Findings from two studies focusing on breast cancer detection and treatment may help women make better healthcare choices.

Mammogram or Thermography?

Last year the FDA issued warning letters to some healthcare providers who promoted the use of thermography as a substitute for mammography to detect breast cancer. The FDA said there was no scientific evidence showing that thermography when used alone was effective in screening for breast cancer. This is also why the FDA only approved thermography devices as an additional diagnostic tool for breast cancer screening and diagnosis.

A new study confirms the FDA’s position on thermography. Researchers found that thermography missed about 50% of cancers and delivered too many false positives among the 180 women in the study. The researchers also found that 47 percent of the normal breasts got a false positive reading on the thermography scan.

While the thermal imaging technology may have a role in showing temperature and blood flow variances, the current standard for breast cancer detection remains regular breast self exam and mammography. Then if a woman has a suspicious lesion on a mammogram, the follow-up methods are an ultrasound or biopsy, or both.

Radiation Treatment Tradeoffs

Another study sheds light on the risks and benefits of a type of partial-breast radiation called brachytherapy versus whole-breast radiation. With brachytherapy a radioactive pellet is inserted near the lumpectomy site and a catheter may remain in the patient’s breast for one to two weeks.

With whole-breast radiation, beams of radiation are directed at the entire breast over a period of about six weeks.

Researchers found that women who receive brachytherpy may have higher rates of breast cancer recurrence and complications and more mastectomies.

For the study, they looked at rates of mastectomy, mortality and complications following both forms of radiation using data from medicare records of nearly 93,000 women age 67 and older for a four-year period.

Their findings were significant:

• The rates of infection and other complications were about 28 percent among women who received brachytherapy, compared with 17 percent of women who received whole-breast radiation.
• About 4 percent of the women who received brachytherapy had to have a mastectomy within five years of their radiation treatment, compared with about 2 percent of the women in the whole-breast radiation group.
• It is not clear from this study whether mastectomies were actually due to breast cancer recurrence or complications such as fatty-tissue damage in the breast, which was more common in the brachytherapy group.
• The proportion of women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer who received brachytherapy increased from 3.5 percent in 2003 to 12.5 percent in 2007. This increase is probably due to a number of factors including patients wanting a shorter treatment course, say study authors.
• There was no statistical difference between the five-year survival rate associated with brachytherapy.

Brachytherapy Guidelines

According to the American Society for Radiation Oncology, brachytherapy is appropriate for women aged 60 and older with small tumors that have not spread outside of the breast, along with other indicators of less-advanced breast cancer. Data is lacking about the effectiveness of brachytherapy in younger women whose breast cancer is generally thought to be more aggressive.

Weighing the Options

While a shorter course of treatment is attractive, for some patients a greater possibility of having a second procedure and wearing a catheter for brachytherapy are enough to make them steer away from this option.

Sources:

FDA

Health Finder

The Journal of the American Medical Association

A 29-year study found that women who went through menopause before age 47 were twice as likely to have osteoporosis later in life. These women also had a greater risk of fracture and higher rates of mortality.

The study started in 1977 with 390 white women from northern Europe who were 48 years old at the time. The women were divided into two groups based on those who went through menopause before age 47 and those who started menopause at age 47 or later. The women were followed for about 30 years in which their bone mineral density was measured.

Of the 198 women who remained at the end of the study, researchers found that 56% of the women with early menopause had osteoporosis compared with 30% of those who experienced later menopause.

Women who started menopause early were also found to have a higher risk of fragility fracture and mortality. The fracture incidence rate was 44.3% in the early menopause group compared to 30.7% in the late menopause group. The mortality rate was 52.4% in the early menopause group compared to 35.2% in the late menopause group.

The study’s strength is the length of time the women were observed. However, the study did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

The higher mortality rate in women with an early menopause will need to be explored further as many other factors could affect this such as medication, nutrition, smoking and alcohol consumption.

Osteoporosis Prevention

There are other risk factors for osteoporosis and steps you can take now to support strong, healthy bones. Learn more with It’s Never Too Early (or Too Late) to Bone Up on Calcium.

Source:

British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Many of us have a love-hate relationship with office email. It can be both a convenience and a source of ire. But did you know it can adversely affect your health?

That’s what researchers with the University of California-Irvine and the U.S. Army found in their study that compared email users to non-users.

They attached heart rate monitors to computer users in an office setting while software detected how often they switched windows.

