Vitamin C Protects Against Osteoporosis By Preventing Bone Loss, Mouse Study Shows

Vitamin C may have protective effects osteoporosis, according to a new study in mice.

If replicated in people, the findings could have "profound public health implications," study researcher Dr. Mone Zaidi, M.D., a professor and director of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine Bone Program, said in a statement. "What this study shows is that large doses of vitamin C, when ingested orally by mice, actively stimulate bone formation to protect the skeleton. It does this by inducing osteoblasts, or premature bone cells, to differentiate into mature, mineralizing specialty cells."

The PLoS ONE study was conducted in two sets of mice -- one group had had their ovaries removed, a procedure that is known to decrease bone mineral density. The other had "sham" ovary removal surgeries, so their bone mineral density was not decreased.

Then, the researchers split up the mice that had their ovaries removed into two groups. One group received a large amount of vitamin C over an eight-week period, while the other was not.

Researchers found that the mice that had had their ovaries removed but were not given vitamin C had lower bone mineral density than those that received the vitamin C.

Plus, the mice that had their ovaries removed and took the vitamin C had similar bone mineral density levels as the mice that had the sham ovary removals, according to the study.

However, the researchers noted that more studies must be done to see if the findings also apply to humans. But "if so, the findings could be ultimately useful to developing nations where osteoporosis is prevalent and standard medications are sparse and expensive," Zaidi said in the statement.

In 2008, a study from Tufts University showed a link between high vitamin C and less bone loss in elderly men, though the results were not seen in women, WebMD reported.

The researcher of that Journal of Nutrition study, Katherine L. Tucker, Ph.D., told WebMD that vitamin C's powers may come from its antioxidant effects: "Antioxidants are needed to protect against oxidative stress, therefore protecting against inflammation. Inflammation drives bone resorption, which is basically taking calcium away from the bones. Vitamin C, theoretically, should help slow that resorption."

Stroke Affecting More Young People, Study Finds

Strokes are hitting at a younger age, according to a new study published in the journal Neurology.

Researchers from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine found that the average age at which a person experiences a stroke fell to 69.2 in 2005, from 71.2 in 1993/1994.

"The reasons for this trend could be a rise in risk factors such as diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol," study researcher Dr. Brett Kissela, M.D., said in a statement. "Other factors, such as improved diagnosis through the increased use of MRI imaging may also be contributing. Regardless, the rising trend found in our study is of great concern for public health because strokes in younger people translate to greater lifetime disability."

The study included 1.3 million people who lived in the greater Cincinnati and northern Kentucky region during 1993/1994, 1999 and 2005.

Researchers found that the number of people younger than 55 who experienced their first stroke during that time period increased to 19 percent in 2005, from 13 percent in 1993/1994.

Plus, the stroke rate among 20-to-54-year-olds increased between the beginning and end of the study; among Caucasians, strokes rose to 48 for every 100,000 people in 2005, compared with 26 strokes for every 100,000 people in 1993/1994. For African-Americans, strokes increased to 128 for every 100,000 people in 2005, compared with 83 strokes for every 100,000 people in 1993/1994.

"Among the young, the increase in incidence suggests an unknown and potentially daunting future trajectory," wrote Drs. Sally Sultan, M.D., and Mitchell S.V. Elkind, M.D., in an accompanying editorial. "Replication of these findings in other U.S. populations and internationally is crucial, and future studies will need to account for potential temporal trends in diagnostic testing while also teasing out causative factors."

The findings follow a recent study in the journal Annals of Neurology, showing that hospitalizations for ischemic stroke have gone up by 37 percent from 1995 to 2008 among people between ages 15 and 44.
Want to lower your risk of stroke? Controllable risk factors include blood pressure and cholesterol, alcohol and tobacco use, obesity, physical activity and diabetes status, according to the National Stroke Association.

And check out our slideshow of foods that have been shown in studies to be associated with a lower stroke risk:

Foods For Longevity

Broccoli For Cancer Protection

Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables are full of sulforaphane and other antioxidants that help to protect healthy cells from damage caused by free radicals.
But when it comes to the veggies, raw may be better: recent research has found that boiling in water has a "leaching effect."

Whole Grains For Cardiovascular Health

Whole grains offer a variety of antioxidants and vitamins, and are packed with fiber, known to help protect against high cholesterol and regulate blood sugar levels, which can safeguard against diabetes.

And one type of whole grain in particular -- oats -- has a unique antioxidant called avenanthramides that can offer additional protection against cholesterol.

Berries For Brain, Bone And Brawn

Not only are berries good for extending life -- they improve the quality of later years. Berries are chock full of antioxidants that help protect against free radical damage, but as Whole Living reported, one antioxidant in particular -- anthocyanins -- is particularly useful for brain function, balance and muscle retention.

Dark Chocolate For Anti-Inflammation

Dark chocolate is full of inflammation-reducing flavonoids, a compound that also has antioxidant properties and helps prevent blood clots.
But reducing inflammation is its real longevity trick, as research shows that molecular inflammation may be responsible for much aging and cell death.

Tomatoes For Cancer Prevention

Tomatoes are a great source of lycopene, the fat-soluble nutrient that helps to protect against some types of cancer, like prostate, lung and stomach cancers.

Beets For Betaine Power

Beets are rich in betaine, a compound associated with lower markers of inflammation, according to the latest research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Walnuts For Lower Cholesterol

Walnuts are a great source of alpha linolenic acid (ALA), which is a type of omega-3 fatty acid associated with reduced inflammation

Health officials say little risk with Ontario case of H1N1 variant

 A Canadian man has been infected with an H1N1 variant influenza virus after having had close contact with pigs, a senior health official for the province of Ontario said on Tuesday.

