Health News
Hot Dogs Cause Cancer?
August 15, 2006
How often do you eat hot dogs? Even if you don't eat the heavily processed meat that often, you may want to think twice before enjoying your next hot dog.
It is no surprise that hot dogs are not a healthy food choice, but how unhealthy are they? A recent study conducted by chemists at the University of Nebraska has shed light on how unhealthy hot dogs really are. Hot dogs have been found to contain several variations of chemical compounds that are believed to cause DNA mutations which may increase one's risk of developing cancer.
4-Drug Combination HIV/AIDS Treatment
August 14, 2006
It was only four weeks ago when news broke of a new HIV/AIDS medication cocktail that combined three drugs into a single dose treatment. Trials are now being conducted for another combination HIV/AIDS treatment that combines four drugs into a single dose of medication.
The first study of the new four-drug combination shows no promising results. The four-drug combination has not shown itself to be any more effective that the current three-drug combination.
DES Linked to Breast Cancer
August 8, 2006
A recent study has shown a link between the pregnancy drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) and breast cancer. The study looked at women who were born to mothers who took the drug DES during pregnancy were twice as likely to develop breast cancer.
The drug DES was used from 1938 to 1971 to prevent miscarriages.
Raw Oysters
August 1, 2006
The FDA has issued a warning yesterday regarding oysters from the Pacific North West. Many oysters have been found to have unusually high levels of the bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp). The bacteria can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in individuals who consume raw oysters infected with the bacteria.
Until the Vp threat has passed people are being advised to cook oysters.
Miscarriage and Age
July 31, 2006
A recent study suggests that as the age of the father increases, so too does a couples risk of a pregnancy ending in a miscarriage. This finding appears to be true regardless of the mother's age.
The data gathered in the study shows that a couple's risk of a miscarriage can rise 60% when a father is over the age of 40.
Sugary Breakfast Cereals
July 20, 2006
Today's buzz in health news is that breakfast cereals contain high levels of sugar and fat. Although this may be surprising to some, this has been the fact for decades.
When purchasing a breakfast cereal, all you need to do is look at the ingredients. If sugar is listed as the first for second ingredient on the list, then you probably should not buy that cereal, unless you are looking to enjoy a breakfast full of sugar.
High levels of fat have also been found in several popular breakfast cereals. These finding have instigated the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to require cereal manufacturers to label the cereal boxes with color coded symbols to help consumers easily identify those cereals that are higher or lower in sugar and fat.
Implanon - Birth Control Implant
July 19, 2006
On Tuesday, July 18th, the FDA approved a new form of birth control for women.
The new product called Implanon is a progestin-only contraceptive that is implanted into the inside of a woman's upper arm. The implanted birth control device is effective for three years after it is set in. The birth control devise is a small plastic rod close to the size of a toothpick.
It is believed that Implanon will be more effective than traditional oral contraceptives because the women will not have to remember to take a pill. Poor adherence to the daily dose of oral contraceptives is usually the most likely reason for failure.