Category Archives: Medical

Some Herbal Remedies Boost Urinary Tract Cancer Risk

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Greg Asseff

Taiwan has the highest prevalence of upper urinary tract type cancers of any country in the world, and a newly published study may reveal why. According to the study, over half of these cancers are triggered by aristolochic acid, a known carcinogen found in Aristolochia plants and used in a variety of several different types of Chinese herbal remedies.

Just how common is upper urinary tract cancer in Taiwan? While approximately 1 out of every 100,000 people are diagnosed with the disease each year in the United States, about four times as many are diagnosed each year in Taiwan.

Urinary tract cancer affects the bladder, kidneys, or ureters, which move fluid from the kidneys to the bladder, or the urethra, which expels urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

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Antibiotics Instead of Surgery for Appendicitis?

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Greg Asseff

A surgical procedure is by far the most common approach to treating appendicitis, however, it does not have to be according to a recently published appendicitis antibiotic treatment study conducted in the United Kingdom.

The researchers behind the study concluded that antibiotics may be effective in lieu of removing the appendix entirely, potentially eliminating the need for surgery altogether.

The appendix is similar to a small pouch and is shaped like a small finger. The appendix is located on the right side of the abdomen and is connected to the colon. In addition, to this day, medical experts are unsure of what the actual purpose of the appendix is. Appendicitis is defined as a condition in which the appendix becomes inflamed, swollen, and filled with fluid (pus).

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Berries Reduce Parkinsons Risk in Men and Women

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Greg Asseff

There has been countless reports detailing the health benefits of what are being defined as superfruits – exotic fruits such as gogi berries, acai berries and pomegranates that contain extremely high levels of antioxidants. However, antioxidants are not the only beneficial compounds that are found in berries.

Berries also contain flavonoids. Flavonoids are defined as plant-based compounds that contain powerful antioxidant properties which support reductions in inflammation, promote healthy arteries, and assist in combating the effects of aging by preventing and repairing cellular damage.

According to a newly published study, flavonoids may assist in, among several of health and wellness benefits, reducing the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in both men and women.

The researchers behind the study believe that flavonoids, found in red wine and certain types of tea in addition to berries, may provide significant benefits to overall human health.

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CDC: Most Americans Get Plenty of Vitamins and Minerals

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Greg Asseff

Although obesity and malnourishment continue to be important issues in the U.S., a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has some good news: most Americans receive sufficient levels of essential vitamins and minerals, despite the fact that our diets can be questionable overall. In fact, the report states that less than 10% of individuals are deficient for the vast majority of nutrients.

At the same time, CDC researchers warned that deficiency rates vary according to a number of factors, including ethnicity, gender and age. Christine Pfeiffer, one of the lead researchers behind the recently published study conducted by the CDC National Center for Environmental Health, said that the medical community needs to increase their effort to reign in the highest nutrient deficiency rates.

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Carcinogenic Chemical Isolated in Smokeless Tobacco

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Greg Asseff

It’s long been known that chemicals in smokeless tobacco (aka “chewing tobacco,” “snuff,” “dip” or “chew”) can lead to oral cancer, but until recently, it was unclear as to exactly which were specifically carcinogenic.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota has changed this. The researchers believe that they’ve isolated the primary carcinogen in smokeless tobacco, a chemical known as (S)-NNN, or (S)-N’-nitrosonornicotine.

Silvia Balbo, the lead cancer researcher behind the study, said that her study officially confirms that (S)-NNN is the only known carcinogenic chemical present in smokeless tobacco. Future studies will determine whether additional chemicals in snuff are carcinogenic as well.