"I would like to reassure Ontarians that this variant influenza virus rarely spreads from animals to humans. Subsequent human-to-human transmission is also rare," Arlene King, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, said in a statement. An influenza virus that normally circulates in animals is referred to as a variant virus when it infects humans. In such cases it is labeled H1N1v.

"I would also like to stress that this is not a food safety issue; the consumption of properly cooked pork continues to be safe. Proper cooking of meats, including pork, kills all bacteria and viruses," King said.

H1N1 is a swine flu virus responsible for a pandemic in 2009 that began in the United States and Mexico and spread around the world in six weeks. It rocked the global pork trade when about a dozen countries temporarily restricted Canadian pork imports after the virus spread to a pig farm in the province of Alberta.

"The identification of this case is the result of the strength of our current surveillance system here in Ontario," King said. "It is not an unexpected occurrence, and there have been a number of human infections with variant influenza viruses in the United States over the past year."

The Canadian resident is being treated in a hospital in southwestern Ontario.

Tori Gass, a spokeswoman for the Ontario health ministry said he recently came into contact with swine in Canada and the United States, but officials are still investigating where he would have contracted the virus.

Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said in an interview that the government would take steps to reassure its export markets. Canada is the world's biggest exporter of live hogs, mostly to the United States, and the third-largest pork shipper.

"The biggest thing is we always tell people in Canada our food supply is safe, and the Americans work with us in that regard," Ritz said. "We're very much integrated when it comes to the meat sectors back and forth across our borders. We work together on these issues all the time."

The case is unlikely to cause the same backlash against Canada by pork importers that it did in 2009, said Martin Rice, executive director of the Canadian Pork Council.

"H1N1 sends off alarm bells in certain people's minds simply because of their recollection, but by no means is this looked at as something that will evolve into a big health undertaking that would have implications for trade," he said.

7 Steps To Instant Calm

  

It is to forget amount stress you are actually under like between your busy work schedule, taking care of the kids, running errands, and, oh, the hundred other things you have to do in a day.

But your body is well aware. All that tension could start a chain reaction of health problems. "When you repeatedly get stressed, your nervous system stays keyed up, so even small amounts of stress can make you feel overwhelmed," says Henry Emmons, MD, author of The Chemistry of Calm. That's why it's so important to build in a relaxation routine for those times when life goes haywire.

 Learn how to cultivate calm with these simple suggestions.

1. Look for the Signs: 

   The best way to manage stress is to keep it from building up in the first place. But it can be hard to tell when you are headed towards the danger zone, because your body's signals can be subtle. "People often aren't aware that stress affects quality of sleep -- you may get eight hours, but still not get much deep sleep, so you feel worn out," Dr. Emmons says. 
     
   
   

2.  Shift your focus:

   When you're feeling tense, you may get the (unproductive) urge to mentally replay what went wrong over and over in your mind.
   
   Dr. Emmons recommends shifting your focus to your body instead. Find a quiet place to sit down, and concentrate on feeling the seat beneath you. Then take long, deep breaths from your diaphragm; try inhaling through your nose for a count of four, holding for two and exhaling through your mouth for seven. Exhaling longer than you inhale deepens your breathing, which helps calm your nervous system. "You can even practice your breathing when you're not stressed, so you know exactly what deep-breathing counts soothe you," Dr. Emmons says.
     
   
   

3.  Get a move on: 

   It's easy to use stress as an excuse to skip exercise -- you've got way too many other things on your mind, right? But working out actually helps balance stress hormones, Dr. Emmons says.
   
   So take a break, and walk up and down a few flights of stairs, or sign up for that kickboxing class you've been dying to try. Then cool down from your routine with some mellow music: Make a special "soothing" playlist for your iPod, recommends Beth Hamilton, MD, co-author of So Stressed: The Ultimate Stress-Relief Plan for Women. Research suggests that your brain waves will sync up with the slow rhythm, putting you in a meditative state.
     
   
   

4. Snack Right: 

   During stressful times, it's human nature to want to treat yourself to a piece of cake. But it's more important than ever to stick to your healthy eating habits, says Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of Eat Your Way to Happiness.
   
   Sugary munchies spike your blood-glucose level, making you feel even more jittery. For a healthy yet stress-busting treat, dip fresh strawberries in dark chocolate sauce, Somer suggests. The fruit's vitamin C decreases stress-induced free radicals, while dark chocolate helps reduce stress hormones (such as cortisol) in the body. Another option: Snack on carrots or celery sticks. Chomping on crunchy (but healthy!) snacks helps you release pent-up frustration, Somer says.
   
     
   
   

5.  Phone a friend: 

   Spending time with pals helps our bodies pump out the feel-good hormone oxytocin. So meet up with a friend at the end of a crazy-busy day, or call during your lunch break.
   
   Even better: Make time to hang out regularly -- you'll get a continuous boost to your well-being. Just don't turn your talks into bitchfests; ranting will get you worked up again, Dr. Emmons says.
   
     

6. Get Out!:

   Holing up at your desk can make you get stuck in "I'm overwhelmed!" mode. Simply breathing some fresh air can improve your outlook, helping you deal with tough situations more calmly. Step outside and enjoy the head-clearing moment rather than thinking of all the things you have to get done. If there's a garden nearby, stop and smell the flowers. Research shows that inhaling certain scents (like lavender) can help reset a stressed immune system to normal levels.
   
     

7. Prep for Bed:

   You know how it goes: Just when you lie down for a good night's sleep, all your worries come rushing back. And the lack of sleep only makes you feel more anxious. To combat this vicious cycle, reach for a pad and pen, and jot down any negative thoughts or to-dos that pop into your head, says Sue Patton Thoele, author of The Mindful Woman. It's counterintuitive, but getting your thoughts on paper actually helps you put them aside.