Health-Points: Friday 3.20.09
- I guess I’m going to die soon, because I’m a big dummy! New findings in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine reveals an association between higher IQ and decreased mortality, i.e. death, in men. Researchers believe people with higher IQ test scores are less likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and drinking alcohol and more likely to eat better and exercise; ScienceDaily reports.
- More bad news for obesity! A study published in the current issue of the Archives of Surgery claims obese pancreatic cancer patients are 12 times more likely to see their cancer worsen and spread to their lymph nodes. Individuals with a body mass index greater than 23 survived an average of 13.2 months after cancer surgery, while patients with a BMI of less than 23 lasted 27.4 months; via Health Magazine.
- Presented at the American Heart Association's Joint Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention and Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism, scientists have determined teenagers with higher intakes of vitamin D may have less abdominal fat than adolescents with vitamin D deficiencies. Data revealed white boys had the highest intake of vitamin D, with African-American girls having the lowest; from NutraIngredients.
- Bisphenol A, a toxic compound used to make plastic and found to interfere with brain cells, may be banned from food and drink containers under a new federal bill proposed to the House and Senate last Friday. Spearheaded by senators from New York, Massachusetts and California, the bill aims to protect children from BPA, which has also been linked to cancer, such as breast and testicular; The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel explains.
- Another study discussed at the Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention and Nutrition suggests not getting enough sleep may heighten the risk diabetes. Experts said people who sleep less than six hours per night were 4.5 times more likely to have abnormal blood sugar levels than individuals getting more sleep. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend people get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night; Reuters reports.
- A federal judge has rejected the appeal by 15 California organic almond growers to stop regulations mandating that raw almonds to be treated before sale. Current laws require almonds to be chemically pasteurized or heat-treated. This stem from fears over health risks such as salmonella, but is angering raw food devotees who rely on raw almonds for vitamins and foods like almond milk; via TreeHugger.
Image credit: Listal.com: I.Q.
