What Hair Reveals About the Heart
R
esearchers at the University of Western Ontario are the first to use a biological marker in human hair to provide direct evidence that chronic stress plays an important role in caus- ing heart attacks. In the past, chronic stressors such as job, marital and financial problems, have all been linked to an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease and heart attack, but until now there hasn’t been a biological marker to measure the major risk factors. “Intuitively, we know stress is not good for you, but
it’s not easy to measure,” explains Dr. Gideon Koren, who holds the Ivey Chair in Molecular Toxicology at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. “We know that on average, hair grows one centimeter a month, so if we take a hair sample six centimeters long, we can determine stress levels for six months by measuring the cortisol level in the hair.” Cortisol is widely considered to be the main stress hormone, because stress
activates its secretion. Traditionally, it’s been measured in blood serum, urine and saliva, but that only monitors stress at the time of measurement, not over longer periods of time. In the study, hair samples three centimeters long, corresponding to about three months of hair growth, were collected from hospitalized patients who had suffered a heart attack, and then compared with hair samples from other patients. The heart attack patients were found to have significantly higher levels of cortisol in their hair, compared to the control group. This finding provides a new, non- invasive way of testing a patient’s risk.
Second-Hand Lead Alert T
he sale of used items in the United States is not regu- lated by any federal agency and consumers should
be aware that they might be bringing lead poisoning hazards of past generations back into their homes. When Oregon State University researchers purchased a collection of used items from junk shops and second- hand and antique stores in several states around the country, they found that many of the items contained lead. Representative pieces included salvaged construc- tion elements, antique toys, common drinking glasses and other dishware, jewelry and collectibles.
B12 –The Brain Vitamin A
Alzheimer’s disease, adding more evidence to the scientific de- bate about whether the vitamin is effective in reducing the risk of memory loss. Having too much homocysteine in the blood, the scientists report, has been linked to negative effects on the brain, such as stroke. Now they suggest that higher levels of vitamin B12
new study from the Karolinska Institutet, in Stockholm, Sweden, shows that vitamin B12
may protect against can lower homocysteine levels. Source: American Academy of Neurology SAFETY TIPS FOR RE-
USABLE BAGS While using reusable cloth shopping bags is good for the environment, taking sensible precautions will ensure it is also good for our health. Health Canada (
hc-sc.gc.ca) states that with more consumers choos- ing to carry reusable shopping totes, it is important to employ food safety practices to avoid the risk of cross-contamination and food-borne illness caused by dirty bags.
Foods like raw meat, poultry and fish, as well as fresh pro- duce, can contain or carry bac- teria, viruses or parasites that cause illnesses. Be sure to wrap fresh or frozen raw meat, poultry or fish in a clear plastic bag first, and then carry them in a sepa- rate shopping bag, away from the rest of the family groceries. When reusing cloth or plas- tic bags, the Canadian agency recommends that we wash them frequently with natural soap and hot water, especially after carrying fresh produce or meats. After cleaning the bag, allow it to dry completely before storing it. This prevents mold from growing inside the bag. Finally, if a bag gets too soiled or stains cannot be re- moved, it’s better to part with it than risk getting sick from using it again.
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