According to new research, caffeinated and non-caffeinated coffee can help prevent the most deadly form of prostate cancer. The results from Harvard University’s research are pretty impressive. Researchers followed 50,000 men for 20 years. Of those numbers, 5,000 men got prostate cancer and over 600 got the most deadly form of it. What the researchers found is that the men who drank the most coffee were most likely to get the deadly form of prostate cancer — their risk was 60% less than men who didn’t drink coffee. Men who drank at least 6 cups of coffee daily had a 60% risk reduction; those who drank 3 cups had a 30% reduction.
Researchers also noted that they saw the same results whether the coffee was caffeinated or decaffeinated. Thus, caffeine is not the beneficial ingredient. Other research has shown that coffee can help prevent Parkinsons’ Disease, diabetes and liver disease. Coffee is an anti-oxidant that can help lower insulin levels.
Of note, the study also found that weekly exercise (walking 2-3 times a week was sufficient) also reduced the risk of dying from prostate cancer — by 50%.
An aspirin a day? Perhaps not. But a recent study offers compelling new evidence that the anti-inflammatory properties of aspirin can play a role in preventing death from cancer. The new research indicates that aspirin taken on a regular basis — especially by those in middle age — may help prevent death from non-smoker lung cancer and pancreatic cancer.
According to an NPR report, “Deaths from adenomatous lung cancer were cut 30 percent, those from colorectal cancer 40 percent, and those from prostate cancer 10 percent.”
While the American Cancer Society hasn’t yet endorsed the taking of aspirin, the research is worth paying attention to. Taking aspirin regularly is not recommend for everyone, so be sure to speak to your doctor before doing so.
When it comes to healthy living — think moderation. That goes for your intake of dietary supplements as well. Vitamin D has been in the headlines a lot lately — touted as a possible preventative measure against everything from cancer and autism, to diabetes, heart disease and the flu. And recommendations for increased doses of Vitamin D have filled the press. Now, recent research from the Institute of Medicine indicates that Vitamin D supplements may not be as beneficial as recently assumed. And, further, too much Vitamin D over a sustained period of time may have negative effects. The Institute of Medicine panel also notes that they found no evidence of a national epidemic of vitamin D deficiency, contrary to earlier articles by American media. This article from NPR is worth a read — Medical Panel: Don’t Go Overboard on Vitamin D.
Berries have long been credited with a variety of health benefits - but just how much of that is myth and fact? NPR shared an interesting report about the health benefits of cranberries and blueberries and the chemistry behind those benefits.
In a nutshell, some of the old lore surrounding berries does have some truth to it. While our ancestors may not have understood the “why” behind the health benefits of cranberries and blueberries, they were correct in their use of them.
- Cranberries can help prevent urinary tract infections. They have been found to keep bacteria from sticking to our cells.
- The berries are filled with beneficial vitamin C - which did prevent scurvy.
- The polyphenols in berries are great anti-oxidants, reducing the damage done to our tissues over time by oxygen.
- Anthocyanins, which make the berry blue or red, are credited with reducing inflammatory reactions. This can help in reducing your risk for cardiovascular disease or cancer.
- Blueberries may help you improve your memory. Scientists haven’t identified what makes that possible, but suspect it is the anthocyanins.
- Blueberries may help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and help regulate blood sugars, thus lowering your risk for diabetes 2.
NPR shares some great blueberry and cranberry recipes as well. Enjoy.
The latest research indicates the link between tanning beds and melanoma may be greater than previously suspected. While only 4 percent of skin cancers are melanomas, 75 percent of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma. According to this article, the more time you spend in the tanning bed, the greater the risk. The World Health Organization has labeled tanning beds as carcinogenic and recommends banning them for children under the age of 18.
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