Month: March 2009

by James J. Gormley

(NaturalNews) Where did I leave my keys? Who am I supposed to call again? What did I mean by that scribbled note, anyway? Everybody experiences these incidents of forgetfulness.

As we get older, these kinds of memory lapses can become routine, and are casually attributed to "advancing years" by many baby boomers, according to Dr. Heidi White, assistant professor of geriatric medicine at Duke University Medical Center.

Age isn`t the only factor in memory loss, however, says White. She notes that among possible causes for cognitive decline are medications (such as sedatives, which can dull the mind), depression (which affects concentration), and hearing or vision impairment.

Baby boomers and the battle for the mind
Keeping the brain healthy much longer is a goal of many of us, especially people who, as of this writing, were 45 to 63 years old – otherwise called baby boomers. If you consider that a baby boomer turns 50 every 7.5 seconds, by the year 2024 there will be 115 million people over age 50 in the U.S.

Today, approximately 78 million people, about 26 percent of the total U.S. population, were not only born between 1946 and 1964 but are, say demographers and researchers, greatly concerned about loss of memory and the aging of the mind.

True failing memory is different from the forgetfulness of a busy person or the stereotypical absentminded professor. Clinically speaking, failing memory is often accompanied by a person`s declining sense of well-being, and is often described by symptoms such as a lack of mental clarity (brain fog), altered mood (as in depression), decreased mental abilities, worsening sleep patterns, and declining overall energy.

Age of Information Overload
Whence the brain drain? Some researchers believe our brains are overtaxed today. Not many would disagree that we`ve moved beyond the Information Age into the "Age of Information Overload." It`s believed that our cognitive processing, and maybe even our memory storage capacity itself, can become overburdened as we age.

To one extent or another, there`s little doubt that all of us are bombarded by work and personal e-mail, Internet spam and junk mail, faxes, magazines, 24-hour news, digital pages, telemarketer calls, cell phone voice-mail and even the arcane logistics of play-date scheduling for the kids after school!

Cognition is sensitive to a wide variety of nutritional factors, and modern nutritional science is uncovering that we can improve our mental powers effectively, and even powerfully, through a wide array of nutrients and supplements, including antioxidants, herbs, fats and other targeted dietary supplements.

A November 2008 review in the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association pointed to benefits of a variety of bioactive nutritional supplement ingredients (often called nutraceuticals), some of which we will look at, in slowing age-associated memory impairment. Vinpocetine and acetyl-L-carnitine were especially effective, followed by huperzine A; rhodiola; ginseng and alpha lipoic acid. The least effective compounds were the drugs, Aricept and Nemanda.

The brain train – vitamins to the rescue
Vitamin C. To test whether vitamin C protects against mental decline, called "cognitive impairment" in this study, researchers from Australia`s University of Sydney looked at 117 elderly people in a retirement community over a four-year period — those who took vitamin C supplements and those who did not. Seniors who took vitamin C supplements experienced a lower incidence of severe cognitive decline. The authors concluded that, "Vitamin C might protect against cognitive impairment."

Vitamin E. Research from Italy and the U.S. has shed new light on vitamin E`s role in brain health. A July 2005 study by Italian researchers from Perugia`s Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics (the InCHIANTI study) included 1,033 participants aged 65 and older. The research group found that people with the lowest blood levels of vitamin E had the highest incidence of senile dementia and "cognitive impairment" compared to those who had the highest vitamin E levels.

Another 2005 study, this out of Chicago`s Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, studied 6158 people 65 years of age or older between 1993 and 2002, including a subset of 1,041 patients who were clinically evaluated. The researchers, led by Martha C. Morris, Sc.D., found that higher intakes of vitamin E were associated with a reduced incidence of Alzheimer`s disease.

Other recent studies have looked at different combinations of vitamins and minerals, with vitamins C and E as a foundation.

ALA anyone?
Alpha lipoic acid is a very powerful brain-friendly antioxidant that has been found to directly restore vitamin C and glutathione to their active forms (after they have been used up) and to indirectly restore vitamin E to its powerful form, as well.

