A major focus in the battle against heart disease is lowering cholesterol levels.
Not all cholesterol is unhealthy. There are two types of cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein ( LDL) cholesterol is the "bad" type that tends to clog your arteries; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the "good" kind that helps sweep cholesterol deposits out of your arteries and protects against a heart attack.
Doctors recommend keeping your LDL cholesterol levels low (optimally less than 100 mg/dL), while boosting your HDL levels (60 mg/dL or higher). You may have heard that drinking a glass or two of red wine each day can help raise HDL levels and help reduce your risk of heart disease. It's true that alcohol has some heart-healthy benefits, but it's important to be cautious when drinking alcohol because it also has many health risks.
Alcohol Boosts HDL Cholesterol
A few studies have found that people who drink alcohol in moderation have lower rates of heart disease, and might even live longer than those who abstain.
In particular, red wine might offer the greatest benefit for lowering heart disease risk and mortality because it contains higher levels of natural plant chemicals -- such as resveratrol -- which have antioxidant properties and might protect artery walls.
Many believe that the main cardiovascular benefit of alcohol is through its ability to raise HDL cholesterol levels. Alcohol has also been tied to a lower risk of blood clots and decreased levels of inflammation markers.
Risks of Drinking Alcohol
Before you order a round of wine or beer and toast to your heart, know that the news about alcohol isn't entirely positive. Consuming too much alcohol can actually increase your risk for heart disease and stroke, raise blood pressure, contribute to obesity, and increase the levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood.
Excessive drinking also can lead to heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), irregular heartbeat ( arrhythmia), and stroke. Eventually, heavy alcohol use can leave the heart too weak to pump efficiently, a condition called congestive heart failure.
Drinking alcohol also has other downsides, including increased risk of some cancers, cirrhosis of the liver, and an increased risk of accidents. That's why the American Heart Association does not recommend that you start drinking wine or any other alcoholic beverages specifically to lower your cholesterol or improve your heart health. Instead, the organization advises watching your weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly to keep your cholesterol levels in check.
If you do plan to drink, check with your doctor first. Drink alcohol only in moderation -- meaning a glass of wine or beer a day for women, and a glass or two a day for men. Some people -- especially pregnant women and those who take certain medicines regularly -- should avoid alcohol entirely.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sex
Your sex life (or the lack of one) is probably not high on the list of topics when you're discussing your rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with your doctor. Even if you didn't have a ton of other topics to talk about, such as side effects of your medicines, morning stiffness and pain, and that promising new drug you just read about, talking about sex can be just plain embarrassing.
But the fact is one out of every three people with RA says that rheumatoid arthritis has had a considerable impact on their sexuality. And one out of every 10 people with RA says that sex is out of the question.
But the reason that people with RA often avoid sex has less to do with pain from achy joints associated with this autoimmune disease than the overwhelming fatigue and difficulty moving that are also hallmarks of the disease. That observation comes from research presented in 2006 at the 7th Annual European Congress of Rheumatology in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
But experts tell WebMD that improving your sex life -- and your intimate relationship -- is not only possible, but can also improve your arthritis symptoms.
"The good news," says Ava Cadell, PhD, "is that being intimate will take your mind off of everything else -- including your arthritis." Cadell is a clinical sexologist based in Los Angeles. "There is scientific evidence," she says, "that when you have an orgasm, you release morphine-like, feel-good chemicals that override the pain. Sex is the best prescription for good health."
Martin J. Bergman, MD, is chief of the division of rheumatology at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, Pa. He agrees with Cadell and adds, "Sexuality is part of the human experience -- a very important part."
Sex, Intimacy, and RA: Look at the Bigger Picture
"When we think of sex and sexuality," says Paul Dobransky, MD, "we often think of the physical." Dobransky is a Chicago-based psychiatrist and sex therapist and the author of several books including The Secret Psychology of How We Fall in Love. He tells WebMD that the one key for improving your sex life is to consider the emotional and cognitive parts of your relationship. Instead of only focusing on the physicality of sex, you should think about "the quality of friendship you have with your partner."
According to Dobransky, when you have a chronic illness such as RA, improving how you think and feel about your relationship can have a big impact on how sexual you feel. That, in turn, can enhance your sexual performance. It pays, he says, to work on the emotional part of your relationship.
Sex, Intimacy, and RA: Self-Esteem and Depression Affect Intimacy
There's more to RA than pain and fatigue. "It is very common," Dobransky tells WebMD, "to develop anxiety and depression that is secondary to RA." When that happens, the antidepressants used to treat depression can have sexual side effects. That adds another dimension to the equation, Dobransky says.
In addition, people with arthritis can have a poor self-image stemming from their joint deformities or medication side effects. For example, steroids can cause weight gain and facial swelling. And methotrexate can cause hair loss.
Making emotional connections, Dobransky says, can help you feel better about yourself. That, in turn, can help you feel more desirable.
Sex, Intimacy, and RA: Love in the Afternoon?
With RA, people often feel the most stiffness in the morning. As a result, sex may be more pleasurable later in the day. But some people may find that pain worsens at the end of the day.
