March 11, 2003 [Volume 4, Issue 6]
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In this issue of To Your Health:
Everything in Moderation
Studies have shown that being physically active may reduce a woman's
risk for developing breast cancer, although many questions have yet to
be answered. For example, these studies have hinted 
that
very high activity levels may not be as beneficial for reducing breast
cancer risk as moderate activity levels.
In southern Germany, approximately 350 women with premenopausal breast cancer and nearly 900 women free of cancer participated in a study in which they reported on multiple types of activity, between the ages of 12-19 and 20-30. Activities included different sports; household tasks; occupational activities; walking; and cycling.
Moderate activity levels reduced breast cancer risk the most (32%), with very high activity levels actually increasing risk, compared to inactive women. Women who reported bicycling the most (the equivalent of at least three hours per week at moderate intensity) reduced their risk for breast cancer by 34% in this study in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Being active reduced cancer risk regardless of sports participation.
The authors conclude that moderate activity may effectively reduce breast cancer risk, whereas high activity does not, because while the former may strengthen the immune system, the latter may depress it. Most women need not worry about being overly active, though, as this only applies to a small percentage of the most active women. A fairly vigorous workout several times per week, especially riding a bicycle, may be a good way to reduce your risk for breast cancer.
Reference: Steindorf K, Schmidt M, et al. Case-control study of physical activity and breast cancer risk among premenopausal women in Germany. American Journal of Epidemiology 2003:157(2), pp. 121-130.
Women's health topics appear at https://www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/women.
What's Your Cereal Number?
Whole-grain products offer a multitude of benefits, from providing loads of fiber for a healthy digestive system to boosting antioxidant and micronutrient levels in the body to help prevent chronic diseases. In the United States, most grain products, such as white bread, pasta and sugary cereals, are not actually whole grains, however. Instead, Americans are filling up on these "refined grains," which are essentially junk food.
A recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition determined the effects of refined and whole grains on cardiovascular disease risk in over 80,000 male physicians age 40 or older. The physicians reported on their average daily intake of various types of breakfast cereals; cereals containing at least 25% of whole grains or bran by weight were considered whole grains.
Over the next five years, men who ate one or more servings of whole-grain cereals each day were 29% less likely to die of heart attack and 20% less likely to die of cardiovascular disease than men who ate them rarely or never. The amount of total or refined-grain cereals consumed did not significantly affect risks for any forms of cardiovascular disease. Men who ate the most whole-grain cereals were also about 20% less likely to die from any cause over the study period.
How many servings of whole-grain cereals do you eat daily? Whole grains provide even more benefits, including a reduced risk for diabetes. Try eating only those breakfast cereals and breads with a whole grain listed as their primary ingredient. Be sure to actually read the ingredients on the back of the packaging; many products touted as wheat or grain products are actually made from enriched and refined wheat flours. If the first ingredient isn't listed as a whole grain, e.g. "whole wheat flour," you're not really buying a whole-grain product.
Reference: Liu S, Sesso HD, et al. Is intake of breakfast cereals related to total and cause-specific mortality in men? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2003:77, pp. 594-599.
The benefits of good nutrition are clear at https://www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/nutrition.
The Nose Knows
Rhinitis, the inflammation of the nasal membranes from allergies, afflicts approximately one-quarter of all people in industrialized nations. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects a similar percentage of people and increases risks for multiple health problems and death. A study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine showed that there may be a relationship between the two conditions.
Approximately 300 Parisian adults participated in the study, which compared blood pressure levels and presence of hypertension in individuals with and without rhinitis. Participants who had hay fever or any major allergies that caused a stuffy nose were considered to have rhinitis.
Researchers found that the systolic blood pressure was significantly higher (approximately 7 mm Hg) in men with rhinitis than in men without the condition, even after taking into account other risk factors. Hypertension was two-and-a-half times more likely in men with rhinitis than in those without it. There was no significant relationship between rhinitis and hypertension in women.
The reason for the relationship between rhinitis and high blood pressure in unknown, although researchers speculate it may have to do with sleeping problems (e.g., snoring or obstructive sleep apnea) caused by the condition. Men suffering from rhinitis or any form of nasal allergy should have their blood pressure checked often by a physician.
Reference: Kony S, Zureik M, et al. Rhinitis is associated with increased systolic blood pressure in men: A population-based study. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2003:167, pp. 538-543.
Go to https://www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/general for more general health information.
Unforbidden Fruit
Research on the causes of cancer and chronic diseases generally focuses on adults, as they are much more likely than children to suffer from cancer. Childhood diet and lifestyle factors may significantly affect a person's risk for cancer later in life, however.
A survey was carried out in rural Britain prior to World War II among 5,000 children, assessing average weekly diets and the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed. More than 60 years later, researchers tracked down nearly 4,500 of these children to determine their current health status, whether they had developed cancer, and - if they had died - the cause of death.
The more fruit the subjects ate as children, the less likely they were to have any form of cancer later in life. Progressive fruit intake led to progressive decreases in cancer risk, with children who ate the most fruit 38% less likely to develop cancer as adults than children who had eaten the least fruit. Deaths from cancer also were clearly linked to eating less fruit in childhood. Vegetable consumption did not appear to reduce cancer risk, although the authors note that prior to WWII, people commonly cooked vegetables for extended periods of time, which we now know can greatly reduce the amount of nutrients in them.
Give your children an edge against the fight against cancer later in life by providing them with a healthy diet now. Feed them plenty of fruits and vegetables, being careful to only lightly cook them in order to preserve the nutrients within. Produce contains not only vitamins and minerals, but also other antioxidants that protect against free radical cell damage and can't be obtained from a pill. Talk to your doctor of chiropractic about other ways to keep your kids healthy, and check out https://www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/pediatrics.
Reference: Maynard M, Gunnell D, et al. Fruit, vegetables, and antioxidants in childhood and risk of adult cancer: The Boyd Orr cohort. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2003:57, pp. 218-225.
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