Scientists Probe Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk of Death

A novel study has linked vitamin D deficiency with a risk of death, particularly from cardiovascular illnesses, in the most recent indicator of the important role the vitamin plays in health.

Scientists studied vitamin D levels in over three thousand patients with an average age of sixty, and tracked their overall health for over seven years. Nearly twofold as many of the patients with shortcomings of this important nutrient died pending the duration of the study, according to results informed by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Additional evidence from a Harvard University study backs up this evidence by showing a correlation between heart attacks and low levels of this nutrient in the blood.

Previously released studies confirm that there is a link between vitamin D deficiency and diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. Additionally, there has been evidence that supports the premise that an insufficient level of this nutrient is even associated with many different types of cancer.

Vitamin D in our Diet

Extremely few foods in reality even contain this important nutrient. The best sources are fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel as well as fish liver oils. Additionally, this organic compound can be found in beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks. And even some mushrooms provide the nutrition in small amounts. The highest volume of this organic compound can be found in fortified foods, for example, nearly all of the U.S. milk harvest is fortified with the nutrition. One cup of fortified milk has nearly twenty-five percent of the recommended levels of the daily requirement of this nutrient.

Symptoms of Vitamin D Insufficiencies

Shortcomings of this important nutrient may be characterized by weak or brittle bones, muscle aches, lethargic energy and fatigue, and even a lower immunity. Mental characteristics include depression, mood swings, and sleep apnea. Deficiencies in women can result in intestinal problems such as Crohn's disease because they can not absorb or convert the nutrient adequately.

What is Vitamin D?

This required nutrient is indeed a hormone, the building block of a omnipotent steroid hormone in the body. It has been well-known for numerous years that this organic compound is paramount to the health of bones and teeth, but our deeper cognizance into D's real role in our health is altogether new.

This organic compound works in agreement with other nutrients and hormones in the body to sustain healthy bone revival, the process of mineralization and demineralization that prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

Common Misinterpretations

Fibromyalgia is a widespread condition predisposed by long-term, body-wide pain and sheer points in joints, muscles, and tendons. Fatigue, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, and morning stiffness have also been linked to Fibromyalgia. There are cases in which an insufficient level of vitamin D was actually misdiagnosed as Fibromyalgia.

How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?

The Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) in the U.S. is 5 micrograms daily increasing to 15 micrograms per day by age 70. The highest limit on recommendations are 50 micrograms per day.

Supplements

Supplements are often misunderstood and many people assume that they can be used in lieu of a vitamin source obtained through nutrition. Trevor Marshall, Ph.D., a professor at Australia's Murdoch University School of Biological Medicine and Biotechnology, spells out the case that increased intake of this nutrient can affect nutrition and bone health, but the use of supplements can be detrimental because they suppress the immune system so that the body cannot contend with disease and infection efficiently.

Vitamin D affects the production of beyond one thousand genes and there is not a simplistic cause and effect between supplements and disease. Sweeping studies are just not demonstrating that supplementary vitamin D alone in the diet can make people healthier.

Get a Professional Opinion

Because of the increased risk of death due to vitamin D deficiency, it is highly recommended that if you or a loved one suspects inefficient levels of this nutrient, a consultation with a professional health care provider be procured. There are many health care agencies that provide free health care for those without insurance. Contact local health agencies for more details.

For further reading:

• http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jSFWbotYcNkdql2yIZjmOhr-xtOQ
• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080623175423.htm

Scientists Probe Link Between Stress and Diabetes

Among some of the most significant effects of contemporary times of the twenty-first-century is the resulting fast-paced lifestyle that people live. Multi-tasking is common in our modern world, and in many careers, necessary in order to compete.

In a large metropolitan city it is not uncommon to see a pedestrian navigating the busy streets with a cell phone attached to each ear. And although people of our generation are living with a higher standard of living than that of their parents and grandparents, the benefits are not achieved without costs to both physical and mental health.

The Higher the Levels of Stress, the Higher the Chance of Becoming Diabetic

Researchers measured work stress and depression associated with high levels of anxiety and were astonished to find that some of the effects of our fast-paced lifestyle had damaging health consequences such as diabetes.

