Disease Proof : Disease Proof : Health & Nutrition News & Commentary : Dr. Joel Fuhrman

Published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, a new study claims high intake of saturated fat—specifically red meat and dairy—results in a 36% higher risk of pancreatic cancer, compared to people with lower consumption. And a high in take of total fat lead to a 53% increased risk of pancreatic cancer in men and 23% higher risk in women. Scientists examined data on 500,000 individuals, in which 1,337 were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer; Food Navigator reports.

Meat, i.e. saturated fat, is risky and research paints a grim picture. Previous studies have linked meat with higher risk of heart disease, age-related vision loss and various cancers. Fortunately, foods like fruits and vegetables lower the risk of developing cancer and cardiovascular disease.

In related news, experts found people who regularly eat charred or barbecued meat have a 60% higher risk of pancreatic cancer. Burned meat builds up of cancer-causing heterocyclic amines.

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Appearing in the journal Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, German researchers determined sewage treatment plants fail to remove artificial sweeteners—such as saccharin and aspartame—from waste water. Water samples were collected from two treatment facilities, turning up four different chemicals: acesulfame, saccharin, cyclamate and sucralose. Scientists fear these compounds will pollute neighboring streams and rivers; from ScienceDaily.

Water is all messed up! In March, a report came out saying America’s freshwater is clogged up with antidepressants and cholesterol drugs. As for artificial sweeteners, Dr. Fuhrman slammed them after a new study revealed people using fake sugar actually have MORE diabetes.

In related news, experts recommend well water be tested annually for harmful chemicals, bacteria and germs, because young children are very vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.

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A new study in the journal Pediatrics found many teenagers are wigged out on caffeine and up late surfing the web, texting their friends and watching television. Experts surveyed 100 kids, ages 12 to 18 years old, finding only one in five participants got 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night, one third of kids reported falling asleep in school and teens multitasking with all their gadgets were more likely to risk poor academic performance. Average caffeine consumption among participants was 215 mg a day, roughly two espressos; Reuters reports.

Caffeine is a toxin and like a drug it can cause uncomfortable detoxification symptoms, leading to poor diet and food addiction. It also heightens risk of cardiovascular disease by hardening arties and raising blood pressure and last year, caffeine was linked to miscarriage risk.

In related news, Germany banned Red Bull after finding trace amounts of cocaine in test samples and officials in the United States have already called for warning labels on energy drinks.

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A new report in the journal Pediatrics claims small children are vulnerable to waterborne illnesses originating from well water. Private wells can become contaminated with chemicals, germs and bacteria. Experts recommend well water be tested annually, at least. Currently, private wells are not subject to federal regulations, leaving owners responsible for proper care and safety testing; ScienceDaily reports.

And earlier this year, it was reported that pharmaceuticals, such as cholesterol medications, anti-depressants and blood pressure pills, are turning up in America’s streams and rivers. Bottled water is no better. One study found bottled water is just as impure as water out of the tap.

In 2006, water in Seattle area schools was found to be contaminated with lead. Most of China’s groundwater is polluted and India’s water has shown harmful levels of arsenic. Eek!

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In future, the world will be a very different place. Aside from mechanized bending robots and a purple-haired Cyclops, anchovies will be extinct. And while some will offer millions for the last remaining can on earth. One humanoid from the past will put them on pizza:

Actually, anchovies—not the ones in the can—are a very low-contamination fish. I was surprised to see that. Now, no one is saying to put them on pizza, but the Environmental Defense Fund calls anchovies an Eco-Best. Go figure!

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According to a new study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, factory workers exposed to high levels of formaldehyde are more likely to die from cancer. Data on 14,000 deaths among people who worked at facilities manufacturing formaldehyde revealed a 37% higher risk of death from blood and lymphatic cancers. Many preservatives are made with formaldehyde and have been implicated in the unusual rate of leukemia deaths in pathologists; via The New York Times.

In February, researchers discovered female employees working around organic solvents containing formaldehyde had a 30% greater risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. And pesticides, like those used on farms and for hobby-gardening, may heighten the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Now, you got to be careful around chemicals, especially kids. Dr. Fuhrman insists it’s the parents’ responsibility to maintain a chemical-free environment for their children.

