Lab Notes: Alcohol a Major Calorie Contributor; Quit Smoking by 40, Live Years Longer

On our Lab Notes page CalorieLab’s editors select and rank the day’s essential health news items in real time. Readers can suggest, vote and comment on items. Below are brief summaries of this past week’s (November 10, 2012 through November 17, 2012) Lab Notes items. To see today’s items, visit Lab Notes.

1. Alcohol a Major Calorie Contributor

While the focus of weight-control experts has been on calorie-rich soft drinks, the adult U.S. population overall now gets 5% of its daily calories from alcoholic beverages — 100 extra calories on average — compared to 6% from sugary sodas.

2. Quit Smoking by 40, Live Years Longer

Lifelong smokers die ten years earlier on average than never-smokers, but smokers who are able to quit at age thirty regain all but one month of that lost life span, and those who quit at forty get back all but one year.

3. Friends, Family Aid Breast Cancer Survival

Women with breast cancer who are more socially isolated are 34 percent more likely to die from that disease or some other cause than those with numerous friends and family members, but the intensity of the relationships can overcome relative isolation.

4. US Diabetes Rates Rise Sharply

US diabetes rates rise sharply, says the CDC, with most of the new cases reported in the South and Appalachian states.

5. Mailing Test Results Ups Cholesterol Drug Use

Increasing the chances that people with high cholesterol will take drugs to lower it and thereby lower their risks of cardiovascular disease may be as simple as sending them their test results in the mail.

6. Ten Minute Tension Tamer Aids Sleep Quality

A simple ten-minute stress reduction technique improved sleep quality and quantity in study participants.

7. Pistachios May Help Blood Sugar Control

Snacking appropriately is important for patients with diabetes as it can help prevent overeating and adds nutrients the body needs to function appropriately. Nuts may be a good choice as they have a low glycemic index, preventing spikes in blood sugar.

8. Meditation Reduces Deaths in Heart Patients

Heart disease patients may be much less likely to have a heart attack or stroke if they practice Transcendental Meditation, suggest researchers.

9. Head Trauma and Pesticides May Up PD Risk

Results from a new study suggest that the combination of head injuries and being close to pesticide sprayings can leave a person at a high risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

10. Problems Found at NECC Affiliate Pharmacy

The New England Compounding Center’s affiliate pharmacy, Ameridose, had some problems that the compromised sterility including a bird flying around the facility, according to a report put together by U.S. health inspectors.

11. Peanut Allergy Hits Teens, Males, Rich Kids

Peanut allergy peaks in the 10-19 age range, is least common in middle age, and strikes more men and racial minorities. Only 20% of allergic kids outgrow it, and it’s more prevalent among those in well-to-do families. 400,000 U.S. kids have it.

12. More Options at Fast Food Restaurants

The number of options has increased 53 percent at fast food restaurants over the past 14 years. Even though some of those options include seemingly more healthful foods, there has actually been little change in calorie count from the average meal.

13. US Preterm Birth Rate Drops

The US preterm birth rate dropped for the fifth consecutive year, according to the March of Dimes.

14. Pics Are More Effective Warning for Smokers

Graphic health warning labels are more effective against smoking than text only labels, finds new study.

15. Jimmy Dean Announces Voluntary Partial Recall

Jimmy Dean announces a partial voluntary recall of their French Toast and Sausage Sandwiches which may contain soy and egg, allergens to those with sensitivities.

16. OCD Patients Worry More Than Others

OCD patients worry more than others, especially when faced with moral dilemmas.

17. Pepsi Launching Fat-Blocking Soda in Japan

Japan will soon have a new soft drink that claims to have the ability to block fat. Pepsi Special contains dextrin, a fiber which can block the absorption of fat and cholesterol. So far, there is no word when the product might be available in the US.

18. Helmets Save Lives During Winter Sports

Wearing protective head gear during recreational winter sports saves lives, says new study.

19. Resveratrol Boosts Prostate Cancer Treatment

By treating prostate cancer cells with resveratrol, a compound found in red wines and grape skins, researchers were able to significantly enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy to kill them.

20. Menstrual Cycle Effects Asthma Symptoms

A Norwegian study of 4,000 women has found that women’s menstrual cycles significantly influence the severity of respiratory conditions such as asthma and smoker’s cough, with the symptoms tending to peak when approaching or just after ovulation.

21. Too Much Exercise May Impede Weight Loss

A Danish study has found that 30-minute daily workouts which burn 300 calories result in more weight loss on average than 60-minute workouts which burn 600 calories, as the extra exercise may leave dieters more sedentary and hungry the rest of the day.

(By CalorieLab editors)

Lab Notes: Alcohol a Major Calorie Contributor; Quit Smoking by 40, Live Years Longer is a post from: CalorieLab - Health News & Information Blog

Source: http://calorielab.com/news/2012/11/17/this-past-week-health-news-from-labnotes-16/

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