That can make sex unappealing at bedtime.
"You need to develop teamwork and coordination with your partner," Dobransky says. "Some people with arthritis may be more open to a 'quickie' or daytime sex vs. evening sex." And once again, he points to the importance of the emotional connection. A good emotional connection, he says, "will promote better communication, more compromise, and more teamwork."
One approach he suggests is to say to your partner, "I seem not to have as much pain in the afternoon. I know you like having sex at night, but can we mix it up and try having sex in the afternoon from time to time?'"
If you are not sure when your pain flares or diminishes, Dobransky says you should track it and notice when it is at its lowest level and its highest. "Once you have established a pattern for your arthritis pain," he says, "you can team up with your partner to take advantage of this together."
Sex, Intimacy, and RA: More Than Just Sex
"Remember," Cadell says, "being intimate doesn't have to mean sexual intercourse." Synchronized breathing, eye gazing, hugging, and kissing are also on the intimacy menu.
"The sense of touch is the most healing," she says. "A lot of people with arthritis don't get massages because they feel discomfort. But being touched by their partner, whom they love and adore, can be healing."
Cadell suggests that you start by saying, "I miss you." Then you can ask for little things like a hug. Bringing intimacy up, she tells WebMD, can re-create that bond that's sometimes severed by an illness. "When one person is ill and the other isn't," says Cadell, "the other person feels helpless." As a result, your partner may be afraid to initiate intimacy because your partner doesn't want to hurt you or be rejected.
Talking about your feelings toward your partner helps your partner feel wanted. It can also let him or her know that advances will not be made in vain.
Sex, Intimacy, and RA: The Value of Experimentation
When you have RA, using sexual aids such as the Liberator line of pillows designed to support you where you can't support yourself can help. "These are wonderful props that can take the pressure off where it hurts," Cadell tells WebMD.
Experimenting with positions is another way to improve the quality of your sexual relationship.
Cadell says there are many different sexual positions to try depending on which joints are affected by RA.
Bergman says it comes down to trial and error. "There are certain positions that may be uncomfortable," he says, "but others may be very satisfactory."
Sex, Intimacy, and RA: Managing Your RA Makes a Difference
Bergman tells WebMD that much of the same advice that applies to other aspects of life with RA applies to sexuality. For starters, he says, it's important to take your RA medication regularly. "Skipping medication doses will only increase your pain," he says.
Treating RA early and aggressively can move almost half of all people with this disease into remission, Bergman says. "This approach to treatment means that questions about sex may never come up."
But the fact is one out of every three people with RA says that rheumatoid arthritis has had a considerable impact on their sexuality. And one out of every 10 people with RA says that sex is out of the question.
But the reason that people with RA often avoid sex has less to do with pain from achy joints associated with this autoimmune disease than the overwhelming fatigue and difficulty moving that are also hallmarks of the disease. That observation comes from research presented in 2006 at the 7th Annual European Congress of Rheumatology in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
But experts tell WebMD that improving your sex life -- and your intimate relationship -- is not only possible, but can also improve your arthritis symptoms.
"The good news," says Ava Cadell, PhD, "is that being intimate will take your mind off of everything else -- including your arthritis." Cadell is a clinical sexologist based in Los Angeles. "There is scientific evidence," she says, "that when you have an orgasm, you release morphine-like, feel-good chemicals that override the pain. Sex is the best prescription for good health."
Martin J. Bergman, MD, is chief of the division of rheumatology at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, Pa. He agrees with Cadell and adds, "Sexuality is part of the human experience -- a very important part."
Sex, Intimacy, and RA: Look at the Bigger Picture
"When we think of sex and sexuality," says Paul Dobransky, MD, "we often think of the physical." Dobransky is a Chicago-based psychiatrist and sex therapist and the author of several books including The Secret Psychology of How We Fall in Love. He tells WebMD that the one key for improving your sex life is to consider the emotional and cognitive parts of your relationship. Instead of only focusing on the physicality of sex, you should think about "the quality of friendship you have with your partner."
According to Dobransky, when you have a chronic illness such as RA, improving how you think and feel about your relationship can have a big impact on how sexual you feel. That, in turn, can enhance your sexual performance. It pays, he says, to work on the emotional part of your relationship.
Sex, Intimacy, and RA: Self-Esteem and Depression Affect Intimacy
There's more to RA than pain and fatigue. "It is very common," Dobransky tells WebMD, "to develop anxiety and depression that is secondary to RA." When that happens, the antidepressants used to treat depression can have sexual side effects. That adds another dimension to the equation, Dobransky says.
In addition, people with arthritis can have a poor self-image stemming from their joint deformities or medication side effects. For example, steroids can cause weight gain and facial swelling. And methotrexate can cause hair loss.
Making emotional connections, Dobransky says, can help you feel better about yourself. That, in turn, can help you feel more desirable.
Sex, Intimacy, and RA: Love in the Afternoon?
With RA, people often feel the most stiffness in the morning. As a result, sex may be more pleasurable later in the day. But some people may find that pain worsens at the end of the day.
That can make sex unappealing at bedtime.
