Author Archives: Editor

Bruce Willis: on his wrinkles and 20 years of John McClane

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London: Bruce Willis says he has ruled out playing his character John McClane as a youngster in the Die Hard series because he has too many wrinkles.

Speaking at the London premiere of the latest film in the series on Wednesday night, Bruce explained that it was a lot harder to make the fourth film Live Free or Die Hard because time has marched on: “It was a really hard film to make, to be honest. A year ago, when we started making this film, the risk factor was massive. But it turned out very well in the end.”

“McClane’s older and so am I – and that was part of the fun of returning to the character. I also realised there is a benefit to getting older: you pay attention, and you acquire some wisdom.”

“It’s just weird to be able to see and to be able do a character that spans twenty years. It’s just an odd thing. You know what I mean?”

“There was one point when someone suggested doing a Die Hard prequel, ‘John McClane: The Early Years.’”

“But I think I’ve missed that window now – unless they come up with some new technology that smooths out these wrinkles on my face. I would definitely like to do it, but it’s just a matter of how I look!”

Briton’s try to loose 13 million stone for holidays

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London: Britons aim to lose a massive 13 million stone in weight by mid-August, according to a new poll by breakfast cereal giant Kellogg’s.

Over a quarter of Brits are currently dieting to be body-beautiful this summer, with the average desired weight-loss almost a stone.

Men are becoming as body conscious as women with 87 per cent taking measures to lose weight for the beach with 70 per cent aiming to lose over half a stone.

The poll also revealed some bad dieting habits, with many Britons likely to fall short of their target weight. The number one diet trap was skipping breakfast to reduce calorie intake (50 per cent of respondents). Other statistics reveal:

· 40 per cent lied to themselves about their calorie intake,

· 32 per cent of Brits were starving themselves in a bid to slim down this summer,

· 31 per cent admitted that booze was often what caused them to ditch the diet;

· 16 per cent switched from one fad diet to another and

· 15 per cent ‘binged and purged’.

Leading diet and fitness expert Joanna Hall comments: “In many cases dieters believe that skipping breakfast or even starving themselves completely can be a fast-track to weight-loss success. In fact, studies show that those who make time to eat breakfast actually tend to be slimmer than those who skip. If you don’t have this meal in the morning you’re more likely to overindulge later in the day on high fat, high sugar foods. Many forms of dieting are a false economy and will simply leave you devoid of energy and your diet doomed to failure – it’s best to focus on a balanced diet and regular exercise. “

The majority of people dieting for summer are doing it for themselves but over a fifth of male dieters are losing weight for their partners, whereas only a sixth of females are doing it for the man in their life. A fifth of young people (16 – 24 years old) believe that losing weight will help them attract a new partner.

Regional Differences

· The most body conscious city is Glasgow, with 85% of people hoping to lose at least half a stone or more by August.

· Geordies are the worst for skipping breakfast to save on calories (65 per cent) and Glaswegians are more likely to nibble on food at work (43 per cent).

· Half of those dieters surveyed from Belfast have failed their diets in the past by losing willpower whilst ‘under the influence’.

Rimi Obra-Ratwatte, Kellogg’s nutritionist says; “It is worrying to see some of the diet trap trends that emerge from this survey, especially when we so many people are making a concerted effort to skip breakfast, follow fad diets or even ‘binge and purge’. Successful weight management hinges on the ability to stick to a balanced diet that ensures nutrients are taken from a wide variety of food groups in addition to par-taking in regular activity.”

Background info:
· The poll conducted by www.Tickbox.net on behalf of Kellogg’s, surveyed 1349 men and women across the UK in June 2007.

· Additional survey findings include:

o 40% of people in the UK have dieted in the last 12 months
o 40% of dieters regularly lie to themselves about their calorie intake

· A copy of the De la Hunty & Ashwell M. 2007 Report: “Are people who eat breakfast cereals slimmer than those who don’t” can be obtained from the Kellogg’s Press Office

Mix of diseases may cause Alzheimer’s

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BETHESDA: Few older people die with brains untouched by a pathological process, however, an individual’s likelihood of having clinical signs of dementia increases with the number of different disease processes present in the brain, according to a new study.

The research was funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, and conducted at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Julie Schneider, MD, and colleagues report the findings in the journal Neurology online.

Among their findings is the observation that the combination of Alzheimer’s disease and strokes is the most common mix of pathologies in the brains of people with dementia. The implication of these findings is that public health efforts to prevent and treat vascular disease could potentially reduce the occurrence of dementia, the researchers say in the paper.

