French Bakery Workers At High Risk Of Job-Related Asthma

Research presented at a recent European medical conference confirms that flour was the main cause of occupational asthma in 20 percent of 330 cases in France. Known as “baker’s asthma”, the condition occurs when flour – including its dust and enzymes – irritates the respiratory system, causing allergy-related symptoms. The second leading cause of occupational asthma was cleaning products containing ammonia (15 percent of cases). Workers in food manufacturing were at greater risk for asthma than farm workers, and women were at greater risk than men.

"Flour Is the Main Cause of Work Related Asthma in France", Time, September 08, 2014

Spinach Extract Suppresses Food Cravings, Boosts Weight Loss

A three-month Swedish clinical study involving 38 overweight women found that taking an extract of spinach containing leaf membranes (thylakoids) reduced food cravings and increased weight loss. The control group that took a placebo lost an average of 3.5 kg while the group that was given five grams of thylakoids daily lost 5 kg. The thylakoid group also found that it was easier to stick to three meals a day, and did not experience any cravings. The researchers said taking thylakoids reinforced the body's production of satiety hormones and suppressed food cravings, leading to better appetite control, healthier eating habits and increased weight loss.

"Body weight loss, reduced urge for palatable food and increased release of GLP-1 through daily supplementation with green-plant membranes for three months in overweight women. ", Appetite, September 02, 2014

Ibuprofen May Help Boost Immune Systems Of The Elderly

A study in mice finds that ibuprofen may provide the key to keeping the immune systems of older adults functioning with youthful efficiency. In the lungs of older mice, U.S. researchers found that white blood cells known as macrophages – the “first responders” of the immune system – didn’t respond as efficiently to a tuberculosis infection as the macrophages in younger mice. But ibuprofen reversed the situation, in effect strengthening the immune response. The researchers said it might be possible to reduce or prevent some diseases in the elderly by decreasing inflammation with diet, exercise and ibuprofen.

"Characterization of lung inflammation and its impact on macrophage function in aging. ", Journal of Leukocyte Biology, September 02, 2014

Any Weight Loss Diet Can Work, As Long As You Persevere

A U.S. meta-study comparing research data on the effectiveness of low-fat and low-carb diets found little weight loss difference. Any diet plan can work as long as people stick to it. The researchers analyzed data from 50 clinical trials involving 7,300 people. All diet routines were superior to no diet at six months. Compared with no diet, low-carb diets had a median difference in weight loss of 19.2 lbs., low-fat diets 17.6 lbs. Weight loss differences between individual diets were minimal. Those on the Atkins diet (low carb) lost 3.8 lbs. more than those on the Zone diet (low fat) at six months, a statistically insignificant difference.

"Comparison of Weight Loss Among Named Diet Programs in Overweight and Obese Adults. ", JAMA, September 02, 2014

Drinking Wine Reduces Cardiovascular Risk – If You Exercise, Too

A study by Czech scientists finds that drinking wine does benefit the cardiovascular system, but only if it is accompanied by exercise. Earlier studies have provided evidence that wine increases levels of good cholesterol, but this study is the first long-term clinical trial – 146 people with cardiovascular risk were tracked as they drank red or white wine for a year -- comparing the effects of the wine on markers of atherosclerosis. The conclusion was that both red and white wine lowered cholesterol, but only among participants who also exercised.

"Wine only protects against cardiovascular disease in people who exercise, study finds", News release, study presented at ESC Congress, August 31, 2014

Eating Lycopene-Rich Tomatoes Cuts Risk Of Prostate Cancer

A British study that analyzed the diets of 1,806 men aged 50 to 69 with prostate cancer and 12,000 men who were cancer free found that those who ate 10 portions of tomatoes a week were 18 percent less likely to have the dreaded disease. The researchers believe the benefit comes from ingesting lycopene -- an antioxidant that wards off toxins that damage DNA -- as well as calcium and selenium. They recommended that the findings be confirmed by clinical trials.

"Adherence to dietary and lifestyle recommendations and prostate cancer risk in the Prostate Testing for Cancer and Treatment (ProtecT) trial. ", Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, August 27, 2014