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Healthy Perspective in the News
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Lessen Stroke Risk with Fruits and
Veggies
A study published in JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association)
shows a protective relationship between consumption of fruits and vegetables
- particularly cruciferous and green leafy vegetables and citrus fruit
and juice - and stroke risk. It was discovered that an increment
of 1 serving per day of fruits or vegetables was associated with a 6 percent
lower risk of stroke. In other words, if you eat your recommended
minimum of 5 servings per day, you have lowered your risk of stroke by
30 percent! And the more fruits and veggies you eat, the more you
lower your risk.
Joshipura KJ, Ascherio A, Manson JE, et al.
JAMA. 1999 Oct 6;282(13):1233-1239.
http://www.medscape.com/Medscape/WomensHealth/journal/2000/v05.n03/ca-wh0512.02/ca-wh0512.02.html
WHO Endorses Exclusive Breast-Feeding
The annual assembly of the World Health Organization is expected on
Monday to accept a resolution recommending infants be exclusively breast-fed
for 6 months.
The resolution urges member states of the World Health Organization
to "support exclusive breast feeding for 6 months as a global public health
recommendation...and to provide safe and appropriate complementary foods,
with continued breast feeding for up to 2 years or beyond."
Dr. Audrey Naylor, President of Wellstart International, said: "This
is a key moment, and not just for the developing world. The scientific
evidence continues to confirm the importance and value of exclusive breast-feeding,
and this will help our efforts to achieve optimal maternal and infant health
everywhere."
GENEVA (Reuters Health) May 18, 2001
http://www.medscape.com/reuters/prof/2001/05/05.21/20010518plcy002.html
Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut?
Give into that craving - and live longer!
In a large medical study of Seventh-day Adventists in California, it
was found that frequency of nut consumption had a substantial and highly
significant inverse association with risk of myocardial infarction and
death from ischemic heart disease (IHD). The Iowa Women's Health
Study also documented an association between nut consumption and decreased
risk of IHD. The protective effect of nuts on heart disease has been found
in men and women and in the elderly. These results were the same in both
vegetarians and nonvegetarians.
The study found that frequent nut consumption may not only offer protection
against heart disease, but also increase longevity. So go a little
nuts!
Nut Consumption, Vegetarian Diets, Ischemic Heart Disease Risk, and
All-Cause Mortality: Evidence from Epidemiologic Studies
Sabate J.
Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Sep;70(3 Suppl):500S-503S.
http://www.medscape.com/Medscape/WomensHealth/journal/2000/v05.n03/ca-wh0512.02/ca-wh0512.02.html
Cantaloupe Warning
According to a May 17, 2001 article in the San Francisco Chronicle,
California State health officials are warning cantaloupe lovers to to scrub
melons before eating them. This warning follows an outbreak of salmonella
that killed an elderly woman and sickened others, including a 5-year-old
boy. The agency has recorded 18 more cases of salmonella poisoning
since the outbreak began last month. Thirteen other cases have been
reported in other states, including New York, Oregon and Washington, the
Health Department said.
The outbreak involved a rare type of bacteria called Salmonella poona.
Because of the rough texture of its skin, cantaloupe can be contaminated
in the field by human or animal waste. Health officials say consumers should
use a brush to scrub melons clean before cutting and serving.
Grant Hunt, former chairman of the Produce Marketing Association, says,
"To understand the degree of risk, one has to understand that
in any one week you are talking about millions of cantaloupes being sold,"
he said. "In this outbreak you can see that it is an infinitesimally small
ratio. But that is not acceptable to any of us in the industry."
Despite the risks, Health Department spokeswoman Lea Brooks urged consumers
not to cut back on eating fruits and vegetables in reaction to the warning.
"We want people to eat their fruits and vegetables, but we
want to remind them to wash them first," she said.
[You may refer to the Your Healthy Perspective -June 2000
edition's article, "Summer Food Safety" at http://www.healthyperspective.com/yhparchivevol8.html
for more food safety info and tips.]
For more "Healthy Perspective in the News" items, check out our email newsletter, "Your Healthy Perspective." Archives are here. Never miss an issue: subscribe here.
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All articles and information on this website are for educational purposes only. They are not to be regarded or relied upon as medical advice. The articles and information have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. AIM products are not intended to cure, treat, heal, mitigate, or prevent a disease or illness. Results may vary per person. Consult your health practitioner if you have health problems.
copyright (c) 2001, 2002, 2003 Clarence Russell, Healthy Perspective.com
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