Health A-Z

Study Finds Texting, Dialing Dangerous While Driving, Talking Less So

A sophisticated, real-world study confirms that dialing, texting or reaching for a cellphone while driving raises the risk of a crash or near-miss, especially for younger drivers. But the research also produced a surprise: Simply talking on the phone did not prove dangerous, as it has in other studies.

This one did not distinguish between handheld and hands-free devices — a major weakness.

And even though talking doesn’t require drivers to take their eyes off the road, it’s hard to talk on a phone without first reaching for it or dialing a number —things that raise the risk of a crash, researchers note.

Earlier work with simulators, test-tracks and cellphone records suggests that risky driving increases when people are on cellphones, especially teens. The 15-to-20-year-old age group accounts for 6 percent of all drivers but 10 percent of traffic deaths and 14 percent of police-reported crashes with injuries.

For the new study, researchers at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute installed video cameras, global positioning systems, lane trackers, gadgets to measure speed and acceleration, and other sensors in the cars of 42 newly licensed drivers 16 or 17 years old, and 109 adults with an average of 20 years behind the wheel.

The risk of a crash or near-miss among young drivers increased more than sevenfold if they were dialing or reaching for a cellphone and fourfold if they were sending or receiving a text message. The risk also rose if they were reaching for something other than a phone, looking at a roadside object or eating.

Among older drivers, only dialing a cellphone increased the chances of a crash or near miss. However, that study began before texting became more common, so researchers don’t know if it is as dangerous for them as it is for teens.

Engaging in distractions increased as time went on among novice drivers but not among experienced ones.

The National Institutes of Health and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration paid for the research. Results are in Thursday’s New England Journal of Medicine.

David Strayer, a University of Utah scientist who has done research on this topic, said the findings that merely talking on a phone while driving was not dangerous is “completely at odds with what we found.”

The study methods and tools may have underestimated risks because video cameras capture wandering eyes but can’t measure cognitive distraction, he said.

“You don’t swerve so much when you’re talking on a cellphone; you just might run through a red light,” and sensors would not necessarily pick up anything amiss unless a crash occurred, Strayer said.

As for texting, “we all agree that things like taking your eyes off the road are dangerous,” he said.

At least 12 states ban the use of hand-held cellphones while driving and 41 ban text messaging. All cellphone use is banned by 37 states for novice or teen drivers, says the National Conference of State Legislatures, citing information from the Governor’s Highway Safety Administration.

Source: NBC Bay area

Medicaid expansion increased visits to emergency rooms

People newly enrolled in a health insurance program for the poor were more likely to visit the emergency department for care than people who remained uninsured, Boston-area researchers have found, providing the best evidence to date that the national Medicaid expansion that began this week is unlikely to lead to a decline in costly emergency services.

The study was published online Thursday by the journal Science, just as millions of Americans have become newly eligible for Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Some politicians have suggested that people who were uninsured and didn’t have a regular doctor or put off basic treatment until their condition became serious, would, once they had coverage, get the primary care they needed to avoid trips to the emergency department.

Previous research on what happened to ER usage in Massachusetts, which expanded its Medicaid program and mandated that most residents have health insurance in 2006, have reached conflicting conclusions. But the new study, of about 25,000 low-income adults randomly selected in 2008 to enroll in Oregon’s Medicaid program, found that the newly insured increased their use of all types of medical care, including prescription drugs, hospital stays, and outpatient visits. Emergency department visits were no exception.

Over an 18-month period, about 42 percent of the new Medicaid enrollees visited the emergency department. In the same period, about 35 percent of those who did not receive Medicaid visited the emergency department.

“Basic economic theory is, if you lower the price, people use it more,” said Amy Finkelstein, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology economist and a senior author on the paper.

It was not a foregone conclusion in this case, however, that reducing the cost of an emergency room visit would increase use, she said, because the cost of a visit to a primary care doctor and of preventive services that may have helped them avoid the emergency room also decreased with insurance coverage.

Yet, emergency department use among those on Medicaid increased during businesses hours, nights, and weekends. While there was no increase in visits classified as non-preventable emergencies, there was an increase for visits deemed preventable or treatable by a primary care doctor.

A 2011 study found that overall emergency department visits increased in Massachusetts in the two years after the state expanded insurance coverage under the 2006 state health care law, though visits for “low severity” problems declined slightly. Dr. Peter Smulowitz, an emergency physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and lead author on that study, said he and colleagues have more recently reviewed emergency department use across Massachusetts and found a small increase in pockets of the state that had seen the largest gains in insurance coverage. The study is pending publication.

