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Statin prescriptions Coffee may cut
Berries cut
to rise dementia risk
heart disease
Extended screening for heart dis- A study for the Journal of Neuroin-
ease across England could result in flammation explains that caffeine
risk
an extra four million people taking may help preserve the ‘blood
statins to lower cholesterol. brain barrier’ which protects the
Two recent investigations have
Statins are currently the biggest brain from potentially harmful
studied how berries may help to
single selling item in the NHS budget
chemicals in the blood stream.
prevent the onset of cardiovascu-
but critics fear the predicted increase
Previous research found high
lar disease.
will result in many patients taking the
cholesterol can break down the
In one study 72 middle-aged
drug as a prevention measure that
brain barrier but this study shows that
participants, all with cardiovascular
may not benefit their health.
caffeine counteracts the effect of a
risk factors, consumed moderate
high cholesterol diet.
amounts of berries (or a control diet)
Dementia linked to
for eight weeks. Consumption of
berries was found to inhibit platelet
a large waist
Omega-3 sales
function (reduce stickiness of blood),
increase HDL ‘good’ cholesterol and
Research published in the journal
boom
decrease systolic blood pressure. All
Neurology, has found that a large
The Omega-3 industry has boomed
of these changes would serve to low-
waist size is a risk factor for Alzheim-
following scientific recommenda-
er the risk of cardiovascular disease.
er’s disease.
tions that it aids heart health.
In the second study, scientists
The scientists say that a large
But the food industry is now being
attempted to associate consump-
abdomen indicates a risk to brain
call on to differentiate between the
tion of berries with intima-media
health regardless of one’s weight
three types of omega-3; EPA (eicos-
thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery.
and this is a more reliable warning
apentaenoic acid), DHA (docosa-
Thicker arteries, i.e. those with a
sign than a high body mass index.
hexaenoic acid) and ALA (alpha-lin-
higher IMT, are less effective and
oleic acid). Despite this challenge to
Older women need
increase the risk of a heart attack.
the market, analysts predict ‘im-
The subjects in this study were elderly
more protein
mense growth’ for manufacturers.
men (mean age 70 years) with a
high risk of developing cardiovascu-
A new study has found that older
lar disease.
women need to eat more protein
The results showed that carotid
than men to replace the loss of
IMT was thinner amongst men con-
muscle that occurs with old age.
suming the highest levels of fruit and
Researchers from Nottingham and
berries. This trend was still apparent
Washington Universities observed that
when results were adjusted .for age,
after the menopause, the decline of
smoking and other dietary factors,
oestrogen seems to weaken the fe-
such as saturated fat intake. The dif-
male body’s ability to preserve muscle.
ference in fruit and berry intake be-
tween men with highest and lowest
Dairy industry
carotid IMT was 348g per day, which
Breakfast-eaters
equates to four portions of fruit. Men
defends natural
with the highest fruit and berry con-
weigh less
sumption had thinnest carotid IMTs
Trans fats
and the least atherosclerosis (fatty
Youngsters who skip breakfast deposits in the artery walls).
The European Dairy Association (EDA)
weigh more than those who eat It can be concluded that regu-
has said Trans fatty acids (TFAs) that
first thing, according to a US study.
lar consumption of fruit and berries
naturally occur in milk, pose no risk to
Researchers from the University
helps to protect against the develop-
the health of consumers.
of Minnesota found that breakfast-
ment of cardiovascular disease.
Responding to the recent TFA Policy
eaters were on average five pounds
For more information see: Erlund
Conference, the EDA said TFAs do not
lighter. Despite eating more calories
I et al (2008) American Journal of
need to be labelled on its products but
during the day, they were found to
Clinical Nutrition. 87: pages 323-331
welcomed further research into the af-
be less lethargic and did more to
and Ellingsen I et al (2008) British Jour-
fect they have on health.
burn the calories off.
nal of Nutrition. 99: pages 674-681.
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6 NHDmag.com May ‘08 - issue 34
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