Increased sugar intake linked with incidence of cancer

For vital health, we need to take of optimal level of sugars as carbohydrates from diet and sucrose or fructose from fruits, candies and other sources. On the other side, increased intake or persistently higher levels of sugar in the blood can damage our cells that not only cause diabetes mellitus (type-2) and also cancer. Sound weird?

                                                         It’s true!

The underlying association between diabetes and overweight is well studied by the medical community. Concrete evidences suggested that increased intake of any form of sugar with a sedentary lifestyle leads to diabetes and obesity (overweight). However, the link between obesity, diabetes and cancer is being understudied and of paramount importance. According to medical geographical studies, diabetics are more prone to intestine (digestive system) or pancreatic cancer than normal individuals. In European countries including Britain and Spain, childhood obesity is alarmingly increasing and hence increasing risk of cancer should be considered as a major public healthcare problem.

                                                                   

A team of Spanish scientists led by Dr. Custodia Garcia-Jimenez from University Rey Juan Carlos studied the molecular associative mechanisms of cancer and high sugar levels. The team found higher levels of blood sugar triggers a cancer progression controlling genetic material (β-catenin) by means of activation of gene-activating intestinal hormone, Gastrointestinal Polypeptide (GIP). 

In moderate blood sugar level, the GIP synthesis is regulated by pancreas and β-catenin activity is controlled. In prolonged, uncontrolled levels of blood sugar leads to uncontrolled activation of β-catenin that prevents normal cell death process or apoptosis. In clinical terms, absence of cell death leads to rapid cell multiplication which is commonly called as CANCER. 

The impact of dietary sugar on development of cancer is staggering, said Dr. Custodia. The team is being investigating the influence of other dietary causatives of cancer. Modification of dietary habits is the easiest way to prevent the occurrence of the dreadful disease, Dr. Custodia added. 

Diabetes and cancer are the leading non-communicable killer diseases all around the world. According to International Diabetes Federation (IDF), around 366 million people have diabetes in 2011 that could rise to 552 million by 2030. One in three cancer cases can be prevented by dietary changes, regular exercises and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Magnesium and Heart Diseases

Magnesium and Heart Diseases

Contrary to conventional belief, not cholesterol and increased lipids levels, decreased level of blood magnesium is linked with heart diseases. The serum magnesium can be a good diagnostic marker for heart diseases. Several research studies have linked low magnesium levels with incidences of blood vessels thickening, elevated blood pressure, deposition of cholesterol (plaques) in large blood vessel walls, increased blood cholesterol levels and thickening of blood vessels (arteriosclerosis).

A meta-analysis of research publications way back from 1937 to recent studies has been conducted Dr. Andrea Rosanoff and her team. The team analyzed the association of low magnesium levels and incidences of heart diseases based on the studies over a period of four decades. 

The analyses found a statistically significant link between decreased serum magnesium levels and cardiovascular diseases. The research studies published in 1957 strongly suggested the association between magnesium and incidences of cardiovascular diseases (atherosclerosis). However, most of the experts believed cholesterol, and high-saturated fats as real culprits and importance of magnesium were ignored. 

Magnesium is vital for healthy metabolic activity, and it controls blood pressure, said Dr. Mehmet Oz, Professor of Surgery at Columbia University and popular host of Dr. Oz Show. Most people are not getting recommended dietary allowance of magnesium and become magnesium deficient, he added. 

Recommendations based on studies:

• Avoid processed foods which are low in magnesium and other essential nutrients.
• Consume legumes, cereals and nuts that are rich in magnesium
• Do not avoid nuts to avoid calories and fats – actually they’re rich in magnesium!
• Magnesium deficient mothers give birth to magnesium deficient children – A less-studied medical research topic!
• Individuals who work in stressful jobs need magnesium-rich diet.
• Calcium supplements without balanced with magnesium can cause serious heart diseases

What causes heart attack?

What causes heart attack? It is a million dollar question to many people, worldwide. Heart attack is a painful, life-threatening and often fatal medical condition that needs immediate medical attention. Heart attack is a multi-factorial disease that is clinically classified as modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. The modifiable risk factors include smoking, alcohol consumption, fat-rich diet, high blood cholesterol levels, sedentary lifestyle, overweight etc. These risk factors can be modified by changes in lifestyle, dietary modifications, medications and physical activity. The non-modifiable risk factors such as age, familial inheritance and gender, can significantly contribute to heart attacks that cannot be modified by lifestyle changes and medical interventions. All the risk factors affect the blood supply to a healthy heart muscles that result in heart attack.

The risk factors contribute to the deposition of cholesterol (plaques) and development of blot clots in one or more blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. If the plaque and blood clots are big, the blood supply to heart muscles is interrupted, and heart attack ensues. If the block is small in size, it results in increased blood pressure or hypertension. If left untreated, uncontrolled blood pressure can lead to heart attack.

Blood Vessels in Heart:

Blood vessels play a vital role in keeping the heart beating. For healthy blood circulation, the blood vessels should not constrict or become clogged with cholesterol deposition. Similar to other muscles in the body, the heart muscles need continuous oxygen supply to keep beating. The heart contains a muscle protein called myoglobin that acts as oxygen reserve during oxygen demand. However, the reserve lasts for only few minutes and interrupted blood supply causes lack of oxygen supply or ischemia that leads to heart attack.

                                   

Blocked Blood Vessels:

Decreased or diminished blood supply results in lack of oxygen supply to the heart muscles that cause myocardial infarction or heart attack. During a heart attack, impaired blood supply causes irreversible damage or death of a portion of heart muscles, which is termed, as infarction. The blocked blood vessel is called as atherosclerotic artery.  

Usually in bleeding process, the body tries to stop the bleeding by the mediation of blood clotting factor called platelet. The platelet adheres with the clotting factors such as fibrin and stops blood oozing by forming a mesh-like structure. This is the body’s natural defense mechanism against blood loss. On the other side, it causes the heart attack. 

Both types of risk factors cause gradual deposition of plaques in large blood vessels. During blood vessel complete block, the body’s immune defense system attacks the plaques to clear the clogged blood vessels. The attack results in unsuccessful clearance of plaques and bleeding of blood vessel walls that cause bleeding. The bleeding process attracts the platelets and blood clotting starts. Within few minutes, the platelets and fibrin completely arrest the bleeding and also the blood supply to heart muscles through blood vessels. This results in diminished blood supply and starvation of oxygen in heart muscles that lead to heart attack. 

In response to death of heart muscles, the nerves in heart cells reacts awkwardly that causes vomiting sensation, sweating, pain, increased heart beats and clammy skin. If one feels these symptoms, it can be a warning sign of heart attack and he/she should seek immediate medical care. Without timely medical assistance, the heart attack victim may die, depending on the degree of heart muscle damage.