A foremost researcher, Dr. Sherita Hill Golden of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, studied a culturally-varied collection of nearly five thousand men and women within the age ranges of forty-five to eighty-five years of age. The research was conducted over a three year period and the findings were astounding. The study uncovered a disturbing link between people with excessive sadness and those that were diagnosed with diabetes. They also found that the more profound the symptoms, the greater the risk of becoming afflicted. In fact, those that have more severe anxiety have a higher risk of becoming stricken with the most typical form of the disease than others.

According to a study that was conducted at the University of Toronto, the association between stress and diabetes is significant. In fact, Type 2 diabetes, also called adult-onset diabetes, has been linked with severe depression, which is also an important cause of decline in cognitive skills and Alzheimer disease.

Anxiety and Sadness Make Diabetic Treatment More Difficult

Not only have anxiety and sadness been shown to be contributing factors to the disease, they can also make the effects worse. Even if every step has been taken to control the disease and a physician's advise has been followed precisely, the effects of anxiety and sadness on a diabetic patient make treatment more difficult. Many physicians will prescribe anxiety reducing regimens in order to help with tension, which in-turn will help the treatment of the disease.

How Prevalent is this Disease in the United States?

In the United States alone, there are nearly twenty million diabetics and that number is growing daily.

What Can be Done to Reduce Anxiety?

Physicians emphasize the importance of deep breathing exercises, which have been proven to have a positive effect on tackling anxiety. In people that are under the effect of severe anxiety, their breathing pattern is shallow and brisk. By practicing deep breathing, one can achieve a soothing effect on the mind which helps to counter the effects of anxiety.

A popular spiritual and ascetic discipline which helps to maintain healthy levels of anxiety is Yoga. Specific body postures and controlled breathing exercises offer a good tool for anxiety management and relaxation. In addition to managing tension, yoga can help combat weight problems, back pain, insomnia, burn out and a host of other anxiety-induced problems. Yoga includes quiet movements that help to control concentration and move the focus away from tension towards a more calming moment which gives the body a chance to improve circulation and slow down after a chaotic day.

In addition, a good meal plan which consists of well-balanced proportions of healthy choices is an important step towards regulating blood sugar as well as improving overall health, including anxiety. A licensed dietician or endocrinologist can help to consult diabetics on which foods to avoid and which can help maintain good health. Knowing what to avoid in one's diet can be confusing, and a professional health care provider can make the journey towards optimal health easier.

If you have any questions or concerns about stress, depression or diabetes, it is imperative that you speak to a professional. There are common screening tests that can be conducted in the privacy of your physician's office. Start on the path towards good health by addressing any stress issues now, before they can possibly develop into long term health problems.

For further reading:

• http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,368363,00.html
• http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.asp?docid=616608

Mosquito Population Increase and West Nile Virus Treat

According to the calendar, summer has officially started. As families rush to get outdoors, spend time at the beach or at the local park, there is a growing menace that threatens the summer fun.

The besiege occurs mainly at night, systematically sparing no one, and always out for blood. The threat is, of course, mosquitoes and the hazard is more than just a nuisance. With mosquitoes comes the possibility of West Nile Virus, a latent but at times life threatening illness.

Stagnant Water

Several recent studies have reiterated the importance of working to control an epidemic before the onslaught of mosquitoes occurs. And with the recent flooding in the Mid West, now is the time to get rid of standing water, which provides an ideal location for mosquito eggs to hatch.

Most significantly, researchers believe West Nile Virus is a seasonal epidemic that is more prevalent in the summer months and persists into the fall months. University of Wisconsin-Madison entomologist Phil Pellitteri expects big increases in the number of pests due to the flooding of the farmlands within the south.

How is the Virus Transmitted?

The virus is disseminated through bites of infected mosquitoes. In some cases, West Nile Virus can be circulated to other people through blood transfusions.

What are the symptoms of West Nile Virus?

In most cases, there are no symptoms whatsoever and the infected person never gets sick. But in some, symptoms can be severe and include headache, stiff neck, and fever. More severe cases can lead to nausea, vomiting, vision loss and paralysis. And the long-term effects can be horrific with neurological effects lasting.

How Long After Infection do Symptoms Appear?

Typically, after infection occurs a person can become ill within one to two weeks.

What is the Treatment for West Nile Virus?

