Coffee-Hell or, Heaven?

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. The US probably consumes more coffee than any other nation. There is nothing like a good cup of steaming coffee to kick start a day. In spite of several attempts to paint it black, coffee has always made a strong come back. More and more health benefits of coffee are coming to the fore.

Detecting Heart Attacks

Heart disease, particularly coronary heart disease, is difficult to diagnose. Every time somebody gets chest pain, it need not be a heart attack. For example, excess acid secretion may create heart attack like symptoms. Usually, ECG recordings are made use of, but are not always conclusive. Recently, a more sensitive test is being tried which is proving to be more reliable and accurate when it comes to the confirming of a heart attack.

It involves measuring the blood levels of a muscle protein called troponin I. Troponin levels had already been measured earlier, but recently, a more sensitive method for measuring this protein has been developed. His method is under trial and may prove to be a boon to the medical profession to rule out false heart attacks.

How to Look Young

Physical fitness and youthful look
Nobody wants to age. People are on the lookout for cosmetic treatments to look young. Some of them may help to a certain extent, but many do not. The most important thing for a youthful look is a physically fit body. If you have a bulging belly, no amount of hair on your head is going to make you look young. Healthy diet combined with regular exercise would go a long way in achieving your goals.

Smile please!
However, youthful looks have more to do with your state of mind. People who are happy and who smile often, look younger. A recent study confirms that people who smile often present a youthful appearance and their ages are underestimated by at least two years.

Coffee Against Cancer

Coffee continues to be in news. The benefits are pouring out. Recent information is that the dreaded cancer is running away at the sight of coffee. At least four types of cancer can be prevented by the regular consumption of coffee.
1. 1.Endometrial cancer
2. Breast cancer
3. Prostate cancer
4. Skin cancer
It has been suggested that caffeine in coffee may be responsible for this action since decaffeinated coffee is not having this protective effect against these cancers.

Diabetes Increases Breast Cancer Risk

Health problems are usually interdependent. One disease feeds and thrives on another. Thus, ageing produces certain changes in the body. Ageing, by itself, created several problems like decline in cognitive functions, osteoporosis and arthritis. Obesity is a major health problem in several countries. Obesity is a condition which subsequently breeds several other disorders.

For example, obesity can increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Obesity also produces insulin resistance and this can lead to type 2 diabetes. Recent evidence suggests that if a woman is over 60 and if she is obese and diabetic, her risk for getting breast cancer is increased. The connection between obesity and breast cancer is already known. This is the first time that a link between diabetes and breast cancer has been noticed.

What is Metastasis?

Normally, the growth of the cells in the tissues of the body is rigidly regulated so that nothing goes wrong. When this regulation is lost due to some reason, there is uncontrolled proliferation of cells. This process is called carcinogenesis. The abnormal growth of cells is also called tumor formation. A tumor can be benign or, malignant. A benign tumor is relatively harmless. However, benign tumors are also removed through surgery as there is a possibility of this turning into a cancer. A cancer can invade the neighboring tissues with serious and fatal consequences.

Metastasis
Some of the cancer cells can detach themselves from the primary cancer site and travel through the blood and the lymphatic system. Subsequently, they attach themselves to other distant organs to establish a new colony of cancer cells. This process is called secondary cancer, also commonly known as metastasis. When metastasis has occurred, surgery is no longer the preferred option. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are commonly employed when metastasis has taken place. Such treatments involve several side effects such as nausea, vomiting, tiredness, loss of hair and compromised immunity.

Is There an Andropause?

Female menopause is a fact. It usually arrives after the age of 50 and coincides with the cessation of the functioning of the ovaries. This results in the drastic reduction in the production of the female sex hormone estrogen.

However, many health experts believe that there is no such thing as male menopause (andropause). This is because the production of testosterone never completely stops. The drop in testosterone starts at around the age of 30 and continues to drop as men age. However, even very aged males can produce some amount of testosterone. The most characteristic feature of falling testosterone levels is a reduction in sexual desire.

Doctors do not advocate testosterone replacement therapy to counter falling testosterone levels. Testosterone supplements are called for only in situations like erectile dysfunction. This would work only if the erectile dysfunction is due to lack of testosterone.

Fitness levels Important to Reduce Heart Disease Risks

In an effort to get rid of excess fat, people resort to all types of fancy diets. Things however, are not going to be rosy because you are not tucking in fat and high calorie foods. Several studies have shown that fitness levels are more important than reducing fat. Even if you are overweight, if you continue to be physically active, you can ward off coronary heart disease. Thus, having normal weight or, being slightly underweight does not guarantee that you would be disease free. It is the level of fitness which is more important.

Dietary Intervention For Cardioprotection

While some people suffer from heart disease because of genetic factors, most of the problem is derived from lifestyle changes. Inactive habits promote obesity and diabetes. Increased physical activity may help to a certain extent, but healthy eating habits are equally important. Certain foods help the cause of cardioprotection. Some other foods promote the onset of coronary heart disease.

Foods that help
1. Grain products which have not been refined
2. Fish
3. Nuts, particularly walnuts
4. Vegetable oils, preferably containing omega-3-fatty acids
5. Fruits and vegetables which supply fiber and antioxidants
Foods which harm
1. Dairy foods
2. Foods prepared with trans fats
3. Beverages containing sugar
4. Baked products obtained using refined grain
5. Red meat