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.

Accoding to recent studies, a new type of genetic tests to detect abnormalities in children genes that lead to autism is said to be more accurate than standard tests that have been used before.

In this study, experts give three choices of tests on 933 people aged 13-22 years who had been diagnosed with autism.  The three types of tests are, the G-banded karyotype test, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), and fragile X testing. Those three test is a type of test that is widely used.

Karyotype tests identify aberration chromosome associated with autism as much as 2 percent, while the fragile X genetic mutations found in 0.5 percent of patients. While CMA successfully detect chromosomal abnormalities more than 7 percent of the patients. Differences significant results was assessed to have greater levels of  accuracy. Therefore, the experts suggested that CMA became the first test to determine the syndrome of autism in children.

The purpose of the genetic tests done on autistic children is to help parents determine will they have a child who is also autistic or not if their get pregnant again.

If the tests find abnormal chromosomes in the child, parents also need to do tests. If you found the abnormal gene, could be concluded that it is a high-risk that the parents will have children with autism again. However, if you find normal gene, there may be some duplication, so the risk of having autistic children is lower.

“In most cases, we believe there are at least a genetic predisposition to the occurrence of autism, but the ability of existing tests to identify specific genes is difficult because the technology does not exist. In addition, experts generally are not able to determine precisely the genetic mechanisms which trigger autism, “said Dr. Robert Marion, children geneticist from Montefiore Medical Center, New York, United States.

Today the practical standard to test whether a child suffers from autism are two types of genetic tests,  karyotype and fragile X testing, which has been known since the 1960s.

Like karyotyping, CMA also sees an abnormal chromosome, but 100 times more accurate. CMA can recognize DNA duplication submicroscopic called re-number variants associated with autism.

Chromosome can be compared in a library and each book is his genes. “What we are looking for is a book which has a missing cover which describe the loss of an extra chromosome or chromosomal fragment containing the gene with autism,” said Dr. David Miller, a genetic expert.

Even so, there are still many things that can not be revealed by genetic experts. As many as 10-15 percent of cases of autism are not derived from a genetic disorder. Everything is still mysterious.

Obesity and depression were closely linked. One study revealed that obesity increases the risk of depression. In contrast, depressed people are also at increased risk to obesity.

Research conducted by the Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands,found that depression increased the risk of obese people who were not initially depressed by 55 per cent and depression increase the risk of obesity is initially normal weight by 58 percent.

“There is reciprocal relationship over time between depression and obesity,” says lead researcher Dr S Floriana Luppino from Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands, told by Reuters Health. Luppino said, this analysis was not designed to determine what type of person is prone to the risk of depression, but only to find out how much obesity increases risk.

But as a comparison, a recent study was funded by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) found that nearly one in four cases of obesity associated with mood or anxiety disorders.

These findings, said the researchers at the NIMH as listed on the site, appears to support what other studies have found that obesity in which case the rise in the United States is associated with increased levels of depression citizens and the problems other mental health.

Meanwhile, recent research conducted Leiden University Medical Center also has the same result. The study was collected from approximately 15 studies have been published to see whether being overweight or obese is associated with depression, and vice versa.

Studies collectively involving more than 58,000 people, using a measure of body mass index (body mass index / BMI) to measure how fat or thin a person. For reference, the United States adults with a BMI 25 or more is considered overweight, but some were calling the size of BMI over 30 had declared obesity.

Being fat, said Luppino, not only increases the risk of depression, but depression may trigger a more violent, which is no longer centered around the symptoms of depression. In contrast to obesity, the relationship between depression and being overweight (but not obese) is not related reciprocity, but only one direction. He said, being overweight only increases the risk of depression in people who were not initially depressed. However, depression did not increase the risk of being overweight from time to time.

This finding itself was reported in a recent issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, which also showed that the relationship between obesity and depression are more likely evident in Americans than Europeans.

