Diseases & Conditions

Eating Red Meat Increases Cancer Risk, Study Shows

National Cancer Institute says the more red meat and processed meat you eat, the greater your risk of getting cancer.

The more red meat and processed meat you eat, the greater your risk of cancer, according to results of a National Cancer Institute study that was published in the December 2007 issue of the online journal PLoS Medicine. In one of the largest studies of its kind, over 500,000 people aged 50-71 were monitored for nearly 8 years to track the connection between eating red meat, processed meats, and cancer.

Warnings About Pain Remedies

In the not-so-distant past, Aspirin was virtually the only non-prescription pain reliever on the market. It was the solution for anything from headaches and fever to cramping and arthritis.

Economic Impact in the U.S. of Five Diet-Related Illnesses

Direct, Indirect Costs

Disease Data Source Cost (In Billions $)
Cardiovascular and stroke (2008)1 American Heart Assn.

The Meat-Cancer Connection

Science continues to support the conclusion that a diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables is ideal for overall health and well-being. In contrast, new evidence is supporting the idea that high-meat diets can lead to cancer.

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Dangers and Natural Alternatives

The newspaper headlines were alarming: "Hormone therapy too risky, study says. Increased chance of cancer among long-term effects." These headlines were no surprise to me, a post-menopausal woman who is part of the nationwide, federally funded study, "Women's Health Initiative." This study started in 1991 and includes 265 women in Hawaii.

Getting to the Heart of the Matter

At the turn of each New Year, many Americans jump on the “self-improvement” wagon. This often entails the hope of getting fit and losing weight because with spring around the corner, the motivation to improve our appearance is very high. But what is often left behind is the hope for something like a healthy heart.

Diabetes and Diet: A Crucial Combination for Health

With the rise in Type II diabetes over the last couple of decades, many people have taken notice of the dangers that are associated with its development as well as some of the potential causes. But many people have yet to understand what leads a body to have difficulties absorbing sugar and what options they have for regaining their health.

Parents Are Key to Reducing Children's Obesity

With January being the traditional month when millions of people rededicate themselves to exercise and healthier diets, it’s a good time to think about it for our children as well. Why? It turns out that parents influence their children’s weight more than one might think. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), the prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 20 years, going from 6.5% in 1980 to 17.0% in 2006. The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 more than tripled, increasing from 5% to 17.6%.1, 2

Farming Animals and the Bird Flu Connection

With a flu pandemic imminent in the eyes of many experts, people around the world are left to question when it might happen and how bad it might become. But it is also important to know how this virus erupted, putting us on the brink of worldwide devastation. While disease is inevitable, we all know that personal lifestyle choices and habits can make a big difference in whether or not we get sick. In the same way, how our society conducts itself and manages the earth’s resources can impact how prevalent a disease becomes for the society as a whole.

Alcohol, Cancer Risk, and the Benefits of Being a Vegetarian

The consumption of alcohol is often argued to be safe and even beneficial for the body.. However, a new CNN report claims that “along with smoking and chronic infections, alcohol consumption is an important cause of several types of cancer.” Recent studies have shown that “excessive drinking raises the risk for cancer of the mouth, larynx, esophagus, colon, liver, and breast. It may also be linked with cancer of the pancreas and lung.”