Archive for the ‘Research’ Category
Is Cancer Really A Fungus?
Some oncologists seem to think so. The claim that cancer is really a fungus is normally attributed to Dr. Tullio Simoncini, an Italian oncologist. Now before I dissect some of the responses made by the medical community to his argument I should make clear that I am not a doctor. I have however suffered from Candida yeast infections and Onychomycosis (a nail fungus) throughout my life so I have a strong personal interest. And just one other point of clarification: a yeast is a single-celled fungal organism so don’t get confused when Candida yeast infections are described as fungal infections.
Three responses to the claim that cancer is really a fungus and related views that fungus is the one true cause of cancer.
- The argument can’t have it both ways. On the one hand claiming that cancer is a fungus and the other indicating that fungal organisms can cause cancer.
- Dr Simoncini argues that cancers in the body are “always white” and that white is a fungus-color. Even if tumors are white (and not all of them are) it’s not necessarily because they are made up of fungus. Connective tissue for example is white in color and that forms the bulk of cancer tumors.
- Part of the reason that his views have gathered so much interest is that they promise the hope of an easy cure. If in fact cancer was fungus, then simple anti fungal medication would offer a speedy recovery. So how to get rid of cancer would be the same as how to get rid of yeast infection. Unfortunately anti fungal and anti yeast medications just don’t stand up to this test.
There is no doubting that Candida and other fungal infections are complicated conditions. Candida in particular can lead to a wide range of (sometimes seemingly unrelated) health problems. But laying the blame for cancer on Candida is taking this a set too far.
How to Age Gracefully
Aging doesn’t have to be unpleasant. The secret to enjoying your older years is making important lifestyle changes while you’re still young. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to influence everything that goes on around you (not by yourself anyway) such as issues with global warming, the environment, pollution and greenhouses gases. You would be better off focusing on the changes you can make to your own lifestyle instead that improve your health. How you choose to live during your 20s and 30s can protect you from many of the age related symptoms such as arthritis, high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol levels. You can also avoid diseases such as cancer as well. The following are 6 tips that can help you age gracefully.
Limit Your Fat Intake. Obesity is the number one killer in the country. What you eat will affect your health. A diet that is high in fat increases your chances of gaining weight and contributes to other conditions such as high blood pressure, stroke, cardiovascular disorders and colon cancer. Regulate your weight by eating smaller portions of food made up of the good kinds of fat,
Stop smoking. The tiny warning at the end of tobacco ads does not do justice to how dangerous smoking really is. A single cigarette stick contains over 400 different toxic compounds. Alongside cancer, the cumulative effect of smoking can lead to respiratory disorders and other diseases. If you’ve already developed a smoking habit, make assertive steps towards stopping. Second hand smoking can be just as harmful. Avoid staying around people who smoke regularly. If you need a good analogy, smoking for a human body is the same as pollution and greenhouses gases emissions are to the earth. Just as with the earth, scientists tell us that we can still reverse and heal the process, but one day we will not be able to. The same thing goes for your body, so quit smoking while you still can.
Eat More Fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are great sources of nutrients and minerals—exactly what your body needs. A well balanced diet is an effective way of protecting yourself as you age. It reduces your risk of cancerand ensures that your body gets sufficient fuel. Fruits and vegetable are also rich sources of fiber and antioxidants. The former will keep your metabolism primed while the latter will help control the amount of free radicals in your blood stream.
Drink Responsibly. In moderate amounts, the right kind of alcohol can be beneficial. But you risk harming your health by consuming large amounts every day. Excessive amounts of alcohol can lead to obesity, high blood pressure levels, erectile dysfunction and cancer. The solution? Avoid drinking every day and instead of spirits, drinking red wine. Red wine is a rich source of antioxidants which fight the negative effects of aging.