In animals, alpha lipoic acid protects brains cells against beta amyloid plaque, the buildup of which is associated with dementia and Alzheimer`s disease. In fact, animal studies published in 2002 and 2003 showed that treatment with alpha lipoic acid prevented or reversed cognitive impairment similar to dementia in humans.

In 2001, researchers gave nine patients with Alzheimer`s disease 600 mg each day of ALA in addition to Aricept or Exelon for an average of one year. This was the first such study to find that treatment with alpha lipoic acid may be "neuroprotective" against Alzheimer`s disease and related dementias.

In a 2007 follow-up, 43 ALA-supplemented patients were observed for a period of up to 48 months. In patients with mild dementia, the disease progressed extremely slowly; in patients with moderate dementia, dementia progressed twice as slowly.

B is for brain
In the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, researchers looked at 69 people with Alzheimer`s disease, including 33 patients who were taking a multivitamin supplement of folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.

In the 66 patients who were available for the eight-week follow-up, the high-dose B-vitamin supplement significantly reduced levels of homocysteine, which is important since high levels of homocysteine may be associated with the breakdown of the myelin sheaths that encase nerves and may be partly responsible for the symptoms of Alzheimer`s-like dementia.

Botanical brain boosters
Ginkgo. Since stress in humans is associated with decreased memory and learning function, Polish scientists gave an extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761 or Ginkgold) to rats that had been chronically stressed. According to their study, the supplement improved memory and cognition in all rats, including those that had been stressed.

The last 30 years have yielded a large body of evidence supportive of ginkgo supplementation for brain-boosting, although some studies have studied the wrong groups, have looked for the wrong results or have used too low a dose. According to 2000 review by New York University`s P.L. LeBars, daily dosages of 240 mg a day appeared to demonstrate the most benefit in patients with memory disorders or dementia.

Ginseng. In 2008, a group of South Korean researchers published the results of an open-label study in which patients with Alzheimer`s disease received Panax ginseng extract or a placebo for 12 weeks. In the ginseng-supplemented group, all main measures cognitive performance began to show improvements and continued for up to 12 weeks. After discontinuing ginseng, the improved scores declined to the levels of the control group. According to the authors, "These results suggest that Panax ginseng is clinically effective in the cognitive performance of [Alzheimer`s disease] patients."

Pomegranate. A 2005 rodent study found that drinking pomegranate juice during pregnancy may lower the risk of hypoxia ischemia-related brain injuries (a condition caused by decreased blood flow and oxygen to the fetal brain) in babies. The authors said their results "demonstrate that maternal dietary supplementation with pomegranate juice is neuroprotective for the neonatal brain."

A more recent study in newborn mice, published in 2007, suggest that special compounds in pomegranate, polyphenols, should be further investigated as a potential treatment to decrease brain injury due to neonatal hypoxia-ischemia.

Vinpocetine. Vinpocetine is a supplement that`s derived from vincamine, an extract of the periwinkle plant (Vinca minor). Widely used and studied in Europe for over 25 years, awareness of this product and the research behind is now starting to come into its own.

A 2001 review (meta-analysis) in the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association by the University of Miami`s Bernd Wollschlaeger, M.D., winnowed down 39 vinpocetine studies involving 1,912 subjects into three studies – from 1986 through 1991 – involving a total of 174 patients treated with vinpocetine and 114 given a placebo.

According to Wollschlaeger, all three studies "suggest a significant [mental] improvement in the cognitive function of patients suffering from dementia or other symptoms of cerebrovascular diseases." Based on several mental-performance tests, the significant improvement in cognitive function, in these three studies, says Wollschlaeger, "suggest[s] a clinical application of vinpocetine in the early phases of mild cognitive impairment" before full-blown "senile dementia" or Alzheimer`s disease start to develop.

"Designer" supplements for brain support
Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC). A 2004 review of 21 double-blind, placebo-controlled studies using acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of "mild cognitive impairment" and mild Alzheimer`s disease showed significant improvements versus the placebo or "dummy" pills.

