Health News
Health news is always changing. One day something might be reported as being bad for you, the next day there are reports exuding its health benefits. And to be frank, who can you trust to give you the real health news these days? Here at the Doctors Health Press, we report on health news a little differently. We look at the latest health news and then look again. We do the digging and the research and we’re not satisfied until we’re 100% sure that the health news and breakthroughs we’re reporting to you is accurate and beneficial. This isn’t an option, it’s our policy. Sure, you can watch TV or surf the web looking for the latest health news. But after you’re done, I’m sure you’ll agree that after reading your latest issue of the free Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin that you’ve got the best source of health news, delivered right to your inbox every day.
Whether you’re concerned about preventing breast cancer, lung cancer or any other form of the dreaded disease or you want to know how to prevent the onset of diabetes or properly maintain your diabetes or you simply want to maintain your healthy blood pressure, the Doctors Health Press is your source for all the natural health news you need to stay healthy.
Good News: Cancer Mortality Rates Continue to Drop in 2008
The American Cancer Society has just released its annual cancer statistics report. The report estimates the number of new cancer cases for the coming year. It also contains data on cancer deaths in 2005.
According to the report, there was an increase in cancer deaths in 2005 (559,312), compared to 2004 (553,888). Despite this, cancer mortality rates in the U.S. continue to drop overall, with a 2% drop in 2003-2004 and a 1% drop in 2005.
Did you know that there are all sorts of ways you can avoid getting cancer? Diet, regular check-ups, and a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise are all important things in the battle against cancer.
Despite the onslaught of environmental toxins that many medical researchers feel are responsible for much of the cancer that plagues our society, there is a way to keep healthy.
When choosing foods, help protect your body from cancer by eating those that are high in antioxidants. Blueberries, garlic, onions, turmeric, green tea and many other delicious foods have all been found to have anti-cancer properties.
And if you make the effort to exercise regularly, you will notice a definite and immediate impact on your health. You will gain more energy and strengthen your immune system. You will increase your circulation, pumping needed blood and oxygen to all your organs. And — when it comes to the fight against cancer — you’ll be helping to flush out toxins every time you exercise.
The American Cancer Society reports that, among men, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers account for about half of all cancer cases. And, among women breast, lung, and colorectal cancers are the most common types found.
Certain cancers seem to be on a slow decline. Newly diagnosed cases of lung cancer in men are down, while for women rates are at least leveling off. A drop in colorectal cancer is also reported between 1998 and 2004. And more good news: breast cancer rates have decreased 3.5% per year from 2001 to 2004.
The American Cancer Society believes that the overall decline in cancer death rates is the direct result of screening programs for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. They also think the decline is due to increased advertising about the harmful effects of cigarette smoke.
Make sure you continue to be a part of the declining statistics in the war against cancer. Adopt a healthy lifestyle and you could reap the benefits of a strong and resilient body.
Tags: cancer, Health Articles, Health News
Could Rice Give You Diabetes?
—by Jeff Jurmain, MA
A new study released last week revealed some crucial nutritional information for protecting the body from diabetes. It focuses on one of the world’s most commonly consumed foods: rice.
Researchers found that eating more white rice is linked to a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Conversely, eating more brown rice — a whole grain — may be associated with a lower risk for the disease. These findings were published in the esteemed “Archives of Internal Medicine.”
Rice has been a staple food in Asian countries for centuries. By the 20th century, grain-processing technology made large-scale production of refined grains possible. In this process, the outer bran and germ parts of rice grains are removed to produce white rice, which is mostly starch. In the United States, more than 70% of rice consumed is white, which has nowhere near the level of nutrients that whole grain rice does.
The team from Harvard School of Public Health assessed rice consumption and diabetes risk among nearly 40,000 men and 157,500 women in three large studies: the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and the Nurses’ Health Study I and II.
After adjusting for age and other lifestyle and dietary risk factors, they found the following interesting stats. People who ate five or more servings of white rice per week had a 17% increased risk of diabetes, compared to those who ate less than one serving per month. Now, those who ate two or more servings of brown rice per week had an 11% reduced risk of type 2 diabetes than those eating less than one serving a month.
Based on this, the researchers estimate that replacing 50 grams (about one-third of a serving) of white rice per day with the same amount of brown rice would give you a 16% lower risk of type 2 diabetes. As a whole, if you fully replaced white rice with brown rice, the reduced diabetes risk could be as great as 36%.
In general, white rice has a higher “glycemic index” than brown rice. Glycemic index measures how much a food raises blood sugar levels. It is likely because the structure of white rice is disrupted due to the refining process. The nutritional consequences include the loss of fiber, vitamins, magnesium and other minerals, and many natural chemicals that are believed to be protective factors for diabetes.
For the prevention of type 2 diabetes, along with a lengthy list of other health problems, it is recommended that people consume whole grain rice and avoid white rice as much as possible.
Tags: diabetes, Free Health Advice, Health News, Nutritional Information, rice
New Kind of Blood Pressure Monitor Introduced
If you are over the age of 35, if you or your family have a history of high blood pressure, or have a history of heart or kidney problems, you should monitor your blood pressure.
Anyone can develop high blood pressure. There are many things that can raise your blood pressure. Just being over the age of 55 increases your risk for this condition. Men are more likely to develop high blood pressure, as are African Americans. Smoking increases your risk, as does an inactive lifestyle with little or no exercise. Being overweight can lead to blood pressure readings that are higher than normal.
Getting your blood pressure checked regularly is something you can and should do for yourself. You can book an appointment with your doctor. He or she will check to make sure your blood pressure reading falls somewhere between the normal range — usually at or below 120/80 (systolic/diastolic).
It’s a simple step you can take to make sure nothing is amiss with your heart and circulatory system. In fact, scientists have been hard at work making blood pressure monitoring accessible and hassle-free. Just pop into your local pharmacy where you will most likely find a self-serve station where you can roll up your sleeve and take a quick reading.
And now hospitals are equipped with “finger-tip” monitors and have dispensed with the old blow-up arm bands that cause that uncomfortable squeezing sensation.
The latest development in blood pressure measuring comes in the form of a solar-powered device. It’s been tested in medical centers in Africa, where electricity is often a luxury.
The field tests showed that the $32.00 device is 94% in agreement with the standard blood-pressure testing method for systolic blood pressure — not bad for something that relies on shifting rays of sunlight for battery power.
The device was less accurate for diastolic blood pressure (the lower number that shows pressure when the heart is relaxed), but the researchers who conducted the performance trial think the problem should be easy to fix. Systolic blood pressure is the major contributor to cardiovascular problems and tends to be the more important reading.
It’s not hard to imagine that one day we might all have a solar-powered blood pressure monitor in our wallets and purses, wherever we go. Getting people to monitor and take an interest in their own health may well be dependent on ease of use and affordability.
Tags: Free Health Advice, Health Articles