"You need to develop teamwork and coordination with your partner," Dobransky says. "Some people with arthritis may be more open to a 'quickie' or daytime sex vs. evening sex." And once again, he points to the importance of the emotional connection. A good emotional connection, he says, "will promote better communication, more compromise, and more teamwork."
One approach he suggests is to say to your partner, "I seem not to have as much pain in the afternoon. I know you like having sex at night, but can we mix it up and try having sex in the afternoon from time to time?'"
If you are not sure when your pain flares or diminishes, Dobransky says you should track it and notice when it is at its lowest level and its highest. "Once you have established a pattern for your arthritis pain," he says, "you can team up with your partner to take advantage of this together."
Sex, Intimacy, and RA: More Than Just Sex
"Remember," Cadell says, "being intimate doesn't have to mean sexual intercourse." Synchronized breathing, eye gazing, hugging, and kissing are also on the intimacy menu.
"The sense of touch is the most healing," she says. "A lot of people with arthritis don't get massages because they feel discomfort. But being touched by their partner, whom they love and adore, can be healing."
Cadell suggests that you start by saying, "I miss you." Then you can ask for little things like a hug. Bringing intimacy up, she tells WebMD, can re-create that bond that's sometimes severed by an illness. "When one person is ill and the other isn't," says Cadell, "the other person feels helpless." As a result, your partner may be afraid to initiate intimacy because your partner doesn't want to hurt you or be rejected.
Talking about your feelings toward your partner helps your partner feel wanted. It can also let him or her know that advances will not be made in vain.
Sex, Intimacy, and RA: The Value of Experimentation
When you have RA, using sexual aids such as the Liberator line of pillows designed to support you where you can't support yourself can help. "These are wonderful props that can take the pressure off where it hurts," Cadell tells WebMD.
Experimenting with positions is another way to improve the quality of your sexual relationship.
Cadell says there are many different sexual positions to try depending on which joints are affected by RA.
Bergman says it comes down to trial and error. "There are certain positions that may be uncomfortable," he says, "but others may be very satisfactory."
Sex, Intimacy, and RA: Managing Your RA Makes a Difference
Bergman tells WebMD that much of the same advice that applies to other aspects of life with RA applies to sexuality. For starters, he says, it's important to take your RA medication regularly. "Skipping medication doses will only increase your pain," he says.
Treating RA early and aggressively can move almost half of all people with this disease into remission, Bergman says. "This approach to treatment means that questions about sex may never come up."
Chinese Herb May Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis
Aug. 17, 2009 -- A Chinese herbal remedy may help ease symptoms in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
A new study shows that the Chinese herbal remedy Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF), also known as “lei gong teng” or "thunder god vine," helped decrease joint tenderness and pain in a small group of people treated with the medicinal plant.
Those who took an extract of the herb's roots experienced greater improvement in rheumatoid arthritis symptoms than those who took the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes pain and swelling of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis also leads to joint damage and destruction. There is no cure for the condition, and currently available treatments are designed to ease the symptoms and disability caused by the disease.
Although recent advancements in rheumatoid arthritis treatment have led to a greater number of available therapies, many of those therapies come with side effects that prompt some users to discontinue treatment or seek complementary and alternative treatments.
Thunder God Vine for RA
Researchers say thunder god vine has been used in China for centuries to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases, and some small clinical trials have suggested that the Chinese herbal remedy may benefit people with rheumatoid arthritis.
This study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, compared the benefits and side effects of treatment with thunder god vine and a conventional anti-inflammatory drug used in rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers randomly assigned 121 people with rheumatoid arthritis to take the 60 milligrams of the Chinese herbal extract three times a day or 1 gram of the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine twice a day for 24 weeks.
Nearly half of the participants dropped out before the study was complete. But after 24 weeks of treatment, researchers found that a greater proportion of people in the Chinese herbal remedy group experienced at least 20% improvement on a standard measure of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms than the other group.
Researcher Raphaela Goldbach-Mansky, MD, MHS, of the National Institutes of Health, and colleagues say the study was too short to show if thunder god vine also helped to slow the progression of joint destruction from rheumatoid arthritis. But if further studies confirm these results in larger numbers of people, thunder god vine may provide an affordable natural treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis.
A new study shows that the Chinese herbal remedy Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF), also known as “lei gong teng” or "thunder god vine," helped decrease joint tenderness and pain in a small group of people treated with the medicinal plant.
Those who took an extract of the herb's roots experienced greater improvement in rheumatoid arthritis symptoms than those who took the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes pain and swelling of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis also leads to joint damage and destruction. There is no cure for the condition, and currently available treatments are designed to ease the symptoms and disability caused by the disease.
Although recent advancements in rheumatoid arthritis treatment have led to a greater number of available therapies, many of those therapies come with side effects that prompt some users to discontinue treatment or seek complementary and alternative treatments.
Thunder God Vine for RA
Researchers say thunder god vine has been used in China for centuries to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases, and some small clinical trials have suggested that the Chinese herbal remedy may benefit people with rheumatoid arthritis.
