| HEALTH NEWS |
High Hormone Levels In Women May Lead To Infidelity, Study Shows
Women with high levels of the sex hormone oestradiol may engage in opportunistic
mating, according to a new study by psychology researchers at The University of
Texas at Austin
Doctoral candidate Kristina Durante and Assistant Professor of Psychology Norm Li published their findings in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London: Biology Letters.
"The study offers further evidence that physiological mechanisms continue to play a major role in guiding women's sexual motivations and behavior," Durante said.
Durante and Li investigated the relationship between oestradiol, an ovarian hormone linked to fertility, and sexual motivation in a study of 52 female undergraduates not using contraception. Participants' ages ranged from 17 to 30 years old.
The researchers measured the participants' hormone levels at two points during each woman's ovulatory cycle and then asked them to rate their own physical attractiveness. Independent observers also rated the participants' physical attractiveness.
Participants also answered survey questions that measured their propensity to cheat on a partner.
The researchers found that a woman's oestradiol level was positively associated with self-perceived physical attractiveness. Women with a higher oestradiol level also reported a greater likelihood of flirting, kissing and having a serious affair (but not a one-night stand) with a new partner.
Oestradiol levels were negatively associated with a woman's satisfaction with her primary partner.
"Our findings show that highly fertile women are not easily satisfied by their long-term partners and are motivated to seek out more desirable partners," Durante explained. "However, that doesn't mean they're more likely to engage in casual sex. Instead, they adopt a strategy of serial monogamy."
Source: Science Daily06/08/08
British hospitals infested with vermin in addition to high rates of MRSA and C-Difficile superbugs
NHS
trusts have reported almost 20,000 incidents of pest infestation in hospitals
over the past two years.
Outbreaks have included rats in maternity wards, wasps and fleas in neo-natal units and maggots in patients' slippers, according to reports in The Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail.
But the Government dismissed suggestions that the problems were linked to the spread of hospital-acquired infections like MRSA and insisted that the threat to patient safety was "negligible". The details - released under the Freedom of Information Act - were obtained by the Tories, who contacted all 171 NHS trusts in England.
Of the 127 which responded, almost all were said to have experienced some problems. There were almost 20,000 reports of pest problems while seven out of 10 trusts said that they had called in pest control officers more than 50 times since January 2006.
The figures showed that 80% of NHS trusts reported problems with ants, 66% with rats and 77% with mice. Cockroaches were said to have been reported at 59% of trusts, fleas or other biting insects at 65%, and bed bugs at 24%. A further 6% of trusts reported infestations of maggots. Many of the problems were said to have occurred in clinical areas.
Health Minister Ivan Lewis said that it was up to NHS trusts to ensure that hospitals were clean and safe for patients. But he insisted that, so far, there was little evidence of any threat to patient safety.
Source: The Press Association
One can only ask what would be considered a threat to patient safety if not this?
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11/02/2008
Pepper 'to treat pigment disease' Research suggests Black
pepper could provide a new treatment for the skin disease Vitiligo.
Vitiligo is a condition in which areas of skin lose their normal pigment and
become white. Researchers discovered that piperine - the compound that gives black pepper
its spicy, pungent flavour - can stimulate pigmentation in the skin.
The study, by King's College London, appears in the British Journal of
Dermatology. Vitiligo is estimated to affect about one in 100 people. Current treatments
include corticosteroids applied to the skin, and phototherapy using UV radiation
(UVR) to re-pigment the skin. However, less than a quarter of patients respond successfully to
corticosteroids. And UVR causes a re-pigmentation that is spotted and patchy and in the
long-term could lead to a higher risk of skin cancer. The King's team examined the effects of piperine, and its synthetic
derivatives, when applied to the skin of mice, either alone or followed by UVR. Used alone, piperine and two of its derivatives stimulated pigmentation to an
even, light brown colour within six weeks.