People who read email changed screens twice as often and were in a steady “high alert” state, with more constant heart rates. Those removed from email for five days experienced more natural, variable heart rates.

High Alert = High Stress

Why is a “high alert” state bad? Other research has shown that people with steady “high alert” heart rates have more cortisol, a hormone linked to stress. Stress on the job, in turn, has been linked to a variety of health problems.

By contrast, those with no email reported feeling better able to do their jobs and stay on task, with fewer stressful and time-wasting interruptions. Study measurements supported these statements. People with email switched windows an average of 37 times per hour. Those without email changed screens half as often – about 18 times in an hour.

Email Strategies

The researchers were quick to say that they’re not suggesting that employees should ditch email altogether. Rather, they say that companies and employees can use these findings to shape email strategies that fit their workplace--like controlling email login times or batching messages—even taking “email vacations” on occasion.

The goal is to give employees large blocks of time with as few interruptions as possible.

Other Benefits

Those without email also reported other benefits:

• Having a conversation with someone saved time and was more pleasant than typing an email.
• Being able to get up and walk to someone’s desk to discuss a something provided an opportunity to get some exercise. (A good thing as we know desk jobs are hazardous to your health.)

Is email running your life?  Share your story on our facebook page.

Source:   

University of California Irvine

Women are often the primary caregivers for their families and, as a result, they often put the needs of their spouses, children, and parents before their own.

With National Women’s Health Week, (May 13-19) upon us, we want to encourage women to take care of their own health and wellness. This includes:

• Getting regular health checkups and preventive screenings
• Being physically active
• Eating healthy
• Paying attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress
• Avoiding unhealthy behaviors such as smoking

That said, we know that saying “put yourself first” and doing so are two very different things. Women have some natural tendencies that, like a double-edged sword, can work for or against them.

• Women are hard-wired to nurture others.
• They have a tendency to feel responsible for those around them.
• Women tend to be “people-pleasers.” This isn’t always a bad thing. But it can lead to over-commitment. For example, when a friend asks a favor, women may have a hard time saying no--even when it’s in their best interest. The reason? Women often say, "I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings or make them mad at me."
• To make matters worse, many women define their self worth by their ability to please others.
• Some women also have a little of the martyr complex. These women might tell themselves, “I'll be neglecting the kids,” or “Things will fall apart at home if I'm not there."

Taken together, these factors can lead women to feel over-whelmed and stressed out—or worse--depressed, unworthy, and inadequate.

Initiating Change

No matter what the underlying psychological reasons, women have to recognize that they must take care of themselves first or not only will they suffer, it’s very likely that it will have a ripple effect in the health of the entire family. National health statistics and medical studies bear this out. For example:

• Currently 36% of women 20 and over are obese. If one parent is obese, there is a 50% chance that their children will also be obese. When both parents are obese, their children have an 80% chance of being obese.
• Only 42% of women 18 years of age and older meet the federal physical activity guidelines for physical activity. Studies have found that parent’s inactivity is a strong predictor of their child’s inactivity.
• Similarly, children mimic the eating habits of their parents. Children are less likely to consume soft drinks, junk food if those foods are not regularly consumed at home.  

Bottom Line: When you take care of yourself first, you are also taking care of those closest to you.

For more information about  keeping your health in check no matter what your age, read our latest newsletter, Women: Go-to Guidelines to Take Charge of Your Health at Any Age.

Sources:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Forbes

Centers for Disease Control

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

PubMed

There is growing concern in the medical community about energy drinks as researchers learn more about their physiological effects. As a result, there is increased pressure to add health warnings to drink labels or otherwise regulate these products.

Last year, a report on energy drinks in the journal Pediatrics cautioned: “Energy drinks have no therapeutic benefit, and many ingredients are under studied….the known and unknown pharmacology of agents included in such drinks, combined with reports of toxicity, raises concern for potentially serious adverse effects in association with energy drink use.”

A new study out of Europe found that energy drinks can increase blood pressure and cause tachycardia and arrhythmias in healthy people. The drinks also increased anxiety and insomnia among study participants. A recent U.S. study found that the acidity of some energy drinks strips away tooth enamel to a far greater extent than sports drinks.

Additional research shows that children and teens — especially those with cardiovascular, renal or liver disease, seizures, diabetes, mood and behavior disorders and hyperthyroidism — are at a higher risk for health complications from these drinks.

