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Polaris of Enlightenment

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

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https://nordictimes.com/health/study-this-ultra-processed-food-is-the-worst/

Health

Study: This ultra-processed food is the worst

Published 13 May 2024
– By Editorial Staff
Ultra-processed meats and sweetened drinks stood out negatively in the study.
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High consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to an increased risk of premature death, according to a major study from several universities. The highest risk is associated with the consumption of processed meat products, sweetened drinks and breakfast cereals.

In the study, published in The BMJ journal, researchers analyzed data from over 100,000 health professionals in the United States between 1984 and 2018. In total, 74,563 women and 39,501 men who had no prior medical history of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or other conditions involving respiratory and neurological diseases participated. Participants provided information about their health and lifestyle every two years and completed a detailed questionnaire every four years about what they ate.

On average, participants ate three portions of some form of ultra-processed food each day, while the group that ate the most could eat seven portions per day. The research was conducted in collaboration with universities in the United States, Brazil, the Netherlands and China, including Harvard University and Nanjing Medical University.

The participants who ate the most ultra-processed food had a 4 percent higher risk of death from any cause, including a 9 percent increased risk of death from neurodegenerative diseases. The results are consistent with other previous studies that have shown that high consumption of ultra-processed food can increase the risk of both disease and early death. For example, an umbrella study from earlier this year by researchers in the US, Australia and Ireland, showed that high consumption increased the risk of anxiety, diabetes and also a 50 percent increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, among other things.

Better and worse alternatives

Dr. Mingyang Song of Harvard University describes the association as “moderate” and says the link differed between ultra-processed foods. Mainly, ultra-processed meat, chicken and fish were correlated with early death, followed by sugar-enriched or artificially sweetened beverages, milk-based desserts and breakfast foods such as cereals.

Song described the association as “moderate”, noting that the link was not as strong for all types of ultra-processed foods.

– The positive association is mainly driven by a few subgroups, including processed meats and sugar-sweetened or artificially sweetened beverages, he told CNN.

The researchers point out that the study’s results show that avoiding ultra-processed foods can be beneficial, but that there are better and worse alternatives if you still insist on eating them.

– Cereals and whole grain breads are also considered ultra-processed foods, but they contain various beneficial nutrients such as fiber, vitamins and minerals, says Song. On the other hand, I think people should try to avoid or limit the consumption of certain ultra-processed foods, such as processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and even potentially artificially sweetened beverages.

However, the most important thing to maintain good health and avoid premature death is to consistently eat as naturally as possible, including plenty of fiber, fruits and vegetables.

– If people maintain a generally healthy diet, I don’t think they need to be afraid or intimidated, says the researcher.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/health/mel-gibson-my-friends-were-cured-of-cancer-with-ivermectin-and-fenbendazole/

Health

Mel Gibson: “My friends were cured of cancer with Ivermectin and Fenbendazole”

Published 14 January 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Gibson himself has an interest in advances in regenerative medicine and stem cell research.
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In a conversation on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, actor and director Mel Gibson shared a story about three of his friends who he said had stage 4 cancer but are now cancer-free.

– I have three friends, all had stage four cancer. None of them have it anymore,” said Gibson. When asked what treatments were used, he replied “Ivermectin and Fenbendazole“.

These drugs are usually anti-parasitic and are mainly used to treat infections in humans and animals. Although Gibson did not go into details about the treatments, he emphasized that the results for his friends were remarkable.

Mr. Gibson also mentioned his interest in medical advances in regenerative medicine and stem cell research. He expressed his fascination with these areas and their potential to improve human health.

Beyond the discussion on health, Gibson reflected on changes in the film industry. He criticized the increased commercialization in Hollywood and highlighted his desire to work on more meaningful projects.

– I want to work on stories that engage and mean something, Gibson said, citing his previous productions as examples. He also mentioned his plans for a sequel to The Passion of the Christ, describing the project as one of his most ambitious ventures to date.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/health/finnish-cancer-expert-put-warning-labels-on-alcohol/

Health

Finnish cancer expert: Put warning labels on alcohol

Published 11 January 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Several experts want alcoholic beverages to have warning labels similar to those on cigarette packs.
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Alcohol causes thousands of cancer cases every year, yet few people are said to be aware of the link. Finnish cancer expert Eeva Ollila wants to see warning labels on alcoholic drinks to raise awareness and improve public health.

The US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, has proposed introducing cancer warnings on alcoholic beverages, similar to those already on cigarettes. He has issued a so-called “strong recommendation”, which is unusual and according to authorities requires immediate attention. Alcohol, according to Murthy, contributes to about 100,000 people contracting cancer and 20,000 dying from the disease in the US each year, reports the BBC.

The link between alcohol and cancer has long been a concern for EU policymakers, and there was a plan to introduce warning labels on alcoholic beverages as early as 2023. However, the plan was never implemented, as many politicians’ attitudes on the issue changed as the 2024 European elections approached, according to former Finland-Swedish MEP Nils Torvalds.

