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May 28, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- SOYA FOODS MAY BENEFIT WOMB
Scientists say soya foods may help reduce the risk of endometrial cancer that affects the lining of the womb. The study of Chinese women, reported in the British Medical Journal, notes soya foods are a rich source of isoflavones, a major group of phytoestrogens, which act like the hormone estrogen in the body. They also contain high amounts of dietary fiber. Researchers interviewed 832 women diagnosed with endometrial cancer between 1997 and 2001 and 846 healthy women. They found in the five-year study regular consumption of soya foods reduced risk of endometrial cancer, particularly among overweight women. Rates of the cancer vary more than 10-fold worldwide, with soya-food-consuming Asian women at lower risk than their Western counterparts, who eat less soya, the authors said.
ACNE MYTHS DEMYSTIFIED
Dermatologists say too many teens make their acne worse by believing in such myths as the skin disorder is caused by insufficient washing. University of Alabama, Birmingham, dermatologist Dr. Julie Harper, director of a new acne treatment clinic, says, in fact, teens may get the unsightly skin condition because they are washing too often with harsh scrubs that exacerbate the symptoms. She says she still hears of physicians advising patients to avoid chocolate and soft drinks, even though studies have shown hormones are responsible for most cases of acne. "Up to 90 percent of teenagers develop some level of acne; about 30 percent seek medical treatment," Harper said. If regular treatment fails to do the job, there are procedures such as scar removal, punch grafting and derma-sanding therapy to correct long-term results of acne, she said.
TRAVEL TIPS FOR PEOPLE WITH BOWEL DISORDERS
Doctors say people with irritable bowel syndrome can take steps to enjoy travel, such as allowing extra time for a trip or sitting close to restrooms. A recent survey of 1,000 Americans, conducted by the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, shows 23 percent of those suffering from IBS symptoms canceled a vacation and 58 percent avoided travel at least once during the previous year. That need not be the case, says Nancy Norton, foundation president and founder. Travel tips for those with bowel problems include: Bring a change of clothes in case luggage is lost; in a plane, sit on an aisle for easy and fast access to the restroom; consider driving instead of flying; on a long trip, know distances between rest areas; avoid lodging where multiple rooms share a single restroom; avoid foods and beverages that can aggravate your symptoms; learn how to ask where the restroom is in the local language; have change for pay toilets; take documentation for refilling prescriptions; carry medication with you; and, bring your doctor's contact information.
VITAMIN CAN HELP PREVENT EYE DISEASE
Scientists say Ocuvite PreserVision eye vitamin and mineral supplements can reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration progressing to blindness. The degenerative retinal disease, which can cause a loss of central vision, affects some 13 million Americans. It is the leading cause of blindness in those over 65 and the leading cause of severe vision loss in those over 55. A nine-year study by Duke University researchers showed the incidence of the disorder among seniors increased five-fold, from 5 percent to 27 percent, over that period. The study also showed a special formulation of high-potency vitamins and minerals helped preserve sight by reducing the risk of the disease progression to the advanced stage by 25 percent and the risk of associated vision loss by 19 percent. The product is now available from Bausch & Lomb.
(Editors: For more information about SOYA, Emma Dickinson at +44 (0)20 7383 6529 or edickinson@bmj.com. For ACNE, Hank Black at (205) 934-8938 or hblack@uab.edu. For BOWEL, Jack Segal at (312) 297-7425 or jack.segal@edelman.com. For EYE, Gail Anderson at 888-633-4279, ext. 216 or ganderson@mediarelations.com)
Copyright 2004 by United Press International.
