healthbriefs October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month


study recently published in the journal Environmental Health reports that frequent use of common household cleaning products may increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer. The study was undertaken by the Silent Spring Insti- tute, a partnership of scientists, physicians, public health advocates and community activists dedicated to identify- ing links between the environment and women’s health, especially breast cancer. Researchers conducted telephone interviews with 787 women diagnosed with breast cancer and 721 comparison women, questioning them about their product use, beliefs about breast cancer causes, and established and suspected risk factors. Executive Director Julia G. Brody, Ph.D., says, “Women who reported the highest combined cleaning product use had a doubled risk of breast cancer com- pared to those with the lowest reported use. Use of air fresheners and products for mold and mildew control were associated with increased risk. To our knowledge, this is the first published report on cleaning product use and the risk of breast can- cer.” The use of insect repellents was also associated with increased risk.


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Household Chemicals May Pose Risk for Breast Cancer


The Science Behind an Apple a Day A


ccording to Bahram H. Arjmandi, Ph.D., a reg- istered dietician and chair of the Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences at Florida State University, there is scientific truth in the ad- age, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” The nationally recognized nutrition researcher, a Mar- garet A. Sitton professor, maintains that apples are a “miracle fruit,” providing health benefits beyond fiber.


Earlier animal studies have shown that the


pectin and polyphenols in apples improve lipid metabolism and lower the produc- tion of pro-inflammatory molecules. Arjmandi’s new study is the first to evaluate the long-term cardio-protective effects of eating apples daily. He randomly as- signed 160 women, ages 45 to 65, to one of two dietary intervention groups: one received 75 grams of dried apples each day (the equivalent of four or five fresh apples); the other ate dried prunes.


Arjmandi reports surprising results: “Incredible changes in the apple-eating women happened by six months—they experienced a 23 percent decrease in LDL [bad] cholesterol.” Daily apple consumption also led to lower levels of C-reactive protein, which is known to trigger inflammation in the body. In another unexpect- ed benefit, the apple-eaters lost an average of 3.3 pounds.


Source: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology 20 Collier/Lee Counties


swfl.naturalawakeningsmag.com S


afflower oil, a common cooking oil, may help improve insulin sensitivity, lower inflammation and blood sugar levels, and elevate HDL (good) cholesterol in overweight women with Type 2 diabetes, accord- ing to new research from Ohio State University. The study also revealed that the oil helps reduce abdominal fat, which is linked to an increased risk of heart disease. The findings in- dicate that a daily dietary dose of one and two-thirds teaspoons is sufficient for a person to benefit from the oil’s health-protective effects.


SAFFLOWER OIL — GOOD FOR THE HEART


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ew research published online in the British Medical Journal adds to mounting evidence that calcium supplements may increase the risk of cardiovascular events, particularly heart attacks, in postmenopausal wom- en. Many older women take calcium supplements to manage osteoporosis, but after re-analyzing data on 16,718 women participating in the seven-year Women’s Health Initiative Calcium/ Vitamin D Supplementation Study, researchers at the University of Auck- land, in New Zealand, now urge reas- sessment of calcium prescriptions to maintain bone health. Their metastudy showed that postmeno- pausal women that took combined cal- cium and vitamin D supplements had increased risk of heart attacks.


CAUTIONARY NEWS ABOUT CALCIUM


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