Exercise. Regular exercise is vital if you wish to age gracefully and protect yourself from age-related ailments. The American Cancersociety recommends that people engage in moderate aerobic workouts such as walking for 150 minutes every week to stay fit and healthy, or 90 minutes of intense cardio routine such as running. Exercising will keep your muscles toned, elevate your metabolism and boost your overall fitness.
Go for periodic tests. Diseases are easier to treat if they are discovered during the earlier stages. Go for periodic screening tests. A medical evaluation will reveal exactly how fit you are. Your doctor will be able to advice you on the right steps to take to remain healthy. Screening tests can also be used to prevent certain diseases. For instance, a colonoscopy can be used to detect abnormal cells before they become cancerous.
Prevent Skin Cancer by Avoiding Tanning Salons
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays, either from the sun or from tanning salons, can cause multiple types of skin cancer.
That straightforward statement, backed up by reams of research data, is surprisingly controversial — controversial to the $5 billion indoor tanning industry, at least. The Indoor Tanning Association, for example, claims that tanning salons are not harmful if used “responsibly” and that there are even health benefits of UV rays, such as the production of vitamin D. However, primary care physicians, dermatologists, and skin cancer organizations around the world disagree. They even use a QR Code to make people aware. Here’s why.
Who Uses Tanning Salons?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), more than 1 million people use one of the 25,000 tanning salons in the U.S. on an average day. Of these, most are Caucasian females ages 16 to 29. More than 25% of teenage girls have used tanning salons three or more times in their lives. Research also indicates that tanning can actually be habit-forming, with sufferers displaying similar symptoms as drug- and alcohol-addicted individuals. The tanning industry is growing rapidly, with revenues increasing five-fold since 1992.
The Evidence that Tanning Salons are Harmful
Indoor tanning equipment, which includes all artificial light sources, including beds, lamps, bulbs, and booths, emits mostly high-output UVA but also UVB radiation. (UVB causes sunburn while UVA is a deeper penetrating radiation linked to melanoma.) The amount of the radiation produced during indoor tanning is similar to the sun and in some cases may be stronger.
According to the AAD, indoor tanning is associated with an increased risk of premature aging (age spots and wrinkles), immune system suppression, eye damage (cataracts), and skin cancer (especially squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma). Evidence for the dangers of indoor tanning is overwhelming. For example, a 2007 review of 19 studies by the International Agency for Research on Cancer found that the use of tanning salons increased the risk for melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma, but not basal cell carcinoma, in people under aged 35. In addition, the review found no evidence to support the claim that indoor tanning protects the skin from subsequent sun damage. In September 2008, three more reviews were published in the medical journal Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research that highlighted the huge amount of evidence linking tanning salons and melanoma.
Refuting the Vitamin D Argument
Vitamin D, which the body makes through a chemical reaction to UVB light, helps maintain the body’s calcium levels and so is crucial for healthy bones and preventing many diseases. It can be ingested from dietary supplements or foods like eggs, fish, mushrooms, and fortified beverages. Of course, it can also be obtained from the sun. However, experts caution that obtaining it from a carcinogen like ultraviolet radiation is the least safe source. Only a relatively short exposure to UV light is needed to produce vitamin D; a 20-minute tanning session provides about 5 to 7 times more ultraviolet radiation than is needed to produce vitamin D. The AAD states unequivocally that “vitamin D from food and dietary supplements offers the same benefits — without the danger of skin cancer — as vitamin D obtained from UV light.”
Tanning Salon Legislation
A federal law enacted in 2007 will likely soon lead to more explicit warning labels on tanning equipment; specifically, the phrase “Ultraviolet radiation can cause skin cancer” is being considered. Individual states have gone much further: as of late 2008, about 27 states have implemented restrictions on tanning salons. Most of the laws require underage teens to get parental permission to lie under the tanning-bed lamps. A handful of states completely ban access to artificial UV light in salons for those younger than 13, 14 or 16. Others require teens to bring along a parent or a doctor’s prescription. Advocates compare the use of tanning beds to cigarette smoking and the drinking of alcohol — unhealthy practices that states already put off limits to minors.