Unfortunately there is no treatment for West Nile Virus. In most cases, the patient will recover within a couple of weeks. In more severe cases, the patient will need hospitalization so that he/she can receive intravenous fluids and twenty-four hour nursing care. There is no vaccine for the virus, so the only prevention is to reduce breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Stagnant water such as fish ponds, un-maintained swimming pools, bird baths, storm drains and even street gutters are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

History of the West Nile Virus

The virus was first recognized in 1927 in Uganda.

Then several decades later in 1957, there was a severe outbreak in Israel, and that outbreak was so intense that health officials recognized it as a new cause of human meningitis, a deadly disease which leads to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, and in the most severe cases, death. Scientists report that the virus came to the United States in 1999 and since, the disease has been spreading due to the conditions which are conducive to mosquito breeding.

What Can be Done to Help Control the Mosquito Population?

In most communities, there is a local mosquito abatement district which should take a pro-active approach and use control measures to contain mosquitoes. The chief culprit of the problem is numerous breeding grounds for the mosquito larval. By removing their breeding grounds such as stagnant water nearby, the chances of having excessive mosquito outbreaks in a community are reduced.

Some communities are working to remove improperly sloped streets or pot holes in which water can accumulate. Local public works committees are lobbying to gain funding for areas that need to be corrected in order to reduce standing water.

By removing trash such as old tires, tarps, containers and old vehicles in which rain water can accumulate and become stagnant, breeding grounds are reduced. And by reducing these breeding grounds, there will be fewer mosquito outbreaks.

This chore may be more difficult in some areas due to the mortgage crisis which has, unfortunately, left many homes vacant. Many neighbors are noticing that due to the vacant homes there are more breeding grounds within their community.

Local Health Departments should be called in this case and be notified so that preventive measures can be taken to reduce the sources of stagnant water on the property. The Health Department should come out and treat the breeding sites in order to reduce possibility of a breakout. By concentrating on immature mosquitoes, they are eliminated before they have the opportunity to spread disease.

Precautions

According to the Westchester County Health Department, it is not essential to limit out door activities. Instead it is recommended that people wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, and wear bug spray - especially during dusk and dawn.

If you or a loved one suspects illness due to mosquito or west nile virus, it is highly recommended that you contact a health care professional right away.

Please visit HealthScienceNews again soon for more helpful news.

Surge in Throat Cancer Numbers Attributed to Oral Sex

Not only have researchers been able to pinpoint the cause of a new surge in throat cancer, they are able to present a theory as to why the upswing in the number of new cases has been reported. Dr. Ezra Cohen, an oncologist at the University of Chicago Medical Center revealed that this strain of throat center is a "new disease" that is becoming a more prevalent disease seen in patients today.

The Connection Between HPV Virus and Throat Cancer

Scientists released a new study from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center which confirms that there is indeed a dramatic increase in cases of oral cancer and that the surge is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV), the same virus responsible for cervical cancer. Patients with this type of throat cancer are stricken by the cancer due to contracting the virus through oral sex. The risk is so widespread that it was revealed that oral sex was found to be a much higher risk factor for throat cancer than tobacco or alcohol use.

The virus attacks the precise section of the upper throat called the oropharynx, the area of the pharynx that is in between the soft palate and the hyoid bone. Scientists are working diligently to uncover the reason for the increase in these types of cancers, however, some hypothesize that it is due to the relationship between a change in sexual activities since the 1960s. The virus flourishes in the outer layer of skin and is spread through exposure to the skin. Sexual transference has a tendency to lead to affliction of the virus in close proximity to the place of contact. These cancer-associated types of HPVs cause dysplastic tissue growths that usually appear flat and are nearly invisible.

HPV Virus Found to Cause Other Types of Cancer

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI). In the past, intercourse was most often linked with cervical cancer, however, some researchers predict that the number of patients with HPV-linked throat cancers could well outnumber cervical cancer numbers in the coming years.

Who is Infected with HPV?

HVP is very common in young men and women. In fact, nearly 50 percent of sexually active young women has had a genital HPV infection. People at higher risk of getting the HPV virus are those that had sexual relations at an early age, had many different sexual partners, or a history of sexually transmitted disease.

In past years, it was believed that if a person had HPV virus, they would have it their entire life. But after years of research, it was revealed that in most cases, a person who has a normal immune system could rid their body of the HPV virus without medical treatment. HPV is a serious ailment that can be prevented.

What is the Treatment for HPV-Related Throat Cancer?