CDP-choline. A relative of phosphatidylserine (PS), cytidine-5-diphosphocholine, or CDP-choline, has been attracting some recent research interest. In 2005, scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found, in an animal study, that long-term supplementation with CDP-choline may hold back memory impairment.

Huperzine A. Huperzine A is a purified substance derived from Chinese club moss (Huperzia serrata). A 2005 paper on this supplement speculated that the beneficial effects in Alzheimer`s disease are probably due to several cell- and neuro-protective effects operating at the same time.

Food-based mental mojo?
In a 2004 observational study from the U.K. looking at dietary supplement use, people born in 1936 received mental ability testing in 1947 and later in 2000-2001. At age 64, cognitive function was better in dietary supplement users than in non-users, especially in those people who were also taking marine oil supplements.

Quality of mind = quality of life
Many would argue that quality of mind – a well functioning brain – is truly at the elemental core of quality of life; therefore, ways in which we can improve our mental abilities and functions, and fend off the memory and general cognitive declines associated with aging, should be more than welcome – especially when these ways are holistic, supplement-based, and without the profound unwanted side effects often associated with synthetic pharmaceutical drugs.

References

Gormley J and Liberman S. User`s Guide to Brain-Boosting Supplements. North Bergen, NJ: Basic Health Publications, 2004.

Reynolds J et al. Retarding cognitive decline with science-based nutraceuticals. Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association. 11(1):19-27, 2008.

Paleologos M et al. Cohort study of vitamin C intake and cognitive impairment. Am J
Epidemiol. 148(1):45-50, 1998.

Cherubini A et al. Vitamin E levels, cognitive impairment and dementia in older persons: the InCHIANTI study. Neurobiol Aging. 26(7):987-994, 2005.

Morris MC et al. Relation of the tocopherol forms to incident Alzheimer disease and to cognitive change. Am J Clin Nutr. 81(2):508-514, 2005.

Arivazhagan P and Panneerselvam C. Neurochemical changes related to ageing in the rat brain and the effect of DL-alpha-lipoic acid. Exp Gerontol. 37(12):1489-1494, 2002.

Sharma M and Gupta YK. Effect of alpha lipoic acid in intracerebroventricular streptozotocin model of cognitive impairment in rats. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 13(4):241-247, 2003.

Farr SA et al. The antioxidants alpha-lipoic acid and N-acetylcysteine reverse memory impairment and brain oxidative stress in aged SAMP8 mice. J Neurochem. 84(5):1173-1183, 2003.

Hager K et al. Alpha-lipoic acid as a new treatment option for Alzheimer type dementia. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 32(3):275-282, 2001.

Hager K et al. Alpha-lipoic acid as a new treatment option for Alzheimer`s disease – a 48 months follow-up analysis. J Neural Transm Suppl. 72:189-193, 2007.

Aisen PS et al. A pilot study of vitamins to lower plasma homocysteine levels in Alzheimer`s disease. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 11(2):246-249, 2003.

Walesiuk A et al. Ginkgo biloba extract diminishes stress-induced memory deficits in rats. Pharmacol Rep. 57(2):176-187, 2005.

LeBars PL and Kastelan J. Efficacy and safety of a Ginkgo biloba extract. Public Health Nutrition. 3(4A):495-499, 2000.

Lee ST et al. Panax ginseng enhances cognitive performance in Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer Dis Assoc. Disord. 22(3):222-226, 2008.

Loren DJ et al. Maternal dietary supplementation with pomegranate juice is neuroprotective in an animal model of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Pediatr Res. 57(6):858-864, 2005.

West T et al. Pomegranate polyphenols and resveratrol protect the neonatal brain against hypoxic-ischemic injury. Dev Neurosci. 29(4-5):363-372, 2007.

Wollschlager B. Efficacy of vinpocetine in the management of cognitive impairment and memory loss. Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association. 4(2):25-30, 2001.