Why? ‘An association response, which means the higher the BMI the more people suffering from depression may explain the association, “said Luppino. The average weight of Americans are heavier than ratarata European citizens.

However, the researchers say, the effects of psychological stress in overweight people should not be ignored. Overweight and obesity can lead to low self-esteem, and dissatisfaction with body shape. “Especially in Western countries where thin is often regarded as an ideal of beauty. Both the low self and body shape dissatisfaction known to increase risk of depression, “said Luppino.

Because depression and obesity carry a greater health implication, it is important to prevent and treat both. The team of Dutch researchers are encouraging doctors and other health professionals, who work in various fields, to collaborate and exchange their expertise.

Luppino suggested, doctors who treat patients who are overweight or obese can also treat depression related problems. While psychiatrists or general practitioners who treat depressed people can advise patients who are obese are also to meet with dietitians.

While other studies mentioned, good habits at home as often eat with the family at home may prevent children are obese. Research published in March issue of the journal Pediatrics stated that children who are toddlers could decrease the risk of obesity by 40 percent if often have dinner with the family, limiting hours of watching TV, and enough sleep.

“Doing one or all three are proven to reduce the risk of obesity of children under five,” said Sarah Anderson PhD, lead researcher and assistant professor of epidemiology at Ohio State University, United States, as quoted by webmd.com.

Children under five who live at home and followed the three lifestyle restrictions such routines can reduce almost 40 percent lower risk of obesity than those who did not do all three. These findings also take into account risk factors, such as maternal obesity and household income.

Eating eggs could make you quite full, and you could get all the proteins and nutrients you need. Eating 1-2 eggs each day would make people feel full, so it is a good step to lose weight.

That is why in 1979, former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher was able to lose weight in a short period of time by eating 28 eggs a week.

Eggs has long been regarded as a high-calorie food and could cause high cholesterol. Apparently a medium egg medium only consists of 80 calories.

Eating an egg every day could provide 20 percent of the human daily consumption. After eating eggs people do not need to over-consume any other food.

A team of researchers who conduct research in the United States found that people who eat eggs have almost all the nutrients higher than those who do not consume eggs.

“The health benefits of is huge. So it is probably not an exaggeration to call it a super food. Eggs are the most nutritious foods from all food there is,” said Dr Carrie Ruxton, an independent dietitian and author of the report, as quoted from Dailymail, Wednesday (10/3/2010).

Eggs can be considered as a ’super food’ because in addition to improving health, it can also fight obesity. And according to nutritionists, eating an egg a day can lower your weight.

The study,  will be published in June in the journal Nutrition and Food Science. This study examined 71 studies and reference materials to check the nutritional composition of eggs and its role as a food.

Researchers found that eggs are not only low in calories, but also a rich source of protein and packed with essential nutrients for health, especially vitamin D, vitamin B12, selenium, and choline. Eggs are an ideal food at every stage of life and easy to cook and fun to eat.

A report also confirmed that among the protein food, eggs contain the richest essential amino acid mixture. This is very important for children, teens, young adults because the proper balance needed for growth and repair. Eggs are also high in antioxidants, which can help prevent age-related macular degeneration that causes blindness.

Certain groups who benefit by eating more eggs is the youngsters, meat-lovers and those who avoid milk.

A key finding is that the eggs are important food sources of vitamin D and can contribute significantly to increase the daily intake of vitamin D.

Low levels of vitamin D is associated with a number of medical conditions such as bone damage, cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, immune disorders and problems of mental health.

Recent findings funded by the British Egg Industry Council, said that one or two eggs a day has no effect on total cholesterol for most people.

According to Dr. Ruxton, there is a real nutritional benefits when we eat eggs every day. Evidence suggests that eggs can be useful for filling, controlling weight and also for eye health.

Lots of parents still think that vaccines which is given to their children can cause autism. In fact, it’s simply not true. Immunization seems to have become a necessity in today.