Energy Drinks are Different

It’s important to note that energy drinks are very different from sports drinks and sodas. Energy drinks usually contain 70 to 80 milligrams of caffeine per 8-oz. serving, more than double many cola drinks. Energy drinks also may contain guarana, a plant that contains caffeine, taurine (an amino acid), vitamins, herbal supplements and sweeteners.

Although the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limits caffeine content in soft drinks, which are categorized as food, there is no such regulation of energy drinks, which are classified as dietary supplements.

There are also differences between energy and sports drinks. Sports drinks focus on providing carbohydrates, protein and electrolytes while energy drinks focus primarily on stimulants like caffeine or guarana or B-vitamins.

Scope of the Problem

Surveys show that 30% to 50% of teens and young adults consume energy drinks on a regular basis to boost their energy, concentration, and athletic performance.

And while many cases of overdose or death related to energy drinks have been reported in the media, we haven’t been able to track the true extent of the problem until recently. Up until 2010, U.S. poison control centers were not tracing these adverse events to energy drinks specifically; they recorded them generically as “caffeine overdoses.” That changed last year when energy drinks were given a unique reporting code by the American Association of Poison Control Centers, so their toxicity can now be tracked.

Germany has tracked energy drink–related incidents since 2002. Reported outcomes in that country include liver damage, kidney failure, respiratory disorders, agitation, seizures, psychotic conditions, muscle breakdown, rapid heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, hypertension, heart failure, and death.

Buyer Beware

U.S. pediatricians are calling for further research before adding any new regulation but others are calling for swifter action to protect children who are at the greatest risk of harm.

In the meantime parents need to be aware of the possible effects of energy drinks and screen their use.  Adults with heart conditions, liver or kidney problems, diabetes or mood/anxiety disorders should also avoid energy drinks.

Other Functional Beverages

Energy Drinks are just one type of “functional beverage” that promises to improve your mental or physical functioning. Find out more about functional drinks in our report:  Functional Drinks Exposed: Which are Best for Your Health?

Sources:

Pediatrics

Medscape

NPR

Healthland

The insecticide chlorpyrifos, which has been almost entirely banned for home use, but still used in commercial farming and landscaping, has been linked to structural changes in the brains of young children.

In the new study, the researchers used MRI machines to scan the brains of 40 children aged 5 to 11 years. The mothers of 20 of them had high levels of exposure to the insecticide while they were pregnant with the children. The mothers of the other 20 kids had low levels of exposure.

The brains of the kids with high exposure were more likely to have certain enlarged structures in the brain. They also had thinning in some parts of the brain.

Study author, Virginia Rauh, deputy director of the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health at Columbia University acknowledged that the study doesn't prove a direct cause-and-effect link between the insecticide and the differences in the brains between the children.

Yet, the findings are worrisome said Rauh because the differences in brain structure appear to be harmful. "An abnormal enlargement would not necessarily be a good thing." In addition, there are links between the sizes of parts of the brain and problems with behavior and thinking, she said.

Dr. Bruce Lanphear, a professor of health sciences who studies environmental risks at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia, said, "even though this paper is not the final word, it builds on existing studies that basically say [Silent Spring author] Rachel Carson was right: Widespread exposure to toxins is likely to cause fairly severe disease."

He added, "Are we willing to sacrifice our children's brains for profits? That's the choice we're making, whether we know it or not."

Commenting on the study, Stephanie Engel, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said: "The general lesson here is that the dangers that chemicals pose to child development are not always understood. These children were exposed during a period when chlorpyrifos was deemed safe for residential use. So it just makes good sense for pregnant women to be cautious about the chemicals they use during pregnancy. Even ones that we are told are 'safe' may later turn out to be harmful."

Chlorpyrifos Use Continues

While no longer being used in homes, chlorpyrifos is widely used in farming to kill insects on used on corn, some fruits, many types of leafy green vegetables and cotton. It's also used to control pests on golf courses, road medians, Christmas tree farms and other commercial applications.

People should wash their fruits and vegetables very carefully before eating, and pregnant women should not be working in agricultural settings where there might be an occupational exposure, said Rauh.

Source:

Health Finder

According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), the organic industry grew by 9.5% overall in 2011 to reach $31.5 billion in sales, outpacing the sales increase of comparable conventionally produced food and nonfood items. Over 78% of families are buying organic.