Ames BN and Liu J. Delaying the mitochondrial decay of aging with acetylcarnitine. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1033:108-116, 2004.

Teather LA and Wurtman RJ. Dietary CDP-choline supplementation prevents memory impairment caused by impoverished environmental conditions in rats. Learn Mem. 12(1):39-43, 2005.

Wang R Tang XC. Neuroprotective effects of huperzine A: a natural cholinesterase inhibitor for the treatment of Alzheimer`s disease. Neurosignals. 14(1-2):71-82, 2005.

Whalley LJ et al. Cognitive aging, childhood intelligence, and the use of food supplements: possible involvement of n-3 fatty acids. Am J Clin Nutr. 80(6):1650-1657, 2004.

Vitamin C (Ester C) , Alpha Lipoic Acid , B12 , Stress B Complex

by David Gutierrez

(NaturalNews) Children as young as two years old notice what foods their parents are bringing into the house and tend to mimic those food choices, according to a study conducted by researchers from Dartmouth Medical School and published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

by Reuben Chow

(NaturalNews) Teenagers today are spending more and more time slouched on a couch in front of the electronic box – although nowadays it's rather too flat to really be called a box anymore – called a television. And a recent University of Pittsburg and Harvard Medical School study has found that TV time for teens could elevate their risk of becoming depressed adults.

Details and Findings of Study

The study was published in the Archives of General Psychology and the research team had looked at the lifestyle habits of 4,142 healthy adolescents, obtained from data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. That study had covered a nationally representative sample of teens in the US for a period of 7 years.

The initial survey had taken place in 1995 and the subjects, then in junior high and high school, watched a mean of 2.3 hours of TV per day. Each day, they also spent an average of 37 minutes watching videocassettes, 2.3 hours tuning in to the radio, as well as 25 minutes on computer games.

7 years later, in 2002, a follow-up survey was carried out. It was discovered that 308 of the subjects, now young adults in their 20s, had met the criteria for depression. It was found that these persons had watched an average of 22 minutes more TV each day than their non-depressed counterparts. The researchers calculated that each additional hour spent watching TV each day translated to an increase of 8% in depression risk.

Interestingly, such a link was only observed for television, whereas computer games and videos were not associated with higher chances of being depressed.

What Caused What?

But, is it a case of TV causing depression, or is it a case of low spirits making people turn to the tube? "It could be argued that people with the predilection for later development of depression also happen to have a predilection for watching lots of TV," said Dr Brian Primack from the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Research on Health Care, the leader of the study.

The evidence does seem to indicate that TV is the causative factor. According to Primack, the dose-response relationship does suggest that television would at least be partly accountable for the increased risk of depression.

The Link Between Television and Happiness Levels

This study is by no means the first to draw a link between television watching and one's mental health. A University of Maryland study, for example, looked at 35 years of data of about 45,000 Americans and found that the happiest people watched the least TV, while the least happy people spent the most time in front of the tube.

In that study, TV was the only activity which registered a negative score, while the other 9 activities studied, which included going to church and visiting friends, were associated with happier people. The same issue with that the study's findings existed, though – it was not totally clear, between watching TV and being unhappy, which was the cause and which was the effect.

A 1998 study found, too, that too much time spent watching TV can triple one's hunger for more physical possessions, while every hour spent each day on the tube can lower one's personal contentment by about 5%.

Why Could TV Depress Mental Health?

Television has become so much a part of modern life that it is almost shocking to learn of somebody who does not own a TV or who does not watch any programs on it. But why could TV be linked to unhappiness and depression?

The truth is, while TV has brought a fair amount of entertainment into our lives, it has numerous side effects. It subjects us, for example, to hours of political propaganda and consumerism brainwashing. It can thus instill fear and anxiety into us – TV, could, for example, alert us to possible dangers like viruses or natural disasters, causing unnecessary worry.

And it can make us feel inadequate and worthless, too. For example, we may become unhappy that we are not as pretty, or as slim, or as rich as TV personalities, or that we are incomplete because we don't own the latest electronic gadgets or expensive handbags being advertised.

