Fish Oil May Increase Prostate Cancer Risk
July 15, 2013
by Robert Wascher
Filed under A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race, Cancer, Cancer Incidence, Cancer Prevention, cancer risk, cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular disease risk, cooking oil, Cooking Oils, coronary artery disease, Fish, Fish Oil, Flaxseed, health, Healthy Diet, heart attack, heart disease, Heart Disease Risk, lifestyle, men, Nutrition, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, prevention, prostate cancer, Prostate Cancer Prevention, Prostate Cancer Risk, risk, Unsaturated Fat, Weekly Health Update
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A new study suggests that high levels of fish oil in the blood may increase prostate cancer risk.
FISH OIL MAY INCREASE PROSTATE CANCER RISK As I discuss in my book, A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race, there is research evidence available suggesting that omega-3 fatty acids, which are abundant in fatty fishes and fish oil supplements, may potentially decrease the risk of breast cancer and other types of cancer. Indeed, in a recent column I reviewed a new study that strongly suggested a role for fish oil supplements in the prevention of breast cancer (Fish Oil May Decrease Breast Cancer Risk). Now, a newly published clinical research study suggests that fish oil may increase the risk of prostate cancer, and aggressive forms of prostate cancer in particular. This newly published study appears in the current issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. In this study, 834 men diagnosed with prostate cancer were compared with 1,393 age-matched men without prostate cancer. All of these men underwent measurement of the levels of fish oil-derived omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DPA and DHA) in their blood. After measuring and comparing the levels of fish-derived omega-3 fatty acids in the blood of these research volunteers, the researchers found that the volunteers with the highest levels of these omega-3 fatty acids were 44 percent more likely to be diagnosed with favorable forms of prostate cancer, and 71 percent more likely to be diagnosed with more aggressive forms of prostate cancer, when compared to the men with the lowest levels of fish-derived omega-3 fatty acids in their blood. Overall, men with the highest levels of fish-derived omega-3 fatty acids in their blood were 43 percent more likely to be diagnosed with any form of prostate cancer when compared to men with the lowest levels of fish oil-derived omega-3 fatty acids in their blood. On the other hand, men with the highest blood levels of fatty acids derived from plants (omega-6 fatty acids) actually had a 23 percent lower likelihood of developing any form of prostate cancer. As I have pointed out often before, studies such as this one can point out potential associations between specific lifestyle habits and the risk of cancer (or other diseases). However, they cannot truly prove a “cause-and-effect” relationship between individual lifestyle factors and disease risk. To arrive at this higher level of proof, a large prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded clinical research trial is necessary. However, given that this is not the first research study to link high levels of fish-derived omega-3 fatty acids with an increase in prostate cancer risk, I have recently cut back on my own intake of both fish and fish oil supplements. (Like millions of other people who take fish oil supplements and who regularly eat fish, I long ago added these items to my diet in the hope that I would significantly reduce my risk of cardiovascular disease. However, a recent prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study of fish oil supplements in patients at elevated risk for cardiovascular disease showed no apparent reduction in the risk of heart attacks or strokes, or other cardiovascular disease events, among the research volunteers who were randomized to receive fish oil supplements.) Until a large-scale prospective, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study is performed to validate the findings of this “case-cohort” public health study, it would seem prudent to cut back on daily fish oil supplements, which I myself have done. For more information on evidence-based approaches to cancer prevention, please read more on this important health topic in A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race.
For a groundbreaking overview of cancer risks, and evidence-based strategies to reduce your risk of developing cancer, order your copy of my bestselling book, “A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race,” from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Vroman’s Bookstore, and other fine bookstores! Within one week of publication, A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race was ranked #6 among all cancer-related books on the Amazon.com “Top 100 Bestseller’s List” for Kindle e-books. Within three months of publication, A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race was the #1 book on the Amazon.com “Top 100 New Book Releases in Cancer” list.