Data published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2011, however, found that ER usage was already increasing in Massachusetts and nearby states before the expansion of health insurance coverage here, and that the law did not change the trend in Massachusetts when compared to the other states.

The Oregon study is unique in that it is a randomized controlled study, considered the gold standard in medical research but rarely feasible in health policy research. The state of Oregon created a valuable study scenario when, because the state had money only for a small expansion of the program, it held a lottery for Medicaid coverage, providing insurance to some people and leaving others uninsured.

Past work by principal investigators Finkelstein and Katherine Baicker, a professor of health economics at Harvard School of Public Health, and their colleagues at the National Bureau of Economic Research in Cambridge has found that the lottery winners were more likely to report feeling better about their mental and physical health and had less financial strain, including fewer bills sent to collection. But there was no improvement in key health factors, such as blood pressure or blood sugar levels, as compared with the uninsured.

With the latest study, Baicker said, the body of research out of Oregon has disproved both the worst and best predictions for Medicaid — that it is an expensive program that does little to improve access to care and overall health, or alternatively, that it is a money-saving program that clearly improves health. The results are far more nuanced.

“Policymakers should make decisions based on this evidence that the program has real costs. It’s not free,” she said. “And, it has real benefits. Beneficiaries are clearly better off.”

Source: the boston globe

Jahi McMath family, hospital to meet for settlement talks

A federal magistrate has ordered settlement talks between attorneys for Children’s Hospital Oakland and the family of a 13-year-old girl who has been declared brain dead.

U.S. Magistrate Donna Ryu will meet in her Oakland courtroom Friday with both sides in hopes of brokering a deal in the ongoing legal fight over Jahi McMath. A separate hearing has been scheduled Friday before Judge Evelio Grillo of Alameda County Superior Court in Oakland.

Jahi’s family has accused the hospital of denying the girl a tracheostomy tube that is required to transfer her to another site, as well as withholding the insertion of a feeding tube that will provide her nutrition. They maintain that she is not dead because her heart is still beating and she is hooked up to a ventilator.

Hospital representatives have said that they’ve never objected to the girl receiving a tracheostomy but would not allow the procedure done in its hospital or performed by its staff because of the ethical and legal issues related to operating on a deceased person.

The hospital’s doctors declared Jahi dead on Dec. 12, three days after she underwent a tonsillectomy that resulted in complications.

The hospital would arrange for Jahi to be moved to another site for the procedure, or for long-term care, but has not heard from any facility, doctor or medical transport service regarding her case, hospital spokesman Sam Singer said.

Christopher Dolan, attorney for Jahi’s family, has filed requests in three separate courts seeking orders to force the hospital to insert tracheostomy and feeding tubes, but judges have declined to do so.

In court papers filed in federal court Thursday, Dolan again asked for an order for the tubes to be inserted.

“At this point, Jahi has not had nutrition for nearly three weeks,” he wrote. “She is in desperate need of a tracheostomy tube and a gastric tube.. This court should grant plaintiff the relief to allow for Jahi’s transport.”

Grillo has issued a restraining order that prevents the hospital from disconnecting Jahi from a ventilator until at least 5 p.m. Tuesday.

At 1 p.m. on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong in Oakland is expected to hear arguments about possible violations of Jahi’s civil rights, and the rights of families – not doctors, lawyers or politicians – to determine a loved one’s death, based on their religious or personal beliefs.

Source: SF gate

5 New Things to Do with Avocado

Creamy, delicious avocados are a healthy way to add tons of nutrients and flavor to your meals, from breakfast to dessert. Full of monounsaturated fat, fiber, and vitamins, this versatile super fruit can be used in so many ways, both in and out of the kitchen, as these recipes prove.

1. Avocado and Smoked Salmon on Toast:
Streamline your morning routine with this quick breakfast. It provides healthy fats from the avocado, protein from the smoked salmon, and tons of flavor from the tamari and lemon.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:
2 slices gluten-free bread
1 ripe avocado, halved
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 dash tamari soy sauce
Pepper
2 slices smoked salmon

Directions:
Toast bread. In a small bowl, use a fork to mash avocado with lemon juice, tamari, and pepper to taste. Spread avocado mixture on toast and top with salmon.