– Many of the MEPs had an election campaign ahead of them and were more worried about their own mandate than about the issues in Parliament, he told Finnish state broadcaster Yle.

Pointing to ignorance

Finnish cancer expert Eeva Ollila, a senior physician at the Finnish Cancer Society, believes that both Finland and the EU should pursue the issue.

– In Finland, alcohol is responsible for 2,100 cancer cases a year, 500 of which result in death. This is remarkable for public health as a whole, he tells the paper.

Ollila believes that product labeling requirements should be introduced, which would include three elements: the risk of cancer, the content of the drink and the amount of calories. She also points out that a major problem is that many people do not know that alcohol causes cancer – according to research, only 20 to 40% of Nordic people know about the link.

– The problem is that people don’t know that alcohol causes cancer. They should have the right to know what they put in their mouths and how it affects their bodies, says Ollila.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/health/danish-study-cows-milk-healthier-than-plant-based/

Health

Danish study: Cow’s milk healthier than plant-based

Published 3 January 2025
– By Editorial Staff
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Cow’s milk contains more protein and essential amino acids compared to plant-based alternatives, according to a Danish study. Cow’s milk also has a lower sugar content.

In the study, published in Food Research International, researchers from the University of Copenhagen analyzed two types of cow’s milk and ten types of different plant-based beverages as alternatives to regular milk. The plant-based drinks included six oat drinks, one soy drink, one rice drink, one almond drink and one drink made from a mixture of soy, rice, almonds and oats.

All the drinks in the study had undergone an ultra-high temperature (UHT) treatment, where the product is heated enough to kill all bacteria. This method allows the products to be stored unopened at room temperature. However, cow’s milk often undergoes low pasteurization, where it is heated at lower temperatures. As plant-based beverages are usually treated with UHT, the researchers chose to compare products with the same type of heat treatment.

More protein

The cow’s milk tested contained 3.4 grams of protein per liter, while eight of the 10 plant-based drinks examined contained only between 0.4 and 1.1 grams of protein per liter.

All plant-based drinks also had a lower content of essential amino acids compared to cow’s milk. In addition, seven out of ten plant-based drinks contained more sugar than cow’s milk.

– Overall, plant-based drinks contain significantly less protein and some of them also contain more sugar than cow’s milk, Marianne Nissen Lund, professor at the Department of Food Science and lead author of the study, told Danish state broadcaster DR.

When foods containing protein and sugar are exposed to heat, a chemical reaction called the Maillard reaction or Maillard effect occurs. This is what makes freshly baked bread smell good or adds extra flavor to the surface of a piece of meat, according to the researchers. At the same time, some of the essential amino acids are converted in this process.

– In this way, there is a clear loss of nutrients, says Nissen Lund.

Not a good source of nutrients

Nissen Lund recommends that consumers generally choose less processed products to benefit both the environment and health. However, she stresses that plant-based milk substitutes are not considered unhealthy, but emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet.

– If you make sure you eat a balanced diet, my assessment is that drinking these plant-based drinks is not problematic. Just don’t think it’s a source of good nutrition.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/health/swedish-study-difficult-pregnancy-linked-to-fewer-children/

Health

Swedish study: Difficult pregnancy linked to having fewer children

Published 27 November 2024
– By Editorial Staff
The number of babies born in Sweden has declined in recent decades and researchers emphasize the importance of better monitoring and follow-up in maternity care.
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Swedish women who suffer severe complications during their first pregnancy are less likely to have more children in the future, according to a study from Karolinska Institutet, Sweden’s leading medical university.

In the study, published in Jama, researchers examined the relationship between severe morbidity in first-time mothers and their likelihood of having more children. The study included over one million women in Sweden who had their first child between 1999 and 2021.

According to the study, 3.5% of women experienced serious complications during their pregnancy. Of these, 12% were less likely to have more children as a result of the complications.

– We found that the likelihood of having more children was significantly lower among women who experienced severe illness during their first pregnancy, childbirth or early postpartum period. These events can often affect women for a long time to come, both physically and psychologically, says Neda Razaz, Associate Professor at Karolinska Institutet and one of the researchers behind the study in a press release.

Fewer children are born

Women who suffered from heart problems, uterine rupture or severe deterioration in their mental state were least likely to have more children. Compared to women without complications, these women were half as likely to have children

Among women who needed ventilator care or suffered a cerebral hemorrhage during their first pregnancy, 40% were less likely to have more children. Complications such as acute renal failure, severe pre-eclampsia and blood clots were also linked to a reduced likelihood of further pregnancies.

The number of births in Sweden has decreased while infertility has increased in recent years and the researchers emphasize the importance of better monitoring and follow-up in maternity care.

– The clinical follow-up of these women is very important and they need individualized counseling about possible future pregnancies, says Eleni Tsamantioti, PhD student at the Department of Medicine at Karolinska Institutet and one of the researchers behind the study.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com