Considering how often we find ourselves reporting on the toxic effects of pesticides and other chemicals on our bodies and the environment, we are not surprised that consumers are increasingly choosing organic products.

As Christine Bushway, OTA's Executive Director and CEO put it, "Consumers are increasingly engaged and discerning when they shop, making decisions based on their values and awareness about health and environmental concerns. For them, it matters whether foods are genetically engineered, or produced using practices that are good for their families. Price is still an issue, but with the wide availability of private label products and many venues for organic products, they have many choices for where to shop and a variety of products from which to choose."

Biggest Gains

The organic food sector grew by $2.5 billion during 2011, of those gains:

• Over 40% of the organic market in the U.S. is fruits and vegetables. This sector also accounted for about 50% of the new dollars.
• The fastest-growing organic food sector was the meat, fish and poultry category, posting 13% growth over 2010 sales, but still remaining the smallest of the eight organic food categories.
• 6% of all dairy products sold to U.S. consumers are organic.
• Organic nonfood sales experienced strong 11% growth, while total comparable non-organic items grew only 5%.

Facts and Trends

The Organic Trade Association report included some other interesting industry tidbits.

• There are organic farms in all 50 states and over 17,600 organic businesses nationwide.
• Organic is not just food. Over 2 billion worth of organic fiber, cosmetic, and household products were sold last year.

Choose Wisely

To make sure you’re getting the most benefit from your organic purchases, read our in-depth article: Buying Organic: Tips for Being a Savvy Organics Consumer.

Source:

Organic Trade Association

If you are among the millions who suffer from chronic dry eye, you’ll be happy to know that relief may be found in your favorite caffeinated beverage.

Researchers at the University of Tokyo’s School of Medicine found that caffeine can increase tear production, a possible remedy for people with dry eye syndrome.

The symptoms of dry eye include gritty, scratchy or burning sensations, excessive tearing and or mucus. In some cases it is a minor annoyance, but it can cause vision changes. Current treatment options range from warm compresses, eye washes and artificial tears to medications and tear drainage devices.

Study Details

During the study, 78 subjects were divided into two groups. One group received caffeine tablets and the other group a placebo. Tear volume was measured within 45 minutes of consuming the tablets. Then the process was repeated in reverse, with the placebo group now receiving caffeine tablets.

All 78 participants in the study produced significantly more tears after consuming caffeine than after taking a placebo. The study also found that tear drainage rates were not affected by caffeine.

All study sessions took place between 10 a.m. and noon, a time of day when tear production is usually stable. No subjects knew whether they received caffeine or the placebo. All abstained from caffeine use for six days prior to each session and used no drugs during the sessions.

To be eligible for the study subjects had to be free of high blood pressure, dry eye syndrome, allergies that affect the eye, glaucoma, and other eye diseases and conditions that can interfere with tear production.

Source:

Science Daily

In 2006, both the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released a warning that fluoridated water should not be used to mix concentrated baby formula for infants one year old and younger. The CDC stated the reason for the warning as “…there may be an increased chance of dental fluorosis.”

Dental fluorosis is a condition caused by prolonged overexposure to fluoride when teeth are forming during childhood—through about 8 years of age. Excess fluoride affects tooth mineralization causing white flecks or blotches in mild cases and larger chalky spots or brown discoloration in moderate cases. With severe fluorosis, the surfaces of the teeth are rough and pitted and susceptible to chipping and cracking.

The trouble with the ADA and CDC warnings was that many parents never heard the advisories. And, even if they did, many people have limited access to an alternative water source.

Now, six years later, a New Hampshire state legislature is taking steps to make sure their constituents receive the health notices by mandating that all fluoridated public water supplies in their state must include the warning on water bills.

Too Little, Too Late?

While New Hampshire’s efforts are to be commended, many believe that there’s still not enough public awareness of the problem of excessive fluoride exposure in children. The CDC estimates that dental fluorosis now affects 41% of American children between the ages of 12-15 and more than 60% of children in fluoridated communities.

Fluoride Sources:

Currently about 73% of the U.S. population receives water from fluoridated water systems. Fluoridated water together with processed beverages (e.g., soft drinks and fruit juices) made with fluoridated water provide approximately 75% of a person's fluoride intake. Inadvertent swallowing of toothpaste and other dental products containing fluoride account for the balance of fluoride exposure.

