10- Study Finds that Insulin - Producing Beta Cells Can be Reborn
Reported by Yahoo Health
Researchers from the University of Geneva Medical School found that after beta cells in the pancreas have been destroyed alpha cells may transform into functioning beta cells in the type 1 diabetes model. However, since type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and the body will continuously "attack" the beta cells more research must be done to determine if the process of transformation is a viable treatment option for those with type 1.
To read the full article published by yahoo health go to the following link: Beta Cells Reborn ***********************************************************
4/5/10- Breastfeeding Would Save Lives and Money
Reported by the Boston Globe
In a study published in Pediatrics on April 5, 2010, investigators found that breastfeeding infants exclusively until the age of 6 months old can help prevent childhood diseases such as asthma, juvenile diabetes (type 1), childhood leukemia and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Not only will lives be saved, but also money. Economists estimated that if 50% of mothers breastfeed their babies exclusively until 6 months of age $3.6 billion can be saved in health care.
To read the full article published in the Boston Globe visit this link:
Breast Feeding Saves Lives
