And another thing
Migraines with aura symptoms may complicate heart health in women. Only about 10 percent of migraine patients experience such symptoms, which include temporary visual impairment and numbness in the limbs. When researchers followed more than 27,000 middle-aged women for about 10 years, those who had migraines with aura symptoms were 2.3 times more likely to experience a heart attack, stroke, angina or heart disease. This risk was not seen in women who experienced migraines without auras.
Your brain might enjoy a little spice now and then. When researchers in Singapore compared the results of cognitive function tests to a food-frequency survey of more than 1,000 subjects, they found a link between curry intake and high cognitive scores. Studies have shown that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin (which gives curry its color and flavor) may help break up amyloid plaques in the brain that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
What does a steak, taken from livestock fed with nothing but grass, have in common with a sausage link or a rasher of bacon? Not much. Compared to the steak, the other two are highly processed and in most cases contain nitrates. This difference was highlighted in the results of a Swedish review of 15 studies that showed a clear link between consumption of processed meat and stomach cancer. Researchers estimate that each ounce of processed meat consumed in a day may raise your stomach cancer risk by as much as 38 percent.
Chronic snoring is annoying to spouses, but it may also be a warning of a serious health risk if snoring is accompanied by blocked breathing. This is known as sleep apnea, and new research confirms its link to stroke risk–especially among the elderly. In a six-year study that included nearly 400 subjects over the age of 70, researchers found that stroke risk among sleep apnea patients was more than twice that of subjects who didn’t have the condition.
And, in case you didn’t see it in the e-Alert
Unexpected weight loss may be a warning sign for middle-aged and older women. When Mayo Clinic researchers compared medical histories of 560 dementia patients to those of a group of healthy control subjects, they discovered that women who developed dementia tended to steadily lose weight for several years before the first symptoms appeared. The same trend was not seen in men with dementia.
Gum disease risk might be reduced with a dietary change. In a 14-year study that followed the eating habits of more than 34,000 men over the age of 40, researchers found a clear link between whole grain intake and a lowered risk of periodontitis. Researchers report that subjects who ate the most grains also tended to be more physically active, ate more fruits and vegetables, and were less likely to smoke. But even after these factors were taken into consideration, whole grain intake still stood out as a likely risk reducer.
Folate may be beneficial to men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer. When an American Cancer Society study examined dietary questionnaires collected from more than 65,000 men for nearly a decade, researchers found a link between total folate intake and a reduced risk of advanced prostate cancer. Even though this link was modest, the data suggests that a small folate increase may be enough to lower the risk of advanced prostate cancer.
HSI Members Alert References
A mane for your brain: Maximize your mind powers and motor skills with this amazing mushroom cure
[1] Kawagishi, H, Furukawa, S, Zhuang, C, Yunoki, R. “The Inducer of the Synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor From Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)”. Explore! Volume 11, Number 4, 2002.
2 Kawagishi, H., Zhuang, C., Shnidman, E. “The Anti-Dementia Effect of Lion’s Mane Mushrooms (Hericium erinaceum) and Its Clinical Application.” Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients. April, 2004.
Stop the snowball effect of metabolic syndrome-and gain control of your blood sugar for good
[1] “Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Examining the Effects of RIAA/Acacia Supplementation on Insulin Homeostasis” Robert H. Lerman, MD, PhD, Matthew L. Tripp, PhD, and Jeffery S. Bland, PhD. Functional Medical Research Center, the clinical arm of Metagenics, Inc., Gig Harbor, WA.
MSD
Super Lion’s Mane, Maitake Products, Inc., Ph. (800)747-7418; www.maitake.com. One bottle of 120 caplets (a one-month supply) costs US$29.95 plus US$6.00 shipping and handling.
Insinase, Center for Natural Medicine Mail Order and Online Dispensary, Ph. (888)305-4288; www.cnm-inc.com or www.naturalmedicineweb.com. At a special discount for HSI members only, one box of 90 tablets (a one-month supply) costs US$47.96 plus shipping.
