Which diet can prevent acne?

Posted on October 12, 2011 by wngai
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Acne is a nuisance for lots of teens.  It may also be nuisance to adults who are in their middle age as well.  

While the cause of acne might be related to stress, personal hygiene and genetics, diets also plays an important role.  

A presentation made by Dr. Shalita at the American Academy of Dermatology Summer meeting in New York indicated that patient with acne should limit their amount of carbs and should not to overtake diary products. 

Dr. Shalita explained many people with acne may have hyperinsulinemia (excess levels of insulin in the blood) and foods that are low in the glucose level (low-carb eating plans) may contribute to the hormonal control of acne. 

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How to Shorten the Duration of Cold Symptoms?

Posted on October 12, 2011 by wngai
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The winter is coming and many of us are going to catch the cold this year.  How can we shorten the duration of cold symptoms? 

A study published in the Open Respiratory Medicine Journal reported that high-dose, but not low-dose, zinc lozenges can shorten the duration of the common cold. 

The author of the study reviewed all clinical trials conducted on zinc lozenges and evaluated whether the dose of zinc had any effect on the duration of cold. 

The investigators found that taking zinc dose of less than 75 mg has no effect on common cold duration, whereas taking zinc acetate in daily doses exceeding 75 mg showed a 42% reduction in the duration of colds.  

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15 Minutes Exercise Improves Survival!

Posted on October 12, 2011 by wngai
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We were told by doctors that we need to exercise at least 30 minutes every day to keep our bodies healthy.  Now, a new study indicated only 15 minutes a day of moderate-intensity exercise might be enough! 

The new study was conducted in Taiwan and was reported in Lancet.  The study consisted of 416,175 persons in Taiwan and was followed for up to 8 years. 

Based on their self-reported frequency of exercise, participants were categorized into inactive, low, medium, high, or very high activity. 

When compared with inactive individuals, individuals in the low-volume activity group (exercised ~ 90 minutes per week) had a 14% lower risk of all-cause mortality and the life-expectancy was 3 years longer. 

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Posted in Alternative Medicine, Arrhythmia, Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes, Heart attack, Heart failure, High cholesterol, Hypertension, Stroke, VTE | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on 15 Minutes Exercise Improves Survival!

New Prostate Cancer Drug Approved by FDA

Posted on May 30, 2011 by wngai
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Good news for patients with metastatic prostate cancer.  The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) has approved Johnson & Johnson’s Zytiga (abiraterone) in combination with prednisone to treat patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who have received prior chemotherapy. 

Abiraterone blocks the formation of testosterone by inhibiting an enzyme called CYP17A1. This enzyme is involved in the formation of steroid hormones (DHEA and androstenedione), which may ultimately be metabolized into testosterone. 

In a clinical trial involving 1195 patients with late-stage prostate cancer, patients who received abiraterone once daily in combination with prednisone two times a day had a median overall survival of 14.8 months, compared to 10.9 months among patients receiving a placebo and prednisone combination. 

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FDA Approved Afinitor for a Type of Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Posted on May 30, 2011 by wngai
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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved everolimus (Afinitor) to treat patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs). 

pNETs is a rare, slow-growing form of pancreatic cancer.  In theUnited States, there are fewer than 1000 new pNET cases reported each year. 

The approval is based on results from the clinical trial, RADIAN-3, which included 410 patients with metastatic or locally advanced disease. 

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New Monoclonal Antibodies Increased Survival in Lung Cancer Patients

Posted on May 30, 2011 by wngai
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A new study showed that non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who have high level of Met proteins in their tumor can have their survival increase three-fold by receiving experimental antibody MetMAb in combination with erlotinib (Tarceva). 

In the trial, 137 previously-treated patients with advanced NSCLC were randomized to receive treatment with either a combination of MetMAb and erlotinib, or erlotinib alone. 

The results showed that patients whose tumors had high levels of the Met gene and received MetMAb plus erlotinib had a significant improvement in overall survival, with patients living for an average of 12.6 months, compared with 3.8 months for those who took erlotinib alone. 

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Another New Cancer Drug Crizotinib Shows Improvement in Survival

Posted on May 29, 2011 by wngai
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It looks like a number of new drugs might become available to lung cancer patients in the near future. 

Results of an early-stage study suggested that nearly two-thirds of patients with late stage non-small-cell lung cancer who received the experimental drug crizotinib were alive after two years. 

In the study, 82 previously-treated NSCLC patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in their lung tumors were given crizotinib.  

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What should you do if you have Prostate Cancer?

Posted on May 29, 2011 by wngai
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You should check whether you are overweight or obese*.  If you have prostate cancer and are overweight, you should try to lower your weight immediately.  

A new study presented at the American Urological Association inWashington,DCfound that overweight and obese prostate cancer patients are more likely to have their cancer spread. 

Researchers atDukeUniversityfollowed 287 men who had their prostate gland after the cancer diagnosis for 6 years.  All these patients received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) after the surgery, but their cancers recurred. 

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Tai Chi May Prevent Falls, Improve Mental Health in Elderly

Posted on May 29, 2011 by wngai
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In Traditional Chinese Medicine, ill health is viewed as an imbalance between yin and yang (the 2 opposing life forces).  Tai chi, the practice that combines deep breathing, relaxation with slow and gentle movements, is supposed to rebalance such energy disturbances and helps the person to regain health and strength.  

Regardless of these assumptions, the slow movements between the different postures that are held for short periods of time should stimulate the cardiovascular and muscular systems. 

Now, a review published in the May 16 issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine, reported that Tai chi might benefit the elderly population in fall prevention, psychological health, and general well-being. 

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