Combination therapy
Combining the treatment with UVR the skin became darker still. The effect was achieved much faster than using UVR treatment alone, and lasted longer. In addition, the combined therapy gave a much more even pigmentation than UVR alone, which can often result in a patchy appearance. The researchers believe that piperine stimulates the production of the skin's pigment cells, called melanocytes. Researcher Professor Antony Young said: "We have shown that topical treatment with piperine stimulates even pigmentation in the skin. Combining this with UVR significantly enhances the pigmentation with results that are cosmetically better than conventional vitiligo therapies."
Nina Goad, of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: "Vitiligo is a
highly visible disease that can greatly affect patients psychologically and
emotionally. Any breakthrough in treatments of this disease is most welcome. These findings could potentially lead to the development of treatments that
not only provide improved results, but could also reduce the need for UV
radiation in vitiligo treatment, in turn lowering the risk of skin cancer."
Source:
BBC News
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10/02/2008
Openings for natural food colours as Co-op bans food additives
"The removal of MSG and these colours is in direct response to [consumer]
concerns, even though we have had to de-list a number of products as a
result." says Christine Clarke, Head of Co-Op brand.
The UK's 'Co-op' chain has banned up to twenty-one artificial food colourings including the flavour enhancer MSG from all of its own brand food products (report 11-Jul-2005). In response to consumer concerns regarding children's diets and a rise in food intolerances, it will no longer use legally permitted food colourings. The ban includes the common flavour enhancer MSG, Sunset Yellow (E110), Tartrazine (E102) and Quinoline Yellow
(E104). The shift from
synthetic colours to natural equivalents is underpinned by consumer suspicions
that all E-numbers are unhealthy. After reviewing 2800 of their own-label food and drink products, the firm reformulated
53 brands to replace the colours and MSG with natural alternatives where
possible. Among the reformulated products are mushy and processed peas, which commonly
use the well-known artificial colour Tartrazine (E102) and the less well-known
Green S (E142). The Co-op has replaced these with naturally-derived colourings.
All Co-op sausages no longer contain Carmines (E120) and Co-op
chicken and mushroom pasta sauce now has no added MSG. Numerous children's products have also been reformulated, including dolly
mixtures and flying saucers, which contained Quinoline Yellow (E104), Cochineal
(E120), and Indigo Carmine (E132).
Where reformulation was not an option, the retailer opted to totally delist
the product from its range. And so some 27 products are no longer available,
including marrowfat peas where no acceptable alternative could be found for
Green S (E142), and prawn cocktail shells, which contained Carminic acid. In addition, pink and white marshmallows, canned strawberries in syrup and
Chinese style spare ribs are now off the shelves.
The UK food retailer claims to be the first supermarket group to ban a range
of commonly-used colours and MSG in all its own-label foods. Food and beverage
manufacturers are increasingly on the hunt for natural colours - fuelling growth
in the colouring foodstuffs market and outstripping the base line growth of the
European colours market, valued at €195 million in 2001. "The European colouring market is expected to experience a compound annual
growth rate of only 1 per cent for the period 2001-2008. In contrast, the
colouring foodstuffs market is currently experiencing growth of an estimated 10
per cent to 15 per cent, driven by consumer interest in natural products." says Frost and Sullivan analyst, Lyndsey Greig Colouring foodstuffs include fruit and vegetable juices, concentrates and
dried, powdered extracts. They do not contain any carriers or additives,
and may be listed as ingredients, rather than as food additives," added Greig. Source:
Foodnavigator.com
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09/01/2008
Constipation in women linked to anxiety, depression, and feeling 'unfeminine'
Chronic constipation in some women is linked to anxiety, depression, and feeling "unfeminine," St. Marks Hospital, Middlesex
Researchers
from St Mark's Hospital, Middlesex, studied 34 women between the ages
of 19 and 45 with chronic constipation over a period of five years with a group of women who had no history of condition. Both groups were given tests to measure levels of depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms and impaired social skills. In addition, both groups were given psychological assessments on how they felt about their feminity and their ability to form and maintain intimate relationships. They also underwent laser unltrasound tests to show the level of rectal blood flow which reflects the function of nerve pathways from the brain to the gut.
