Low D linked to high blood pressure

Low levels of a protein that doctors use to measure vitamin D intake have been linked to higher risk of high blood pressure. Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, using data from the Nurses’ Health Study as well as from other women, found that those with the lowest levels of 25-hydroxyvitmain D had a 66 percent increased risk of having high blood pressure compared to those with the highest readings. In all, 65.7 percent of the women were vitamin D deficient, and their odds of developing high blood pressure were 47 percent higher than those who got enough D.

C and E don’t prevent cancer

Research out last week showed that vitamins C and E don’t prevent heart attacks, and another study has revealed they aren’t effective at preventing cancer, either. This news comes from another Brigham and Women’s Hospital study, this time looking at the health of male doctors. More than 14,000 doctors were given vitamin C, E, both or placebos for about eight years, and rates of prostate cancer and total cancers were similar in all groups. The American Cancer Society says eating a healthy diet is much more protective than taking supplements.

Diabetes, excess weight gain lead to pregnancy complications

Women with gestational diabetes who also gain more weight than recommended during pregnancy are at greater risk for a host of medical complications, including early delivery, needing a Caesarian and requiring medication to treat their condition. A study in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology looked at 31,000 births involving mothers with gestational diabetes. Those who gained more weight than guidelines suggest were more likely to have heavier babies and infants, deliver early and require Caesarians, while those who didn’t gain as much as recommended had a higher risk of having smaller babies, but they were also less likely to need medical intervention to deal with the blood sugar levels.

Liver cancer patients have more diabetes

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (aka liver cancer) have much higher rates of type 2 diabetes than among the general population, suggesting that the two problems may be linked, according to research from Italy. When cancer patients were compared to people of the same age and gender who didn’t have cancer, 31 percent of the cancer patients had diabetes, compared to 13 percent among the general population. And diabetes was diagnosed at least six months before the cancer was diagnosed 84 percent of the time, leading researchers to suggest that diabetes, particularly when treated with insulin, may be a cause of liver cancer.

Victoria schools ban junk food

Next year won’t be quite as sweet for students in Victoria, Australia, after the government there approved a ban on junk food in school stores and vending machines. The junk will be replaced with healthier options, and about 100 schools throughout the state will be audited next year to make sure they’re in compliance with the ban. Education minister Bronwyn Pike says the targeted foods provide little to no nutritional value and that getting kids to eat healthier might not only slim them down but also give them more energy to get through the day.

Checking in on nationwide menu labels

Finally, menu labeling fever is sweeping the country, but Congress isn’t yet completely on board. One bill proposing nationwide standards for calorie counts on menus has stalled but will be reintroduced when the new Congress convenes next year. Supporters of the bill say it may be more likely to pass now that more states and cities are looking at their own requirements and the restaurant industry would actually prefer one standard to hundreds of different ones if there is to be regulation of menu calorie counts.

(By Sarah E. White for CalorieLab Calorie Counter News

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This entry was posted on Monday, November 17th, 2008 and is filed under Diabetes, Foreign stories (non-U.S.), Government obesity actions, Nibbles: diet news shorts, Nutrition. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed. Permalink.