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Time for a crazy report! New findings in the American Journal for Clinical Nutrition, claim smokers my increase their chances of developing colon cancer by eating fruits and vegetables. For the study, 500,000 people in 10 European countries were surveyed on their eating and smoking habits over 8.5 years and data suggests normally healthful substances in fruit and vegetables may enhance carcinogenic potential of tobacco smoke. However, in nonsmokers high intake of fruits and vegetables reduced risk; the AFP reports.

Listen, smoking is a bad idea. Here are a few reasons why. Reports have shown parents who smoke risk harming their kids’ hearts, secondhand smoke leads to allergies and can also increase risk of head and neck cancer. As for veggies, they are potent cancer-fighters.

In related news, after Pueblo, Colorado passed a municipal law banning smoking from work environments and public places the rate of heart attacks dropped 40%.

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Cleft lip is a fissure causing a gap in the top lip and findings of a new study in American Journal of Epidemiology reveal drinking coffee during pregnancy slightly ups the risk of cleft lip or harelip. Experts compared data on 573 women who had babies with cleft lip and 763 women whose kids did not. Women drinking a daily cup of coffee during the first 3 months of pregnancy were 1.39 times more likely to have a baby with harelip and the likelihood increased to 1.59 for women who drank 3 or more cups of coffee a day; Reuters reports.

Sometimes I have a cup of coffee. Luckily I can’t get pregnant. Coffee, i.e. caffeine, isn’t healthy. Drinking coffee has been shown to double arthritis risk, raise blood pressure and disturb heart function. Caffeine is a toxin, which can cause headaches, anxiety and detox symptoms similar to coming off drugs.

Recently, a study showed women drinking more than 3 cups of coffee a day had 17% smaller breasts. Oh, and instant coffee can make you hallucinate. Far out man.

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• We’ve all seen these frat guys or good ole boys chugging insane amounts of beer and liquor and later vomiting their brains out. And now, a new study in Center for Disease Control Journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report reveals among all adults, young white males are the highest binge drinkers. Data shows binge drinking in whites is 17.5% and 24.3% of white men. When broken down by age group, 27.4% for men 18 to 24 years old and 24.4% for ages 25 to 34; via Health and Men.

• Not much of a shocker, but recent findings in the journal Clinical Cardiology show physical activity is not a significant part of a morbidly obese person’s day. Those with a higher body mass index (BMI) could be sedentary for over 99% of their day, only exerting themselves for a brief time. Participants of the study were inactive for an average of 23 hours and 52 minutes a day; from Booster Shots.

• This is health news and green news. According to a new study in the International Journal of Epidemiology, thin people are more likely to take a walk if they need to run a quick errand, but the overweight and obese will probably jump in the car for brief trips, burning more fuel and releases more emissions, which is bad for the environment and contributes to global warming; Reuters reports.

• Boxed breakfast cereals are a disaster! That’s why an Australian consumer group called The Parents Jury is slamming cereal manufacturers for loading their products with too much sugar and salt and saying snacks like cereal bars are very low in fiber and are often marketed to young children, claiming these products are excellent foods for growing kids; Bakery and Snacks investigates.

• Onto a better food, presented at this year’s Experimental Biology Conference, blueberries were found to help combat abdominal fat. In the study, rats eating a lot of blueberries lost belly fat. Excess abdominal fat has been closely associated to heart disease and diabetes. The rats also experienced lower cholesterol and better glucose control, even if their diet wasn’t heart-healthy; via WebMD Health News.

• Beware of lead. Research in the journal Environmental Health links high blood levels of lead to increased mortality in older women, especially heart disease risk. Experts followed 533 women, ages 65 to 87, for 12 years. Women with elevated concentrations of lead were 59% more likely to die of any cause and three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than women with lower levels; Reuters reports.

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A new report by The European Food Safety Authority warns about the dangers of artificial smoke flavorings, claiming products like Unismoke and Zesti Smoke may cause adverse health effects, namely changes in the liver and kidneys and inability to gain weight. However, experts note testing has only been conducted on rats that were given a high intake of smoke flavoring, adding that long-term studies are needed; via FoodNavigator.

Regular smoking isn’t much better. Along with butter, cheese and salt, Dr. Fuhrman considers smoked foods as some of the worst stuff you can eat. And data shows processed and smoked meats, like ham and sausage, increase risk of stomach cancer, but last year that didn’t stop people from eating 7 billion hotdogs between Memorial Day and Labor Day!

In related news, someone figured out how to make smoked bacon even more horrible. Fully cooked bacon rolled in wax paper and stuffed into a can. Seriously, I’m going to vomit.

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