Portrait on the Mantel

Research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute demonstrated that over diagnosis of cancer is a problem in the U. S.  The authors of the study concluded that this development needs to be guided based on clinical and research strategies to quantify, recognize and deal with cancer ’s over diagnosis.

The finding revealed that about 25% of breast cancer detected on mammograms, 60% of prostate cancer detected with a PSA test could represent an over diagnosis. Lung cancer diagnosed with chest x-ray and sputum test estimates are that about 50% are over diagnosed. CT colonography also detects abnormalities outside the colon that can lead to miss diagnosis.

The researchers mentioned several ways to address the problem of over diagnosis, educating patients about the risks and benefits involved with early detection. Or raising the threshold at which screening test results are labeled abnormal and treatment is needed.

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Italian researchers showed that after runners completed a marathon, their lymphocytes live longer (BMC Physiology May 2010). This could explain why people who exercise live on average 12 years longer than their non exercising counterparts (British Journal of Sports Medicine March 2008).

The cells in the body have a programmable death called apoptosis, skin cells for example live 28 days, cells in the mouth and the intestines live 48 hours and red blood cells live 120 days.  When cells become cancerous, they don’t die. Cancer cells transfer to other tissue to prevent them from functioning, breast cancer cells may increase so rapidly that they spread to the liver or brain. Cancer cells kill by preventing other tissue from functioning.

This study demonstrated that by exercising intensely it prolongs the life of the cells by increasing many of the messenger chemicals associated with delayed apoptosis. An earlier study showed that 50 year old competitive athletes have telomeres that are almost the same length as those 20 year old competitive athletes and more than 40% longer than those of their less active counterparts.

Do I need to tell you again to get up and get out and start moving.

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According to the Journal of the American Diabetic Association, inaccurate calorie labeling is widespread both in packaging and restaurant meals. The amount is significant about 5% which would add approximately 10 lbs of weight to an individual per year. Some food label did have lower than advertised calories on their labels, most calorie labels tended to be higher than whats on the label.

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The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport May 2010, reveals that novice exercisers who workout after missing breakfast have higher muscle levels of glycogen than those who workout after eating breakfast. A lack of blood sugar in the muscle, limits your exercise time and intensity. The more intense your workout the more muscle glycogen you’ll need.

The Journal of Applied Physiology Nov 2008, studied athletes who ate low carb and high carb diets. The athletes who ate low carb diets; had greater gains in storing glycogen and using fat for fuel, but their workout intensity and duration suffered. Those who consumed a high carb diet workout intensity was greater than the low carb dieters in the 1st few weeks of training but in the final few weeks of training both groups intensity normalized. Final results both group improved their performance time by 12%.

More recent studies have showed that consuming carbs  during activities increases workout intensity.

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Beta blockers have been shown to prevent the heart from beating faster during exercise, cause the participant to become exhausted and limit their intensity. Beta blockers are the least effective medications for lowering blood pressure and to help preventing heart attack. According to a report published in the American Journal of Cardiology May 2010, beta blockers also do not treat blood vessel damage. The study reviewed numorous studies which showed that beta blockers are not the best meds for preventing strokes or heart attacks.

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For my fairer skin readers, a key ingredient in sunscreen may be dangerous. Oxybenzone has been shown to absorb into the bloodstream of humans and to disrupt hormones in other animals. Other common ingredients, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide appear to be safe except that manufacturers often convert these ingredients to nanoparticles that can be inhaled. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide based sunscreens that do not contain nanoparticles are generally thicker and whiter.

Since cumulative exposure to the sun is what can cause cancer, using sunscreen is still recommended especially those areas that will receive the most amount of sun. Avoid applying sunscreen above your cheeks to eliminate accidentally exposing the eyes and always wash your hands after every application.

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