Reduce Your Child’s Risk of Fluorosis

• Know the fluoride concentration of your drinking water. If you live in a state that participates in CDC’s My Water's Fluoride, you can find out your water system’s fluoridation status online. If you are on a public water system, you can call the water utility company and request a copy of the utility’s most recent Consumer Confidence Report.
• Fluoride in Ground Water. Even well water can contain fluoride so you should have your water tested by an approved lab at least once every three years. A 2008 geological survey found that 4% of private wells sampled had natural fluoride levels above the EPA maximum contaminant level which is 4.0 milligrams per liter.
• Over the Limit - In some parts of the U.S., public water systems and private wells contain a natural fluoride concentration of more than 2 mg/L, and at this concentration, children 8 years and younger have a greater chance for developing dental fluorosis, including the moderate and severe forms. Use an alternative source of water for children aged 8 years and younger if your primary drinking water contains greater than 2 mg/L of fluoride.
• For very young children, less than 2 years old - Do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by your doctor or dentist. You should clean your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears by brushing without toothpaste with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and plain water.
• For children aged 2 to 6 years - Apply no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to the brush and supervise their toothbrushing, encouraging the child to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallow it. Children at this age have poor control of their swallowing reflex and frequently swallow most of the toothpaste placed on their brush.
• Mouth rinses - Fluoride mouth rinses provide only limited reductions in tooth decay among children. Children younger than 6 years should not use a fluoride mouth rinse without parents first consulting a dentist or physician because there is a possibility for dental fluorosis if these rinses are repeatedly swallowed.

Unfortunately, fluoride isn’t the only potentially toxic chemical in your water supply. Of the 60,000 chemicals in use in the U.S., the EPA only regulates about 90 contaminants in the water supply. Learn the Facts You Need to Know for Safe, Affordable Drinking Water.

Sources:

Natural Society

CDC– Dental Fluorosis

CDC – Dental Fluorosis Prevalence

CDC – Water Fluoridation Statistics

As melanoma rates continue to climb, perhaps the most alarming trend in skin cancer is the growing use of tanning beds among young women—especially among those that are aware of the risks. Melanoma is the most common form of cancer in young women and it is increasing faster in females 15-29 years old than any other group under 40. And many experts cite tanning beds as the chief culprit.

Risky Business

As you might expect, a recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) confirms that most teen girls and young women tan because they feel it makes them look better, but that’s not all it revealed.

The nationwide survey asked 3,800 white females age 14-22 about their tanning knowledge, attitudes and behavior.

• A vast majority (86 percent) of respondents who tan indoors knew that using tanning beds can cause skin cancer – yet they still reported using an indoor tanning bed in the last year.
• When asked if they think people look more attractive with a tan, a large percentage of respondents (66 percent) answered yes, especially indoor tanners (87 percent).
• Despite the fact that ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds can lead to developing wrinkles sooner in life, indoor tanners were more concerned about wrinkles than their non-indoor tanning peers (42 percent vs. 28 percent, respectively).
• Nearly one-half of respondents who have indoor tanned in the past year (48 percent) knew someone who has or has had skin cancer.

Commenting on the survey results, dermatologist and Academy president, Dr. Ronald L. Moy, said, “It’s absurd that many people who indoor tan are doing it for cosmetic reasons because that tan can actually accelerate the aging process and can lead to melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer,” said.

“If this behavior trend continues and young women’s attitudes toward tanning do not change, future generations will develop more skin cancers earlier in life and the consequences can be fatal,” Moy added.

Protect Yourself and Loved Ones

May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month®. Visit www.melanomamonday.org to find tools and resources to prevent and detect skin cancer and locate free skin cancer screenings in your area.

Sources:

American Academy of Dermatology

Since it’s National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, we thought we’d do our part to start a conversation about bone health--and dispel a few myths about osteoporosis.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the key to preventing osteoporosis and maintaining your independence as you get older is taking these five steps—and the sooner you start, the better:

1. Know Your Family History: Speak with your parents and grandparents about your family history of osteoporosis and share this information with your doctor.

2. Know Other Risk Factors: Take steps to eliminate avoidable risk factors and/or reduce their impact.

• Being female
• Infrequent menstrual periods/low estrogen levels
• Low body weight
• Poor nutrition
• Inadequate exercise
• Smoking and drinking alcohol
• Certain medications and medical conditions can affect bone density. Speak with your doctor about ways to minimize these risks.

