9/18/2007 - Et Cetera

ET Cetera

GOOD NEWS FOR "BOOMERS"
Good news for “Boomers”: adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle makes a difference, even if the change doesn't come until middle age! In fact , people who eat right and exercise more can reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease and death even if they're in their 50s or 60s. Researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina report that compared to people with less healthy lifestyles, People who (1) consumed at least five fruits and vegetables daily, (2) exercised at least 2.5 hours per week, (3) did not smoke, and (4) worked to maintain a healthy weight lessened their chances of heart trouble by 35 percent.

FLAXSEED MAY PREVENT GROWTH OF PROSTATE CANCER
Previously not recommended for consumption by men because of possible negative affects on prostate health, flaxseed has been given an official reprieve. Reported in June of this year, flaxseed supplementation significantly reduced tumor proliferation rates in prostate cancer patients in a trial lead by researcher Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, PhD, from Duke University Medical Center, in Durham, North Carolina,. "These results demonstrate that flaxseed may well protect against prostate cancer growth," said Dr. Demark-Wahnefried. “We are excited that this study showed that flaxseed is safe and associated with a protective effect on prostate cancer." The results are "compelling, but preliminary," she added, noting that her team is now planning another trial. So for those men who are devotees of Dr. Peña’s well-known shake, you can now go ahead and add those flaxseeds!

CHOCOLATE - TO INDULGE OR NOT TO INDULGE . . .
Every day there seems to be a new research study that reports yet another health benefit from eating chocolate. Whether the amount is a bite or an ounce, the claims continue to mount. One of the most recent, a study conducted at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, reported that the flavonoids in cocoa may help mop up the free radicals that are involved in the oxidation of LDL (the bad) cholesterol, which damages blood vessels. Cocoa flavonoids also may help raise levels of nitric oxide, a substance that helps keep blood pressure at optimal levels. The potential risk is that chocolate’s high calorie count can contribute to weight gain. So, if you enjoy chocolate, eat a little each day – and make it the dark kind. But be aware that, with about 140 calories per ounce, you may need to cut back calories somewhere else in your diet to compensate.