Health impact of soft drinks is proved again. A recent study showed excessive soda drinking increased the risk of pancreatic cancer nearly doubled.

Research carried out the Cancer Control Program at Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, United States show for those who drank soda at least two times a week, 87 per cent more at risk of experiencing a fatal pancreatic cancer than those who rarely consume sodas.

“People who drink two times or more soft drinks per week had an increased risk of 87 percent or almost twice the risk of pancreatic cancer compared with individuals who do not consume soft drinks,” said the study’s lead author, Noel T Mueller MPH, a researcher at The Cancer Control Program at Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, United States, as quoted by WebMD.

The study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a scientific journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. Soft drinks companies respond immediately about these results. They stated that research directly disclose defects and other research that found that there was no link between soda consumption and pancreatic cancer.

In this study, Mueller and his colleagues conduct ongoing evaluation for 14 years on 60,524 men and women enrolled in the Singapore Chinese Health Study. The study began in 1993 when researchers noted what they eat and whether it will suffer from cancer.
The researchers asked the participants to tell him what he ate, including soft drinks and fruit juices. However, Mueller said, researchers did not ask specifically about their dietary consumption, but most of them drank regular soda.

In Singapore at that time, Mueller explained, looking very little intake of soda in the community. “We followed the participants for 14 years. And each time a different record the cancer, “he said. The result, researchers recorded 140 cases occurred pancreatic cancer and began to look back to see if anything to do with the consumption of soda or fruit juice.

The researchers divided consumption of soda and juice into three categories, they are, do not drink at all, less than two times per week and two times or more a week. In conclusion, those who drank soda two times or more in a week the average number of five-year-old has a 87 percent increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

However, it was found that there was no relationship between fruit juice consumption and the risk of pancreatic cancer. So why soda can relate? He admitted it needs to be studied further. “However, what we believe is the sugar in soft drinks can increase insulin levels in the body, which we consider to contribute to the growth of pancreatic cancer cells. Increased insulin may lead to cancer development, “said Mueller.

Even so, the researchers believe the risk of pancreatic cancer increases if other factors, such as advanced age, smoking, diabetes, and body mass index is associated with obesity. Pancreatic cancer risk increases as your age.

With this result, the soft drinks industry immediately launched a protest. “This study has many weaknesses in it,” said Richard Adamson, PhD, scientific consultant of the American Beverage Association in Washington, DC, United States. For example, according to Adamson, his little case of pancreatic cancer experienced by participants. He showed the 140 cases, 110 of these people do not drink soda at all, while the other 12 people eat less than twice a week and another 18 two times or more servings a week.

“This means that only a small number of cases of pancreatic cancer compared with the population studied,” he said. Other studies also, he added, did not find the relationship between soda and pancreatic cancer. The American Beverage Association points to a study in 2008 which found no such relationship. The study also only focused on the consumption of soft drinks, but did not see the overall dietary pattern. “You can be a healthy person and enjoy soft drinks without feeling anxious,” Adamson added.

Susan Mayne, PhD, Director of Yale Cancer Center and professor of epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health, say, the results of the study is “interesting” because of small cases that found that does not prove direct causality. In fact, he included members of the editorial board of the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. This study itself was funded the National Cancer Institute.

Colonel Laurence N MD, PhD, a researcher at the Cancer Research Center and professor of public health at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, said although the new study has limitations, but these findings relate to previous research. He and his colleagues say there is a relationship between added sugars in foods and the risk of pancreatic cancer. The results of this study was published in 2007. “In our study, found a positive relationship between high intake of fructose and pancreatic cancer,” he said. “Since high fructose corn syrup is the main sweetener of non-diet soft drinks, our findings and the latest study is quite consistent,” he said.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the 11 types of cancer most common in the UK. In the United States, according to the American Cancer Society, in 2009 about 42,000 people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and 35,240 of them died. This cancer claimed claimed 7700 lives every year.

The life expectancy of people with only 19 per cent per year. Of 100 people, patients who lived only 19 people. Meanwhile, who has a life expectancy over 5 years is only 4 percent. Hollywood actor Patrick Swayze and tenor Luciano Pavarotti is famous patient who died of pancreatic cancer.