3. Get Enough Bone-Building Nutrients: While calcium is considered the primary constituent of healthy bones, many other nutrients like vitamin D and magnesium are necessary to promote calcium absorption and utilization. Other trace minerals and vitamins also play a role in healthy bones.

Be sure you eat a balanced diet which includes five servings of fruits and vegetables every day and at least five ounces of lean protein daily.

Daily Calcium and Vitamin D Recommendations

Women

• Under age 50 need a total of 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium* and 400-800 international units (IUs) of vitamin D every day.
• Age 50 and older need a total of 1,200 mg of calcium* and 800-1,000 international units (IUs) of vitamin D every day.

Men

• Under age 50 need a total of 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium* and 400-800 IUs of vitamin D every day.
• Age 50-70 need a total of 1,000 mg of calcium* and 800-1,000 IUs of vitamin D every day.
• Age 71 and older need a total of 1,200 mg of calcium* and 800-1,000 IUs of vitamin D every day.

*This includes the total amount of calcium you get from both food and supplements.

4. Get Enough Exercise : Just as your muscles get bigger and stronger when you use them, bones get stronger and denser when you make them work. And “work” for bones means handling impact, the weight of your body or more resistance such as lifting weights.

To help build or maintain bone mass, weight-bearing exercises (walking, elliptical machine, dancing) should be done for a total of 30 minutes on most days of the week.

• Aim for 30 minutes at one time or break it up during the day. For example, 3 sessions for 10 minutes each will provide the same benefits to your bones as one 30-minute session.
• If you can’t fit 10 minutes in, spread your impact exercises throughout your day by taking the stairs or by parking farther from the store or work.

Muscle-strengthening exercises (lifting weights or using resistance bands) should be done two to three days per week.

• Try to do one exercise for each major muscle group for a total of 8-12 different exercises.
• Try to do one or two sets of 8 to 10 repetitions for each exercise. For example, if you lift a weight 10 times in a row and then stop, you have completed one set of 10 repetitions. You should also rest for about 30 seconds to one minute between each set.
• If you can’t do 8 repetitions in a row, the weight is too heavy or resistance is too much.
• If you can do more than 10 repetitions in a row, you may want to increase the weight or resistance.
• If you have osteoporosis or are frail, you may want to do 10 to 15 repetitions of a lighter weight to prevent injury.

5. Get Tested : If you are a woman who has reached menopause or a man age 50-55, speak with your doctor about when you should have your first bone density test. Depending on your individual health history and other risk factors, you may have this test as early as age 50 or as late as age 70.

Osteoporosis Myths:

I don’t have to worry about osteoporosis, I feel fine. You can’t feel your bones becoming weaker. You could have osteoporosis now or be at risk without realizing it.

I’m a man, osteoporosis is a woman’s health issue. While osteoporosis is common among white women, men and women of all races and ethnicities can develop the disease. Up to one in four men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

I’m too young to worry about osteoporosis, I’m only 25. Up to 90 percent of peak bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and age 20 in boys, which makes youth the best time to build strong bones to last a lifetime. Also, osteoporosis can also strike at any age.

Osteoporosis is an inevitable part of aging. This may have been the view 30 years ago, but today researchers know how you can protect your bones throughout your life.

You’re never too young or too old to improve the health of your bones. Osteoporosis prevention should begin in childhood, but it shouldn’t stop there. Whatever your age, the habits you adopt now can affect your bone health for the rest of your life.

Source:

National Osteoporosis Foundation

In recent years there has been much discussion and conflicting opinions about when and how often women should be screened for breast cancer. Specifically, the 2009 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force touched off a wave of controversy when it recommended screening mammograms every two years starting at age 50. The previous standard for women was a baseline mammogram at age 40 and then regular screening every year or every two years following.

The task force rationale was that mammograms for average-risk women in their 40s posed considerable harms, such as false-positive results causing anxiety or leading to unnecessary invasive procedures.

Instead, they suggested that women in their 40s who were at average risk of breast cancer should discuss the pros and cons with their doctors and then decide about the value of screening. Meanwhile other organizations, including the American Cancer Society, continued to advise women 40 and older to get yearly screening mammograms.

This left 40-something women and their doctors without concrete answers, such as: What risk factors make early screening worth the risk of unnecessary procedures and associated cost?

