DID YOU KNOW ?

A study from England using X-ray absorptiometry showed that what gives men a bad serum lipid profile is not so much total fat per se but rather the fat distribution. A lot of fat around the abdomen is bad.

Am J Med 1995; 999:459-64

DIFFERENT STRAINS OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS CAUSE DIFFERENT FORMS OF CHRONIC DISEASES
Researchers from Japan have discovered that a mutation (a change in the geretic material) in the x gene of the hepatitis B virus can result in cessation of viral replication and hence a more benign infection with no liver inflammation (hepatitis). Patients with hepatitis on the other hand are found to be infected by viruses without the above mutation.

A VACCINE TO PREVENT HELICOBACTER INFECTION ?
Helicobacter pylori, a spiral-shaped bacteria, is now established to the most important cause of peptic ulcer disease. Chronic infection with the bacteria may also lead to development of stomach cancer. Studies in mice have recently shown that immunisation (administration of a modified bacterial substance into non-immune subjects to stimulate their immune system to fight against the bacteria infection) not only protects the animal against infection by the bacteria, but may also cure existing helicobacter infection.

It is predicted that the first oral vaccine for human use could be available within 8 years. If this is successful, it will help to prevent ulcer disease and stomach cancer.

BODY WEIGHT AND COLON CANCER
In 1994, there were > 160,000 new cases of colon cancer in the United States, making this form of cancer the second most common cause of cancer deaths. While some colon cancers may have an inherited basis, dietary and lifestyle factors are equally if not more important in the carcinogenic process. A prospective study of 750,000 men showed that death from colorectal cancer was increased in men who were > 40% overweight. No such increase was found in women. No wonder they say females are the stronger sex.

Am J Clin Nutr 1996

CAUSE OF OBESITY
Many obese people are convinced their problem is metabolic and not due to overeating or lack of exercise as suggested by numerous scientific studies. Recent research suggests that obesity may be metabolic after all. A 'satiety factor' called leptin, when given to genetically obese mice promptly lose weight. Obese humans have high levels of leptin in their blood and leptin receptors found to be either deficient or inefficient in them.

Food Allergy & Ear Aches
The possibility of food allergy should be considered in people suffering from recurrent inflammation of the middle ear. A recent study showed that 78% of patients aged between 1.5 years and 9 years with recurrent middle ear inflammation had food allergy. An elimination diet led to a significant improvement of the ear condition in 8^% of the patients. Challenge diet with the suspected food provoked a recurrence of the ear ache and accompanying inflammation in 94% of patients.

Ann Allergy 1994

Cured Meats & Childhood Cancers
Additives, curing processes and cooking methods in the preparation of meat for consumption can produce substances that can cause cancer. A longitudinal study of pregnant women and their children reported that consumption of more than one hot-dog per week during pregnancy was associated with brain tumours in the children. Among the children, the combination of low vitamin intake and high consumption of all cured, processed meat were associated with both acute lukaemia and brain cancer.

Cancer Causes Control 1994

Which Child Will Become Obese
A family history of overweight may be a good predictor of future obesity or overweight but other modifiable factors are also important. These include increased dietary intake, reduced physical activity, the child's age and interactions between family risks and the child's sex. The influence of parental body mass was particularly strong for boys. Boys with normal weight parents or only one overweight parent had decreases in body mass index, while those with two overweight parents hvea body mass index increases. Girls with an overweight father had higher body mass index.

Nutr & MD 1995

Sharing Food, Or More
When it is the custom to serve food in communal bowls or plates that everyone dips into with their own eating utensils and fingers, more than just food is probably being shared. Saliva may be shared as well, with any germs or viruses in it. Some of the germs are present in the saliva and can spread diseases if they enter the body through sores or broken skin around the mouth or throat. Other germs are passed out in the faeces and can attach themselves onto our hands after going to the toilet.

Sharing food can spread these diseases when the germs are taken in the body together with the foods. Simple steps can prevent this spread: provide a serving spoon or ladle for each dish served, provide each person with his/her own bowl and/or plate, and insist that restaurants provide these things too.

"Fat-Free" Oil
A synthetic oil called olestra, has been approved for preparation of snacks and other foods in the United States. Olestra tastes like real fat, cooks like real fat, but is fat free. As a result of chemical manipulation, olestra molecules are bigger than other oil molecules. In fact, the molecules are so big that they cannot be absorbed through the intestinal wall and pass undigested in the stools. This would mean that we can ingest fatty food without fear of getting high blood cholesterol levels. The disadvantage is that olestra inhibits the absorption of essential fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, K an carotenoids. It can also cause abdominal cramps and loose stools in some individuals.