Additional Links for Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS New Facebook Page for A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race CNN Story on CTCA’s Organic Farm in the Phoenix Area Dr. Wascher Discusses Signs & Symptoms of Skin Cancer Profile of Dr. Wascher by Oncology Times Bio of Dr. Wascher at Cancer Treatment Centers of America Dr. Wascher Discusses Predictions of Decreased Cancer Risk on azfamily.com Dr. Wascher Discusses Environmental Risk Factors for Breast Cancer on Sharecare Dr. Wascher Answers Questions About Cancer on talkabouthealth.com Dr. Wascher Discusses Cancer Prevention Strategies on LIVESTRONG Dr. Wascher Discusses Cancer Prevention on Newsmax Dr. Wascher Answers Questions About Cancer Risk & Cancer Prevention on The Doctors Radio Show Dr. Wascher Discusses Lymphedema After Breast Surgery on cancerlynx.com Dr. Wascher Discusses Hormone Replacement Therapy & Breast Cancer Risk on cancerlynx.com Dr. Wascher Discusses Chronic Pain After Mastectomy for Breast Cancer on cancerlynx.com Dr. Wascher Discusses Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Cancer on cancersupportivecare.com Dr. Wascher Discusses the Role of Exercise in Cancer Prevention on Open Salon Dr. Wascher Discusses Aspirin as a Potential Preventive Agent for Pancreatic Cancer on eHealth Forum Dr. Wascher Discusses Obesity & Cancer Risk on eHealth Forum Dr. Wascher Discusses the Role of Radiation Therapy in the Treatment of Breast Cancer on Sharecare Dr. Wascher Discusses the Treatment of Stomach Cancer on Sharecare Dr. Wascher Discusses the Management of Metastatic Cancer of the Liver on Sharecare Dr. Wascher Discusses Obesity & Cancer Risk on hopenavigators.com Dr. Wascher Discusses Hormone Replacement Therapy & Breast Cancer Risk on interactmd.com Dr. Wascher Discusses Thyroid Cancer on health2fit.com
Links to Other Breaking Health News FDA Approves New Brain Scan to Assess for ADHD in Kids Epidemic of Drug Overdose Deaths Among Middle-Aged Women Naked Mole Rat May Provide Important Cancer Prevention Clue The Effects of Poverty on the Brain Half of Us Will Develop Cancer in Our Lifetimes Protein Critical for Long-Term Memory Identified Probiotics May Decrease Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea caused by C. difficile 3-D Printer Helps to Save Baby’s Life Experimental Drug May Reduce Heart Damage after Heart Attack Vitamin D May Improve Asthma Symptoms Doctor Provides Patients with Own Feces for Fecal Transplants Rising Arsenic Levels in Chicken Dramatic Increase in Suicide Rate Among Middle Aged Americans Over the Past Decade Cutting Umbilical Cord Too Soon May Cause Anemia in Newborns Spiny New Bandage May Speed Healing of Skin Wounds Study Confirms that Men Really Do Have Trouble Reading the Thoughts of Women Deadly new Bird Flu Strain Cases Continue to Rise Abdominal Fat Increases Kidney Disease Risk Increasing Dietary Potassium & Decreasing Salt Intake Reduces Stroke Risk A New Explanation for the Link Between Red Meat & Cardiovascular Disease Deadly New Bird Flu Identified in China Infection Risk: Keeping an Eye on Your Dentist Couple Loses 500 Pounds in Two Years Coffee May Reduce Crash Risk for Long-Distance Drivers Tiny Implant Tells Your Smart Phone When You Are Having A Heart Attack Transplanted Kidney Causes Death Due to Rabies Eating While Distracted Increases Calorie Intake Resistant Bacteria are on the Rise High Levels of Stress Linked to an Increase in Heart Disease Risk Small Snacks Cut Hunger as Well as Big Snacks Poor Sleep May Increase the Risk of Heart Failure Ancient Mummies Found to Have Heart Disease by CT Scan Physically Fit Kids Do Better on Math & Reading Tests How Melanoma Skin Cancer Evades the Immune System Possible Link Between BPA and Asthma Baby Boomers Appear Less Healthy Than Their Parents The Biology of Love in the Brain Millennials May be the Most Stressed-Out Generation Even Modest Alcohol Intake Raises Cancer Risk Why Do Boys Receive Lower Grades than Girls? Negative Emotions and Feelings Can Damage Your Health Canker Sore Drug Cures Obesity (At Least in Mice…) How Technology is Changing the Practice of Medicine New Salt Intake Guidelines for Children High Levels of Distress in Childhood May Increase Risk of Heart Disease in Adulthood Quitting Tobacco by Age 40 Restores a Normal Lifespan in Smokers Cancer Death Rates Continue to Fall Self-Help Books Improve Depression Marines Try Mindfulness and Meditation to Reduce PTSD Dying Nurse Volunteers Herself to Teach Nursing Students about the Dying Falling Asleep While Driving More Common than Previously Thought Celebrity Health Fads Debunked Obesity Among Young Children May Be Declining Fresh Fruits & Vegetables May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk Satisfaction with Life May Actually Increase with Age Brain Changes in the Elderly May Increase Susceptibility to Being Scammed
According to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for veterans who served on active duty between September 2001 and December 2011 is more than 12 percent. A new website, Veterans in Healthcare, seeks to connect veterans with potential employers. If you are a veteran who works in the healthcare field, or if you are an employer who is looking for physicians, advanced practice professionals, nurses, corpsmen/medics, or other healthcare professionals, then please take a look at Veterans in Healthcare. As a retired veteran of the U.S. Army, I would also like to personally urge you to hire a veteran whenever possible. Disclaimer: As always, my advice to readers is to seek the advice of your physician before making any significant changes in medications, diet, or level of physical activity Dr. Wascher is an oncologic surgeon, professor of surgery, cancer researcher, oncology consultant, and a widely published author
I and the staff of Weekly Health Update would again like to take this opportunity to thank the more than 100,000 health-conscious people from around the world who visit this premier global health information website every month. Over the past 12 months, 3.3 million pages of high-quality medical research findings were served to the worldwide audience of health-conscious readers. As always, we enjoy receiving your stimulating feedback and questions, and I will continue to try and personally answer as many of your inquiries as I possibly can.