Nutrition score per serving: 297 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated), 31g carbs, 9g protein, 8g fiber, 420mg sodium, 4g sugars

2. Simple Avocado Quinoa Salad

Combine quinoa, kale, and of course avocado for a super salad. This makes a perfect side dish or lunch for a summer picnic.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:
3 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
1 Fuji apple, thinly sliced into half moons
2 cups purple or Lacinato kale leaves, chopped into ribbons
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons honey
1 pinch sea salt
1 avocado, cubed
1/4 cup crumbled feta or chevre (optional)

Directions:
1. In a large salad bowl, toss quinoa, onions, apple, and kale to combine.
2. Drizzle in lemon juice, oil, honey, and salt, and toss to coat well.
3. Gently fold in avocado and feta, if using. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition score per serving: 293 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated), 35g carbs, 6g protein, 7g fiber, 72mg calcium, 97mg sodium

3. Avocado Chocolate Smoothie

This smoothie was inspired by my friend Kim Barnouin, author of Skinny Bitch. Ever since I had an avocado chocolate mousse at one of her dinner parties, I can’t get enough of the unique, delicious combination.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
2 tablespoons dark unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons agave nectar
1 frozen banana
1 cup ice
1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Nutrition score per serving: 306 calories, 17g fat (3g saturated), 42g carbs, 4g protein, 11g fiber, 124mg calcium, 101mg sodium, 24g sugars

The enzymes and oils in avocado can help restore moisture in dry skin. Grab a good book, a cup of tea, and relax while these all-natural beauty treatments work their magic.

4. Candice’s Sweet Avo-Honey Mask: In a small bowl, use a fork to mash 1/4 avocado. Stir in 2 teaspoons honey and apply to your face with clean hands. After 10 minutes, rinse off with warm water.

Candice’s 20-Minute Miracle Mask: In a small bowl, use a fork to mash 1/4 avocado. Stir in 1 tablespoon egg whites and 1/2 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, mixing until very creamy. Apply to your face with clean hands. After 20 minutes, rinse off with warm water.

This smoothie was inspired by my friend Kim Barnouin, author of Skinny Bitch. Ever since I had an avocado chocolate mousse at one of her dinner parties, I can’t get enough of the unique, delicious combination.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
2 tablespoons dark unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons agave nectar
1 frozen banana
1 cup ice
1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Nutrition score per serving: 306 calories, 17g fat (3g saturated), 42g carbs, 4g protein, 11g fiber, 124mg calcium, 101mg sodium, 24g sugars

The enzymes and oils in avocado can help restore moisture in dry skin. Grab a good book, a cup of tea, and relax while these all-natural beauty treatments work their magic.

Source: shape

 

GMO-free Cheerios coming soon to grocery shelves

General Mills says some Cheerios made without genetically modified ingredients will start appearing on shelves soon.

The Minneapolis-based company said Thursday that it has been manufacturing its original-flavor Cheerios without GMOs for the past several weeks in response to consumer demand. It did not specify exactly when those boxes would be on sale.

Original Cheerios will now be labeled as “Not Made With Genetically Modified Ingredients,” although that it is not an official certification. The labels will also note that trace amounts of GMO ingredients could be present due to the manufacturing process, said Mike Siemienas, a company spokesman.

The change does not apply to any other Cheerios flavors, such as Apple Cinnamon Cheerios or Multi Grain Cheerios.

“We were able to do this with original Cheerios because the main ingredients are oats,” said Siemienas, noting that there are no genetically modified oats. The company is primarily switching the cornstarch and sugar to make the original Cheerios free of GMOs, he said.

The change comes after the group Green America started a campaign called GMO Inside asking General Mills to make Cheerios GMO-free. The group noted in a statement that its campaign prompted fans to flood the Cheerios page on Facebook with comments on the topic.

Todd Larsen, Green America’s corporate responsibility director, said in a statement that the move is “an important victory in getting GMOs out of our food supply and an important first step for General Mills.”

As for other varieties of Cheerios, Siemienas said they are harder to make GMO-free because they are made with ingredients such as corn.

There has been little scientific evidence showing that foods grown from engineered ingredients are less safe than their conventional counterparts. But consumers have expressed concerns about the long-term impact they could have.

Source: One news story

Low oxygen bad for breast cancer patients

Breast cancer cells, when exposed to low oxygen conditions, trigger the production of two proteins that make the cancer cells spread fast — making the patient’s condition worse, a new paper has contended.

Researchers at The Johns Hopkins University reached the conclusion that low oxygen conditions, frequently present in breast cancers, facilitates the production of RhoA and ROCK1 proteins that, in turn, endow the cancer cells with the ability to move.