The researchers used data from the Rush Memory and Aging Project — an ongoing study of 1,200 elderly volunteers who have agreed to be evaluated every year and to donate their brains upon death.

The current study compared clinical and autopsy data on the first 141 participants who have died.

Annual physical and psychological exams showed that, while they were alive, 50 of the 141 had dementia. Upon death, a neuropathologist, who was unaware of the results of the clinical evaluation, analyzed each person’s brain. The autopsies showed that about 85% of the individuals had evidence of at least one chronic disease process, such as Alzheimer’s disease, strokes, Parkinson’s disease, hemorrhages, tumors, traumatic brain injury or others.

Comparison of the clinical and autopsy results showed that only 30% of people with signs of dementia had Alzheimer’s disease alone. By contrast, 42% of the people with dementia had Alzheimer’s disease with infarcts and 16% had Alzheimer’s disease with Parkinson’s disease (including two people with all three conditions). Infarcts alone caused another 12% of the cases. Also, 80 of the 141 volunteers who died had sufficient Alzheimer’s disease pathology in their brains to fulfill accepted neuropathologic criteria for Alzheimer’s disease, although in life only 47 were clinically diagnosed with probable or possible Alzheimer’s disease.

“We know that people can have Alzheimer’s pathology without having symptoms,” says Dallas Anderson, PhD, population studies program director in the NIA Neuroscience and Neuopsychology of Aging Program. “The finding that Alzheimer’s pathology with cerebral infarcts is a very common combination in people with dementia adds to emerging evidence that we might be able to reduce some of the risk of dementia with the same tools we use for cardiovascular disease such as control of blood cholesterol levels and hypertension.”

NIA is conducting clinical trials to determine whether interventions for cardiovascular disease can prevent or slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease. On-going trials cover a range of interventions such as statin drugs, vitamins and exercise.

SOURCE: The National Institutes of Health

Scientists warn of foie gras link to Alzheimer’s

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New York: People with a family history of Alzheimer’s have been warned not to eat the duck liver delicacy foie gras.

A study by researchers at the University of Tennessee Medical School have found that the foie gras contains proteins known as “amyloids” plaques which have been linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s. These proteins may also be implicated in type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

The scientists who carried out the study on mice and found that feeding them foie gras started growing amyloid proteins in various organs. They observed a similar result when extract of foie gras was injected into the rodents’ bloodstream.

Alan Solomon, an expert in amyloid-related diseases at the University of Tennessee, who led the research said: “It may be hazardous for individuals who are prone to develop other types of amyloid-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s or type 2 diabetes to consume such products.”

Foie gras is a food that has provoked much controversy because of the way food is forced down the birds’ throats so that their livers grow to a larger size. A liver weighing around 310g can fetch £60.

Amyloid disease occurs when proteins that would normally be soluble undergo a change and become insoluable, damaging the way organs work. Although further studies are needed it may be that eating foods that already contain them is not a healthy option.

The number of sufferers of dementia and Alzheimer’s is growing as people continue to live longer. In Britain, out of a population of 60m, there are already 700,000 people with dementia. France, with a similar population, has 1m sufferers.

Share your diet worries with weight management experts

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London: Join weight management expert Dr Ian Campbell (pictured right) as he talks through issues relating to weight management and the phenomena of “yo-yoing” in a live web chat on Wednesday 20th June Chat time: 12:30 (GMT).

Can you relate to the one in ten women who have not applied for a job because they worry they are overweight or perhaps, like a quarter of women, you shut yourself in the home refusing to go out because you are so miserable about your weight? Most of us are aware of the health implications of being overweight, but size can also affect how we feel about ourselves as almost four out of five women feel there is a direct link between how much they weigh and whether they are happy or confident.

It’s not just women that this applies to though. According to research by Slimthru, one in ten men have let concerns about their weight prevent them from going on a date and nearly a quarter have been on a diet in preparation for a holiday. With more than half the country constantly dieting, it is comforting to know we are not alone but how can we lose those extra pounds, drop a dress size and keep the weight off for good? Eating less naturally leaves us with terrible hunger pangs but how can we stop ourselves from bingeing on crisps and chocolate and putting the weight back on?

Not only is it frustrating to regain all those pounds we lost but it is also hardly healthy to be constantly losing and gaining weight. With summer here, more than a quarter of people will go on a diet ahead of their holiday but what is the best way to lose those extra pounds and keep them off?

Dr Ian Campbell and Linda Duberley join us live online at < a href="http://www.webchats.tv/webchat.php?ID=394">www.webchats.tv on Wednesday 20th June at 12:30 to talk about loosing weight safely and keeping it off..

