Drinking coffee significantly reduces the risk of advanced prostate cancer, according to Harvard researchers.

“Coffee has effects on insulin and glucose metabolism as well as sex hormone levels, all of which play a role in prostate cancer,” explains lead author Kathryn M. Wilson, Ph.D.

In a prospective investigation of nearly 50,000 men, Dr. Wilson and colleagues found that men who drank the most coffee had a 60% lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer than men who did not drink any coffee.

“Few studies have looked prospectively at this association, and none have looked at coffee and specific prostate cancer outcomes,” says Dr. Wilson. “We specifically looked at different types of prostate cancer, such as advanced versus localized cancers or high-grade versus low-grade cancers.”

AACR – December 9, 2009.
www.aacr.org

Two ounces of pistachios a day may help reduce the risk of lung and other cancers, according to data presented this week at the American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference.

“It is known that vitamin E provides a degree of protection against certain forms of cancer. Higher intakes of gamma-tocopherol, which is a form of vitamin E, may reduce the risk of lung cancer,” explains chief investigator, Ladia M. Hernandez, MS, RD, LD.

The study included 36 healthy participants divided into two groups. Over six weeks, the intervention group ate about 2 ounces of pistachios per day. The control group continued with their normal diet.

Hernandez and colleagues found a significant increase in energy-adjusted dietary intake of gamma-tocopherol at weeks three and four in those on the pistachio diet, compared with those on the control diet. The similar effect was seen at weeks five and six among those on the pistachio diet compared with those on the control diet. For those on the pistachio diet, cholesterol-adjusted serum gamma-tocopherol was significantly higher at the end of the intervention period compared to baseline.

“Pistachios are a good source of gamma-tocopherol. Eating them increases intake of gamma-tocopherol so pistachios may help to decrease lung cancer risk,” notes Hernandez.

“Because epidemiologic studies suggest gamma-tocopherol is protective against prostate cancer, pistachio intake may help,” she adds. “Other food sources that are a rich source of gamma-tocopherol include nuts such as peanuts, pecans, walnuts, soybean and corn oils.”

AACR – December 9, 2009.
www.aacr.org

Chiropractic adjustments effectively reduce dizziness, balance problems and neck pain, according to investigators at Cleveland Chiropractic College in Overland Park, Kansas.

The study tracked 19 patients, age 40 or older, who underwent 8 weeks of chiropractic care. “The Dizziness Handicap Inventory was the primary outcome measurement, with the Short Form Berg Balance Scale (SF-BBS) and the Neck Disability Index used as secondary outcome measurements.”

Findings showed “a median Dizziness Handicap Inventory change score of +7 points was calculated for those dizziness patients, with 3 patients improving by at least 18 points, indicating a clinically meaningful change. Seven of the 15 patients who performed the SF-BBS attained at least a 4-point improvement with an effect size of 1.2. A median Neck Disability Index change score of +1 was calculated for those patients with neck pain. Twelve minor adverse reactions were reported by 8 patients, with 3 of those reactions lasting longer than 24 hours.”

The study concluded that “a large effect size was calculated for the SF-BBS. Most patients demonstrated improved balance, and some showed reduced dizziness and neck pain.”

Journal of Chiropractic Medicine – December 2009;156-64.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/15563707

Chiropractic adjustments may boost golfers’ swing performance, according to a report in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine.

The study followed 43 golfers at two golf clubs in São Paulo, Brazil. The participants were divided into two groups. Between the two groups “average age, handicap, and initial swing were comparable.”

Both groups took place in a stretching program. In addition, one group also received spinal manipulative therapy (SMT). Treatment consisted of one session a week for four weeks.

At each session, “all golfers performed 3 full-swing maneuvers. Ball range was considered as the average distance for the 3 shots.”

After four weeks, golfers who underwent both stretching and SMT enjoyed significant improvement in full-swing performance. On the other hand, full-swing performance did not change significantly in the stretching-only group.

Journal of Chiropractic Medicine – December 2009;165-70.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/15563707

Patients with heart disease in Norway , a country with no fortification of foods with folic acid, had an associated increased risk of cancer and death from any cause if they had received treatment with folic acid and vitamin B12, according to a study in the November 18 issue of JAMA.

Specifically, lung cancer rates were 25% higher among subjects who took the supplements. The patients were also more likely to die from cancer in general, and from all causes of death.

These findings are from two studies included 6,837 patients with ischemic heart disease. Many of the patients took folic acid and vitamin B12 in hopes of lowering blood levels of blood homocysteine levels.

“Experimental evidence suggests that folate deficiency may promote initial stages of carcinogenesis, whereas high doses of folic acid may enhance growth of cancer cells. Since 1998, many countries, including the United States, have implemented mandatory folic acid fortification of flour and grain products to reduce the risk of neural-tube birth defects,” the authors write. “Recently, concerns have emerged about the safety of folic acid, in particular with respect to cancer risk.”

“Our results need confirmation in other populations and underline the call for safety monitoring following the widespread consumption of folic acid from dietary supplements and fortified foods.”

JAMA – November 18, 2009 ;302:2119-26.
www.jama.com

Supplementation with probiotic bacteria may ward off eczema, say scientists.

The study tracked 102 pregnant women with a family history of allergic disease. The women took either a probiotic or a placebo pill during pregnancy. In addition, the same treatment was giving to the women’s babies during their first year of life.

During the first 3 months, 12% of babies in the probiotic group developed eczema, compared with 29% of the placebo group. As time went on, the rates of eczema grew more similar. However, some benefit remained for up to two years.

Allergy – September 2009;64:1349-58.
www.wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=0105-4538

An increase in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with low-back pain appears to be leading to a boost in unnecessary and ineffective back surgeries, say researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine in California .

Investigators determined the availability of MRIs in 318 Metropolitan regions in the U.S. They found that greater MRI availability was linked with a higher rate of low-back surgery among fee-for-service Medicare recipients.

The study’s authors call this trend “worrisome” because MRIs often detect abnormalities that are not the cause of the patient’s back pain, in turn leading to unnecessary and ineffective surgeries. Also, the MRIs were conducted within a month of visiting a doctor, and many cases of low-back pain resolve within a few months without intervention.

Health Affairs – November 2009;28:1133-40.
www.healthaffairs.org

A case review in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice suggests that chiropractic care may alleviate headache during pregnancy, allowing expectant mothers to avoid medication, which may be harmful to the fetus.

The study looked at a 24-year-old pregnant women who suffered chronic migraine headaches for 12 years. “Previous unsuccessful care included osteopathy, physical therapy, massage and medication. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication with codeine provided minor and temporary relief.”

“Chiropractic care involving spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) and adjunctive therapies resulted in symptom improvement and independence from medication. This document provides supporting evidence on the safety and possible effectiveness of chiropractic care for patients with headaches during pregnancy.”

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice – November 2009;15:192-7.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/17443881