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First, a newly reported reason to avoid obesity . . . (plus a reason to take folic acid)
Obesity Doubles Bowel Cancer Risk in Women -Study
— LONDON (Reuters) - Obesity doubles the risk of young women developing bowel cancer, American researchers said on Thursday. A study of nearly 90,000 women, by researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, showed that excessive weight increased the chances of developing the disease in women before the menopause.
— LONDON (Reuters) - Obesity doubles the risk of young women developing bowel cancer, American researchers said on Thursday. A study of nearly 90,000 women, by researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, showed that excessive weight increased the chances of developing the disease in women before the menopause.
"Our data suggest that obesity is associated with a two-fold increased risk of colorectal cancer. Obesity, which is reaching epidemic proportions in some countries, also increases the risk of diabetes, respiratory disease, muscle and skin problems, infertility, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and hormone-related cancers.
In a separate study published in the journal, scientists at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, Northern Ireland reported that folic acid could help to cut the chances of developing the disease in high risk patients.
All of the patients in the study had pre-cancerous growths in their bowel. Half received folic acid supplements and the remainder were given a placebo or dummy pill.
The researchers took biopsies at regular four week intervals to determine the impact of the supplements. In patients taking folic acid the scientists found the fewer proliferating cells than in the placebo group. "The report highlights the need for further investigation on the role of folate as a chemopreventative agent in patients at risk of colon cancer," the scientists said in the study.
Copyright 2002 Reuters News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
And second, another positive article about low carbs . . . it really works.
Study: Atkins Good for Cholesterol
Mon Nov 18, 6:16 PM ET Add Health - AP to My Yahoo!
Mon Nov 18, 6:16 PM ET Add Health - AP to My Yahoo!
By DANIEL Q. HANEY, AP Medical Editor
CHICAGO (AP) - Multitudes swear by the high-fat, low-carbohydrate Atkins diet, and now a carefully controlled study backs them up: Low-carb may actually take off more weight than low-fat and may be surprisingly better for cholesterol, too.
For years, the Atkins formula of sparing carbohydrates and loading up on taboo fatty foods has been blasphemy to many in the health establishment, who view it as a formula for cardiovascular ruin. But now, some of the same researchers who long scoffed at the diet are putting it to the test, and they say the results astonish them. Rather than making cholesterol soar, as they feared, the diet actually appears to improve it, and volunteers take off more weight.
At least three formal studies of the Atkins diet have been presented at medical conferences over the past year, and all have reached similar results. The latest, conducted by Dr. Eric Westman of Duke University, was presented Monday at the annual scientific meeting of the American Heart Association (news - web sites), long a stronghold of support for the traditional low-fat approach.
Westman studied 120 overweight volunteers, who were randomly assigned to the Atkins diet or the heart association's Step 1 diet, a widely used low-fat approach. On the Atkins diet, people limited their carbs to less than 20 grams a day, and 60 percent of their calories came from fat.
"It was high fat, off the scale," he said.
After six months, the people on the Atkins diet had lost an average of 31 pounds, compared with 20 pounds on the AHA diet, and more people stuck with the Atkins regimen. Total cholesterol fell slightly in both groups. However, those on the Atkins diet had an 11 percent increase in HDL, the good cholesterol, and a 49 percent drop in triglycerides. On the AHA diet, HDL was unchanged, and triglycerides dropped 22 percent. High triglycerides may raise the risk of heart disease.
"More study is necessary before such a diet can be recommended," Westman said. "However, a concern about serum lipid (cholesterol) elevations should not impede such research." Click here for complete story.
The above is not meant to be medical advice. Please read the attached Disclaimer, Etc. Best wishes. Dr. Rehert
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