Health News - Wednesday, February 14, 2007
U.S. researchers say they've developed a blood test to detect a severe form of enlarged prostate disease (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). BPH symptoms include urgent and frequent urination. In men with severe BPH, these symptoms are more pronounced.
The study of 85 men was conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University. They found that significantly higher levels of a protein made by the JM-27 gene were associated with severe BPH that's more likely to result in bladder-related complications if left untreated. The Hopkins team also developed a blood test to detect the JM-27 protein in men with symptoms of severe BPH. Continue reading
There's no evidence that omega-3 fatty acids on their own fight depression and only limited evidence that they're effective against depression when used in combination with antidepressant drugs, according to new research.
Previous studies had suggested an association between omega-3 levels and behavior and mood disorders, including depression, according to background information in the review article, published in the journal Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin. Omega-3 fatty acids play a role in chemical signaling in the brain, and also help regulate blood vessel activity and immune system function linked to the central nervous system. Oily fish, nuts, seeds, and leafy green vegetables are the main dietary sources of omega-3, which is also available in dietary supplements that contain fish oil. Continue reading
Very active young women who took higher-than-recommended doses of calcium and vitamin D supplements for eight weeks had fewer stress fractures than women who were given dummy pills, a study of Naval recruits showed.
Experts called the results encouraging and of interest to young female athletes as well as women in the military. "What really surprised us is that calcium/vitamin D supplements made a significant difference in such a short period of time," said lead researcher Joan Lappe of Creighton University. "Frankly, we were not sure we would see any statistically significant results in only eight weeks." The study, funded by the Department of Defense, was presented recently at the Orthopaedic Research Society's annual meeting in San Diego. Continue reading
Drinking coffee does not appear increase the risk of heart attack, according to a study of older Swedish women, and it may even be protective. Several studies have examined ties between coffee consumption and risk of heart attack, but results have been mixed. Some studies have suggested a harmful effect of coffee consumption on the heart, whereas others have shown no link.
In their study, Dr. Sarah A. Rosner, of Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, and colleagues prospectively examined the effect of coffee consumption on the risk of heart attack in 32,650 Swedish women between 40 and 74 years of age. The women were participating in a study initiated between 1987 and 1990. During an average follow-up of 5.1 years, a total of 459 heart attacks occurred. Of these, 391 were nonfatal and 68 were fatal. Continue reading
Despite some evidence linking depression with low levels of omega-3 fatty acids, there is currently no convincing evidence that omega-3 fatty acids alone can relieve depression, according to a report published this week.
And there is limited evidence that omega-3 fatty acids given in combination with antidepressant drugs can relieve depression -- but this needs to be confirmed before the routine use of omega-3 fatty acid supplements can be recommended for depression, the report states. Circumstantial evidence has suggested a link between omega-3 levels and behavior and mood disorders, such as depression, findings that have attracted widespread attention. Continue reading
Emotionally stressful experiences, like the death of a loved one or the end of a relationship, may make asthma more difficult to deal with, research suggests. In a study of 189 adults with asthma, researchers found that those who'd gone through more negative events in the last year tended to have poorer asthma-related quality of life -- including more asthma symptoms, poorer emotional well-being and more worries over their health.
The relationship was particularly strong among asthmatics with lower incomes, according to findings published in the medical journal Thorax. Negative life events -- from the death of a family member to divorce to the loss of a home -- are indicative of long-term stress, which can take a toll on physical health. For asthma sufferers, the stress may make them perceive their condition as worse than before, or it may actually worsen their symptoms, according to study co-author Dr. Paul Blanc. Continue reading