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Fish Oil May Lower Breast Cancer Risk
July 8, 2013
by Robert Wascher
Filed under A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race, Breast Cancer, breast cancer prevention, breast cancer risk, Cancer, Cancer Prevention, cancer risk, cooking oil, Cooking Oils, Fish, Fish Oil, health, Healthy Diet, lifestyle, Nutrition, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Weekly Health Update
Mediterranean Diet Reduces Cardiovascular Disease Risk
April 7, 2013
by Robert Wascher
Filed under A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race, Atherosclerosis, Atherosclerotic Plaques, Bacon, Cancer Prevention, Canola Oil, cardiovascular disease, CHF, cholesterol, cooking oil, Cooking Oils, coronary artery disease, death, diabetes, diet, Dietary Fiber, Fast Food, fat, fiber, Fish, Flaxseed, Fried Foods, fruits, Grilled Meat, health, Healthy Diet, heart attack, heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, Hypertension, LDL, lifestyle, Luncheon Meat, meat, Mediterranean Diet, Metabolic Syndrome, Monounsaturated Fat, mortality, myocardial infarction, Nutrition, obesity, Olive Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Overweight, Processed Meat, Red Meat, risk, Risk of Death, Saturated Fat, Sausage, stroke, Trans-Fats, triglycerides, Unsaturated Fat, vegetables, Weekly Health Update, Western Diet, whole grains
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A new clinical research study shows that a Mediterranean diet significantly reduces cardiovascular disease risk.
MEDITERRANEAN DIET REDUCES CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK As I have discussed in my bestselling book, A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race, a Mediterranean diet appears to significantly reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, and cancers of the gastrointestinal tract in particular. In general, a Mediterranean diet is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, and poultry. The use of unsaturated cooking oils, like olive oil and canola oil, and the avoidance of saturated fats, are also hallmarks of a Mediterranean diet, as is the decreased intake of red meat, processed meats, and dairy products. A Mediterranean diet has also been viewed by many experts as a heart-healthy diet, although most of the studies that have looked at the effects of a Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular disease risk have relied upon dietary surveys to collect data, which is a less rigorous method of doing research when compared to prospective randomized clinical research trials. However, a newly published prospective randomized clinical trial now provides the high level research data needed to properly assess the impact of a Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular disease risk. This important new clinical study appears in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. In this study, 7,477 research volunteers were randomized into one of three different study groups. The first group consumed a Mediterranean diet that was supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil. The second group consumed a Mediterranean diet supplemented with tree nuts. The third group, which served as the control group, was given advice on how to adhere to a low-fat diet, but the diets of the volunteers in this control group were not modified or controlled by the study’s researchers. Research dieticians closely followed the food intake of the volunteers in this study, and they worked intensively with the volunteers assigned to the two Mediterranean diet groups to modify the diets of these volunteers. All male study volunteers were between the ages of 55 and 80 years, while the female volunteers ranged in age from 60 to 80 years. None of the study volunteers had cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, when they entered into this clinical trial, although they all had one or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including diabetes or at least three of the following risk factors: smoking, high blood pressure, increased LDL cholesterol levels, overweight or obesity, or a family history of early-onset coronary artery disease. After an average of almost 5 years of follow-up, the impact of a Mediterranean diet on these research volunteers was highly significant. Both groups of volunteers who adhered to a Mediterranean diet in this study experienced a significant reduction in cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, or death from any cardiovascular cause (when compared to the control group). Indeed, both the group that adhered to the olive-oil-supplemented Mediterranean diet and the group that was placed on the nut-supplemented Mediterranean diet experienced 30 percent fewer cardiovascular events when compared to the control group that did not adhere to a Mediterranean diet! In summary, among a group of middle aged and elderly men and women with one or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with olive oil or tree nuts significantly reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to these or any other cardiovascular causes. As I discuss in A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race, living an evidence-based cancer prevention lifestyle not only reduces your risk of dying from cancer, but also reduces your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease as well! This new research study also shows that it is never too late to adopt a healthier diet, and that health benefits derived from switching to a Mediterranean diet can be enjoyed by even middle aged and elderly men and women.