The emergence of various diseases force us to maintain the body’s immune from a particular disease, the simplest thing that we can do is taking immunization. But unfortunately, there are some people think that the vaccine which is given can cause children suffer from autism.

A study revealed that one in four parents believe that some vaccines cause autism in healthy children. From a survey of 1552 parents, most of them still follow the advice of doctors to vaccinate children to keep the baby’s health. Because the latest research about it does not find a direct relationship between autism and vaccines.

“Nine out of 10 parents believe that vaccination is the best way to ward off the disease to their children,” said lead researcher Dr. Gary Freed of the University of Michigan.

“Fortunately, their fears of the possibility of children affected by autism no greater than the decision to inject the vaccine, so that their children can be protected from life-threatening disease later on,” he added.

In 2008, children of school age who are not vaccinated suffered outbreaks of measles in California, Illinois, Washington, Arizona, and New York. This was revealed Dr. Melinda Wharton of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Approximately 13 percent of the 140 children who fell ill that year to get treatment in hospital.

“Luckily all the children recovered,” said Wharton said, mentioning that measles can also be deadly.

“If we are not their vaccination, this disease will come back,” he continued.

Meanwhile, fears of vaccine with autism has a connection comes from a speculative study in 1998, which recently the study is finally revoked by the British medical journal.

Withdrawal was taken immediately after a regulation governing board of the British doctors study authors point out that it applies no less honest and ethical.

Meanwhile, a new study based on surveys at the University of Michigan to parents is done about a year ago, long before the revocation of the study in 1998. Many other studies also failed to find a relationship between vaccines and autism.

Advocacy groups such as Autism Speaks, also continued to call for parents to routinely vaccinate their children.

“It’s been proven many people who commit fraud openly. Maybe it will convince many parents that this should not happen again, “Freed said as a written summary of his study in the April edition published for the journal Pediatrics, released Monday (1 / 3).

A statement from the expert group in Philadelphia, United States asserted that the government should support this vaccination program. They believe that vaccines do not cause autism or developmental disabilities in children.

If your child do not get vaccination precisely, you become selfish as to take advantage of the thousands of other children who run it. We feel that attitude is unwise and unacceptable. Mentioned also that for doctors who “totally rejected” the vaccine could see another doctor to get a lesson.

“We call it a manifesto,” said Dr. Bradley Dyer from All Star Pediatrics in Lionville, Pa., United States.

Dozens of doctors, Dyer said, has been asked to inform the statement and only a handful of parents who have taken their children elsewhere.

“The parents say thank you for saying it. We feel better about it, “he said.

A recent study of this vaccine is based on an online survey to parents who have children aged 17 years or below. The survey uses a sample of randomly selected participants from a nationally representative.

Each family was given internet access facility if they do not have an internet connection. This is to ensure that families from all background can be entered. The result, 25 percent of parents agree with the statement that “some vaccines cause autism in healthy children”.

Approximately 29 percent of mothers agreed with that statement.Meanwhile fathers, approximately 17 percent of nearly 12 percent of parents said they would refuse the vaccine for their children if the family doctor recommended. Approximately 56 percent of participants admitted will reject the relatively new vaccine as preventive vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) which can cause cervical cancer.

While others will refuse vaccines against meningococcal disease (32%), chickenpox (32%) and measles-mumps-rubella or MMR (18%). Parents who refuse HPV vaccine, which has been recommended to girls since 2006, presents a variety of reasons.

Meanwhile, parents who refuse the MMR vaccine, admitted that they had heard and read that the use of this vaccine will cause a lot of risks that are too large of whom suffer from autism in children.

According to Dr Gary S Marshall from the University of Louisville School of Medicine and author of a pocket book doctor about vaccinations, the result of this discovery will help a lot to help physicians communicate more intensively this issue to parents.

“For the sake of the children, we must think like a scientist,” he said.

“We (the doctors), need to do a better job of presenting more data is valid data for parents to understand if the scientists had reached the conclusion that the vaccine for children does not cause autism,” he stated.