Vital signs: trace elements and levels of risk of Pancreatic Cancer

A new study has found that high levels of bodily substances of selenium and nickel trace elements can be associated with the reduction of the risk of cancer of the pancreas, and that high levels of arsenic, cadmium and lead may increase the risk.

The study, published online December 19 in the journal Gut, included 118 patients with cancer of the pancreas and 399 patients with other diagnoses in several hospitals in Spain. Researchers analyzed samples of the nail with plasma mass spectrometry, a very sensitive technique for detection of trace elements.

After the control of the age, sex, smoking, diabetes and other factors, scientists have found that subjects with the highest levels of arsenic were at twice the risk of pancreatic cancer, compared to those with the lowest concentrations. Those who have high levels of cadmium were at three times the risk of pancreatic cancer, while those with the highest levels of lead were at six times the risk.

Those with the highest levels of nickel and selenium, on the other hand, were significantly more low risk of pancreatic cancer.

Dr Núria Malats, an epidemiologist at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center and author of the new study, said that it was the first to provide this kind of results with trace elements, and that this does not mean that people should take food supplements.

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Vital signs: vitamins B, C, D and e and Omega-3 to build more old brains

Higher levels of blood of Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin d and vitamin e are associated with better mental functioning in the elderly, a new study has found.

Researchers measured blood levels of these nutrients in 104 men and women, with the average age of 87. Scientists have also conducted brain scans to determine the volume of brain and administered six common tests of mental functioning. The study is in the issue of January 24 of Neurology.

After control of the age, sex, blood pressure, body mass index and other factors, researchers discovered that people with the highest levels of four vitamins blood obtained better on cognitive tests and had the largest volume of brain than those with levels low.

Omega-3 levels were related to cognitive functioning better and healthier blood vessels in the brain, but not to a higher volume of the brain, suggesting that these beneficial fats can improve the cognition by different means.

In contrast, the higher acid levels of blood trans fat, were significantly associated mental capacity altered and small volume of brain.

The main author, Gene l. Bowman, neurologist at the Oregon Health and the University of Science, said that the study could not determine if taking supplements of these nutrients decrease the risk of dementia. But he added: "what is the harm in eating more healthy?" Fish, fruit, vegetables have all these nutrients and stay away from fatty trans is a key thing, you can do. ?

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Vital signs: resting heart rate increase related to coronary artery disease

Competitors across the Strait of Gibraltar stories contribute to its own enclaves.

Medicare must require proof that an expensive cancer treatment is more effective than less expensive options.

In Nigeria, designating Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist group will do that inflame anti-Americanism among Muslims.

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