This study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, compared the benefits and side effects of treatment with thunder god vine and a conventional anti-inflammatory drug used in rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers randomly assigned 121 people with rheumatoid arthritis to take the 60 milligrams of the Chinese herbal extract three times a day or 1 gram of the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine twice a day for 24 weeks.
Nearly half of the participants dropped out before the study was complete. But after 24 weeks of treatment, researchers found that a greater proportion of people in the Chinese herbal remedy group experienced at least 20% improvement on a standard measure of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms than the other group.
Researcher Raphaela Goldbach-Mansky, MD, MHS, of the National Institutes of Health, and colleagues say the study was too short to show if thunder god vine also helped to slow the progression of joint destruction from rheumatoid arthritis. But if further studies confirm these results in larger numbers of people, thunder god vine may provide an affordable natural treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis.
DASH Diet May Prevent Kidney Stones
Aug. 14, 2009 -- Following the DASH diet may cut down on kidney stones as well as improve high blood pressure.
That news comes from a study published online in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Data came from more than 241,700 U.S. health care workers who completed surveys about their diets every four years for up to 18 years.
Based on those dietary surveys, the researchers calculated a "DASH" score for each participant.
The highest scores went to participants whose diets most closely matched the Dietary
Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which is widely used to lower hypertension (high blood pressure).
The following eating habits boosted DASH scores:
Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains.
Eating a diet low in sodium, sweetened drinks, red meat, and processed meats.
People with the highest DASH scores were the least likely to develop kidney stones, regardless of age, sex, BMI (body mass index), hypertension, diabetes, use of medicines called thiazides, and intake of calories, fluid, caffeine, and alcohol.
"Consumption of a DASH-style diet is associated with a marked decrease in kidney stone risk," write the researchers, who included Eric Taylor, MD, of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
That news comes from a study published online in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Data came from more than 241,700 U.S. health care workers who completed surveys about their diets every four years for up to 18 years.
Based on those dietary surveys, the researchers calculated a "DASH" score for each participant.
The highest scores went to participants whose diets most closely matched the Dietary
Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which is widely used to lower hypertension (high blood pressure).
The following eating habits boosted DASH scores:
Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains.
Eating a diet low in sodium, sweetened drinks, red meat, and processed meats.
People with the highest DASH scores were the least likely to develop kidney stones, regardless of age, sex, BMI (body mass index), hypertension, diabetes, use of medicines called thiazides, and intake of calories, fluid, caffeine, and alcohol.
"Consumption of a DASH-style diet is associated with a marked decrease in kidney stone risk," write the researchers, who included Eric Taylor, MD, of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
Behavioral Therapy for Pain and Insomnia
Aug. 15, 2009 -- Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia may help older people who suffer pain from osteoarthritis, a new study shows.
The researchers conclude that cognitive behavioral therapy to help with sleep should be considered to help manage chronic pain conditions such as osteoarthritis.
"The particular strength of [cognitive behavioral therapy aimed at insomnia] is that once an individual learns how to improve their sleep, study after study has shown that the improvement persists for a year or more," Michael V. Vitiello, PhD, of the University of Washington in Seattle, says in a news release.
Better sleep can lead to improvement in coexisting medical or psychiatric illnesses, Vitiello says.
His research team assigned 23 older patients with osteoarthritis to cognitive behavioral therapy that was aimed at helping them learn how to sleep better. Twenty-eight other patients were assigned to a stress management and wellness program.
Those receiving the cognitive behavioral therapy reported improvements in sleep quality and pain relief measures before and after treatment, and a year later. Participants in the group that didn't get the cognitive behavioral therapy showed no significant improvements in sleep quality or pain.
"Sleep quality is a major concern of people with osteoarthritis, with 60 percent of people with the disease reporting pain during the night. ... Whether sleep disturbance preceded or follows pain onset is unclear, but reciprocal effects are likely," write the researchers.
Chronic pain initiates and exacerbates sleep disturbances, but the researchers say pain perception may decrease when people sleep better.
The researchers conclude that cognitive behavioral therapy to help with sleep should be considered to help manage chronic pain conditions such as osteoarthritis.
"The particular strength of [cognitive behavioral therapy aimed at insomnia] is that once an individual learns how to improve their sleep, study after study has shown that the improvement persists for a year or more," Michael V. Vitiello, PhD, of the University of Washington in Seattle, says in a news release.
Better sleep can lead to improvement in coexisting medical or psychiatric illnesses, Vitiello says.
His research team assigned 23 older patients with osteoarthritis to cognitive behavioral therapy that was aimed at helping them learn how to sleep better. Twenty-eight other patients were assigned to a stress management and wellness program.
Those receiving the cognitive behavioral therapy reported improvements in sleep quality and pain relief measures before and after treatment, and a year later. Participants in the group that didn't get the cognitive behavioral therapy showed no significant improvements in sleep quality or pain.
"Sleep quality is a major concern of people with osteoarthritis, with 60 percent of people with the disease reporting pain during the night. ... Whether sleep disturbance preceded or follows pain onset is unclear, but reciprocal effects are likely," write the researchers.