For a groundbreaking overview of cancer risks, and evidence-based strategies to reduce your risk of developing cancer, order your copy of my bestselling book, “A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race,” from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Vroman’s Bookstore, and other fine bookstores! Within one week of publication, A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race was ranked #6 among all cancer-related books on the Amazon.com “Top 100 Bestseller’s List” for Kindle e-books. Within three months of publication, A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race was the #1 book on the Amazon.com “Top 100 New Book Releases in Cancer” list.
Additional Links for Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS Profile of Dr. Wascher by Oncology Times Bio of Dr. Wascher at Cancer Treatment Centers of America Dr. Wascher Discusses Predictions of Decreased Cancer Risk on azfamily.com Dr. Wascher Discusses Environmental Risk Factors for Breast Cancer on Sharecare Dr. Wascher Answers Questions About Cancer on talkabouthealth.com Dr. Wascher Discusses Cancer Prevention Strategies on LIVESTRONG Dr. Wascher Discusses Cancer Prevention on Newsmax Dr. Wascher Answers Questions About Cancer Risk & Cancer Prevention on The Doctors Radio Show Dr. Wascher Discusses Lymphedema After Breast Surgery on cancerlynx.com Dr. Wascher Discusses Hormone Replacement Therapy & Breast Cancer Risk on cancerlynx.com Dr. Wascher Discusses Chronic Pain After Mastectomy for Breast Cancer on cancerlynx.com Dr. Wascher Discusses Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Cancer on cancersupportivecare.com Dr. Wascher Discusses the Role of Exercise in Cancer Prevention on Open Salon Dr. Wascher Discusses Aspirin as a Potential Preventive Agent for Pancreatic Cancer on eHealth Forum Dr. Wascher Discusses Obesity & Cancer Risk on eHealth Forum Dr. Wascher Discusses the Role of Radiation Therapy in the Treatment of Breast Cancer on Sharecare Dr. Wascher Discusses the Treatment of Stomach Cancer on Sharecare Dr. Wascher Discusses the Management of Metastatic Cancer of the Liver on Sharecare Dr. Wascher Discusses Obesity & Cancer Risk on hopenavigators.com Dr. Wascher Discusses Hormone Replacement Therapy & Breast Cancer Risk on interactmd.com Dr. Wascher Discusses Thyroid Cancer on health2fit.com
Links to Other Breaking Health News Increasing Dietary Potassium & Decreasing Salt Intake Reduces Stroke Risk A New Explanation for the Link Between Red Meat & Cardiovascular Disease Deadly New Bird Flu Identified in China Infection Risk: Keeping an Eye on Your Dentist Couple Loses 500 Pounds in Two Years Coffee May Reduce Crash Risk for Long-Distance Drivers Tiny Implant Tells Your Smart Phone When You Are Having A Heart Attack Transplanted Kidney Causes Death Due to Rabies Eating While Distracted Increases Calorie Intake Resistant Bacteria are on the Rise High Levels of Stress Linked to an Increase in Heart Disease Risk Small Snacks Cut Hunger as Well as Big Snacks Poor Sleep May Increase the Risk of Heart Failure Deep Brain Stimulation May Help Patients with Anorexia Nervosa Ancient Mummies Found to Have Heart Disease by CT Scan Physically Fit Kids Do Better on Math & Reading Tests How Melanoma Skin Cancer Evades the Immune System Possible Link Between BPA and Asthma Toddler May Have Been Cured of HIV (AIDS) Virus Baby Boomers Appear Less Healthy Than Their Parents The Biology of Love in the Brain Millennials May be the Most Stressed-Out Generation Even Modest Alcohol Intake Raises Cancer Risk Why Do Boys Receive Lower Grades than Girls? Negative Emotions and Feelings Can Damage Your Health Canker Sore Drug Cures Obesity (At Least in Mice…) How Technology is Changing the Practice of Medicine New Salt Intake Guidelines for Children High Levels of Distress in Childhood May Increase Risk of Heart Disease in Adulthood Quitting Tobacco by Age 40 Restores a Normal Lifespan in Smokers Cancer Death Rates Continue to Fall Self-Help Books Improve Depression Marines Try Mindfulness and Meditation to Reduce PTSD Dying Nurse Volunteers Herself to Teach Nursing Students about the Dying Falling Asleep While Driving More Common than Previously Thought Celebrity Health Fads Debunked Thousands of Surgery Mistakes Are Still Happening Each Year Kids with Food Allergies May Become Targets of Bullies Obesity Among Young Children May Be Declining Fresh Fruits & Vegetables May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk Satisfaction with Life May Actually Increase with Age Brain Changes in the Elderly May Increase Susceptibility to Being Scammed “Talking” Therapy May Help Depression When Antidepressant Medications Fail Predicting Childhood Obesity at Birth
Dr. Wascher’s latest video:  Dark as Night, Part 1 At this time, more than 8 percent of Americans are unemployed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, however, the unemployment rate for veterans who served on active duty between September 2001 and December 2011 is more than 12 percent. A new website, Veterans in Healthcare, seeks to connect veterans with potential employers. If you are a veteran who works in the healthcare field, or if you are an employer who is looking for physicians, advanced practice professionals, nurses, corpsmen/medics, or other healthcare professionals, then please take a look at Veterans in Healthcare. As a retired veteran of the U.S. Army, I would also like to personally urge you to hire a veteran whenever possible. Disclaimer: As always, my advice to readers is to seek the advice of your physician before making any significant changes in medications, diet, or level of physical activity Dr. Wascher is an oncologic surgeon, professor of surgery, cancer researcher, oncology consultant, and a widely published author