“High levels of RhoA and ROCK1 were known to worsen outcomes for breast cancer patients by endowing cancer cells with the ability to move, but the trigger for their production was a mystery,” said Gregg Semenza, Professor of Medicine at The Johns Hopkins University.

The researchers found that women with high levels of RhoA or ROCK1, and especially those women with high levels of both, were more likely to die of breast cancer than those with low levels.

“We now know that the production of these proteins increases dramatically when breast cancer cells are exposed to low oxygen conditions,” said the paper, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

With the multiplying of tumour cells, the interior of the tumour begins to run out of oxygen simply because they are not being supplied by blood vessels.

“The lack of oxygen activates the hypoxia-inducible factors, which are master control proteins that switch on many genes that help cells adapt to the scarcity of oxygen,” explained Semenza.

Hypoxia refers to a condition in which the body or a part of the body is deprived of adequate supply of oxygen.

Hypoxia-inducible factors also turn on genes that help cancer cells escape from the oxygen-starved tumour by invading blood vessels, through which they spread to other parts of the body, the paper added.

Here is a breather, though.

“We have successfully decreased the mobility of breast cancer cells in the lab by using genetic tricks to knock the hypoxia-inducible factors down,” said Daniele Gilkes, lead author of the paper.

“Now that we understand the mechanism at play, we hope that clinical trials will be performed to test whether drugs that inhibit hypoxia-inducible factors will have the double effect of blocking production of RhoA and ROCK1 and preventing metastases in women with breast cancer,” Gilkes added.

Source: Pak tribune

Avoid These Unhealthy “Health Foods”

It’s important to make health choices that benefit the long-term well-being of not only our children, but also the beloved seniors in our lives. This is just one of the steps we can take to help each generation lead healthy lives, from childhood through the golden years.

1. Canned Soup and Beans

Okay, so canned soup is probably not a surprise. Most of us know that canned soup typically contains large amounts of processed salt, MSG, additives as well as genetically engineered ingredients. But what some of us may not know is that many companies still use cans with bisphenol-A (BPA) in the lining. And this chemical has been identified as an endocrine disruptor as it can mimic or interfere with you body’s hormones and “disrupt” your endocrine system. This is why canned beans can also be harmful. So why not pull out your crock pot and make homemade stew, soup or beans? Making homemade soup can be easy and ensure you know what you’re putting in your body. And shopping at Whole Foods, PCC or other healthy markets offers many choices for healthy, natural bean choices that offer high-protein.

2. Breakfast Cereal

Most cereals are a combination of high-fructose corn syrup and genetically engineered corn, which does not offer the fiber and grain that many promise. Eating homemade oatmeal or muesli is a much healthier option (and you can also add fresh fruit to make it even more tasty!).

3. Microwave Popcorn

We did a post about dementia causing chemicals in food, including buttered popcorn, back in August. But it gets worse. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is used in the liner of microwave popcorn bags. What we have not been told is that the chemical can leak into the popcorn, when heated. PFOAs have been linked to infertility, among other health problems. Popping popcorn on the stove top is not only a healthy alternative, it can also be fun. And coconut oil, sea salt and other healthy alternatives can be used to season.

4. Bottled Water

Bottled water is supposedly health, right? Well according to Environmental Working Group, chemical pollutants, contaminants and even bacteria were found in 10 popular brands of bottled water. Not only that, he FDA only regulates 30-40% of bottled water, which means there’s only a small percentage tested. Not only that, phthalate, a chemical group used to make the plastic bottles for bottled water, can leech into the water and is a potential cancer-causing agent. The alternative? Installing a high-quality water filter for your tap or home.

5. Fruit Juice

Even though many juice brands claim to contain 100% or even 80% juice, this is not really the case after it is packaged. Not only does the flavor come courtesy of professional flavor, fruit juice is also notoriously high in fructose—whether it’s from added high fructose corn syrup or naturally-occurring fructose in the fruit. If you must drink juice, add filtered water to it. At least that way you’re getting more water.

6. Yogurt

This one surprised me. As a woman, I’ve always been told to eat yogurt for its “active cultures” and healthful bacteria (probiotics). However, pasteurized products will not provide you with these health benefits, as the pasteurization process destroys most of the precious enzymes and other nutrients. Some products at your local healthy food market, such as PCC or Whole Foods, as mentioned above contain the real deal. Fortunately you can also make your own yogurt at home and add fresh fruit and granola to make your taste buds dance.