Ian Campbell A medical practitioner, Ian has become well known in the media for his direct and sensible approach to life. He is a full time GP and prominent campaigner for the prevention and treatment of obesity. Ian is a specialist at the Overweight Clinic, University Hospital, Nottingham, and founder and the first President of the National Obesity Forum. He is now the Honorary Medical Director of the leading charity “Weight Concern> ” , who won the Best New Charity of the Year Award in 2002 and works to address both the physical and psychological health needs of overweight people.

For more information visit: www.slimthru.co.uk”
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First diet pill approved by the FDA goes on sale in US

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Los Angeles: The first over-the-counter diet drug approved by the US Food & Drug Administration has gone on sale. In some cities there were stampedes as the drug called Alli sold out.

Alli is a lower dose version of the prescription-only drug called Xenical that blocks absorption of fat. It works by disabling some of the natural enzymes in the digestive system that break down fat for absorption. When those enzymes can’t do their job, excess fat passes through the body.

Those who use alli “may recognize it in the toilet as something that looks like the oil on top of pizza,” according to the product Web site – www.myalli.com Nutrients absorbed from carbohydrates and proteins are not affected

The drug blocks about one-quarter of fat consumed. When used along with a healthy diet plan and regular exercise, about half of people taking Alli in clinical studies lost 5 percent of their body weight in six months.

But the drug has some unpleasant side effects. Digestive side effects include gas with oily spotting, loose stool, and hard-to-control bowel movements, reports its manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline.These side effects are more likely when a person consumes more than 30 percent of fat in a meal.

The drug is relatively expensive at $40 to $50 for 20- and 30-day starter kits may have put customers off.

Stay single, die sooner!

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Los Angeles: Adults who never marry may not live as long as their wedded peers, new research from the University of Califronia suggests.

While the protective effect of marriage on health and longevity has been pointed out before, newer research is zeroing in on the never-married folks. Staying single all your life may not be good for your health or your lifespan, the researchers have found.

The team looked at the 1997 U.S. National Death Index and the 1989 National Health Interview Survey. In 1989, almost half of the people surveyed were married; about 10 percent were widowed; 12 percent divorced; 3 percent separated; 5 percent living with someone; and 20 percent had never married.

Compared with married people, those who had never been married were 58 percent more likely to have died at the end of the study’s eight-year follow up period.
By comparison, those who were widowed were nearly 40 percent more likely to die during the follow-up than were married participants, while those who had been divorced or separated were 27 percent more likely to die.

Still, the UCLA researchers, who published the study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, said the findings can’t prove cause and effect.

Pill to delay menopause may be on way, says top UK scientist

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London: A leading fertility expert has revealed that new drugs are being developed that would delay the menopause.

The UK’s Professor Robert Winston if Imperial College London who was speaking at the Cheltenham Science Festival said that a protein had been discovered which if taken as an injection or pill could extend the life of eggs in the ovaries.

This development would give hope to the many women who find themselves childless in later life and comes at a time when doctors have seen a surge in women over the age of 40 seeking in vitro fertilisation treatments.

Professor Winston, professor of fertility studies at Imperial said scientifists believed they have identified a protein which could prolong egg life. This came at a time when women were healthier than ever before.

At the age of 16, said Professor Winston, a woman had 400,000 eggs – but by the age of 46 there will be virtually none left. He said women lost around two eggs an hour.

Breast cancer victims live longer with good diet and exercise

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San Diego: Eating healthy food and taking regular exerice, cuts the risk of dying by half in breast cancer victims, say scientists at the University of California.

Walking for thirty minutes and eating five portions of vegetables and fruit daily offers protection even in obese women.

The studyis the first to look at the combined effects of diet and exercise directly on the survival rates of cancer victims and studied 1,490 women with an average age of 50.

All the women, who had undergone primary therapy for early-stage breast cancer took part in the Women’s Healthy Eating and Living study.

It was concluded that women who were both physically active and had a healthy diet were much more likely to survive for between five and 11 years longer than the others. Only around 7 per cent of the ‘ healthyliving’ women died within 11 years – about half that seen for the others taking part in the study.

The findings are published in the latest issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Cider is good for health, say scientists

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Glasgow: A glass of cider a day is good for health, new research from the University of Glasgow suggests.

Scientists have found that the drink, made from apples, and which is currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity, following a huge advertising campaign by one producer, is bursting with health-boosting antioxidants.

In many cases, levels are as high as those found in red wine, which is recognised for its ability to stave off a range of diseases.