I and the staff of Weekly Health Update would again like to take this opportunity to thank the more than 100,000 health-conscious people from around the world who visit this premier global health information website every month. Over the past 12 months, more than 2.8 million pages of high-quality medical research findings were served to the worldwide audience of health-conscious readers. As always, we enjoy receiving your stimulating feedback and questions, and I will continue to try and personally answer as many of your inquiries as I possibly can.
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Fish Oil Improves Memory, Reduces Diabetes and Heart Disease Risk Factors
January 27, 2013
by Robert Wascher
Filed under Arterial Function, Atherosclerosis, Blood Sugar, brain health, cardiovascular disease, Cognition, cognitive function, dementia, diabetes, fat, Fish, Fish Oil, Fitness, health, heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, Hypertension, lifestyle, Lipids, memory, Mental Health, Nutrition, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, prevention, Supplements, triglycerides, Weekly Health Update
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Fish Oil Improves Memory, Reduces Diabetes and Heart Disease Risk Factors
FISH OIL IMPROVES MEMORY, REDUCES DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE RISK FACTORS Fish oil, which is rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, can play an important role in maintaining cardiovascular health. There is also research data available to suggest that regular supplements of fish oil may improve brain function, including memory, in older patients. Now, a recently published research paper, which appears in the Nutrition Journal, provides strong evidence that fish oil supplements can indeed improve cognitive function, while simultaneously reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In this study, 40 healthy middle-aged and elderly research volunteers underwent initial evaluation, including blood tests and cognitive function testing. In this “placebo-controlled crossover” study, the volunteers were randomly divided into two groups. One group received 3 grams of fish oil per day, while the other group received a placebo (sugar) pill. After 5 weeks, the two groups of research volunteers were retested, and were then switched, or “crossed over,” with respect to the fish oil supplements and placebo pills. After 5 additional weeks, the research volunteers were all once again retested. Retesting of these research volunteers showed a significant improvement in memory function after taking fish oil for 5 weeks (when compared to the volunteers who were taking placebo pills). Moreover, fish oil supplementation was also associated with a lower level of fat (triglycerides) in the blood, lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels, and a decrease in the level of the inflammatory protein TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha). Taken together, the findings of this clinical study identified several apparent health benefits associated with daily fish oil supplements in middle-aged and elderly research volunteers, including improved memory function and improvements in multiple known risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Links to Other Breaking Health News Flu Now in All 50 States, but New Cases Are Leveling Off Quitting Tobacco by Age 40 Restores a Normal Lifespan in Smokers Cancer Death Rates Continue to Fall Self-Help Books Improve Depression Marines Try Mindfulness and Meditation to Reduce PTSD Dying Nurse Volunteers Herself to Teach Nursing Students about the Dying Falling Asleep While Driving More Common than Previously Thought Growing Immune Cells to Fight Cancer Celebrity Health Fads Debunked Thousands of Surgery Mistakes Are Still Happening Each Year New Graphic Antismoking Ads Debut in England Kids with Food Allergies May Become Targets of Bullies Obesity Among Young Children May Be Declining
Fresh Fruits & Vegetables May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk Satisfaction with Life May Actually Increase with Age Brain Changes in the Elderly May Increase Susceptibility to Being Scammed “Talking” Therapy May Help Depression When Antidepressant Medications Fail Graphic Cigarette Labels in Australia Predicting Childhood Obesity at Birth Dr. Wascher’s latest video: Dark as Night, Part 1 At this time, more than 8 percent of Americans are unemployed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, however, the unemployment rate for veterans who served on active duty between September 2001 and December 2011 is now more than 12 percent. A new website, Veterans in Healthcare, seeks to connect veterans with potential employers. If you are a veteran who works in the healthcare field, or if you are an employer who is looking for physicians, advanced practice professionals, nurses, corpsmen/medics, or other healthcare professionals, then please take a look at Veterans in Healthcare. As a retired veteran of the U.S. Army, I would also like to personally urge you to hire a veteran whenever possible. For a groundbreaking overview of cancer risks, and evidence-based strategies to reduce your risk of developing cancer, order your copy of my bestselling book, “A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race,” from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Vroman’s Bookstore, and other fine bookstores! Within one week of publication, A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race was ranked #6 among all cancer-related books on the Amazon.com “Top 100 Bestseller’s List” for Kindle e-books. Within three months of publication, A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race was the #1 book on the Amazon.com “Top 100 New Book Releases in Cancer” list. Disclaimer: As always, my advice to readers is to seek the advice of your physician before making any significant changes in medications, diet, or level of physical activity
