In what they call a “surprising link,” researchers have found that cancerous brain tumors called gliomas are less common among those with elevated blood sugar and diabetes.

The new discovery, reported this week in the Scientific Reports, build on previous research findings at the Ohio State University that high blood sugar appears to reduce a person’s risk of a noncancerous brain tumor called meningioma.

As one of the most common types of cancerous tumors originating in the brain, glioma begins in the cells that surround nerve cells and help them function. While it is typically diagnosed in middle age, there is no treatment now that ensures long-term survival.

Supported by the U.S. National Cancer Institute, the research included data from two large long-term studies: one, known as AMORIS, consisted of 528,580 Swedes; the second, called Me-Can, consisted of 269,365 Austrians and Swedes. In all, 812 participants developed gliomas.

“Diabetes and elevated blood sugar increase the risk of cancer at several sites including the colon, breast and bladder. But in this case, these rare malignant brain tumors are more common among people who have normal levels of blood glucose than those with high blood sugar or diabetes,” Judith Schwartzbaum, an associate professor of epidemiology and a researcher in Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, was quoted as saying in a news release.

The researchers evaluated blood sugar and diabetes data and its relationship to subsequent development of brain cancer and found that those with elevated blood sugar and diabetes had a lower risk of developing glioma, and that this relationship was strongest within a year of cancer diagnosis.

“This really prompts the question, ‘Why is the association between blood glucose levels and brain cancer the opposite of that for several other cancerous tumors?” Schwartzbaum said. “This may suggest that the tumor itself affects blood glucose levels or that elevated blood sugar or diabetes may paradoxically be associated with a protective factor that reduces brain tumor risk.”

The brain accounts for only about 2 percent of body weight, but consumes about 20 percent of the body’s available glucose. “Our research raises questions that, when answered, will lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in glioma development,” she said. (Xinhua)

source: Manila Bulletin - Published May 7, 2017, 3:51 PM
http://lifestyle.mb.com.ph/2017/05/07/study-brain-cancer-less-common-among-people-with-high-blood-sugar/

About 12 million Filipinos are hypertensive and half of them are “walking time bombs” who could succumb to a heart attack or stroke because they are unaware of their condition. To raise greater awareness of hypertension, the Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday launched a monthlong campaign to screen Filipinos for abnormal high blood pressure.

Called the May Measurement Month 2017 (MMM17), the campaign aims to screen at least 1.7 million Filipinos for hypertension as part of a global screening effort targeting 25 million people, the DOH said.

“Some of these unsuspecting hypertensive individuals are extremely at risk and can be considered  ‘walking time bombs’ because anytime they can figuratively ‘explode’ to develop complications like massive stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney failure,” said Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial.

“Health awareness offers tremendous advantages,” she added, referring to screening to detect the illness.

Premature death

Hypertension is a primary contributor to premature death in the country, with 200,000 deaths every year due directly or indirectly to high blood pressure, according to the DOH.

A department report said hypertension was the third leading cause of morbidity in 2014, behind topnotcher acute respiratory infection and pneumonia.

Ubial said screening would be a cost-effective way to identify at-risk individuals early enough to reduce their healthcare costs, increase their productivity and prevent a rise in the overall disease rates.

She urged Filipinos to support the campaign by getting screened this month for hypertension and other noncommunicable diseases like diabetes at local health centers, rural health units or hospitals.

Health workers would need to take a person’s blood pressure several times to establish whether that individual has hypertension. Those diagnosed with hypertension would be encouraged to enroll in the DOH Hypertension and Diabetes Registry and Club for regular checkups and maintenance medicines.

Healthy lifestyle

“We advise the public to know their blood pressure and adopt a healthy lifestyle because your health is in your hands,” Ubial said.

She suggested regular exercise, a diet that is low in fat, sugar, salt and high in fiber, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol consumption to lower the risk of hypertension.

The screening project is a DOH initiative in cooperation with the International Society of Hypertension and the World Hypertension League, the Philippine Society of Hypertension and  the Philippine Heart Association.

The DOH chose Manila as the pilot site for MMM17 because of Mayor Joseph Estrada’s focused health-care programs and policies, including the citywide smoking ban and free maintenance medicines for the city’s senior citizens.

Are nuts really healthy, what makes them so? —This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

There is no doubt that nuts pack a healthy punch. Researches indicate that they bring a host of health benefits and are not really as fattening as most tend to believe.  Also, nuts, like all plant products, are cholesterol-free.

Experts agree that for a healthy eating pattern, nuts should be among the variety of protein food that we should partake of.  Hence, unless you’re allergic to nuts, you are a nut if you don’t include nuts in your diet.

What are nuts and what are they good for?

Nuts are seeds. They are usually encased in a hard outer shell and grow on shrubs or trees. Peanuts, the most popular finger food in the Philippines, however, are really not nuts. They are legumes that grow not on trees but in the ground. Since the amount of nutrition per serving of peanuts resembles that of tree nuts, however, they can appropriately be considered as nuts.

In the Philippines, aside from peanuts, other popular native nuts include cashew and pili. Also abundant albeit a bit expensive in our country are imported nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, and chestnuts.