Acupuncture is one of the many alternative treatments to treat various diseases. But remember, there is something you need to watch out for when having acupuncture.

Beware of any equipments that are used if you do not want to become infected. Use disposable needles, experts warned that the use of contaminated needles can lead to bacterial infections, hepatitis B and C, might even get HIV.

In an editorial published in the British Medical Journal, microbiologists from the University of Hong Kong said the number of reporting infections associated with acupuncture in the world is like the tip of an iceberg, and requires infection control measures.

“To prevent infections that are transmitted through acupuncture, then the infection control measures must be implemented such as the use of disposable needles, skin disinfectants and procedures using septic technique,” said research leader Patrick Woo, a professor of microbiology at the University of Hong Kong, as quoted from Reuters, Saturday (20/3/2010).

Woo also added that the strict regulations and accreditation for places that provide acupuncture services are also absolutely necessary.

Woo and his colleagues reveal acupuncture needles can be risky as you enter a few inches beneath the skin and warn a new syndrome which is acupuncture mycobacteriosis.

The syndrome is caused by microbacteries which quickly grew around the acupuncture needle insertion point as a result of contamination of cotton swabs, towels or other hot equipment.

“For the ones with long incubation period, it can cause abscesses and big pimples,” says Woo.

Acupuncture is an alternative treatment based on the theory of soft needle insert at certain points of the body to help increase the flow of ‘Qi’ or energy.

Globally so far have reported more than 50 cases due to acupuncture mycobacteriosis. In some cases, the bacteria that are transmitted from the patient’s skin flora or the environment is not given due to skin disinfectant prior to acupuncture.

Most patients recover from these bacterial infections, but 5-10 percent of reported infections end up with serious problems such as joint damage, multi-organ failure, other diseases and paralysis. There was also a 5 outbreaks of hepatitis B virus infection associated with acupuncture.

Therefore the public should choose the right place to get acupuncture. We must see the cleanliness and sterilization of all equipment used. It is important that acupuncture treatment does not cause new problems in our life.

So far, it is known that the human tongue has the ability to taste five different tastes; bitter, sweet, salty, sour, and rich in protein (savory). Now scientists enters the sixth which is the taste of fat.

Researchers at Deakin University, working with colleagues from the University of Adelaide, discovered that the human tongue can detect the taste of fat. The people who are sensitive to the taste of fat tend to eat less, so they are not overweight.

Savory taste like ingredients for flavoring and high protein foods was found in August 2006 and was published in the Nature journal.

Meanwhile, in August 2008, genetic scientists Michael Tordoff also have discovered a sense of calcium that can be detected by tongue. This calcium taste like the taste of fresh water. But the taste of calcium is still a debate because people regard it is tasteless.

Deakin University researcher, Russell Keast, said that previous findings in the United States have used animal models to find the taste of fat.

“Interestingly, we also found that those with a high sensitivity to the taste of fat will be eating less so they have BMI (body-mass indices) lower than those who are less sensitive,” Keast said to Reuters, Thursday (11/3/2010).

The research team developed a screening procedure to test the ability of people to taste a variety of common fatty acids found in foods.

Researchers found that people who have a taste for fat varies. There are people with high sensitivity while others do not have at all.

According to Keast, fat which is easily obtained and commonly consumed for daily foods shows that the human taste system may be more sensitive from time to time.

Keast is interested in understanding why some people are more sensitive and others are not. He believes this will lead to ways that can help people reduce fat consumption and development on low-fat foods and diets.

Researchers say the discovery of fat taste could be the key to reducing obesity. The results of this study have been published in the last edition of the British Journal of Nutrition.

Various natural treatments is claimed to be able to fight cancer cells. Researchers found papaya leaf extract can be effective against various tumors and can be used as a traditional medicine.

Nam Dang, a researcher from the University of Florida and his colleague from Japan documented the anti-cancer effects of papaya against cervical tumors, breast, liver and pancreas. This research’s report has also been published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology.

The researchers used extracts made from dried papaya leaves and found the resulting effects can be more powerful. Dang and other scientists showed that the papaya leaf extract could increase the production of a key signal molecule called TH1 type cytokines, these molecules help regulate the body’s immune system.

