Researchers recently reported that Canadian men who are regular alcohol drinkers – on a daily or weekly basis – have a higher risk of cancer of the esophagus, stomach, colon, liver, lung, and prostate. The more men drink, the greater the risk. The investigators suspect that alcohol may be responsible for up to 5% of all invasive [...]
Entries from August 2009
August 22, 2009
Estimate Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Stroke
The American Diabetes Association has just unveiled an online calculator that estimates your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or stroke over the next 30 years. It’s at My Health Advisor. Anyone can use it. You use the calculator anonymously, although I assume they will capture the IP address of your computer. You don’t [...]
August 20, 2009
Fish Linked to Lower Dementia Risk, Once Again
Older adults in low- to middle-income countries seem to have a lower risk of dementia if they regularly eat fish, according to a new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This comes on the heels of another recent study questioning the anti-dementia protective effect of fish consumption. Almost 15,000 people were surveyed in [...]
August 17, 2009
Wine Safely Lowers Fasting Blood Sugar in Type 2 Diabetes
Wine consumption lowered fasting blood sugar levels by 15% in type 2 diabetics who had previously not been habitual drinkers, according to a 2007 study in Israel. Background Judicious alcohol consumption is linked to lower rates of cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke), longer lifespan, and lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The beneficial [...]
August 15, 2009
Atkins Diet Beats Low-Fat Diet Over Three Months in Overweight Diabetic Black Women
A recent study compared effects of a low-carb versus low-fat diet in overweight diabetics (mostly blacks). After one year, the only major difference they found was lower HDL cholesterol in the low-carb eaters. The low-carb diet was more effective measured at three months into the study. Study participants were overwhelmingly black women, so the findings may not [...]
August 7, 2009
Metformin May Reduce Pancreatic Cancer Risk in Diabetics
Reuters reported recently that people with type 2 diabetes using metformin had a 60% lower risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared with diabetics who never used metformin. People taking insulin and drugs that stimulate insulin secretion, such as sulfonylureas and glinides, also seem to be at higher risk of pancreas cancer. Lead researcher for the [...]
August 6, 2009
Potential Adverse Effects of Alcohol
In a recent blog post, I discussed the potential benefits of alcohol consumption on longevity, coronary artery disease, and dementia. I have no intention of overselling the benefits of alcohol. If you are considering habitual alcohol as a food, be aware that the health benefits are still somewhat debatable. Consumption of three or more alcoholic drinks per [...]
August 5, 2009
Dental Problems and Systemic Chronic Disease: A Carbohydrate Connection?
Dentists are considering a return to an old theory that dietary carbohydrates first cause dental diseases, then certain systemic chronic diseases, according to a review in the June 1, 2009, Journal of Dental Research. We’ve known for years that some dental and systemic diseases are associated with each other, both for individuals and populations. For example, gingivitis and periodontal disease are associated [...]
August 3, 2009
Potential Beneficial Effects of Alcohol
For centuries, the healthier populations in the Mediterranean region have enjoyed wine in light to moderate amounts, usually with meals. Observational studies there and in other parts of the world have associated reasonable alcohol consumption with prolonged lifespan, reduced coronary artery disease, diminished Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and possibly fewer strokes. Alcohol tends to increase HDL [...]
