February 3rd, 2012
Obese women are 70% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer if they carry most of their extra weight around the stomach area, according to new research.
The findings are among the first evidence that the link between obesity and pancreatic cancer is as strong in obese women as in men, Dr. Juhua Luo of Sweden’s Karolinska Institute reported in the British Journal of Cancer.
“We found that the risk of developing pancreatic cancer was significantly raised in obese post-menopausal women who carry most of their excess weight around the stomach,” said Dr. Luo.
Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Though it accounts for only about 2% of the cancers diagnosed each year, the first-year survival rate is less than 5%, according to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Until now, smoking and chronic pancreatitis were the most well-established risk factors for the disease in men and women, with much of the evidence also pointing to a stronger obesity link for men.
As part of a large study known as the Women’s Health Initiative, researchers followed more than 138,000 menopausal women in the U.S. for more than seven years to investigate the links between obesity and pancreatic cancer. They found that 251 women developed the disease.
Of these, 78 had the highest waist-to-hip ratios. After factoring in other risk factors, this was 70% more than the 34 women with the lowest excess stomach weight who developed pancreatic cancer. The findings also suggest that
a) excess weight around the stomach may better predict the disease than the traditional Body Mass Index ( BMI) measurement for obesity.
b) obesity could increase the risk of pancreatic cancer by affecting insulin levels, with Type 2 Diabetes also playing a role.
A balanced, nutritious PCOS diet combined with regular exercise can help reverse an underlying cause of excess weight and obesity, namely the imbalance of blood glucose and insulin called Insulin Resistance. This latter condition decreases insulin sensitivity. By reversing Insulin Resistance, it is possible to facilitate PCOS weight loss.
February 2nd, 2012
People who go for intense workouts over fairly long periods of time often fare less well at avoiding serious conditions than those who opt for more moderate exercise, according to a new study. However, length and intensity of exercise can also bring their own rewards.
Researchers at Duke University found that individuals who followed a relatively gentle exercise regime such as 30 minutes of daily walking had more success at reducing a significant risk factor for heart disease and Diabetes, namely levels of fat in the blood called triglycerides. The benefits also lingered longer.
The study team said they were “amazed” to discover that not only did triglycerides drop more with moderate but continuous exercise compared to intense workouts but also the levels stayed low even two weeks after the gentler exercise ended.
On the other hand, levels of HDL “good” cholesterol tended to improve with the length and intensity of the workout, with the benefits “sustained over time.” The higher the levels of HDL cholesterol, the less the chance of a heart attack or stroke.
One possible conclusion to draw from the research is that people should check their cholesterol levels, including LDL “bad” cholesterol, with their doctor and tailor the intensity and duration of their workouts to focus on specific problems.
A balanced, nutritious PCOS diet combined with regular exercise can help reverse an underlying cause of excess weight and obesity, namely the imbalance of blood glucose and insulin called Insulin Resistance, which decreases insulin sensitivity. By reversing Insulin Resistance, it is possible to facilitate PCOS weight loss.
February 1st, 2012
Do you ever feel confused by contradictory information in the media about whether or not nuts are good for you and your PCOS Health?
Some are so high in fat and calories that they’re to be avoided at all costs. But other kinds are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and should – in 1.5 oz handfuls – be part of a healthy Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome diet.
But aren’t they still full of fat? Well, yes, but often it’s the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated kind, which, in small doses, is good for heart health. These fats have been shown to lower LDL “bad” cholesterol as well as having an anti-inflammatory effect.
Not just any nut will do, however. Brazils, macadamias and cashews, for example, have relatively high levels of saturated fat, which over time can clog arteries and lead to heart disease.
So which are healthiest nuts? In the first half of a two-part guide, we focus here on the case for nuts. More next week.
WALNUTS
Walnuts are very rich in the plant-based omega-3 fatty acid ALA. This type of fatty acid isn’t as effective as the kind found in fish but a recent study indicates that ALA decreases inflammation, which can damage arteries, and may help reduce the breakdown of bone. Studies have also shown that walnuts can increase levels of HDL “good” cholesterol while lowering the LDL variety.
Add walnut oil to salad dressing or use crushed walnuts to make a pesto sauce. Saute chopped walnuts and mix into taco meat for added crunch.
One ounce = 14 halves, 185 calories, 4 g protein, 19 g fat.
ALMONDS
Fiber in almonds actually blocks some of the nut fat from being digested and absorbed. One serving of almonds provides 35% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that may help protect against the onset of the cognitive decline known as Alzheimer’s Disease.
Add almonds to your breakfast cereal or yogurt. Mix into chicken salad or indulge in a few dark-chocolate-covered almonds for a double boost of antioxidants.
One ounce = 23 nuts, 163 calories, 6 g protein, 14 g fat.
PISTACHIOS
These tasty, little green nuts are high in lutein, an antioxidant typically found in dark leafy vegetables that’s been shown to protect eyes from macular degeneration. In one recent study, participants who ate 1.5 ounces of pistachios every day lowered LDL cholesterol levels, while participants who ate three ounces a day saw an even more dramatic drop.
Sprinkle pistachios on shrimp or scallops (or on ice cream for dessert). Add crushed pistachios to meat loaf in place of some of the beef or bread crumbs.
One ounce = 49 pistachios, 158 calories, 6 g protein, 13 g fat.
A balanced, nutritious diet can help reverse an underlying cause of excess weight and obesity, namely the imbalance of blood glucose and insulin called Insulin Resistance, which decreases insulin sensitivity. By reversing Insulin Resistance, it is possible to facilitate PCOS weight loss.
January 31st, 2012
People with PCOS depression have a higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes than non-depressed individuals, according to a new study.
The findings, in the Journal of the American Medical Association, indicated that the relationship between Type 2 Diabetes, which is closely linked to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, may be somewhat like a two-way highway. Not only can Diabetes lead to depression, but the latter can also lead to Diabetes.
U.S. researchers led by Dr. Sherita Hill Golden of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore tracked an ethnically diverse group of about 5,000 men and women between ages 45-84 for three years.
They found that people with symptoms of depression were 42% more likely to develop Diabetes by the end of the study than those without such symptoms. They also found that the more serious the symptoms, the higher the risk of Diabetes.
The researchers statistically accounted for factors including obesity, smoking and lack of physical activity, finding that the risk for Diabetes was still 34% higher in patients with depression.
“When we looked at the people in our study who had elevated symptoms of depression, they were more likely to eat more calories, they exercised less and they were more likely to be current smokers. And as a consequence, they were also more obese,” said Dr. Golden, who added that depression also pushes up the levels of stress hormones such as cortisol.
This latter hormone can impair insulin sensitivity and encourage belly fat – risk factors, in their own right, for the onset of Diabetes.
The study also measured the risk for developing depression among people who already had Type 2 Diabetes. Researchers discovered that people who had been treated for this condition were 54% more likely to develop depression symptoms than non-Diabetics.
Regular exercise combined with a balanced, nutritious PCOS diet can help reverse an underlying cause of depression-linked excess weight and obesity, namely the imbalance of blood glucose and insulin called Insulin Resistance, which decreases insulin sensitivity. By reversing Insulin Resistance, it is possible to facilitate PCOS weight loss and improve mood.