“This could be a maintenance therapy to fight cancer cells by increasing the body’s immune system,” researchers said in the journal, which was released last February, as quoted from AFP, Wednesday (10/3/2010).

Scientists said that papaya leaf extract has no toxic effect on normal cells, this of course can avoid the side effects which generally always occur in some cancer treatments.

Researchers used 10 types of cancer cells with a variety of different 4 papaya leaf extract and measure the effects after being given papaya leaf extract for 24 hours. The results shows that this papaya leaf extract can slow the growth of cancer cells.

The results still needs a long time and certainly will be developed until it can be carried out on a clinical trials. If the research is successful, it will create a new treatment to fight cancer cells by using traditional materials.

Human longevity is not just affected by how well your genes are, but also how well you live your life. Researchers have found a way to eat, move and manage stress that determines how long people live.

A new study conducted on 20,000 people in the UK and has been published in the British Medical Journal, shows that one can reduce the risk of stroke by 50 percent. Just by doing four things, which is active for 30 minutes a day, eating fruits and vegetables, and avoiding excessive smoking and alcohol.

People can reach the age of 100 with a healthy lifestyle. However, Thomas Perls of Boston University School of Medicine, believes that with the assumption that puts genes aside, there’s nothing stopping you living up to the age of 90 years.

Here are 10 habits Perls used to calculate how long a person can survive, as reported by USNews, Tuesday (9/3/2010).

1. Do not retire.
Although already in the retirement age does not mean you can no longer work. “Evidence shows that in a society where people suddenly stopped working, the incidence of obesity and chronic disease increases after retirement,” says Luigi Ferrucci, director of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

2. Floss Teeth Every day
This can keep the arteries (blood vessels) remain healthy. Studies from New York University in 2008 showed that flossing every day can reduce the number of bacteria that cause gum disease in the mouth. These bacteria can enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation in the arteries, and increases the risk of heart disease.

3. Always move
“Sports is the only way to stay young,” said Jay Olshansky, a professor of medicine and aging researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Study after study has recommended that the benefits of exercise to improve mood, mental acuity, balance, muscle mass, and bone. No need to exercise at the gym, just by simply walking around the neighborhood for 30 minutes a day.

4. Eat high-fiber cereal for breakfast
Whole wheat benefited especially in the morning can help maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day. According to a study conducted recently by Ferrucci and colleagues, people who do this can prevent  diabetes, which could accelerate aging.

5. Sleep at least 6 hours a day
“Sleeping is one of the most important functions for our bodies, our body regulates and heal cells when we are asleep,” Ferrucci said.

6. Consumption of whole foods, not supplements
Evidence strongly indicates that people who have blood that is rich in nutrients, like selenium, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, has a longer life. But there is nothing to prove that taking supplements can provide anti-aging benefits.

“There are more than 200 different carotenoids and the 200 different flavonoids contained in a tomato,” Ferrucci said. This chemical is beneficial to the body other than known nutrients such as lycopene or vitamin C. Avoid white foods (nutrient-lacking white food) such as bread, flour and sugar. And switch to fruits, vegetables, and whole wheat bread.

7. Reduce the neurotic (nerve pressure)
A better way to cope with stress is yoga, exercise, meditation, tai chi (take a deep breath in for a while). While in the other hand daydreaming, eating chips in front of the TV, partying and drinking to much alcoholic is bad for the body.

8. Live like Seventh Day Adventist
Americans who define themselves as the Seventh Day Adventists, have a life expectancy average of 89 years, about a decade longer than the average American.

They appreciate the body by not smoking, consume alcohol or pamper your body with sweet foods. They are usually vegetarian and eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, and do many sports. They are also very focused on families and communities.

9. Being a creature that used to it
According to Olshansky, people tend to live the old days with a strict routine, eating the same food and doing the same types of activities throughout their lives. Sleep and wake at the same time each day is one good habit to keep the body in a stable equilibrium.

10. Stay socially connected
Have social relationships with friends or loved ones is key to avoiding depression, which can lead to early death, particularly common to a widow and an elderly widower.

Some psychologists even think that one of the greatest benefits to be obtained from the parents exercise a strong social interaction, a walk with friends or join a training class.