Both drinks are rich in phenolics, a type of antioxidant credited with the ability to ward off cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Researcher Dr Serena Marks said: ‘Unit for unit, the cider with the most phenolics had levels comparable to red wine.’

The variety of apple, how its grown, in what soil and the storage all affect the levels and concentrations of antioxidants such as phenolics.

The Glasgow University scientist said that drinking a glass of cider was not only enjoyable but was a good way to increase phenolics in the diet.

A spokesman for the National Association of Cider Makers, which part-funded the study, said: ‘An apple a day is said to keep the doctor away. But a glass of cider could be an even more pleasurable way to take care of yourself-The finding comes as cider becomes increasingly popular. It overtook bitter for the first time last year, with £453million in offlicence and supermarket sales.

Its resurgence has been partly attributed to the ‘Magners effect’, a £20million advertising campaign encouraging consumers to drink the Irish-brewed bottled cider over ice.

It was so successful at appealing to younger drinkers that its manufacturer, Tipperary-based Bulmers, had to import apples from England to keep up production levels. With the popularity of British brands also soaring, many orchards are being replanted for the first time in decades.

Look younger for less – Botox now only £99

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London: To celebrate the opening of The Hospital Group’s new state-of-the-art clinic in Weymouth Street, W1, the leading cosmetic surgery provider is offering Botox treatment at a massively reduced price of £99.00 for any one area.

The new stylish clinic, now open, provides a full range of non-invasive procedures including fillers, chemical peels and skin rejuvenation. The clinic also provides consultations for their pioneering weight loss surgery.

The Hospital Group’s special offer for Botox treatment is designed to raise awareness of its anti-aging preventative qualities and its easy application. This exclusive offer is also available until the end of the year from all 16 of their high tech clinics across the UK.

With an every increasing demand for Botox from men and women of all ages, The Hospital Group is keen to make it even more accessible to anyone who wants to lessen the signs of ageing. As a result The Hospital Group has greatly reducing Botox prices from £195.00 to £99.00 for one area.

Botox is a simple, non surgical treatment that can temporarily smooth lines for both men and women. It has also been successfully used to treat migraine headaches, excessive sweating and numerous conditions caused by overactive muscles.

Botox is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those lines to form over time. It works by temporarily reducing the contractions of the muscles that cause persistent lines.

Patients should see positive results within days of treatment which should then last between 4-6 months. The procedure is so quick and easy it can be completed within an hour. The safety of Botox is considered to be excellent; it has been used on patients for over 10 years in over 60 countries.

For appointments call The Hospital Group on: 0800 138 3058. For more info visit www.thehospitalgroup.org

Is coffee the miracle cure for cellulite?

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São Paulo: Scientists in Brazil claim that coffee is a miracle cure for cellulite.

In a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology eight out of ten women who used a cream containing a caffeine solution every day for a month had tighter skin and lost up to 2cm off their thighs. In addition two out of three volunteers also lost weight from their hips as the fat under the skin dissolved.

The research also backs supermodel Cindy Crawford who claims to keep her cellulite at bay by using a “miracle mixture” of ground coffee. A number of anti-cellulite creams already use coffee in ingredients.

The researchers concluded that coffee works by speeding up cell metabolism.

About 90 per cent of women are affected by cellulite at some point in their lives.

It was thought that diet and exercise could help but research last year found that losing weight made cellulite worse for one in three women.

The study suggests a cream containing just seven per cent caffeine can have a big effect.

Professor Omar Lupi, who led the study, said: “A 30-day treatment with a caffeine solution showed significant reduction in the circumference of thighs that were treated.”

Stem cell surgery for ageing eyes available within five years, predict doctors

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London: British scientitsts are working on a proecdure to use stem cells as a cure for age-related macular degenertion, a leading cause of blindness in the elderly.

The first 45-minute operation would use stem cells grown in a lab to cure the dry form of the diseease and it is estimated that the procedure will be available within five years.

The improvement in sight is likely to be great enough for the the blind to regain the ability to carry out everyday tasks such as reading or driving.

The pioneering stem cell surgery tackles age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of blindness in the elderly. There are about 300,000 sufferers in this country and the number is expected to treble in the next 25 years to around one million as the population ages.

AMD, which affects a quarter of over-60s in the UK and more than half of over-75s to some degree, occurs in two forms. While the ‘wet’ form can be combated with drugs, there is no treatment for the ‘dry’ form which accounts for 90 per cent of cases.

The treatment centres on human embryonic stem cells grown in a laboratory. These are ‘blank’ cells with the power to turn into different cell types and are used to create small patches identical to the cells damaged in the eyes of AMD sufferers.