Environmental Issues and Cancer Risk
Most studies suggest that both the incidence and the mortality of cancers are beginning to fall in most of the Western world. However it probably won’t seem like that to most people, for instance in the USA alone over 1 and a half million people were diagnosed with some form of cancer and over half a million died from it.
Of course science is becoming increasingly efficient and both the detection and treatments of most cancers. On diagnosis most sufferers will have a fairly exact idea of their prospects and the treatment options of the cancer they are diagnosed with. But it is also becoming very obvious that one of the biggest causes of cancer are environmental factors, many of these it should be possible to control to some extent. Cancers caused by environmental or workplace issues should be targeted – as should any identifiable cause of cancer on a national level.
Of course it’s a huge subject but one of the areas that many have highlighted is the use of chemicals. We use chemicals in almost every aspect of our lives, in fact estimates are that 80,000 to 100,000 chemicals are used routinely. There are many cases where slowly research is showing that there are links between some of these chemicals and many very common cancers. But of course the problem is that these chemicals are used for specific beneficial reasons, in some cases they are perhaps even worth the increased risk of cancer.
The fact is that it is a huge task to analyse each and every chemical and assess it’s risk as being carcinogenic. Which is why many people are turning to trying to combat some of these risks with a chemical free eco friendly lifestyle. Sure there are no guarantees but trying to minimize your contact with these chemicals has to be a smart move.
Simple practical steps can reduce your exposure to many chemicals. Buy local and organic food wherever possible, ensure that you avoid using any chemicals in your gardening and cleaning. There are natural and safe alternatives to most chemicals that we use for these mundane tasks. Of course it’s not so easy to avoid airborne pollutants and chemicals if you live in a big city but little changes can drastically reduce the amount of chemicals that exist in your life.
Target Smokers To Reduce Lung Cancer Cases
Lung cancer is one of the first types of the disease when it comes to people thinking about cancer. This is no surprise when you look at the statistics. According to cancer.gov there were 226,160 new cases and 160,340 deaths related to lung cancer in 2012 making it the leading cause of cancer deaths. Out of these numbers, according to the National Cancer Institute, 85% of this is the direct effect of smoking.
To add to this smoking is also heavily linked to many other types of cancer including esophageal and head and neck cancers. Its never been more important to find ways to help reduce the amount people smoke, this is one of the reasons why we have seen an increase in e cigarette products in recent years. Legally these devices cannot be classed as a smoking cessation device but as an alternative they can be highly effective. E cigarettes are still causing a lot of mixed reactions from medical and governing bodies but there are a number of health care professionals that agree they are an overall better alternative to tobacco cigarettes.
If you are a smoker then there is a very real possibility that your chances of cancer are increased. If this bothers you (and it should) then you need to look at an alternative, a real electronic cigarette review will help if you want to go down this route but if you haven’t tried a smoking cessation device then speak to a doctor about the best course of action for you. It could be nicotine patches, hypnotherapy or even going cold turkey, whatever you decide to do though be sure to take some action!
Refrigerator Reviews – Safely Storing Cervical Cancer Vaccines
Cancer is a major health problem for millions of people around the world. As lifespans increase in developing countries this becomes ever truer, as traditional causes of death are defeated more and more people are falling victim to cancer as they age.
Thankfully, for cervical cancer at least, vaccines are slowly being developed. Unfortunately these vaccines require proper vaccination if they are to be administered properly – as thousands of vaccine doses have to be thrown out each year due to improper refrigeration
For this reason it is important for medical facilities worldwide to carefully consider refrigerator reviews when purchasing vaccine fridges for their establishments. Experts recommend standard sized freezerless refrigerators in preference to smaller mini-fridges for vaccine refrigeration, as they tend to be better insulated – important for power outages.
