EAT YOUR WAY TO GOOD SKIN
Is avoiding dairy, sugar or caffeine for clear skin just another myth? New studies add to mounting evidence that what you eat can affect whether or not you break out. Researchers found lots of evidence, though the exact mechanism has not been mapped, that sugar stimulates inflammation, not just in acne but in a lot of different diseases; but certainly, in acne, and that causes breakouts. Also, proteins from dairy may affect genetic information in the skin, which may result in inflammation or affect oil production, potentially leading to acne. www.healthline.com
WATCH YOUR BACK
During Back Care Awareness Week in October, the British Chiropractic Association encouraged people in the UK to get moving, after finding over 70 per cent of chiropractors have treated patients with injuries linked to sedentary lifestyle habits, such as screen time (78 per cent) and sitting for too long (93 per cent). Technology has been found to have the biggest growing impact on people’s back health. It has also been found that 68 per cent of chiropractors have seen an increase in children with issues linked to screen time, in the last five years in particular. In a very extreme case, one BCA chiropractor reported that a child as young as four had complained to their parents of back pain, linked to using a tablet device for hours each day.
wellbeingnews.co.uk
TIPPING THE SCALES
In an international study lead by the University of Bergen in Norway, researchers examined how being overweight (BMI over 25) and obese (BMI over 30) increases the risk of different types of cancer in adults. Results showed that being overweight before age 40, ups the risk of developing endometrial cancer by 70 per cent, male renal-cell cancer by 58 per cent, male colon cancer by 29 per cent, and all obesity-related cancers in both sexes by15 per cent. In the study, the researchers included adults with two or more measurements, obtained at least three years apart, and before a possible cancer diagnosis. On average, the individuals were followed for about 18 years. Obese participants (BMI over 30) had the highest risk of developing obesity-related cancer, compared to participants with normal BMI. The risk increased by 64 per cent for male participants and 48 per cent for females. sciencedaily.com
NEW HOPE
Queensland researchers are hailing a world-first “cure” for cervical cancer, having killed off tumours in mice using the CRISPR gene-editing technology which changed the sequence of DNA in cells to correct mutations. This successfully targeted and treated cervical cancer tumours in mice using “stealth” nanoparticles. The treated mice had a 100-per-cent survival rate and the Griffith University scientists are working towards performing human trials in the next five years. This breakthrough means other cancers could potentially be treated once scientists know the right genes to target. The study has been published in the journal Molecular Therapy.
abc.net.au
DRUG RECALL
GlaxoSmithKline has recalled the popular heartburn medicine Zantac in all markets, days after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found “unacceptable” levels of probable cancer-causing impurity in the drug. Zantac, also sold generically as ranitidine, is the latest drug in which cancer-causing impurities have been found. The release, distribution and supply of four prescription-only Zantac medicines – a syrup, an injection and tablets of 150mg and 300mg dosages – have been suspended over a potential carcinogen called N-nitroso dimethylamine (NDMA). Over-the-counter 75mg dosage Zantac products are produced by a different company and are not affected by the recall.
www.theguardian.com