Chronic pain initiates and exacerbates sleep disturbances, but the researchers say pain perception may decrease when people sleep better.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Breastfeeding May Cut Breast Cancer Risk
Aug. 10, 2009 -- Women with a family history of breast cancer who have ever breastfed reduce their risk of getting premenopausal breast cancer by nearly 60%, according to a new study.
''For women with a family history of breast cancer, this suggests an extra benefit [of breastfeeding] is, it may reduce the risk of breast cancer," says Alison Stuebe, MD, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the lead author of the study. It is published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
While previous studies have also suggested a link between breastfeeding and reduced breast cancer risk, results have been mixed, Stuebe writes. Studies in which women who already have breast cancer are asked about their breastfeeding history can be flawed by "recall bias," she says.
''Our goal was to collect information before the diagnosis and follow women," Stuebe tells WebMD.
Stuebe and her colleagues drew information from 60,075 women who were participants in the Nurses' Health Study II from 1997 to 2005 and had given birth.
The women answered questions about demographics, body measurements, and lifestyle factors every two years, and described their breastfeeding practices. They were asked about family history of breast cancer and if they had been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
By the end of the follow-up in June 2005, Stuebe's team found 608 cases of premenopausal invasive breast cancer, with 99% of the cases verified by medical records. The woman's average age at diagnosis was 46.
''Overall, in the whole group of women we studied, women who had breastfed were 25% less likely to develop premenopausal breast cancer than women who had never breastfed," says Stuebe, who conducted the research while at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard
Medical School in Boston.
Family History of Breast Cancer
When the researchers looked separately at the women without a family history and those with a family history of breast cancer (mother, sister, or grandmother), they found ''almost the entire effect could be accounted for by women with a family history," she tells WebMD.
Among those with a family history, those who had breastfed had a 59% reduced risk for premenopausal breast cancer compared to those who never breastfed. The breastfeeding did not have to be exclusive breastfeeding, without formula use.
To understand better the difference between the overall risk reduction and the reduction in those with a family history, Stuebe offers this analogy: Suppose the Los Angeles Lakers and a group of 5-year-olds had a free-throw contest. Overall, the group may have made, say, 60% of the free throws. But when you look separately at the successful free throws made by the basketball stars vs. those made by the kids, the results will undoubtedly be driven entirely by the Lakers.
The risk reduction for women with a family history of breast cancer who breastfeed, Stuebe says, is comparable to that found in high-risk women who take hormonal treatments such as tamoxifen.
''For women without a family history," she tells WebMD, ''it may be that their rates of breast cancer are so low we don't detect a difference or there may not be a protective association."
The protective effect began with three months of breastfeeding, she tells WebMD. That's three months total, she says, not just for a single child. So a mother may have breastfed two children for a month and a half each and gotten the benefit, for instance.
Second Opinion
''It is a huge reduction in risk," says Amanda Phipps, a pre-doctoral research associate at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, of the nearly 60% decreased risk in women who breastfeed and have a family history of breast cancer.
''I find it very interesting," says Phipps, who has researched the link, too. "But I think because it is a rather novel finding it would need to be replicated in the literature."
In a study published in Cancer last year, Phipps and her colleagues found that certain breast cancer types may be rarer among women who breastfeed their babies for at least six months.
The biology to explain the link is not yet clear, Phipps says.
Even so, she calls the association "exciting" because breastfeeding is an action women can take to reduce their breast cancer risk, while many other risk factors -- such as having a family history -- are not modifiable.
''For women with a family history of breast cancer, this suggests an extra benefit [of breastfeeding] is, it may reduce the risk of breast cancer," says Alison Stuebe, MD, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the lead author of the study. It is published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
While previous studies have also suggested a link between breastfeeding and reduced breast cancer risk, results have been mixed, Stuebe writes. Studies in which women who already have breast cancer are asked about their breastfeeding history can be flawed by "recall bias," she says.
''Our goal was to collect information before the diagnosis and follow women," Stuebe tells WebMD.
Stuebe and her colleagues drew information from 60,075 women who were participants in the Nurses' Health Study II from 1997 to 2005 and had given birth.
The women answered questions about demographics, body measurements, and lifestyle factors every two years, and described their breastfeeding practices. They were asked about family history of breast cancer and if they had been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
By the end of the follow-up in June 2005, Stuebe's team found 608 cases of premenopausal invasive breast cancer, with 99% of the cases verified by medical records. The woman's average age at diagnosis was 46.
''Overall, in the whole group of women we studied, women who had breastfed were 25% less likely to develop premenopausal breast cancer than women who had never breastfed," says Stuebe, who conducted the research while at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard
Medical School in Boston.
Family History of Breast Cancer
When the researchers looked separately at the women without a family history and those with a family history of breast cancer (mother, sister, or grandmother), they found ''almost the entire effect could be accounted for by women with a family history," she tells WebMD.
Among those with a family history, those who had breastfed had a 59% reduced risk for premenopausal breast cancer compared to those who never breastfed. The breastfeeding did not have to be exclusive breastfeeding, without formula use.
To understand better the difference between the overall risk reduction and the reduction in those with a family history, Stuebe offers this analogy: Suppose the Los Angeles Lakers and a group of 5-year-olds had a free-throw contest. Overall, the group may have made, say, 60% of the free throws. But when you look separately at the successful free throws made by the basketball stars vs. those made by the kids, the results will undoubtedly be driven entirely by the Lakers.