7. Diet Soda

And last, but not least—diet soda! Yes, we already know soda is bad for us. But it’s actually downright scary how bad. And diet soda is no better. A 2002 UCLA study found that consuming excessive amounts of sugar reduces the production of the brain chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). “Without BDNF, our brains can’t form new memories and we can’t learn (or remember) much of anything,” according to an article in Forbes magazine. Not only that, low BDNF levels are linked to depression, dementia and many other health problems—including a resistance to insulin and the body’s natural mechanism for knowing when to stop eating. And it only gets worse; soda is also linked to dental, heart, kidney, lung, bone and digestive system problems. And diet soda drinks usually include the artificial sweetener and food additive aspartame, which contains excitotoxin, or substances added to certain foods and beverages that can cause nerve, and gradual damage to your brain. This nerve damage can actually lead to forms of dementia. So why not lower your risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia? All you have to do is stop drinking soda and diet soda.

Source: A place for mom

11 Tips Stick To Your New Year’s Fitness Resolutions

Every year, on January 1, we vow to make the year ahead our healthiest and fittest yet! But somehow that resolve disintegrates as the days, weeks and months go by, and life starts “getting in the way.”

Start fresh in 2014 and follow these simple tips to help you stay on board your very own fitness bandwagon! You can do it!

1. Get real.

Wellness doesn’t happen overnight, so be patient with yourself! Long-term results are best achieved through small, gradual changes. Want to lose 10 pounds? Aim for ½-1 pound a week. Want to run a 5K? Start by running 1-2 miles every few days. If you go all out and push yourself too hard, too fast, you may find it difficult to maintain new habits and end up giving up altogether.

2. Make a date with yourself.

You’re busy, understood. Assess your schedule and figure out where exercise can fit into it. Even when things get really hectic, there’s always a little time to spare somewhere. Then make dates with yourself and stick to them. When you’re overwhelmed by commitments, routine can help you stay on track.

3. Keep it fresh.

No matter how and when you choose to move your body, it should be enjoyable and for the purpose of celebrating it, not punishing it. Hate the treadmill? Try a Zumba or Bar Method class. If you’re already going to the gym regularly but find it hard to stay motivated, try something new to revive your resolve and boost your fitness level.

4. Pair up to pare down.

Ask a friend or your significant other to go on a hike with you or to join you for a yoga class. Having a “partner in crime” not only makes exercising more fun but it also helps keep you accountable… Even better, research shows that couples who work out together develop a stronger bond.

5. Have a plan B.

Last minute obligations are bound to pop up on occasion, making it difficult for you to stick to your gym routine and other healthy practices. Be prepared for those moments by keeping your running shoes under your desk or in your car, and stash some nutritious bites in your purse.

6. Give yourself a break.

Everyone gets sick once in a while or has a totally crazy-busy day. When going to the gym is the last thing you feel like doing or you couldn’t resist that mid-afternoon brownie, don’t beat yourself up! Tomorrow is another day. And remember: moderation is the key to healthy and long-lasting results.

7. Ditch fad diets.

Fat-free snacks, 100-calorie packs, energy bars… These so called “health foods” are not real foods. They’re addictive, chemical and preservative-laden products that con our brains into thinking we’re full, yet leave us feeling ravenous again in no time.

8. Instead of fake, overly processed “diet” foods, eat real foods.

Make sure they’re made from fresh, whole, minimally processed ingredients. And lastly, never starve yourself. Restrictive eating slows down your metabolism and deprivation only leads to cravings and future binges.

9. Pay tribute to H2O!

For peak performance and energy, and to reduce cravings, drink plenty of water, or other unsweetened beverages like green tea throughout the day. Aim for two big bottles a day.

10. Dream on.

It’s called beauty sleep for a reason. Skimping on sleep can work against you and cause weight gain by raising appetite-stimulating hormones, such as cortisol. Besides, the better rested you are, the more likely you are to get up and hit the gym! Aim for a minimum of 6-8 hours of precious slumber a night.

11. Spoil yourself.

Whether it’s dropping a dress size, running an extra mile or trying a new exercise class, celebrate each milestone you reach. Regular post-workout treats, like a latte or a mani can motivate you to exercise longer and more frequently. The key is to remember to keep these small and healthy so you don’t cancel out all your efforts!

