What's In Your Meat?

A new study from Translational Genomics Research Institute in Arizona has found that almost half of the meat found in U.S. grocery stores is contaminated with high levels of bacteria. Meat was sampled from 26 grocery stores all over the United States, and tests showed high levels of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that causes food-borne illness in thousands of Americans every year, and even some deaths. The study also found that 96% of the meat with Staph bacteria was resistant to antibiotics. Turkey was the most resistant, followed by pork, beef, and chicken. The cause for this resistance is directly related to antibiotic use in the food that is fed to these factory farmed animals. Dr. Lance Price, a researcher on the study, said that this antibiotic resistance in meat is one of the biggest threats to public health, and an issue that should not be taken lightly.

A Vegetarian Diet Is Easy On The Eyes

According to a new study from the University of Oxford, people who follow a vegetarian diet have the lowest risk of developing cataracts later in life. The dietary intakes and medical history of 27,600 people forty years or older was collected over the course of fifteen years. Results showed that those who ate the most meat (more than 3.5 ounces of meat daily) had the highest risk for developing cataracts, while those who consumed moderate amounts of meat had a slightly lower risk. Those who included seafood in their diets had a 15% lower risk compared to meat eaters, vegetarians had a 30% lower risk, and vegans had a 40% lower risk. The results of the study do not specify whether foregoing meat, the higher intake of fruits and vegetables, or a combination of both provides the benefit to vision. But they do show that the risk of developing cataracts is significantly lower for vegetarians.

Sleep Tight With Magnesium

According to a new study from the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center in North Dakota, taking magnesium supplements reduces inflammation and improves sleep quality. In the study, 100 adults with a history of poor sleep quality were given either 320 miligrams/day of magnesium or placebos. Before the study began, all participants' dietary intake, BMI, and blood and urine values were assessed. Results showed that 60% of the participants were magnesium deficient and experiencing inflammatory conditions. For those who were low in magnesium at the beginning of the study, supplementation increased blood magnesium levels, decreased inflammation, and improved sleep quality.

Some magnesium-rich foods to add to your diet:
Halibut
Spinach
Nuts
Peanut butter
Brown rice
Lentils
Avocado
Kidney Beans

"Keeping Up" With Men At The Bar Dangerous For Women's Brains

A recent study conducted in Sweden found that four years of excessive drinking in women led to the same brain function deterioration that occurred in men who had been abusing alcohol for twelve years. These findings also suggest that depression and anxiety seen in those who drink excessively may be linked to this significant loss of serotonin in the brain.

Anti-Cancer Benefits Of The Sunshine Vitamin

According to a new Harvard study, increased levels of vitamin D may decrease the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Data was collected from over 150 people over the course of 14 years, and indicated that people with a vitamin D deficiency were 30% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, compared with those who had adequate levels of vitamin D. This new research adds to the constantly growing list of potential anti-cancer benefits of vitamin D.

Low Levels Of Vitamin D May Lead To Diabetes

A new study found that obese children with low levels of vitamin D had a higher risk of developing insulin resistance and diabetes. The research looked at vitamin D levels in both obese and non-obese children in the United States, and concluded that the levels were significantly lower in obese children, and therefore those children had higher degrees of insulin resistance. Dr. Micah Olson, the lead author of the study, said, "Although our study cannot prove causation, it does suggest that low vitamin D levels may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes." Future research will look into the required amount and duration of vitamin D treatment necessary to replenish the deficiency, and whether increasing vitamin D levels can reverse the damage and
diminish insulin resistance in obese children.

Breast Cancer Survivors Can Greatly Benefit From Exercise

A recent study conducted at the University of Missouri found that the benefits of exercise outweigh the risks for breast cancer survivors who suffer from a chronic swelling condition called lymphedema. Lymphedema can occur any time after cancer treatment, and is usually caused by the removal or radiation of lymph nodes as part of the treatment process. Approximately three million people in the United States are affected by this condition, and most have been told that exercise can induce or worsen the issue. However, this new research suggests that exercise is actually very beneficial for breast cancer survivors. Jane Armer, professor in the Sinclair School for Nursing, says, “Each individual should balance the pros and cons of the activity she chooses, but keep in mind that being sedentary has risks and being active is beneficial in many ways, including possibly reducing the risk of cancer recurrence."