New Insights

Two new studies set out to help quantify the risk/benefit ratio of mammograms for women with various risk factors. They found that women who have a family history of breast cancer or unusually dense breast tissue, should have their first test at age 40 and repeat the exam at least once every other year.

The first study analyzed data from 66 published studies to identify specific factors that increased breast cancer risk for women ages 40-49. Of 13 possible risk factors, they found extremely dense breast tissue or a direct relative with breast cancer (parent, sibling or child) doubled the risk of breast cancer in women 40 to 49. Breast density is determined by mammography.

About 13 percent of women in their 40s have extremely dense breast tissue and 9 percent have a first-degree relative with breast cancer.

Then they used computer modeling to predict the outcomes of 44,000 simulated women based on two scenarios: having their first mammogram at age 50 or at age 40. They then compared the rates of false alarms, breast cancer diagnoses and mortality in both groups.

The computer models indicated that higher-risk women 40 to 49 who start every-other-year screenings at age 40 have the same benefit-harm ratio as average-risk women 50 to 74 who have mammograms every two years.

In the course of their study, the researchers also found small differences in benefits between film mammography and the newer digital mammography. The digital forms had more false-positives.

Sources:

LA Times

Health Finder

Three new studies released in as many months add to increasing evidence that exposure to certain toxic metals can increase the risk and spread of breast cancer and infertility in women and men.

Cadmium and Breast Cancer

A Swedish study of over 56,000 women found that consuming the toxic metal cadmium in the foods you eat may raise your risk for breast cancer by as much as 27%. Researchers believe that cadmium may mimic the effects of the female hormone estrogen, which can fuel the growth of certain breast cancers.

The 12-year study had women fill out food intake questionnaires that researchers used to estimate how much cadmium they consumed in their diets. There were 2,112 cases of breast cancer reported during the follow-up period of which 1,626 were estrogen receptor-positive and 290 estrogen receptor-negative cancers. Women with the highest amounts of cadmium in their diets were 21% more likely to develop breast cancer than women who had the least. The risk increased to 27% among women who were also lean or normal-weight.

Interestingly, the cadmium source was a contributing factor in increasing cancer risk. Women who consumed higher amounts of whole grain and vegetables had a lower risk of breast cancer compared to women that consumed dietary cadmium through other foods.

"It's possible that this healthy diet to some extent can counteract the negative effect of cadmium, but our findings need to be confirmed with further studies," study author Agneta Akesson, an associate professor at Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

Another study found that exposure to low levels of cadmium over your lifetime may spur the growth and spread of some breast cancer cells.

According to their research, breast cancer cells can pass through the outer barrier of the breast after prolonged cadmium exposure. It appears that cadmium may affect levels of SDF-1, a protein associated with tumor invasion and cancer spread.

Cadmium, Lead and Fertility

Researchers studying the effects of serum levels of heavy metals on fertility in couples trying to conceive found that, in the women, the probability of pregnancy was reduced by 22 percent with each increase in the blood cadmium concentration. In men, the probability of conceiving was reduced by 15 percent for each increase in their blood lead concentration.

Based on their findings, the researches recommended that men and women planning to have children should minimize their exposure to lead and cadmium.

Avoiding Cadmium

Cadmium is released into the environment from mining and metal processing operations, burning fuels, making and using phosphate fertilizers, and disposing of metal products. Cadmium can enter the body from eating and drinking food and water containing cadmium, and inhaling it from the air. The skin does not easily absorb cadmium.

• Smoking is the most important single source of cadmium exposure so not smoking and avoiding second- and third-hand smoke is a good place to start.
• As most dietary exposure to cadmium is due to soil contamination from fertilizers, choose organic foods whenever possible.
• Some of the main sources of cadmium in the diet are bread and other cereals, potatoes, root crops and vegetables.
• Avoid shellfish and organ meats like liver or kidney which also contain more cadmium than other foods.
• Cadmium is also used in batteries, metal coatings, paints and plastics. People living near plants that manufacture these products may be exposed to cadmium in the air, water and soil.
• If your drinking water comes from a private well near a source of cadmium, you may want to have the water tested. Public water systems test for cadmium on a regular basis. If you live near a source of cadmium, you may want to have your garden soil tested for cadmium before eating home-grown produce.
• Cadmium and other toxic substances are often found in cosmetics and personal products.