Reviews of vaccine refrigerators also recommend that vaccines should not be stored on the shelving in fridge doors, as this is a relatively poorly insulated section of the appliance. They should also be kept away from the fridge walls, due to temperature aberrations that can occur there due to defrost cycles.
Other good practices discovered by refrigerator reviewers include keeping vaccines out of crispers – where it can sometimes get overly cold – and also adding full bottles of water to door shelf units. Having water in the refrigerator provides a buffer of thermal ballast which can help reduce the extent of temperature increases in situations where a door is left open, or the power fails.
The CDC has many vaccine refrigerator recommendations also, and these should all be considered in the purchase of such a unit. The devices should be used solely for vaccine storage, using them to store food and drinks results in more frequent opening, which can cause destabilization of internal temperatures.
They also recommend that this type of refrigerator include calibrated thermometers inside their storage compartments, be large enough to contain a full years’ worth of vaccine, and be able to cool adequately even during the heights of the local summer.
It is also important to keep in mind when examining vaccine refrigerator reviews that not all vaccines are suitable for refrigeration. While there are many that should be kept between 2-8 degrees Celsius, there are other that are intended for storage at very low temperatures, -15 degrees Celsius or colder.
Clearly vaccines that require sub-zero temperatures should be kept in a vaccine freezer, and not a refrigerator. Freezers for this use, however, should have similar attributes to those discussed above for the higher temperature refrigerated vaccine storage.
By taking care only to equip your facility with well reviewed vaccine refrigerators, you can ensure that your establishment does not find itself in the position of having to discard cervical cancer vaccines intended for your patients.
Donating Your Car to Help Fight Cancer
Cancer is a plague upon mankind that has few rivals in terms of its grave importance. Fortunately there are thousands of government and non-governmental institutions throughout the world that are expending great resources in order to fight it. Did you know that through car donation you can help these institutions in this fight? Many of the private, non-profit, non-governmental institutions accept donation-in-kind such as used car donations. This means that you can directly contribute to the battle against this plague simply by getting rid of that old clunker that’s leaking oil on your garage floor. It’s simple to do and these organization are so prevalent there’s almost assuredly one near you. So what are you waiting for? Do your part to help prevent and ultimately cure cancer. Donate your used vehicle today.
Pancreatic Cancer – Processed Meat Links
A recent study from researchers in Sweden, has suggested a link between pancreatic cancer and eating too much processed meat. The findings suggested that eating even an extra 50g of meat which has been processed would increase the risk of contracting this cancer by about 19%
Just for information that’s about the amount in a single sausage. It should be highlighted though, that it is a relatively rare cancer and the chance is still low. Of course as with all these studies the findings should be viewed with a little skepticism. Isolating the exact cause of any increased results is extremely difficult, in fact the World Cancer reserach Fund has suggested the link may actually be down to obesity rather than the consumption of the meat itself.
However there is already a suggested link between processed meat and bowel cancer. The UK Government has updated it’s health recommendations in response to these and other studies – people should not eat more than 70g of meat every day. The professor in charge of the study, Prof Susanna Larsson has informed the BBC that she realised these links were quite controversial. So how much data was involved in these studies? Well I checked online and via a couple of videos I was able to access using my BBC Iplayer proxy seemed to be 11 trials and around 6,643 pancreatic cancer patients.
It’s definitely worth considering this research carefully, especially as pancreatic cancer has a very poor survival rate. But the chance still equates to about 1 in 77 chance for men and 1 in 79 for women for contracting this cancer during a lifetime.
Breast Cancer Support Groups
Many women have been impacted by breast cancer in some way; our mothers, daughters, sisters, best friends, colleagues, roommates, ourselves, and yes, even the men in our lives can get breast cancer. According to Breast Cancer Action in San Francisco, there were 175,000 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 1999 (1 every 3 minutes), and 39,900 women were diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ in 1999. There were 43,700 deaths from breast cancer in 1999 (one death every 12 minutes).