The risk reduction for women with a family history of breast cancer who breastfeed, Stuebe says, is comparable to that found in high-risk women who take hormonal treatments such as tamoxifen.
''For women without a family history," she tells WebMD, ''it may be that their rates of breast cancer are so low we don't detect a difference or there may not be a protective association."
The protective effect began with three months of breastfeeding, she tells WebMD. That's three months total, she says, not just for a single child. So a mother may have breastfed two children for a month and a half each and gotten the benefit, for instance.
Second Opinion
''It is a huge reduction in risk," says Amanda Phipps, a pre-doctoral research associate at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, of the nearly 60% decreased risk in women who breastfeed and have a family history of breast cancer.
''I find it very interesting," says Phipps, who has researched the link, too. "But I think because it is a rather novel finding it would need to be replicated in the literature."
In a study published in Cancer last year, Phipps and her colleagues found that certain breast cancer types may be rarer among women who breastfeed their babies for at least six months.
The biology to explain the link is not yet clear, Phipps says.
Even so, she calls the association "exciting" because breastfeeding is an action women can take to reduce their breast cancer risk, while many other risk factors -- such as having a family history -- are not modifiable.
Secrets of Super-Healthy People
Are you secretly envious of your co-workers and friends who, like superheroes, never seem to get sick? You know, the ones glowing with good health while everyone around them is sneezing, sniffling, and coughing like villains.
Don't hate the healthy people. Instead, steal the secrets of people who manage to stay above the sickroom fray and take steps to boost your body's immunity.
Training for the Body
Jennifer Cassetta, a martial arts instructor in New York City, claims she never gets sick, and neither do her father and grandmother, who also teach martial arts. "I believe it is the holistic approach to exercise that calms the mind and relieves stress," she says. "And the cardio, strengthening, and conditioning help boost the immune system."
Cassetta says her health has changed dramatically after she picked up martial arts eight years ago. Before then, she was a smoking, take-out-every-night, espresso-drinking girl in her 20s.
"As I started to train, I started to change my habits drastically," she says. "I cleaned up my diet, trained more, and quit smoking. Now in my 30s, I have more energy, I look better, and am stronger than I ever have been."
One bout of vigorous exercise can increase circulation, says Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom. "Whenever circulation is increased, you get far more white blood cells," she says, "so they check for foreign germs and are far more apt to be able to gobble them up."
Pay Attention to Your Mouth
Chicago public relations consultant Joanna Broussard says gargling regularly with an antiseptic mouthwash has helped improve her dental health and may have helped fend off other illnesses.
Twelve years ago, Broussard's dental hygienist convinced her to gargle consistently after brushing her teeth. "So I made the effort and got into the habit every morning," she says, "Since then I have not had colds. When people all around me have colds or the flu, I seem to be immune."
Another reason to bone up on your brushing and gargling is that poor oral hygiene and gum disease have been linked to more serious illnesses, including diabetes.
An Apple a Day Really Works
Your mom may have been right when she said, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." A natural antioxidant called quercetin, found in red apples as well as broccoli and green tea, may give an immunity boost to individuals under stress.
In a study conducted by David Nieman, PhD, professor at Appalachian State University, results showed that only 5% of cyclists who took 1,000 milligrams of quercetin every day for five weeks reported upper respiratory illness during a two-week period following extreme exercise, whereas 45% of the cyclists who took a placebo reported illness following extreme exercise. However, there were no significant differences in measures of immune system function in the two groups.
Additionally, researchers found that athletes taking the quercetin supplement maintained better mental alertness and reaction time over the placebo group. So go ahead, stock up on those red apples and you may be thanking Mom later.
Don't Worry, Conquer Stress
Stop worrying about getting sick. The fear and expectation of having something adverse happen actually lowers immunity, says Northrup. "When people are worried about it all the time," she says, "they literally scare themselves to death."
Constant worrying causes cortisol and epinephrine levels to rise - and these stress hormones can weaken the body's overall immunity. "The immune system plummets when cortisol levels are chronically high," she says. "Your own body produces high levels of steroids when you're under constant stress."
Up Your Vitamin Intake
We have a worldwide epidemic of vitamin D deficiency, says Northrup. Everybody needs vitamin D, which can be found in foods like sockeye salmon, eggs, and milk.
Hyla Cass, MD, an integrative medical practitioner and author of 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health, adds that certain prescription drugs like acid blockers can deprive the body of nutrients like vitamin D.
Surveys show that Americans don't get enough vitamin C, says Elisabetta Politi, RD, MPH, CDE, nutrition director at the Duke Diet & Fitness Center.
Citrus fruits are a good source of vitamin C. "It's a myth that vitamin C prevents the cold," she says. "But having an appropriate amount of vitamin C from fruits and vegetables can boost immunity."
Mind Over Body
Atlanta interior designer Melissa Galt believes in a "mind over medicine" attitude. "I don't have time for sickness in my life," says Galt, who travels frequently and doesn't take anything to fight germs. "I don't believe in it and don't acknowledge it."