Dr. Wascher is an oncologic surgeon, professor of surgery, cancer researcher, oncology consultant, and a widely published author
I and the staff of Weekly Health Update would again like to take this opportunity to thank the more than 100,000 health-conscious people from around the world who visit this premier global health information website every month. Over the past 12 months, more than 2.4 million pages of high-quality medical research findings were served to the worldwide audience of health-conscious readers. As always, we enjoy receiving your stimulating feedback and questions, and I will continue to try and personally answer as many of your inquiries as I possibly can.
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Mercury Exposure In The Womb May Cause ADHD
December 9, 2012
by Robert Wascher
Filed under A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race, ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Attentiveness, Fish, health, Lead, Mercury, Mercury and Fish, Mercury in the Environement, Pregnancy, tobacco, Weekly Health Update
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Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children may result from maternal exposure to mercury during pregnancy.
MERCURY EXPOSURE IN THE WOMB MAY CAUSE ADHD Over the past 10 years, there has been a significant increase in the number of children diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While the reasons behind this rising number of ADHD diagnoses continue to be debated, there is emerging clinical research data suggesting that maternal exposure to specific environmental toxins during pregnancy may significantly increase the incidence of ADHD among the children of these exposed mothers. Previous studies have linked prenatal (“before birth”) exposure to lead, tobacco and mercury with a higher incidence of ADHD, but these studies have suffered from a significant limitation, in that they have relied upon surrogate measures of exposure to these toxins rather than direct, quantitative measures of exposure. Now, a newly published clinical study in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine has overcome the limitations of previous studies, and strongly suggests that prenatal exposure to mercury increases the risk of ADHD. There are multiple sources of potential mercury exposure in the environment around us. Indeed, more than half of all of the mercury introduced into the environment comes from manmade sources, including coal-fired power plants, steel plants, cement plants, mining operations, waste processing plants, battery manufacturing plants, and fluorescent bulb manufacturing plants, among other industrial sources. (Almost half of the mercury in the environment actually comes from naturally-occurring processes including, of all things, volcanic eruptions.) Once released into the environment, mercury then becomes concentrated, or “bio-amplified,” within the plants and animals that we eat, as well as in the water that we drink and the air that we breathe. Once ingested, mercury is a known toxin, with adverse effects on the nervous system (including the brain), lungs, kidneys, and other vital organs. As is the case with many environmental toxins, mercury is especially toxic to the unborn fetus, infants, and small children. In this innovative new study, two groups of children were evaluated. In the first group (421 children), hair samples collected from the mothers of these children at around the time of their birth were analyzed for mercury content. In the second group (515 children), maternal hair samples were not available for testing, but maternal fish consumption (the most common source of mercury exposure) during pregnancy was evaluated, and this information was used to assess the impact of maternal fish intake on ADHD incidence in this second group of children. The findings of this study were quite surprising. The most important finding of this study was that increasing levels of mercury in the hair of mothers were significantly associated with a greater number of ADHD-related behaviors among their children. In particular, impulsive and hyperactive behaviors were 70 percent more common among the children of mothers with hair mercury levels at or above 1 microgram per gram of hair, and attention-deficit (“inattentiveness”) behaviors were 40 percent more common among these same children. Another interesting observation was that the association between maternal hair mercury levels and ADHD symptoms was identified primarily in boys, and was not commonly seen in girls. Given that the single greatest source of mercury ingestion for most of us is fish consumption, one would expect that higher levels of maternal fish consumption would