TV watching is a passive activity which reduces our brains to mush. How hard, after all, do we have to think while watching TV? And time spent watching TV means less time for other active, meaningful, health-promoting and happiness-boosting pursuits.

TV time, too, could affect one's sleep patterns, which is important for good mental and emotional health. It is also a direct cause of junk food feasting and couch potato lifestyles, which in turn translate to sluggish bodies and obesity.

What exacerbates all of the above possibilities is that TV is such an absorbing and time-consuming activity (if it can be called an activity at all). It's not uncommon, after all, to hear of people fixated on the set for 5 or even 10 hours at a stretch. That's pretty frightening. And the massive amounts of advertisements certainly do not help.

Conclusion

It is becoming increasingly clear that excessive TV time has no place in a happy and healthy person's lifestyle. Some even choose to totally steer clear of television. If that's too drastic for you, you may want to consider starting a habit of picking your programs and watching only what you really want to watch, as supposed to what most people do, which is just to spend time with the TV regardless of whatever programs are on it.

You may wish to read a related article on how too much television for teens translates to higher risk of being fast food junkies as adults at http://www.naturalnews.com/025667.html.

Colloidal Gold , Plant Minerals

by Susanne Morrone

(NaturalNews) On Feb. 26, 2009, ScienceDaily reports results from a seven-year study by Oxford University researchers, UK. The study associated alcohol consumption and cancer in 1,280,296 women. Even low to moderate alcohol use showed a significant increase in cancer risk and may account for nearly 13% of the cancers of the breast, liver, rectum and upper aero-digestive tract combined.

Prior studies have focused on alcohol's impact on breast cancer, while little has been reported on overall cancer risk and site-specific cancer in women. Participants were recruited between 1996 and 200l, and were followed on the average of over seven years. Most had just one drink per day which is typical in high-income countries. Very few drank three or more drinks per day. Regardless of the type of alcohol, it did not alter the association between consumption and cancer risk.

Dr. Naomi Allen and her colleagues found 68,775 women from the group were diagnosed with cancer. Women smokers had an increased risk of cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, esophagus, and larynx. Each additional alcoholic drink regularly consumed per day was associated with 11 additional breast cancers per 1000 women up to age 75, one additional cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx, one additional cancer of the rectum, and an increase of 0.7 each for esophageal, laryngeal, and liver cancers. For these cancers combined, there was an excess of about 15 cancers per 1000 women per drink per day. (The background incidence for these cancers was estimated to be 118 per 1000 women in developed countries.)

The authors also stated: "Although the magnitude of the excess absolute risk associated with one additional drink per day may appear small for some cancer sites, the high prevalence of moderate alcohol drinking among women in many populations means that the proportion of cancers attributable to alcohol is an important public health issue."

Two doctors from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, in Bethesda, MD, agreed. Michael Lauer M.D., and Paul Sorlie, Ph.D. wrote in an accompanying editorial that although other studies have shown some cardiovascular benefits with moderate alcohol consumption, the excess cancer risk identified in the current study may outweigh that benefit. They said, "From a standpoint of cancer risk, the message of this report could not be clearer. There is no level of alcohol consumption that can be considered safe."

The Oxford University researchers identified the cancer cases through the National Health Service Central Registries. Their full report is listed in the March 4 Journal of the American Cancer Institute.

Other factors not mentioned in this study may be worth considering. Women have less muscle mass than men, which means less water in the body for the dilution principle. The transit time through the liver is slower. The liver also may be sluggish from a number of other toxic assaults. The question of chemical additives in the products also has bearing since there are no legal requirements to list them.

Sources:
Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2009, February 26). Million Women Study Shows Even Moderate Alcohol Consumption Associated With Increased Cancer Risk.
ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 27, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/release…
The Washington Post (Feb. 25, 2009) "Women: How Bad is a Regular Nip?"

by Brian Swift

(NaturalNews) Type 2 Diabetes is caused by a resistance to insulin. This prevents your body from properly regulating the amount of glucose in the blood. Diabetes can cause Hyperglycemia and result in several symptoms such as producing too much urine, blurry eyesight, loss of energy, and a change in metabolism (often resulting in unusual weight gain or weight loss).