Avoiding Lead

Common sources of exposure to lead in the United States include lead-based paints in older homes, lead-glazed pottery, and contaminated soil and water. Learn how protect your family in our post about the continuing problem of lead exposure.

Sources:

Health Finder

Health Day News

Health Finder

Illinois Department of Health

While vitamin K is best known for its role in healthy blood clotting, new research supports the role of vitamin K1 and K2 in promoting bone health. In a study of postmenopausal women, those who consumed dairy products enriched with vitamin K2 showed significantly better bone-building utilization of calcium.

Vitamin K helps maintain bone mass by activating a protein called osteocalcin that is needed to move calcium from the blood to bones.

During the one year study, the women were divided into four groups: three groups consumed an enriched dairy product daily and the placebo group consumed a dairy product without enrichment. In the enriched groups, the dairy product was fortified0 with either: calcium (800 mg) and vitamin D3 (10 ug); calcium and vitamin D3 with vitamin K1; or calcium and vitamin D3 with K2.

At the end of the study, the K1 and K2 groups showed lower ratios of inactivated to activated osteocalcin than the other groups which meant better bone utilization of serum calcium. A marker for bone breakdown called deoxypyridinoline was also significantly lower in the vitamin K groups compared to the placebo and calcium/vitamin D group.

While all the women receiving enriched dairy products improved in tests of bone mineral density compared to the placebo groups, lumbar spine bone mineral density improved only in the vitamin K groups.

Vitamin K Deficiency

Another study of vitamin K identified those that are most likely to be deficient in vitamin K. They measured the K1 levels in over 704 male and female subjects representing various races and ethnicities. Low serum K1 status was found in 24% of whites, 33% of Hispanics, 29% of African-Americans and 4% of Chinese-Americans.

Foods Containing Vitamin K

To make sure you’re getting enough vitamin K in your diet, here are some excellent sources of vitamin K: kale, spinach, collard greens, swiss chard, turnip greens, mustard greens, Brussels sprouts, parsley, romain lettuce and broccoli. Vitamin K is not affected by heat so feel free to enjoy these veggies fresh or cooked.

For additional nutritional bone health support, try CNCA Health  formulas Cal-Mag Plus and Osteo Nutrients PRO - now fortified with Vitamin K2-7.

Sources:

Nutritional Outlook

WHFoods

Nutritional Outlook

There’s a lot of truth in the adage, “laughter is the best medicine.” Just ask gelotologists—people who study laughter and its psychological and physiological effects on the body. (Yes, there really is a field of study devoted to laughter.) Their research has given us scientific proof that laughter can improve our health.

Many of the beneficial effects of laughter are due to its affect on different regions of the brain. Studies have shown that brain regions normally involved in emotion, cognition, vision, and movement all respond to laughter. For example, the midbrain and hypothalamus — regions where dopamine is released in response to pleasurable stimuli — are activated by laughter. Dopamine is the major component of “reward” mechanisms. It reinforces pleasure-seeking behavior and influences our happiness.

Laughter also stimulates the release of other feel-good substances, including endorphins, which are opiates (sedatives) that can relieve pain, and growth hormone, which plays a role in growth and metabolism. These substances, among others released in response to laughter, have broad physiological effects, such as lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels and boosting immune function.

Many experts believe that laughter also improves alertness, creativity and memory and may even protect your sanity too, which is probably related to its ability to release stress and ease tension.

Taking Your Medicine

Even if we “scientifically” establish that laughter really is good medicine, what now? It seems silly to “prescribe” laughter—something that is usually thought of as spontaneous and fun. But, like exercise—or anything that is good for us—sometimes it just doesn’t happen without a little pre-planning. And there’s no better time than National Humor Month to flex your “funny” muscles.

Here are some practical tips to infuse your life (and health) with more laughter:

• Use laughter to manage stress by keeping a joke book, cartoons (or whatever makes you chuckle) handy. Then before a meeting or stressful situation, pull out your humor stash and enjoy a smile or laugh. Humor makes you feel good and allows you to think more clearly and quickly.
• Being able to laugh at yourself is healthy. Humor keeps you from taking yourself too seriously and makes dealing with others easier. Researchers found that the stress of “perfectionist thinking” is associated with coronary artery disease.
• Create a “funny file” for whatever tickles your individual sense of humor. Whenever you’re feeling down, bored or uninspired, pull out the file for comic relief.

Sources:

WebMD

University of Maryland Medical Center

Larry Wilde