Health knowledge made personal
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Sarah A. Uhl, Tamarra James-Todd, Michelle L. Bell. “Association of Osteoarthritis with Perfluorooctanoate and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in NHANES 2003–2008.” Environmental Health Perspectives, February 14, 2013.
Canadian team reports that taking music lessons before the age of 7 years helps to create stronger connections in the brain.
Higher levels of thrombogenic microvesicles may raise the risk of developing white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in the brain, among postmenopausal women, blood
Marital quality may play key, yet under identified, role in patients’ health.
Two common perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) – present in products such as fabrics and personal care products – may raise the risk of osteoarthritis.
Vitamin C seems to be particularly beneficial for people under heavy physical stress, with data suggesting it can halve the incidence of the common cold.
Among first-born children, New Zealand researchers report reduced insulin effectiveness and higher blood pressure.
Zinc may effect a key role in activation of a transcription factor, MF-[kappa]B , essential for proper immune function.
Concerns and anxieties about a person’s close relationships may be a chronic stressor that can compromise immunity.
Tannin compounds –a type of plant antioxidant that is found abundantly in cranberries, help to slow starch digestion.
Analysis across large-scale studies suggests that baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein associates with development of age-related macular degeneration.
The type of jobs people have may increase their risk for developing asthma.
An international study reports a link between passive smoking and syndromes of dementia.
Triclosan, an antibacterial chemical found in numerous personal care products, may contribute to an increased risk of allergy development in children.
The antibiotic-resistant “superbug” methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is prevalent at several US wastewater treatment plants.
Two United Nations agencies have mapped the intersection of health and climate in an age of global warming.
Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter decreases flow-mediated brachial artery dilation.
People who are exposed to mold in their homes could be at an increased risk for sarcoidosis, a chronic inflammatory lung disease.
High noise levels can put people at-risk of annoyance as well as sleep disturbance, both of which can have serious health consequences.
People with severe coronary artery disease have been found to have higher-than-normal levels of the plastic bisphenol-A (BPA) in their urine.
Roofers and road construction workers who use hot asphalt experience elevated blood high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Tip #131 - Shake the Salt Habit
In the western world, people consume on-average 10 to 12 grams of salt daily, mostly unknowingly as salt is frequently added by food producers/manufacturers, if not by the individual when cooking or serving foods. While salt is a vital nutrient involved in many body functions, overconsumption can markedly raise blood pressure, putting people at-risk for a fatal cardiovascular event.
On a global scale, reducing salt intake around the world by 15% could prevent almost 9 million deaths. Researchers from Kings Fund London (United Kingdom) analyzed low- and middle-income countries, which carry 80% of the world's burden for chronic disease. While they found that simple dietary changes could reduce salt intake by 30%, a 15% reduction in salt intake was found to potentially correlate to saving 8.5 million lives from cardiovascular deaths. Aim to reduce your consumption of processed and prepared foods, which are common sources of high concentrations of salt. |
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Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) are used in more than 200 industrial processes and consumer products including certain stain- and water-resistant fabrics, grease-proof paper food containers, personal care products, and other items. As such, PFCs have become ubiquitous contaminants of humans and wildlife. Sarah A. Uhl, from Yale University (Connecticut, USA), and colleagues investigated the role of two PFCs, perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), in the prevalence of osteoarthritis. The team analyzed data from six years of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2003-2008), which enabled them to account for factors such as age, income, and race/ethnicity. When the researchers looked at men and women separately, they found clear, strong associations for women, but not men. Women in the highest 25% of exposure to PFOA had about two times the odds of having osteoarthritis, as compared to those in the lowest 25% of exposure. "We found that PFOA and PFOS exposures are associated with higher prevalence of osteoarthritis, particularly in women, a group that is disproportionately impacted by this chronic disease," observes the lead investigator.