Long term complications can also result from Type 2 Diabetes. These include cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, loss of eyesight, inability of the body to heal itself effectively, and foot problems leading to amputation.

Those who have a history of Diabetes in their family or are overweight are more at risk. Below are some tips that can help you to live a healthier life and avoid the serious complications that can occur from Type 2 Diabetes.

1. The Perfect Diabetic Exercise Plan – The American Diabetes Association recommends 2.5 hours of exercise per week. It should be non-impact exercise such as swimming, cycling, or yoga. The best time is an hour after breakfast or dinner. You need to exercise regularly and carefully. Exercise will lower your blood glucose levels so it is important to not over-exercise and take carbohydrates if your levels drop too low. Remember to drink plenty of water.

2. Regulate Carbohydrates & Know Their Effects – Carbohydrates can wreak havoc on your blood glucose levels so it is important to limit your intake of carbohydrates. Also be aware that different carbohydrates take different amounts of time to be absorbed and affect your blood sugar level at different rates. For example, fruit is absorbed more quickly then pasta.

3. Start Losing Weight – Weight loss can restore insulin sensitivity. Make sure to eat smaller portions, reduce your intake of saturated fat, and carefully monitor your food selections. Eating at regular times can also help with losing weight and controlling blood sugar levels.

4. Take care of your feet – Diabetes affects the circulation of blood in your body and often your feet. Diabetes can also result in the inability to properly heal sores or other injuries to your feet. If not carefully monitored, foot neuropathy can lead to infections and other complications resulting in amputation. Check for blisters and infections, clean your feet and trim toenails, notice changes or lacks in sensation, buy well fitting shoes and orthotic inserts, and always wear thicker socks to protect your feet.

5. Stop smoking – Smoking can increase insulin resistance and has been shown to create higher blood sugar levels. Smoking is generally unhealthy for your body and adds to the possibility of more severe complications later in life.

6. Monitor Blood Glucose Levels – At least 2 times a day and before eating meals you should monitor your blood sugar levels. Work with your doctor to know what these levels mean and how to help control them. If you are exercising you will need to test your glucose levels more frequently.

7. Eat More Fiber – Fiber helps your body to regulate blood sugar. Eat whole grains such as brown rice and oatmeal. Eat up to three daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables high in fiber.

8. Stop Drinking Alcohol & Caffeine – Alcohol can affect your nerves and how your liver process fat in the blood. These types of drinks increase your risks for complications and can make regulating blood glucose levels more difficult.

9. Reduce Cholesterol and Blood Pressure – There are many natural ways to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. link: http://www.naturalnews.com/025715.html This is important to your overall health and can reduce the risk of diabetes related complications dramatically.

10. Take Care of Your Eyes – Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness. It can lead to Retinopathy and other eye problems such as cataracts. Treat eye problems at the early stages with regular eye exams and be conscious of changes to vision such as blurriness or seeing halos at night.

by David Gutierrez

(NaturalNews) Researchers from Oxford University and the University of British Columbia have discovered that Vitamin D deficiency affects a section of the human genome already linked with multiple sclerosis (MS) risk, adding further weight to theories that this vitamin deficiency might play a role in development of the disease.

The study was published in the journal PLoS Genetics.

MS is a disease characterized by the loss of the myelin sheath that insulates cells in the central nervous system. The loss of this insulation leads to disordered transmission of nerve signals, causing a cluster of neurological and muscular symptoms.

Scientists do not know what causes MS, but both genetic and environmental factors have been implicated. One study found that rates of the disease were significantly higher among Northern European populations who receive less sunlight than among those who receive more, suggesting a vitamin D link.