Packaged into a syringe, the patch is injected into the back of the eye where it replaces damaged cells and restores sight.

The technique is being developed by scientists and doctors from University College London, Moorfields Eye Hospital, also in London, and Sheffield University, working together in the London Project to Cure Blindness.

Their work has been boosted by a £ 4million donation from an anonymous American benefactor.

Project director Professor Pete Coffey said: ‘This could have a tremendous effect on a huge population who have no current therapy.’

The technique has been tested on rats suffering from a condition similar to AMD and their sight was restored.

Further evidence that the technique is likely to succeed comes from human operations. In these, the researchers restored vision using healthy cells taken from the corner of the patient’s own eye.

In some cases, the transplants were so successful that the patients were able to read, cycle and use a computer.

However, such surgery is extremely complex and time-consuming and so unlikely to be suitable for large-scale use. Using ‘readymade’ patches of cells would greatly simplify the operation, making it suitable for use on millions.

The scientists are now working on making such patches, measuring just four by six millimetres, which will be injected into the back of the eye under local anaesthetic in an procedure lasting between 45 minutes and an hour. The patient, who would have to take drugs to stop the cells from being rejected by the body, could go home the same day. After two to three weeks, vision should start to improve.

It is not yet known how long the effects will last but the patients who had transplants of their own cells are still benefiting from the treatment which took place two and a half years ago. While the patches are most likely to benefit those in the early stages of AMD, the researchers believe it should be possible to adapt them to treat those in later stages.

It is hoped that the technique might also benefit those who have lost their sight as a complication of diabetes.

Consultant surgeon Lyndon da Cruz of Moorfields Eye Hospital said that within ten years the procedure could become as commonplace as cataract surgery.

He said: ‘If we can do a single procedure in a person under local anaesthetic in 45 minutes, it’s feasible.

‘The science is something we can work on but the surgery has to be something we can deliver to many people.’

Eye experts said the research offered real hope to sufferers of AMD. Tom Bremridge of the Macular Disease Society said: ‘This development is exciting and encouraging for current and future generations of AMD patients.

‘While treatments for “wet” AMD are advancing rapidly, sadly, patients with “dry” AMD have had no prospect of any viable therapy.’

Professor Alistair Fielder, of the charity Fight for Sight, said the research represented ‘a real chance to tackle an untreatable condition and bring hope to many’.

He added: ‘It is marvellous to think that clinical trials could start within four years.’

Although many believe it is wrong to use embryonic stem cells – plucked from an embryo in the first days of life – in medicine, sophisticated laboratory techniques mean it should be possible to generate a treatment for millions of people from cells derived from a single embryo.

Stem cell research offers hope for treating and curing a host of conditions.

In recent work, British experts have succeeded in growing a ‘ miniliver’ – a tiny bundle of liver cells – from stem cells, while Israeli scientists have grown a tiny section of beating heart tissue from stem cells gleaned from human embryos.

Men with higher levels of testosterone may live longer, suggests new research

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San Diego: Men with higher levels of the hormone testosterone may live longer, according to a new study.

Men with low testosterone levels tend to have fatter waists, high blood pressure and higher blood sugar levels, researchers found.

Those with high levels of the male sex hormone tended to have a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes in later life.

The study – the first of its kind to look at normal, relatively fit males – could lead to men with low levels taking supplements.

The survey followed the lives of 800 men aged over 51 since the 1970s. It found that those with low testosterone levels were a third more likely to die over an 18-year period than those with high testosterone levels.

The results cast doubt on the popular wisdom that the female hormone, oestrogen, is “good” for health in later life and testosterone is ‘bad’. According to the research team at the San Diego School of Medicine, the discrepancy could not be explained by pre-existing diseases such as diabetes or heart disease.

Dr Gail Laughlin, from the school’s Department of Family and Preventative Medicine, said: “We have followed these men for an average of 18 years and our study strongly suggests that the association between testosterone levels and death is not simply due to some acute illness. The study did show there may be an association between low testosterone levels and higher mortality.”

She cautioned that the study did not directly show that higher testosterone levels protected against diseases.

Testosterone declines slowly with age. However, there is a wide natural variation in the amount that different men produce.

The researchers said that besides tending to have larger waists and higher blood pressure, men low in testosterone had higher levels of inflammatory cytokines, proteins that contribute to the development of many diseases.

The San Diego School of Medicine is now considering trials of testosterone supplements to see if they have a preventative effect.

However, Dr Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, of the San Diego School of Medicine’s Division of Epidemiology, said the prospect of men popping testosterone pills to protect against diseases was a long way off.

