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November 15, 2005 [Volume 6,
Issue 24]
In this issue of To Your Health:
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Cranberries for Cancer
-
Breastfeeding Shown to Reduce Skin Rashes in Infants
- Inactive?
Overweight? Your Environment May Play a Part
Cranberries for Cancer
 For
centuries, cranberries have been used as a type of folk medicine
to fight off urinary tract infections and other ailments. Previous
research has shown that extracts taken from cranberries may fight
certain types of cancer, but without noting which ingredients in
the extracts may responsible for the effect. A new
laboratory-based study has identified those ingredients, which
appear to be effective in stopping both the growth and spread of a
wide range of cancers, without affecting any healthy cells.
In the study, researchers
isolated a group of chemicals called proanthocyanidins from a
cranberry extract and tested them on eight types of cancer tumor
cell lines. When the cells were analyzed, "significant inhibition"
was seen in the production of human lung, colon and leukemia tumor
cells. The chemicals also prevented the tumor cells from growing.
Because the study was
conducted in vitro (i.e., in an artificial environment), the
scientists were unable to determine how many cranberries (or
cranberry supplements) a person should consume to have the same
effect as the extract. However, the study's lead author suggested
that increased cranberry consumption could be helpful, adding that
the berries contain several types of antioxidants, all of which
could help protect against cancer.
Neto CC, Krueger
CG, Lamoureaux TL, et al. MALDI-TOF MS characterization of
proanthocyanidins from cranberry fruit (vaccinium macrocarpon)
that inhibit tumor cell growth and matrix metalloproteinase
expression in vitro. Journal of the Science of Food and
Agriculture. Early view, published Oct. 17, 2005.
Breastfeeding Shown to
Reduce Skin Rashes in Infants
 Eczema
is a common childhood condition, characterized by dry skin and an
itchy, red rash. Although it can occur anywhere on the body,
eczema usually develops on the face, hands, knees and feet.
Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of asthma in
infants significantly. However, the evidence suggesting that
breastfeeding can reduce the risk of eczema is less clear.
In this study, researchers
surveyed parents of more than 4,000 newborns about breastfeeding
habits and their children's allergy symptoms. Surveys were taken
when the children were 2 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 4 years old;
blood samples were also taken at age 4 to determine whether the
children had developed any specific allergies.
Overall, infants whose diet
consisted exclusively of breast milk for 4 months or longer after
birth had a 22 percent reduced risk of eczema at 4 years old. This
finding was especially true among children whose eczema symptoms
appeared during the first 2 years of life and persisted until age
4. The researchers concluded that breastfeeding has a protective
effect against eczema, and also reduces the incidence of a
phenomenon called "allergy march," in which a child's allergy
symptoms may persist into their later years, but the allergic
condition takes another form.
Kull I, Bohme M,
Wahlgren CF, et al. Breast-feeding reduces the risk for childhood
eczema. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology,
October 2005;116(3):657-661.
Inactive? Overweight?
Your Environment May Play a Part
While we all know that
obesity is caused by consuming more calories than we expend,
studies suggest that our surroundings may also play a factor.
Specifically, it has been suggested that people are more likely to
be physically active - and therefore, less likely to be overweight
or obese - if they live in an environment that we find pleasing.
However, few studies have measured the direct effect a pleasing
environment can have on activity and obesity levels.
In this survey, researchers
analyzed housing and health data collected on approximately 6,900
adults living in eight European cities. Residents in these cities
filled out questionnaires on height, weight, and physical activity
levels, while trained surveyors assessed the residents'
environment, documenting amounts of graffiti and litter, and
levels of greenery and vegetation in the immediate area.
People who lived in
environments with high amounts of greenery were more than three
times as likely to be physically active compared to people living
in low-greenery areas; they were also 37 percent less likely to
meet the criteria for being overweight or obese. Similarly, people
who lived in areas with low graffiti and litter were 42 percent
less likely to be overweight or obese, and 47 percent more likely
to be physically active, compared to residents of high-graffiti,
high-litter neighborhoods.
The results of this study
add to the theory that environment can influence a person's
willingness or ability to exercise, and thus influence their risk
of obesity. As a result, the quality of one's environment also
should be taken into account, along with diet and lifestyle, when
making an attempt to increase exercise levels and reduce weight.
Ellaway A,
Macintyre S, Bonnefoy X. Graffiti, greenery, and obesity in
adults: secondary analysis of European cross-sectional survey.
British Medical Journal, Sept. 17, 2005;331:611-612.
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