be associated with an increased risk of ADHD if, indeed, prenatal mercury exposure can lead to ADHD. However, this study actually found the opposite association between maternal fish intake during pregnancy and the risk of ADHD. In this study, maternal fish consumption of more than 2 servings for week during pregnancy was actually associated with a lower incidence of ADHD among the children of these mothers, including a 60 percent lower incidence of impulsive and hyperactive behaviors. Mercury is a known nerve poison (neurotoxin), and there is data suggesting that the prefrontal cortex of the developing fetal brain is especially sensitive to the effects of even low levels of mercury and other environmental neurotoxins. As the prefrontal cortex (the “executive center” of the brain) is the area of the brain that exerts the greatest control on voluntary behavior, it is entirely reasonable to think that damage to this part of the brain could result in the inattentive and hyperactive behaviors that are the hallmarks of ADHD. Based upon this study’s findings, it appears that maternal exposure to even relatively low levels of mercury (based upon maternal hair mercury content) during pregnancy may significantly increase the risk of ADHD-related behaviors in affected children. At the same time, the finding of the more subjective half of this study, which assessed maternal fish intake during pregnancy as a risk factor for ADHD-related behaviors, is rather counterintuitive, as fish consumption is thought to be the greatest source of mercury exposure for most humans. If, as this study suggests, increased maternal fish consumption during pregnancy is actually protective against ADHD-related behaviors, then environmental sources of mercury exposure other than fish must be involved in mercury-associated ADHD symptoms. In my view, the findings of this study are very important, and, as an accompanying editorial notes, short of intentionally exposing children to mercury contamination for the sake of research, the hair analysis utilized in this study is as close as we are going to get to a “perfect” study of prenatal mercury exposure as a risk factor for ADHD. Fortunately, there is an increasing awareness by public health experts regarding the potentially adverse health effects of environmental mercury. However, the findings of this study suggest that more must still be done to reduce mercury levels in the food that we eat, the water that we drink, and the air that we breathe.
Give the gift of health during this Holiday Season. My bestselling book, A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race, is available in both print and digital formats from all major bookstores. Help a loved one to begin living an evidence-based cancer prevention lifestyle today!
Links to Other Breaking Health News (New Feature)
Fresh Fruits & Vegetables May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk Satisfaction with Life May Actually Increase with Age Brain Changes in the Elderly May Increase Susceptibility to Being Scammed “Talking” Therapy May Help Depression When Antidepressant Medications Fail Graphic Cigarette Labels in Australia Predicting Childhood Obesity at Birth
Dr. Wascher’s latest video: Dark as Night, Part 1 At this time, more than 8 percent of Americans are unemployed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, however, the unemployment rate for veterans who served on active duty between September 2001 and December 2011 is now more than 12 percent. A new website, Veterans in Healthcare, seeks to connect veterans with potential employers. If you are a veteran who works in the healthcare field, or if you are an employer who is looking for physicians, advanced practice professionals, nurses, corpsmen/medics, or other healthcare professionals, then please take a look at Veterans in Healthcare. As a retired veteran of the U.S. Army, I would also like to personally urge you to hire a veteran whenever possible. For a groundbreaking overview of cancer risks, and evidence-based strategies to reduce your risk of developing cancer, order your copy of my bestselling book, “A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race,” from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Vroman’s Bookstore, and other fine bookstores! Within one week of publication, A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race was ranked #6 among all cancer-related books on the Amazon.com “Top 100 Bestseller’s List” for Kindle e-books. Within three months of publication, A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race was the #1 book on the Amazon.com “Top 100 New Book Releases in Cancer” list. Disclaimer: As always, my advice to readers is to seek the advice of your physician before making any significant changes in medications, diet, or level of physical activity
Dr. Wascher is an oncologic surgeon, professor of surgery, cancer researcher, oncology consultant, and a widely published author
I and the staff of Weekly Health Update would again like to take this opportunity to thank the more than 100,000 health-conscious people from around the world who visit this premier global health information website every month. Over the past 12 months, 2,017,594 pages of high-quality medical research findings were served to the worldwide audience of health-conscious readers. As always, we enjoy receiving your stimulating feedback and questions, and I will continue to try and personally answer as many of your inquiries as I possibly can.