She said: “We are very excited about these findings, which have important implications, but we are not ready to say that men should go out and get testosterone to prolong their lives.

She also said that low testosterone levels could be a by-product of obesity and suggested it may be possible to alter testosterone levels by lowering obesity.

Scientists unlock key to longer life

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La Jolla, California: The day when humans could enjoy at least a partial “elixir of life”, a pill extending lifespan by up to 40 per cent, is now closer with the discovery of a “longevity gene”.

Scientists studying worms have found a gene that links eating less with longer life. This confirms earlier studies carried out over the last 70 years which have looked at dogs, mice, yeast, fruit flies and nematode worms, which have shown that a reduction in calorie intake by 60 per cent of normal, while maintaining a healthy diet of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, consistently prolongs life by up to 40 per cent.

That regime also reduces the risk of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, while staving off age-related degeneration of the brain and nervous system.

Although some people are already imposing this strict diet on themselves, and primate experiments appear to back this longevity effect, it is still too early tell whether calorie restriction will have the same effect in humans.

The new research from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California, have identified a critical gene in nematode worms that specifically links eating fewer calories to living longer and why persistent hunger leads to a longer life.

Identifying this “longevity pathway” opens the door to the development of drugs that mimic the effects of calorie restriction and might allow people to reap health benefits without adhering to an austere regime that only the toughest ascetics can endure.

In a paper published in the magazine Nature, Prof Andrew Dillin and colleagues show that pha-4, a gene that plays an essential part in embryonic development of the worm, has a newly discovered function in adults – increased activity of the gene is associated with longevity in the “sweet spot” of food consumption between the extremes of harm caused by starvation and overeating.

Professor Dillin says: “After 72 years of not knowing how calorie restriction works, we finally have genetic evidence to unravel the underlying molecular program required for increased longevity in response to calorie restriction,” said Prof Dillin.

“This is the first gene that is absolutely essential and specific for the increased longevity response to dietary restriction.”

Initially, researchers thought that the effect of calorie restriction on ageing was to do with signalling pathways related to the hormone insulin but experiments by graduate student Siler Panowski in Prof Dillin’s lab suggested reality was more complex and another gene called SMK-1 was more involved in the effects of starvation, to their surprise.

The work suggests that insulin signalling and calorie restriction are independent pathways, but SMK-1 plays a role in both, said Panowski. The team studied 15 genes that could be involved with SMK-1 and found that the loss of only one, a gene called pha-4, negated the lifespan-enhancing effect of calorie-restriction in the worms.

Dramatically, when researchers undertook the opposite experiment— making more pha-4 in worms — longevity was enhanced, suggesting that this could offer a target for life extension drugs.

Detailed work showed that the gene can boost levels of proteins called SODs (superoxide dismutase) which mop up free radicals, harmful chemicals linked with ageing.

The researchers think that this may be a defence mechanism that helps the creatures tolerate starvation. The pha-4 gene is similar to those in people called Foxa transcription factors, which also have important roles during development and act later in life to regulate glucagons – hormones made by the pancreas to burn fat – and glucose levels, particularly in response to fasting. Humans possess three genes that are “highly similar” to the worm pha-4, all belonging to the Foxa family.

All three play an important role in development and then later on in the regulation of glucagon, a hormone made by the pancreas that unlike insulin increases the concentration of blood sugar and maintains the body’s energy balance, especially during fasting.

When food is in short supply, these genes may alter glucagon levels or cause other changes in hormones that are ultimately able to regulate the ageing process.

The team is now going to study these human genes to see if they react the same way as those in nematodes do when the worms are denied their favourite treat, bacteria.

Prof Dillin said that they would also test a range of drugs to see if they can find some that boost the activity of the human equivalent of the worm gene and, in theory, could boost longevity.

So far, only one other gene, called sir-2, has been implicated in the life- and health-prolonging response of the boy to calorie restriction. Increased use of the gene extends longevity of yeast, worms, and flies.

However, the link is not so clean cut because the loss of sir-2 disrupts the calorie restriction response only in some strains of yeast and has no effect on other organisms, such as worms.

Can humble carrot turn back the clock for ageing men?

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London: Ageing men should start munching carrots if they want to attract the opposite sex and turn back the clock.

According to new research by scientists at the universities of Glasgow and Exeter animals use the pigments in carrots to make themselves more colourful to attract mates.

Although many ageing men try to brighten themselves up by buying loud shirts, brightly coloured sports cars and motorbikes, and generally trying to make themselves more ‘interesting’.