Some of us are fortunate enough to have access to medical care when breast cancer is diagnosed, but for most of us, our emotional needs are often overlooked. A cancer diagnosis can be emotionally overwhelming with so many decisions, so many unfamiliar and frightening terms, so many strangers involved in planning our treatment options. Fear is often a constant companion. What shall I do? What’s going to happen to me? What about my family? What will insurance cover? Where do I go for information and help? Where can I find resources? Women say they feel like they are falling apart inside, yet sometimes think that they must not show how devastated they really feel. In the whirlwind of appointments, there is no time for the emotional side of this disease. However, emotional support is a vital component of breast cancer treatment.
When people are confronted with cancer, healing requires both emotional and physical assistance. A growing body of evidence confirms the importance of psychosocial interventions in dealing with breast cancer. Research on breast cancer support groups shows clinically significant outcomes for these groups. Spiegel and Bloom (1983) conducted an outcome study of women with metastatic breast cancer who were in supportive-expressive group therapy. They state that patients who participated in support groups with self-hypnosis training showed significantly less pain and suffering over the course of a year. The experience also significantly lowered mood disturbance for these women. The results of over ten depression test studies conducted in the past twenty years confirm the idea that group interventions improve patient’s mood, provide information, encourage active coping, and increase health-enhancing behaviors. Support groups can be an effective resource in many ways to assist members. For example, learning skills for management of depression, developing coping strategies to adjust to life changes, and reducing the isolation that many women feel after their diagnosis.
Fear of Breast Cancer
One of the most frightening of illnesses women across Europe and America worry about is breast cancer. The idea of a mastectomy robs women of one of the fundamental physical attributes that make them women, their breast(s). This adds additional dread to what is already a terrible illness.
Cancer, regardless of where it strikes in the body is an illness that affects many people in the West directly or indirectly. In the book The China Study, t. Colin Campbell writes:
[The] idea that breast cancer is centered on estrogen exposure is profound because diet plays a major role in establishing estrogen exposure. This suggests that the risk of breast cancer is preventable if we eat foods that will keep estrogen levels under control. The sad truth is that most wemen simply are not aware of this evidence.
So once we know which foods to eat, as well as those to avoid, it is possible to reduce our risk of developing cancer(s). The power of diet is something that we all have control over. It is very empowering to know that we do have a tool which we can use to fight this most dreaded of diseases.
From the available research, a clear picture begins to develop. Eat less, i.e. no animal products and eat more whole plant foods for health and longevity. Plant foods, eaten by rural Chinese help, not only to reduce total estrogen exposure as well as cholestorol. Lower levels of blood cholestorol are related to lower rates of disease, including cancer and heart disease.
Staying fit and healthy and experiencing the joys of life is easy when we eat correctly. A simple way to drastically increase the quantities of fruits and vegetables in our diets is by making healthy home made juices. These honest juicer reviews will help you pick the most suitable juicer for your lifestyle.
Medical Bills Can Be A Great Burden-But Are Negotiable
At some point or another pretty much everyone has to deal with medical bills; some worse than others but everyone will end up in a hospital for some reason or another. In the event you are hospitalized and find out you have a terrible disease like cancer than you may end up getting some very substantial medical bills. As if dealing with the prospect of dying from a disease is not enough you will very likely be stuck in debt up to your eyeballs; without a doubt if you do not have a good insurance plan.
The fortunate news on the financial side of this problem is that medical bills are highly negotiable; never pay the full amount hospitals purposefully raise the amount of these bills in full expectation that they will end up settling for somewhere around 40% or even lower.
Now this is something that you can do yourself if you feel inclined to do so. However if you are ailing from a terrible disease then it’s probably best to leave the negotiating of your bills to a professional. There are many debt relief companies who specialize in settling unsecured debts which is exactly what a medical bill is. Dealing with the condition and financial burden for many people is just far too much and rightfully so.