Every thought is accompanied by a chain of biochemical reactions in your body, says Northrup. So a positive attitude can increase levels of nitric oxide, which help to balance neurotransmitters, improve immunity, and increase circulation, she says.
"Whenever nitric oxide levels are high -- from anything ranging from positive thought to exercise -- you're actually improving your resistance to disease," she says.
Just Say Om
Santa Monica, Calif., yoga therapist Felice Rhiannon credits her meditation and breathing practices for improving her physical and emotional health. "Meditation practice helps to calm my nervous system and allows the immune system to function with less interference," she says. For Rhiannon, "A calmer mind means a calmer body."
"The greatest change is in my peace of mind and sense of ease," she says. "I don't get colds as often as I did when I was younger. My sleep is better and my ability to cope with life's inevitable stresses has improved."
In a study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine in 2003, researchers at the University of Wisconsin and Harvard University found that volunteers who participated in eight weeks of mediation training produced significantly more flu-fighting antibodies than those who didn't meditate.
Increase Your Social Ties
There are personality factors associated with individuals who are resistant to getting colds when they're exposed to a virus, says Sheldon Cohen, PhD, professor of psychology at Carnegie Mellon University whose research examines the effects of stress and social support on immunity and health.
For example, extroverts are less likely than introverts to get colds when exposed to a virus. "We actually control for their immunity," he says. "The explanation isn't that extroverts interact with more people, and therefore have immunity to that virus. There's something about being extroverted that seems to protect people."
Having a diverse social network is equally important, says Cohen. Individuals who belong to multiple social groups are less likely to develop colds when exposed to a virus. There's convincing literature in epidemiology that people who have more diverse social networks are also less likely to get heart disease and live longer, he adds.
Accentuate the Positive
Cohen's research suggests that people who have a positive emotional style -- described as happy, enthusiastic, and calm -- are less likely to catch colds.
Cohen and researchers at Carnegie Mellon University interviewed 193 healthy adults daily for two weeks and recorded the positive and negative emotions they experienced each day, and then exposed the volunteers to a cold or flu virus. Those with positive outlooks reported fewer cold symptoms and were more resistant to developing an upper respiratory illness.
"It's a stable characteristic of individuals," he says. "It's not driven by how happy they are on the day they get exposed to the virus."
Wash Your Hands - Over and Over
Hand washing may sound like obvious advice for combating germs, but surveys suggest that most of us are not vigilant about washing our hands after using the restroom.
"In order to prevent illness, it's important to wash your hands frequently," Cass says. "During cold and flu season, wash your hands with soap many times during the day because you're in contact with all kinds of pathogens -- door knobs, stair railings, other people. You really want to have clean hands."
According to the CDC, proper hand washing for 20 seconds is the most effective way to avoid the 1 billion colds that Americans catch each year, not to mention other infectious diseases.
Get Your ZZZs
Sleep is one of the best ways to stay healthy, Northrup says. "People who get a solid eight hours per night absolutely do better."
Sleep efficiency is the key, Cohen says. People who get into bed and fall asleep right away and stay asleep are more protected against colds than those who wake up repeatedly through the night.
A good night's sleep will restore the immune system, Northrup says, because when you get a good night's sleep, melatonin levels rise and that improves immunity.
And best of all, there are no side effects.
Don't hate the healthy people. Instead, steal the secrets of people who manage to stay above the sickroom fray and take steps to boost your body's immunity.
Training for the Body
Jennifer Cassetta, a martial arts instructor in New York City, claims she never gets sick, and neither do her father and grandmother, who also teach martial arts. "I believe it is the holistic approach to exercise that calms the mind and relieves stress," she says. "And the cardio, strengthening, and conditioning help boost the immune system."
Cassetta says her health has changed dramatically after she picked up martial arts eight years ago. Before then, she was a smoking, take-out-every-night, espresso-drinking girl in her 20s.
"As I started to train, I started to change my habits drastically," she says. "I cleaned up my diet, trained more, and quit smoking. Now in my 30s, I have more energy, I look better, and am stronger than I ever have been."
One bout of vigorous exercise can increase circulation, says Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom. "Whenever circulation is increased, you get far more white blood cells," she says, "so they check for foreign germs and are far more apt to be able to gobble them up."
Pay Attention to Your Mouth
Chicago public relations consultant Joanna Broussard says gargling regularly with an antiseptic mouthwash has helped improve her dental health and may have helped fend off other illnesses.
Twelve years ago, Broussard's dental hygienist convinced her to gargle consistently after brushing her teeth. "So I made the effort and got into the habit every morning," she says, "Since then I have not had colds. When people all around me have colds or the flu, I seem to be immune."
Another reason to bone up on your brushing and gargling is that poor oral hygiene and gum disease have been linked to more serious illnesses, including diabetes.
An Apple a Day Really Works
Your mom may have been right when she said, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." A natural antioxidant called quercetin, found in red apples as well as broccoli and green tea, may give an immunity boost to individuals under stress.