The treatment for throat cancer is different for those that contracted the disease through smoking and drinking compared to those that contracted the disease through oral sex. Francis Worden, MD, assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, revealed in a recent interview regarding the new surge of throat cancer that it is a "challenge" to treat patients with these tumors as they are two different types of cancer.

Studies are being conducted to determine the success rate of treating throat cancer connected to HPV transmitted through oral sex. In studies, a preliminary round of chemotherapy was given to establish how well the tumor reacted to the cancer-killing medication. Radiation was later given to the area surrounding the tumors. In many cases, the treatment was successful.

How is HPV Spread?

Scientists can not confirm whether or not the virus can be spread by kissing. They can confirm, however, that data suggests oral sex is a major route of transmission as well as sexual intercourse without a condom. Researchers insinuate that oral sex does not constitute "safe sex".

Vaccine maker Merck & Co is working to present an application this year to the US Food and Drug Administration for use of its male HPV vaccine. Even though the company's studies can not yet confirm that their vaccine protects against throat cancer, they plan to confirm that the shots protect against HPV infection. Doctors for the company expect the vaccine to work absolutely as well in male and female patients.

What Can You Do?

They say that knowledge is power. So if you are unclear about the risks or if you have any concerns or questions, it is recommended that you consult a physician right away. When in doubt, consult a specialist. No question should be left unasked. Please check back for more information regarding health and science news.

Deadly Cancer on the Rise: Mesothelioma

There can be no doubt that the public's awareness of mesothelioma cancer is on the rise. Still despite the rise of public awareness of this deadly cancer, the disease remains one of the cancers that heightened awareness and public concerns have little effect on the numbers of people afflicted. Indeed, the number of cases reported has actually increased in recent years. This is due in part to the fact that mesothelioma cancer has been linked to asbestos exposure in the patient's life some ten to fifty years prior.

Researchers at the Occupational and Environmental Medicine designed a large scale study which probed this phenomena. Their findings were released in March of this year and highlighted the research surrounding Italian asbestos cement workers who were found to have a risk of some asbestos-related cancers even after their exposure ended. These workers, unfortunately, were among the ones with the most extensive exposure to asbestos over a period of years. Although researchers noted that mesothelioma cancers are on the rise for this group of people, they noted that their risk of developing mesothelioma cancer began to diminish fifty years after the last exposure to asbestos.

What are Asbestos Cancers and How are People Exposed to Asbestos?

Asbestos cancers are a reaction to high exposure to the fibers of the mineral asbestos, which a person can breathe in without being mindful of it occurring. Asbestos is a mineral that was used in thousands of manufactured materials products that encompass our modern world. These materials include bricks, insulation, plumbing, furnaces, floors, walls, and ceilings. Although the practice of manufacturing asbestos-based products is now unauthorized, the number of mesothelioma cancers is on the rise in the United States.

What is the Treatment for Mesothelioma Cancer?

The treatment for mesothelioma is dependent upon whether it is exclusively present in one location or whether the cancer has spread. Currently there is no cure for mesothelioma unless it can be surgically removed. Unfortunately, when mesothelioma is diagnosed it has more often than not spread to other areas making the chances of it being removed surgically smaller. There are hopes for a mesothelioma cure, but research on this deadly cancer continues. Treatment goals include making the patient comfortable and improving quality of life.

Asbestos, which is the main cause of mesothelioma, was brought to light in the industrial age of the twentieth century. There is evidence which suggests that as early as 1930 there were suspicions that asbestos was linked to cancer, however uses for products with asbestos continued for years.

When the use of asbestos was at its most elevated level in the 1940s to the 1970s, approximately 3,000 products manufactured with asbestos were present and widely used. One could encounter asbestos in every day products such as hair dryers, toasters and coffee pots. And because asbestos fibers could be located in vermiculite or talc, small amounts of asbestos were reported in cosmetics, powders, fertilizer and potting soils.

Is This Cancer on the Rise, Even Today?

The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in the UK has been estimated to increase over the next fifteen to twenty-five years due in part of failure to protect workers from inhalation of asbestos. For example, in British Naval dockyards other insulation materials and respiratory protection were not used until the mid-1960s.

If you or a loved one suspects exposure to asbestos, it is highly recommend that you contact a health care professional and discuss your options.