Researchers also concluded that a person's psychological makeup directly affects the function of involuntary nerves which link the brain to the gut resulting in constipation and vice versa.
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08/01/2008
Acrylamide Linked to Cancer
New research shows that a high dietary intake of acrylamide can increase the
risk of breast cancer. The study was the first epidemiological study using
biological markers for measuring acrylamide exposure, and also the first to
report an acrylamide/breast cancer link.
Acrylamide is a carcinogen
created when starchy foods are baked, roasted, fried or toasted. It was found to
cause cancer in laboratory rats in 2002. It is found in all baked goods, potato crisps and chips, The study examined 374
postmenopausal women who had developed breast cancer, and an additional 374
healthy women who were used as controls. An increased acrylamide hemoglobin
level doubled the risk of breast cancer.
Acrylamide is a carcinogen
created when starchy foods are baked, roasted, fried or toasted. It was found to
cause cancer in laboratory rats in 2002.
Zambroza Awarded New Prestigious Certification
Brunswick Laboratories, a leading independent commercial laboratory specialising in the science of antioxidants and oxidative stress has recently given Zambroza its seal of approval, certifying that each bottle of zambroza will deliver unparalleled antioxidant protection.
Zambroza is a concentrated blend of 10 fruits and herbal extracts that provide powerful synergistic antioxidant benefits. Clinical research has clearly shown that Zambroza has the ability to boost a person's immune system 300% more than leading competitive products. Studies have also shown that this powerful antioxidant reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, inflammation, diabetes, parkinsons, alzheimers, macular (eye) degeneration, arthritis, cataracts, psoriasis, eczema. It helps to protect the skin, increases its integrity and elasticity and reduces the visible signs of ageing. Zambroza can be taken by can be taken by people of all ages and is recommended to use during pregnancy and many more health complications.
23/05/2007 Research
examined by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
(Nice) showed the supplement cut the risk of patients suffering another
attack. The
National Health Service spends in excess of £1.7 billion annually
caring for heart disease victims. More than 200,000 people survive a
heart attack every year and 1.2 million people in the UK are estimated
to have lived through an attack. Source: GMTV News
Daily Fish Oil Treatment 
Thousands of heart attack victims will be prescribed fish oil supplements under new guidelines published by the health watchdog.
An increasing number of studies have highlighted the benefits of eating
oily fish or taking fish oil supplements as it has been shown to cut
the risk of heart disease. Doctors are being urged to recommend a daily
dose of Omega-3 fatty acids to patients who have had a heart attack in
the previous three months in order to reduce the risk of a second attack.
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Positive Lab Results Using Paw Paw Cell Reg
Dr. Fred Valeriote at the Ford Cancer Clinic conducted an experiment using Paw Paw Cell Reg with live cultures of human colon cancer cells. His first experiment involved adding Paw Paw Cell Reg to a culture of cancer cells and he observed that the cancer cells died very quickly, showing the powerful effect of this product.
In another experiment, Dr. Vaeriote added a combination of Paw Paw Cell Reg and Zambroza to live cancer cells and noticed that the cancer cells died quickly however he noticed that there was a synergistic effect with the two products which enhanced th results making them more effective when used together. The latter experiment was important for two reasons; firstly to show the effectiveness of the combination and secondly to show that Paw Paw Cell Reg did not work in the same way some chemotherapy drugs do which significantly increase free radical damage to the body while killing cancer cells. Paw Paw Cell Reg was found to be as effective as chemotherapy drugs without adverse effects.
The results from this experiment is very positive and Dr. Valeriote has decided to continue his research by conducting another study using Zambroza with patients who are being given radiation for head and neck cancers.
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