Invariably, this fails miserably every time. So perhaps it’s worth taking a trip to your local green grocers to buy half a hundredweight of gnarled root vegetables?

Over 50s healthier than youngsters, reveals new survey

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London: Baby boomers are putting youngsters to shame when it comes to health, according to a new survey by health club chain Fitness First.

Baby boomers – those born after the Second World War unti the mid-60s, are eating more sensibly than their children or grandchildren and are more careful about the amount of alcohol they consume.

They are also far more careful to avoid additives in foods than the younger generation. As a result the over-50s are healthier than people in their 30s and are also less likely to suffer stress because they have also implemented work/life balance measures.

Experts said the over-50s were realising they could lead long and healthy lives after retirement.

Dr Beckie Lang, of the Association for the Study of Obesity, said: ‘People over 50 now realise there are still opportunities for another 20, 30 or even 40 years of good quality life if they look after themselves.’ Dr Bill Bytheway, of the Open University’s Faculty of Health and Social Care, said: ‘There is an element of hedonism among over-50s, which is a radical change over the past ten or 20 years.’

Last week a survey revealed that 80 per cent of wealth was now held by the over-50s.

For the Fitness First survey, more than 8,000 were questioned and divided into three groups – 18-29, 30-50 and over-50. Among the oldest volunteers, 93 per cent said they ate healthily, 84 per cent were careful about alcohol consumption and three-quarters avoided additives in food.

A total of 55 per cent were content with their body shape and nearly four in five had a good work/life balance.

In the middle group, 85 per cent watched what they ate and threequarters were cautious about drinking. Less than two-thirds kept an eye on additives. Two-thirds were happy with their work-load, but only 54 per cent were happy with their body. A close look at the figures revealed this dropped to 46 per cent for people in their 30s.

Among the youngest group, just 79 per cent ate sensibly and 69 per cent drank in moderation, while only half limited additives in their diet.

Sixty-two per cent were satisfied with their physique, and just over two-thirds of this group were happy with work/life balance.

Experts have warned that the latest generation will have shorter lives than their parents because of their poor diet and lack of exercise.

A Fitness First spokesman said: ‘It is imperative that the younger generation take heed of their elders and realise that their current lifestyle habits have a far-reaching impact on their future health and happiness.’

Wheat germ extract inhibits cancer, says new expert report

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Chicago: A fermented wheatgerm extract has a greater tumor inhibiting effect on estrogen positive and estrogen negative breast cancers than the world’s best selling cancer drug, Tamoxifen, according to research published today at the 2007 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Known as Avemar, this compound has been extensively studied in many cell lines, animal tumor models, and human clinical trials. In the current study, Andras Telekes, MD, Ph.D., head physician at the Hungarian National Institute of Oncology, and his colleagues, implanted estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) breast cancer cell lines from humans and mice into female mice and monitored tumor growth. They compared subjects treated with Avemar alone, with those monotherapy with three of the most widely used and studied breast cancer drugs, Tamoxifen (sold under the brand names Nolvadex, Istubal, and Valodex), Exemestane, (sold under the brand name Aromasin), and Anastrozole, (sold under the brand name, Arimidex), and subjects receiving those drugs along with Avemar.

Against the mouse derived estrogen receptor positive (ER+) cell line, MXT, compared to controls, Avemar inhibited growth by 50%, Exemestane by 46.7%, Tamoxifen by 34% and Anastrozole by 29.3%. Against the human ER+ cell line, T47T, Avemar inhibited growth by 49%, Tamoxifen 42%, Exemestane 25% and Anastrazole 25%. The effect of each agent was enhanced by 5 to 10% when combined with Avemar. The best result was obtained from the combination of Exemestane and Avemar, inhibiting both the mouse and human derived ER+ breast tumors by 60%.

Effects against estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) breast cancer was measured with the human derived, MDA-MB-231 cell line. Since prior research shows that these estrogen-blocking drugs are not effective against ER- breast cancers, they were not tested in this tumor model. However, Avemar did inhibit the growth of the ER-negative MDA-MB-231 breast tumors significantly (52%), suggesting to researchers that the mechanism by which the extract works is different from that of the anti-estrogen drugs, and is independent of a breast tumor’s estrogen receptor status.

Since Avemar works equally well against ER+ and ER- cell lines, this suggests that the mechanisms of action by which Avemar inhibits growth in breast tumors are the same mechanisms as those that inhibited tumor growth in multiple other cell lines and tumor types against which the extract has been tested (other breast; lung, pancreatic, colon, melanoma, leukemia, and pancreatic cancers). Avemar anti-tumor effects have been attributed to several mechanisms, in particular its proven ability to interfere with the excess use of glucose by cancer cells, (the Warburg effect), which interferes with the synthesis of DNA needed for cell proliferation.

