A HEALTHY DOSE OF ADVICE
Do’s and don’ts for wellness, based on the latest research
CANCER BURDEN IN INDIA
India’s productivity loss due to cancer is a record $6.7 billion, or 0.36% of the GDP. And the burden is rising, with about 1 million new cancer cases every year. But 60% of cancers are preventable; and one-third of deaths are due to five behavioural and dietary risk factors: tobacco, high body mass index (BMI), low fruit and vegetable consumption, lack of physical activity and alcohol use. About 40% cancers (such as lung cancer and oral cancers) are caused by tobacco use and another 20% from infections such as hepatitis B (liver cancer) and HPV (cervical cancer). Incredibly, just 12.5% patients are diagnosed in the early stages (Journal of Cancer Epidemiology, January 2018)
FRUIT JUICE & DIABETES
100% FRUIT JUICE does not have a significant effect on fasting blood glucose, fasting blood insulin or insulin resistance (biomarkers for diabetes risk), says new research published in the Journal of Nutritional Science, January 2018. The data analysis evaluated the impact of 100 per cent juice from fruits such as apple, berry, citrus, grape and pomegranate. So a nearly 120 ml glass of 100 per cent juice could count as one serving (half cup) of fruit, and can complement whole fruit to help individuals add ‘more produce to their diets’, researchers said.
FLU & A HEART ATTACK
Chances of a heart attack go up six-fold during the first seven days of detection of an influenza infection, says a new study by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) and Public Health Ontario (PHO), Canada. It also found a significant association between acute respiratory infections, particularly influenza, and acute myocardial infarction. The risk is higher for older adults, patients with influenza B infections, and those experiencing their first heart attack. Researchers say patients should not delay medical evaluation for heart symptoms, particularly in the first week (New England Journal of Medicine, January 2018)
CRASH DIET & THE HEART
Cabbage soup diet, protein diet, three-day diet, grapefruit diet, water fast diet, fresh juice diet—there are lots of lowcalorie, meal replacement diets that promise miraculous weight loss out there. But beware. Scientists from the University of Oxford now say crash diets can put your heart at risk. Rapid weight loss slows down metabolism, deprives the body of essential nutrients, weakens the immune system and increases risk of heart palpitation and cardiac stress. It can also damage blood vessels, the micro tears leading to heart disease.