Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives is associated with an increased risk of brain tumors

Posted: 22 Jan 2015 01:00 AM PST

Taking a hormonal contraceptive for at least five years is associated with a possible increase in a young woman's risk of developing a rare tumour, glioma of the brain. This project focussed on women aged 15-49 years and the findings are published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol is linked to reduced risk of heart failure

Posted: 20 Jan 2015 01:00 AM PST

Evidence already exists for the beneficial effects of drinking moderate amounts of alcohol on the risk of developing a number of heart conditions; however, the role it plays in the risk of developing heart failure has been under-researched with conflicting results. Now, a large study of nearly 15,000 men and women, published online in the European Heart Journal, shows that drinking up to seven drinks a week in early to middle age is associated with a 20% lower risk of men developing heart failure in the future when compared to people who did not drink at all, and a more modest 16% reduced risk for women.

Vitamin D protects against colorectal cancer by boosting the immune system

Posted: 19 Jan 2015 01:00 AM PST

A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators demonstrates that vitamin D can protect some people with colorectal cancer by perking up the immune system's vigilance against tumor cells. The research, published by the journal Gut, represents the first time that a link between vitamin D and the immune response to cancer has been shown in a large human population.

An avocado a day keeps the cardiologist away

Posted: 07 Jan 2015 11:00 PM PST

Adding an avocado to your daily diet may help lower bad cholesterol, in turn reducing risk for heart disease, according to health researchers. Avocados are known to be a nutrient-dense food, high in monounsaturated fatty acids. Previous studies have suggested that avocados are a cholesterol-lowering food, but this is the first study - to the researchers' knowledge - to look at health implications of avocados beyond monounsaturated fatty acids.

Blueberries: Small fruit delivers big reward

Posted: 09 Jan 2015 01:00 AM PST

Thinking about topping your morning cereal with a cup of blueberries? Just one cup of blueberries per day could be the key to reducing blood pressure and arterial stiffness, both of which are associated with cardiovascular disease. "Our findings suggest that regular consumption of blueberries could potentially delay the progression of prehypertension to hypertension, therefore reducing cardiovascular disease risk,"

Researchers dispute warning that drugs for high cholesterol could impair memory, cognitive function

Posted: 13 Jan 2015 02:00 AM PST

Researchers question whether there is substance to the US Food and Drug Agency's recent warning that statins could affect the memory, attention span and other cognitive abilities of people who take this drug to control high cholesterol. This follows a systematic review of 25 clinical trials incorporating nearly 47,000 people.