Numerous studies have concluded that incorporating nuts in our diet can protect us from cancer and heart disease.  One of these, a 2016 analysis of 29 studies that involved more than 819,000 people, showed that a handful (20 grams) of nuts a day can cut people’s risk of heart disease by nearly 30 percent, of cancer by 15 percent, and of premature death by 22 percent. The study included all kinds of tree nuts and peanuts. Some scientific evidence also suggests that eating nuts every day in place of carbohydrates can help control type 2 diabetes.

What’s in nuts that make them beneficial?

Nuts are rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals, and dietary fibers. Although they are also high on fats, most of their fats are of the monosaturated and polyunsaturated varieties, which are heart-friendly—they lower bad cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. LDL plays a major role in the development of plaque that builds up in blood vessels.

Nuts also abound in omega-3 fatty acids, which aside from being powerful antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation has been linked to heart disease. It is the culprit in arthritis.

The dietary fibers in nuts help lower blood cholesterol and prevent type 2 diabetes. They also help maintain our desirable body weight by making us eat less because they make us feel full easily.

The vitamins and sterols that nuts have in abundance serve as powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the cells of the body from getting damaged by free radicals that injure cells and contribute to such disorders as cancer, heart disease, and certain conditions associated with aging.

Does it matter what kind of nuts you eat?

It probably doesn’t. Most nuts appear to possess essentially the same beneficial substances, although the actual contents vary in amounts. For example, walnuts contain higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acid while macadamia nuts have more calories than other nuts.

How much nuts should you eat?

Before you go nuts on nuts, however, be mindful that nuts have one drawback—they are high in calories. As much as 80 percent of a nut is fat. Even though most of this fat is healthy fat, it’s still a lot of calories (about 160 to 200 calories for every ounce or 28.4 grams). That’s why you should not feast on nuts, a handful (about 20 grams) a day should be enough.

To keep the calories in nuts low, eat them raw, boiled, baked, or roasted instead of cooked in oil. Likewise, avoid nuts that are sweetened, salted, or dipped in chocolate.

A great way to consume nuts without adding calories to your diet is to substitute your unhealthy fat-filled snacks like pastries, chips, or fried snacks with a handful of nuts.

source: Manila Bulletin
http://lifestyle.mb.com.ph/2017/04/25/should-you-go-nuts-on-nuts/

The popular saying ‘food is medicine’ was based on the words of the father of Western medicine Hippocrates who said: “Let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food.”

It is important to consume a nutrient-dense diet to prevent chronic illnesses. This type of diet must also be composed of mostly whole or minimally processed food to reduce the intake of unhealthy fats and refined sugars, which are both associated with increased risk of developing diseases with increased intake.

Food items, which boast of being nutrient-rich and are considered functional (have potential health benefits beyond basic nutrition), may be harmful when taken with some medications. Certain medical conditions can be aggravated, leading to complications. Sad to say, food that heals can also kill.

Here are some that could interact with drugs or worsen illnesses.

Soy – This legume is high in protein and low in saturated fat. Soy and soy products are good for the heart and may help prevent breast cancer when consumed at an earlier age as some studies show. Soy is best avoided or consumed in moderation by breast cancer patients who are estrogen-sensitive since soy contains isoflavones, which act like weak estrogen. Estrogen promotes the growth of breast cancer cells.

Soy must be avoided by individuals who have high uric acid or gouty arthritis as well as those who have hypothyroidism. Soy prevents the absorption of thyroid medication. If you cannot avoid soy and soy products, allow at least four hours between taking your medication and consuming it.

Turmeric – This spice contains curcumin, a powerful antioxidant that has been found to reduce tumor size and prevent the growth of cancer cells. It also has blood thinning effects and can lower blood pressure therefore be careful in taking supplements if you are taking anticoagulants or antihypertensive drugs.

Turmeric stimulates the flow of bile, which is needed for fat metabolism but it should be avoided if you have gallstones or gallbladder disease. Turmeric causes painful contractions of the gallbladder and may even cause obstruction in the common bile duct, which is a medical emergency.

Grapefruit – This bitter tasting fruit is high in vitamin C, lycopene, potassium, and other vitamins and phytonutrients that promote a healthy heart and decrease cancer risk. But like every other superfood on this list, grapefruit has its flaws. Substances in grapefruit as well as pomelo and pomegranate block the action of an enzyme that breaks down some medications that lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and other medications for the heart. It could also interact with psychiatric drugs, immune suppressants, medicines for erectile dysfunction, and sedatives. The accummulation of drugs in the blood due to the impaired breakdown and excretion leads to muscle, kidney, or liver damage.

Cinnamon – This spice is a potent anti-inflammatory that reduces arthritic pain and can improve blood glucose control and cholesterol levels. It contains coumarin, a substance that has blood thinning effects. An anticoagulant known as Warfarin is derived from coumarin. Therefore, it is important to avoid large doses of cinnamon when taking Warfarin and other blood thinning drugs like aspirin to prevent bleeding.

If you are on medication or have any medical condition, consult your physician and dietitian for proper management to prevent adverse effects.

source Manila Bulletin
http://lifestyle.mb.com.ph/2017/04/25/what-you-eat-can-either-heal-or-kill-you/