In recent years, trans-fat has become synonymous with evil; being linked to things like cancer, heart disease, and now stroke.

Presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2010, expert claims trans-fat increases stroke risk in post-menopausal women

Trans-fat is formed in partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is often used in fried and processed foods, and helps to extend shelf-life.

Researchers followed 87,230 post-menopausal women, ages 50 to 79, and how much trans-fat they consumed. After 7.6 years, 1,049 women had strokes.

Data showed women eating the highest average amount of trans-fat each day – roughly seven grams – were 30% more likely to have a stroke, this compared to women consuming only one gram per day.

In 2008, California became the first state to ban trans-fat in restaurants and retail food stores.

Via Food Navigator.

Image credit: Mykl Roventine

Consuming a Mediterranean diet, hefty in olive oil, fish, grains, and fruits and vegetables, seems to protect the brain from cognitive—i.e. thinking—problems

In a study, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, researchers found Mediterranean-type diets guarded against brain damage linked cognitive problems, and lower risk of depression, cancer, and heart disease.

Scientists looked at 712 men and women, average age of 80, and with no history of stroke; only 238 had some form of brain damage.

After following the participants for six years and studying how closely they adhered to a Mediterranean diet, experts found people eating a very Mediterranean-like diet had fewer brain issues and stroke, and a 36% lower risk of brain damage.

Via HealthDay News.

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Soft drinks and soda—i.e. the most worthless of all foods—could increase your risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer, with only 5% of people surviving five years after diagnosis.

And now, writing in the journal of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, scientists have found soft drinks, like soda and sugar sweetened juices, increase risk of pancreatic cancer.

Studying over 60,000 middle-aged or older Chinese Singaporeans, researchers tracked how much juice and soda people drank on average, following them for 14 years to see how many developed pancreatic cancer.

Data revealed participants who drank two or more sodas a week were 87% more likely to get cancer than those who didn’t drink soda.

So have a Coke and some cancer—not a smile.

Via HealthDay News.

Image credit: NorCal Blogs

No wonder why all those Greek statues look so good. Turns out, all that olive oil and Mediterranean food is really good for you.

The Mediterranean diet, long ballyhooed for health and consisting of foods like fruit, vegetables, legumes, fish, cereals and olive oil, may reduce the risk of stomach cancer.

Writing in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, scientists found among the 485,044 men and women, ages 35 to 70, studied, those more stringently following a Mediterranean diet were less likely to develop gastric cancer.

After nine years, only 449 people got cancer. Researchers note that individuals consuming the most Mediterranean diet were 33% less likely to develop cancer than people straying from the diet.

Scientists used a scale to determined level of Mediterranean diet adherence and it showed that gastric cancer risk fell 5% for every one “point” increase in a participant’s Mediterranean diet score.

But with McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken in Greece, that’s probably all shot to hades now.

Via Reuters.

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You don’t have to be a doctor to know obesity is bad for you; heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, all worsened by being obese.

Now experts think cardiovascular mortality from obesity could be a lot higher than previously thought.

Speculating in the British Medical Journal, researchers claim more respiratory disease and lung cancer deaths could be influenced by obesity than typically reported.

Here’s why. Severe illnesses, like lung cancer, usually cause weight loss, so at the time of death the person is not obese, which creates inaccuracies in the statistics.

Via EurekAlert!

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The United States continues to pack on the pounds, and the cancer rate is growing right along side it.

A report by the American Institute for Cancer Research claims obesity causes 100,000 cases of cancer each year.

With more than 26% of Americans considered obese, and rising, the outlook will most likely get worse.

But the numbers are already pretty scary:

• 20,700 for endometrial cancer

• 5,800 esophageal

• 11,900 pancreatic

• 13,900 kidney

• 2,000 gallbladder

• 33,000 breast

• 13,200 colorectal

Experts urge that when compared to people of healthy weight, obese or overweight individuals have a higher risk of cancer.

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the U.S., and obesity-related medical expenses cost the country $147 billion a year.

Via Reuters.

Image credit: The Tonic