Vitamin D is produced by the body upon exposure to sunlight, and deficiencies are common in areas of the world far from the equator. The vitamin is now believed to play a critical role in immune functioning and the prevention of autoimmune diseases.

MS is highly suspected of being an autoimmune disorder.

In the current study, researchers examined a portion of chromosome six known to play a role in MS risk — the risk is three times higher among those carrying one copy of the DRB1*1501 gene variant on this chromosome, and 10 times higher among those carrying two. They found that proteins activated by vitamin D bind to and alter the functioning of a section of the chromosome right near this gene. This suggests that vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy might alter the function of fetal genes, predisposing children to MS.

"Our study implies that taking vitamin D supplements during pregnancy and the early years may reduce the risk of a child developing MS in later life," lead researcher Sreeram Ramagopalan said.

Sources for this story include: news.bbc.co.uk.

by David Gutierrez

(NaturalNews) The use of antibiotics during premature labor may increase an infant's risk of developing cerebral palsy, according to a study conducted by researchers from Oxford University.

"This highlights the importance of fully understanding both the immediate and long-term impact of the care and treatment that both mother and baby receive at this crucial time," said a spokesperson for the infant care nonprofit Bliss.

In 2001, the largest study of premature labor in history (known as ORACLE) concluded that the antibiotics erythromycin and co-amoxiclav could reduce negative infant outcomes in some cases of premature labor – namely, cases in which the mother's water had already broken.

In the new study, researchers followed up on the children from the ORACLE study at the age of seven and examined their rates of cerebral palsy and related problems.

Cerebral palsy refers to a variety of physical disabilities caused by damage to the brain during early development. Up to 50 percent of cerebral palsy cases arrive in premature infants (those delivered before 37 weeks of gestation).

The researchers found no negative effects among children of women who had been given antibiotics after their waters had broken. But among the rest of the children, use of either antibiotic significantly increased the risk of physical or mental impairment, and more than doubled the risk of cerebral palsy.

While only 2 percent of premature infants whose mothers had not been given antibiotics developed cerebral palsy, 5 percent of those whose mothers were given both antibiotics did.

The researchers said that antibiotics probably do not damage the infant directly, but may contribute to the risk of cerebral palsy by artificially extending gestation.

"We have a suspicion that infection is implicated in premature labor," researcher Peter Brocklehurst said. "Antibiotics may merely suppress levels of infection to stop preterm labor, but the baby remains in a hostile environment."

Health professionals emphasized that the study findings should not make pregnant women with severe infections afraid to use antibiotics, as such infections can also severely harm an unborn child.

Sources for this story include: news.bbc.co.uk.

by David Gutierrez

(NaturalNews) A diet high in cured meats may lead to a 74 percent higher risk of childhood leukemia, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health and published in the journal BMC Cancer.

Researchers examined the dietary habits and leukemia rates among 515 Taiwanese children and youths between the ages of 2 and 20. A total of 145 leukemia patients were included in the study, and each was compared with two healthy participants of the same age and sex. The scientists used detailed dietary questionnaires to determine participants' intake of cured meats including bacon, ham, hot dogs, dried salted duck, salted fish and Chinese sausage. For leukemia patients, cured meat intake was calculated for the time period before the onset of the disease; for healthy patients, intake was calculated for the beginning of the study.

The researchers found that the rate of leukemia was 74 percent higher among those who ate cured meat products more than once per week than among those who ate it less frequently. In contrast, children who ate vegetables and soy products frequently had a 50 percent lower leukemia risk than children who ate vegetables and soy products rarely.

The risk of cancer among children who ate large amounts of both cured meats and soy or vegetable products was significantly lower than the rate among those who ate large amounts of cured meats alone.

Based on the results of the study, the researchers have recommended that children limit their intake of cured meats and fish.

Cured meats have previously been linked to an elevated risk of other cancers. One of the primary suspects for this effect are the chemicals known as nitrites that are used in the preservation process.

Leukemia is a term that describes a cluster of different cancers of the blood or bone marrow, characterized by the excessive production of blood cells.