In a study conducted by David Nieman, PhD, professor at Appalachian State University, results showed that only 5% of cyclists who took 1,000 milligrams of quercetin every day for five weeks reported upper respiratory illness during a two-week period following extreme exercise, whereas 45% of the cyclists who took a placebo reported illness following extreme exercise. However, there were no significant differences in measures of immune system function in the two groups.
Additionally, researchers found that athletes taking the quercetin supplement maintained better mental alertness and reaction time over the placebo group. So go ahead, stock up on those red apples and you may be thanking Mom later.
Don't Worry, Conquer Stress
Stop worrying about getting sick. The fear and expectation of having something adverse happen actually lowers immunity, says Northrup. "When people are worried about it all the time," she says, "they literally scare themselves to death."
Constant worrying causes cortisol and epinephrine levels to rise - and these stress hormones can weaken the body's overall immunity. "The immune system plummets when cortisol levels are chronically high," she says. "Your own body produces high levels of steroids when you're under constant stress."
Up Your Vitamin Intake
We have a worldwide epidemic of vitamin D deficiency, says Northrup. Everybody needs vitamin D, which can be found in foods like sockeye salmon, eggs, and milk.
Hyla Cass, MD, an integrative medical practitioner and author of 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health, adds that certain prescription drugs like acid blockers can deprive the body of nutrients like vitamin D.
Surveys show that Americans don't get enough vitamin C, says Elisabetta Politi, RD, MPH, CDE, nutrition director at the Duke Diet & Fitness Center.
Citrus fruits are a good source of vitamin C. "It's a myth that vitamin C prevents the cold," she says. "But having an appropriate amount of vitamin C from fruits and vegetables can boost immunity."
Mind Over Body
Atlanta interior designer Melissa Galt believes in a "mind over medicine" attitude. "I don't have time for sickness in my life," says Galt, who travels frequently and doesn't take anything to fight germs. "I don't believe in it and don't acknowledge it."
Every thought is accompanied by a chain of biochemical reactions in your body, says Northrup. So a positive attitude can increase levels of nitric oxide, which help to balance neurotransmitters, improve immunity, and increase circulation, she says.
"Whenever nitric oxide levels are high -- from anything ranging from positive thought to exercise -- you're actually improving your resistance to disease," she says.
Just Say Om
Santa Monica, Calif., yoga therapist Felice Rhiannon credits her meditation and breathing practices for improving her physical and emotional health. "Meditation practice helps to calm my nervous system and allows the immune system to function with less interference," she says. For Rhiannon, "A calmer mind means a calmer body."
"The greatest change is in my peace of mind and sense of ease," she says. "I don't get colds as often as I did when I was younger. My sleep is better and my ability to cope with life's inevitable stresses has improved."
In a study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine in 2003, researchers at the University of Wisconsin and Harvard University found that volunteers who participated in eight weeks of mediation training produced significantly more flu-fighting antibodies than those who didn't meditate.
Increase Your Social Ties
There are personality factors associated with individuals who are resistant to getting colds when they're exposed to a virus, says Sheldon Cohen, PhD, professor of psychology at Carnegie Mellon University whose research examines the effects of stress and social support on immunity and health.
For example, extroverts are less likely than introverts to get colds when exposed to a virus. "We actually control for their immunity," he says. "The explanation isn't that extroverts interact with more people, and therefore have immunity to that virus. There's something about being extroverted that seems to protect people."
Having a diverse social network is equally important, says Cohen. Individuals who belong to multiple social groups are less likely to develop colds when exposed to a virus. There's convincing literature in epidemiology that people who have more diverse social networks are also less likely to get heart disease and live longer, he adds.
Accentuate the Positive
Cohen's research suggests that people who have a positive emotional style -- described as happy, enthusiastic, and calm -- are less likely to catch colds.
Cohen and researchers at Carnegie Mellon University interviewed 193 healthy adults daily for two weeks and recorded the positive and negative emotions they experienced each day, and then exposed the volunteers to a cold or flu virus. Those with positive outlooks reported fewer cold symptoms and were more resistant to developing an upper respiratory illness.
"It's a stable characteristic of individuals," he says. "It's not driven by how happy they are on the day they get exposed to the virus."
Wash Your Hands - Over and Over
Hand washing may sound like obvious advice for combating germs, but surveys suggest that most of us are not vigilant about washing our hands after using the restroom.
"In order to prevent illness, it's important to wash your hands frequently," Cass says. "During cold and flu season, wash your hands with soap many times during the day because you're in contact with all kinds of pathogens -- door knobs, stair railings, other people. You really want to have clean hands."
According to the CDC, proper hand washing for 20 seconds is the most effective way to avoid the 1 billion colds that Americans catch each year, not to mention other infectious diseases.
Get Your ZZZs
Sleep is one of the best ways to stay healthy, Northrup says. "People who get a solid eight hours per night absolutely do better."
Sleep efficiency is the key, Cohen says. People who get into bed and fall asleep right away and stay asleep are more protected against colds than those who wake up repeatedly through the night.
A good night's sleep will restore the immune system, Northrup says, because when you get a good night's sleep, melatonin levels rise and that improves immunity.
And best of all, there are no side effects.