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Foods that Decrease and Increase Breast Cancer Risk
August 12, 2012
by Robert Wascher
Filed under A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race, Allium Vegetables, Breast Cancer, breast cancer prevention, breast cancer risk, Cancer, Cancer Prevention, cancer risk, diet, fat, Fish, fruits, health, Healthy Diet, lifestyle, meat, Nutrition, Processed Meat, Red Meat, risk, vegetables, Weekly Health Update, whole grains
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A new study finds that breast cancer risk is significantly affected by specific foods.
FOODS THAT DECREASE AND INCREASE BREAST CANCER RISK As I discuss in my bestselling book, A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race, breast cancer is associated with more modifiable risk factors than any other type of cancer. Among the many known modifiable risk factors for breast cancer, diet is currently thought to play a relatively minor but still important role. Now, a newly published research study adds important new information regarding potential links between diet and breast cancer risk. This new public health study appears in the current issue of the journal Nutrition & Cancer. In this case-control study, the dietary habits of 3,443 women with breast cancer were compared to those of 3,474 women without breast cancer. As with previous studies, this new study found that increased vegetable intake decreased breast cancer risk. Specifically, frequent vegetable intake was associated with a 20 percent overall decrease in breast cancer risk. Increased intake of the so-called allium vegetables, including onions, garlic, chives, leeks and scallions, appeared to be especially protective against breast cancer in this study. Although increased fruit intake, overall, did not appear to reduce breast cancer risk, this study did find that certain individual types of fruits appeared to reduce breast cancer risk, including citrus fruits and the so-called rosaceae fruits (apples, pears, peaches, apricots, plums, raspberries and strawberries). On the other hand, both meat and fish appeared to increase breast cancer risk in this study (as I also discuss in my book). While questionnaire-based public health studies such as this study provide weaker levels of clinical evidence than prospective, randomized, controlled studies, the findings of this study are largely consistent with similar previous studies, with the exception of the favorable association between specific types of fruit and breast cancer risk. As an added bonus, most of the foods that were found to decrease breast cancer risk in this public health study are also known to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, and other serious illnesses as well.
At this time, more than 8 percent of Americans are unemployed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, however, the unemployment rate for veterans who served on active duty between September 2001 and December 2011 is now more than 12 percent. A new website, Veterans in Healthcare, seeks to connect veterans with potential employers. If you are a veteran who works in the healthcare field, or if you are an employer who is looking for physicians, advanced practice professionals, nurses, corpsmen/medics, or other healthcare professionals, then please take a look at Veterans in Healthcare. As a retired veteran of the U.S. Army, I would also like to personally urge you to hire a veteran whenever possible.
For a groundbreaking overview of cancer risks, and evidence-based strategies to reduce your risk of developing cancer, order your copy of my bestselling book, “A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race,” from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Vroman’s Bookstore, and other fine bookstores! Within one week of publication, A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race was ranked #6 among all cancer-related books on the Amazon.com “Top 100 Bestseller’s List” for Kindle e-books. Within three months of publication, A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race was the #1 book on the Amazon.com “Top 100 New Book Releases in Cancer” list. Disclaimer: As always, my advice to readers is to seek the advice of your physician before making any significant changes in medications, diet, or level of physical activity
Dr. Wascher is an oncologic surgeon, professor of surgery, cancer researcher, oncology consultant, and a widely published author
I and the staff of Weekly Health Update would again like to take this opportunity to thank the more than 100,000 health-conscious people from around the world who visit this premier global health information website every month. (More than 1.3 million pages of high-quality medical research findings were served to the worldwide audience of health-conscious people who visited Weekly Health Update in 2011!) As always, we enjoy receiving your stimulating feedback and questions, and I will continue to try and personally answer as many of your inquiries as I possibly can.
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