Common Hair Care Ingredients Linked to Breast Cancer
It’s a frightening notion, but research is starting to emerge that shows that some of the chemical compounds that are used in common hair care products can be linked to cancer, particularly breast cancer. A recent article in the Journal of Applied Toxicology highlights a study put on by the University of Reading in the UK that explores a possible link between breast cancer and parabens. Parabens are preservatives that are frequently found in hair care products because they help extend the shelf life of the products. The research study, headed by Philippa Darbre, a molecular biologist, found heavy concentrations of parabens in 18 of the 20 breast tumor samples that they studied. Because parabens can easily be absorbed to the skin, this shouldn’t be shocking, but it’s hard not to feel alarmed at the idea of chemicals used outside of our body existing inside.
The best thing you can do to keep yourself safe is to avoid hair care products with parabens and other dangerous chemicals. Popular natural hair care products include Dr. Mercola Healthy Skin (shampoo and conditioner), mira hair oil, argan oil, and others. These products can be ordered online, or you can look for others at your local store — but be sure to read all of the labels thoroughly.
I’m 50 Now And Suddenly Thinking About Cancer
When you are in your 20′s, 30′s, and probably 40′s most people give little thought to cancer. I mean, the word “cancer” is a concern because it is so deadly but it is not really on the tips of people’s tongues who are that young.
I can tell you though that once you hit 50, something like cancer becomes much more of a reality. It started with my yearly physical when the doctor looked at my birth date and said what I knew he would: it was time for my first colonoscopy and cancer screening. I knew it was coming but still……ugh!
The cancer screening was easy as he took a small blood sample and sent it off to the lab. Of course the colonoscopy was a much worse but I got through it. Luckily for me, all is okay so far but it really gets you to thinking about the future and how fragile our lives are.
Cancer has been around for all our lives so the chances are we all know someone who has had it or died from it. And most of know that it is a killer that doesn’t discriminate: it can attack anyone at any age but your chances of getting it go up with age. Now that I have turned 50, I suddenly am VERY interested in a cure being found for this evil. It is amazing that a cure has alluded humanity for so long.
When you think of how to make money, one of the ways to do it is to invent something or contribute to science by making a big breakthrough. There is no doubt that the company, organization, or person that someday does find a cancer cure will make hundreds of millions, if not more. It is something that should be rewarded financially just because of the numbers of people that will be saved. It is frustrating that with all the manpower and dollars spent finding a cure, nothing has happened and it is also frustrating that no matter how high the reward, little progress has really been made.
I hope to live to see the day when some breakthrough can be made and now that I am older, that hope has become more personal. I may be cancer free today but who knows what will happen the next time I take those tests 10 years from now. I’m hoping that those tests results won’t be as scary next time due to the fact that cancer has been cured!
Lowering the chance of getting cancer with EPA GLA
EPA GLA is like Omega 3 a essential fatty acid which is required in order for the body to function properly. Recent clinical tests on mice seems to indicate that by taking a supplement of EPA GLA with your daily diet you can actually lower the chance of getting cancer with as much as 17.5%.
The reason for this seems to be that the EPA GLA fats seems to act like an antioxidant which is a molecule that is capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules by removing the free radical intermediates which can cause the various cells to mutate which in return may lead to cancer.
EPA GLA is a natural product which can be bought without a prescription at most online health stores such as EPA GLA.
A lot of doctors these days have started to recommend their patients to take a small amount of EPA GLA together with their vitamins in order to stay fit and avoid getting cancer and also to lower the level of bad cholesterol in the blood. EPA GLA has for the last few years been one of the best diet supplement you can take to help maintain the ideal cholesterol level but it is one recently that it has been proved to also help reduce the chance of getting cancer.
Many of these tests are still rather new and we would recommend that you wait for some addition tests and more information before you start taking a large amount of EPA GLA in order to keep te cancer away. But if you just want something to help keep your cholesterol levels under control then EPA GLA is a really good product, but for the aid in preventing cancer, you should probably wait for some more tests and documentations before spending your money on supplement such as Omega 3 or EPA GLA.