Source:

Flu season kicks in, affect younger adults

The new flu season is ramping up across the U.S. with growing reports of illness — particularly in the south — chiefly caused by the H1N1 bug that is more likely to sicken younger adults than the elderly, health officials said Friday.

Flu activity is increasing nationwide and is already high in six states: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma and Missouri, officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

For the first time since the 2009 influenza pandemic, H1N1 is the dominant circulating flu strain early in the season, CDC officials said. While most flu strains predominantly sicken the elderly and those with existing health problems, that strain mostly sickens younger adults, those ages 18 to 49, and middle-aged folks, ages 49 to 64.

CDC officials warned earlier this week that they have already received “a number” of reports of serious respiratory illness and death in young and middle-aged adults, including many infected with H1N1 flu. In Texas, where flu is widespread in all areas, a 17-year-old with underlying health problems died, health officials said.

“It’s a reminder that flu can be a serious disease,” said Dr. Joseph Bresee, a CDC flu expert.

So far, there have been no significant changes in the H1N1 flu viruses to suggest they’re spreading more easily or have become more virulent, but CDC officials said they’re monitoring for any signs.

It’s still too soon to tell how serious this year’s flu season will be, or how well this year’s vaccine matches the strains that are actually going around, Bresee said. But, he added, a flu shot is still the best way to avoid illness.

CDC recommends that everyone older than 6 months get a flu shot every year. Federal officials reported earlier this month that flu vaccinations kept nearly 80,000 people out of the hospital last year and prevented 6.6 million cases of the flu.

On average, CDC says 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu each season — ranging from 158,000 people hospitalized in 1990-1991 to 431,000 in 1997-1998. Flu vaccine also may prevent other conditions, such as heart disease, studies show. Flu season typically peaks in January and February.

Still, many Americans, particularly young adults, tend not to get vaccinated.

Source: Nbc news

Antioxidant-rich foods may reduce cataract risk

Women who eat foods rich in antioxidants may have a lower risk of cataracts as they age, according to a new Swedish analysis.

“Oxidative damage of the eye lens caused by free radicals has been suggested to be crucial in development of cataract,” said Susanne Rautiainen of the Institute of Environmental Medicine at the Karolinska Institutet, who led the study.

Her team looked at the diets of more than 30,000 middle aged and older women, and found those with the highest total intake of antioxidants had about a 13 percent lower risk of developing cataracts than women who consumed the least.

“Previous studies have focused on individual antioxidants obtained from the diet or supplements and they have reported inconsistent results,” Rautiainen said. “However, in diet much wider ranges of antioxidants are present than those studied previously.”

Instead of looking at single antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, and plant flavonoids such as lycopene, the researchers used a measure of total antioxidant values in foods, which takes into account how the nutrients work together.

For the study, more than 30,000 Swedish women over age 49 were observed for about 7 years for signs of developing cataracts, and were given a dietary questionnaire.

Foods high in antioxidants include coffee, tea, oranges, whole grains and red wine.

Antioxidants in diet may not protect against dementia, stroke after all Green tea, coffee may reduce stroke risk by 20 percent
Apple a day may keep heart attacks, stroke at bay.  Based on total antioxidant consumption, the researchers divided the women into five groups, ranging from the greatest antioxidant intake to the least. Among those who ate the most antioxidants, 745 cases of cataract were recorded, compared to 953 cases among women with the lowest antioxidant consumption.

The results were published in JAMA Ophthalmology.

Women who ate more antioxidants also tended to be more educated and were less likely to smoke.

More than 20 million Americans aged 40 years and older have cataracts, which cause clouded vision and eventually blindness, in one or both eyes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The results are not that surprising,” William Christen said.

Christen, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, studies eye diseases and vitamins and was not involved in the new study.

The findings are in line with previous research suggesting antioxidants may help protect against cataracts, but the study has limitations, he cautioned.

“The women participants simply reported on a questionnaire the food choices they made over the past year,” Christen said. “As an observational study, there is always concern that women who choose healthier diets may also differ in other important ways, like body weight, smoking habits, aspects of the diet other than antioxidants, that may be more directly related to cataract risk.”

Rautiainen suspects the results would be similar among men and in other countries, but can’t say for sure until those studies have been done.

Colorful fruits and vegetables are the best source of antioxidants for people who want to increase their intake, she said.

“Results of numerous observational studies have suggested a possible beneficial role for high antioxidant intake in a number of age-related disorders,” Christen said. But in most randomized controlled trials, which would better isolate the effects of antioxidants alone, the link has not held up, he said

Source: cbs news