Many Cancers Can Be Treated By Boosting Patients’ Immune Systems
In the last year or so there has been several news releases announcing that many experts think around half of the cancers are caused by patients’ life styles. Poor diet in particular can cause cancer, as, of course, can smoking (which is a life style choice).
In March 2011 the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK announced that doctors in its hospitals would be boosting patients’ immune systems as the primary treatment for pancreatic cancer, and that this treatment would in future be used for all cancers. It would seem to be a safe assumption the NHS has conducted trials to see if this treatment would work before embarking on it, but no details were given. Nor did the NHS say how patients’ immune systems would be boosted.
It is well known that there is no cure for the common cold, although the symptoms can be treated. The cold eventually goes away because the body’s immune system combats the virus and in due course conquers it. Now it is not a great stretch of the imagination to assume that it should be possible to avoid many cancers by following a healthy life style and by keeping one’s immune system working at optimal level. With this in mind I have been drinking aloe vera juice for several years and during that time my health has been excellent. Previously I experienced several bouts of pancreatitis but my immune system now seems to be successfully warding off subsequent attacks. I am so convinced of the preventative value of aloe vera that I started boosting my parents’ immune systems by buying them aloe vera as one of their golden wedding anniversary gifts a couple of years ago. Since then both have been healthy and are experiencing the ‘fell good’ factor reported by many who drink this juice.
Wine and Cancer Research
We’ve probably all heard it by now (heck, my wine of the month club tends to remind me once a year, at least) but yes, red wine does contain some significant health benefits.
Most of the research shows that while red wine sits in contact with the grape skins (that’s how it gains its color) there are some significant anti-oxidants passed as well.
As cancer research continues to move forward, it would be interesting to see if the levels of antioxidants are significantly affected in wine by having the liquid stay in contact with the skins for longer. If it does, how much? I’d also be interested in learning if some red wines are better than others. Is Cabernet Sauvignon truly the king of wines?
In a health care system that allows us to search for an added 2% at almost astronomical costs, it is kind of amazing we haven’t started to see this type of research yet, even in an industry as strange as wine.
Diabetic LDL Extremes Linked to Cancer
People living with diabetes may be at a greater risk of developing all types of cancer if their LDL cholesterol levels are abnormal. These people may have to add yet another complication to an already long list: a new study indicates diabetics with excessively high or abnormally low LDL may be more prone than others to cancer of all types.
There are two types of cholesterol transporters to the cells, LDL and HDL. Low density lipoproteins (LDL) are often referred to as the “bad” cholesterol because when there is too much of it, it appears to act with other proteins in thickening vessel walls. LDL cholesterol is responsible for decreased circulation and clots resulting in heart attacks and strokes. Still, some LDL cholesterol is necessary because it facilitates the movement of fats and cholesterol through the blood stream.
A study of 6,107 individuals by the Chinese University of Hong Kong analyzed data from the Hong Kong Diabetes Registry. Before the project began, none of the participants had any cancer diagnosis. Patients not treated with statins (cholesterol : medication) experienced twice the rate of cancer as those who were taking the drug.
The findings also indicate that LDL cholesterol levels less than 2.8 mmol/L and greater than 3.8 mmol/L were associated with higher cancer risk in type 2 diabetics. Excessively low LDL cholesterol levels were associated with cancer of the urinary track, genital, digestive, and lymphatic systems. High LDL cholesterol levels were linked to metastatic disease of the digestive system, bone, mouth, skin, and connective and breast tissue.
The authors of this study did not conclude that abnormal LDL cholesterol levels alone caused cancer. They propose there are other factors involved which have not yet been addressed. Lifestyle is often responsible for type 2 diabetes, and those same lifestyle choices may very well be associated with the increase in cancer risk. What has been conclusively determined is that control of cholesterol and all its components is necessary for coronary health. Cholesterol levels may also impact areas we have not yet investigated.