Avemar is produced by Biromedicina, RT of Budapest, Hungary through the fermentation of wheat germ by baker’s yeast according to a patented process (US no. 6,355,474) and standardized on the compound methoxy-substituted benzoquinones. The Hungarian Ministry of Health has approved Avemar as a “medical food,” with an on-label indication for the treatment of colorectal and other cancers. In the US, Avemar is distributed as a dietary supplement under the brand name Avé™, by American BioSciences, Inc. in Blauvelt, NY and is available nationwide through vitamin retailers, doctors and pharmacies. Additional research on Avemar research can be found via the National Library of Medicine website, www.pubmed.gov, with the search term Avemar. Additional information is available from American BioSciences, 888-884-7770, and www.americanbiosciences.com

New report looks at ways to promote walking

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People can be encouraged to walk for up to 30-60 minutes more per week if they are given the right kind of help, finds a study published on www.bmj.com today. This could make a valuable contribution to improving public health.

Physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer of the colon, write David Ogilvie and colleagues for the Scottish Physical Activity Research Collaboration (SPARColl). Walking is a free and convenient way to be active, and most people can continue walking into old age. Promoting walking could therefore help tackle the health problems linked to today’s inactive lifestyles.

The authors reviewed 48 studies of different approaches to promoting walking. The most successful were tailored to people’s needs and targeted at sedentary people or at those most motivated to change. These increased walking in the target groups by up to 30-60 minutes a week on average, at least in the short term. Given how little exercise most people take, this amounts to a substantial increase, say the authors.

The authors found that walking could be encouraged in a variety of ways. Examples included giving face to face advice or telephone support, using pedometers, or promoting walking as an environmentally friendly mode of transport. Different people may respond to different approaches, say the authors. One size may not fit all, and a range of options should be offered, they conclude.

Click here to view the full article: www.presspssprings.co.uk

La Maison du Chocolat creates chocolate with passion

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London: Cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate, is good for the circulation and eating it may reduce the risk of blood clots by improving blood circulation through the heart and brain.

Cocoa, contains flavonols, naturally occurring antioxidants, which can help the body protect itself from the diseases of ageing, such as cancer and heart disease, by eradicating the free radicals that can damage arteries and blood vessels.

Cocoa has already been credited with health properties that can improve blood vessel function and may reduce clot formation. The new research shows flavonol-rich cocoa improves blood flow which, scientists say, also lowers the risks of clotting.

And eating chocolate can also make you very happy and help you live a longer life, say scientists.

In November 1977, at 225 Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris, Robert Linxe gave material expression to his passion for chocolate by creating the first La Maison du Chocolat shop. This summer, La Maison du Chocolat on Piccadilly, is joining its 11 sister stores across the globe to celebrate 30 years of creating elegant, luxury chocolates. As part of this celebration La Maison du Chocolat is announcing some special additions. The new products available to buy now include the incredible Sevillane, indulgent summer tarts and summer bouchees and a special edition of the beautiful Macaron. The Ice creams and sorbets will be available from June.

Sevillane

Inspired by the flamenco dancers of Seville, the Sevillane hosts a sensual explosion for the nose and taste buds through its five mouth-watering flavours and a variety of textures. Sevillane’s dark chocolate ganaches come in four amazing flavours, mango, raspberry, exotic fruits and the forth is wild strawberries with fresh mint. A further fifth flavour is the praline with lemon zest. Every Sevillane box has its own cooler bag to protect the chocolates from the scorching summer expected in 2007.

The Sevillane’s delightful, peach and caramel coloured box is designed to open like a flamenco dancer’s fan and comes in two sizes, one for an indulgent or sharing mood and the other smaller box, for a more intimate moment. The La Maison du Chocolat cooler bags make the Sevillane and other summer products ideal for picnics in the Park and post-work Barbecues, shared with a loved one or friends over a lively Sauvignon Blanc.

Ice cream and sorbets

La Maison du Chocolat’s refreshing ice creams and sorbets are set to return this summer. This year, customers can enjoy the traditional flavours of summer with a chocolate ice cream, a chocolate sorbet, a vanilla ice cream, a caramel ice cream and a chocolate and lemon sorbet. As well as these familiar flavours three additional flavours have been created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the company – an apricot sorbet, a raspberry sorbet and a mango and passion fruit sorbet. All are available to purchase and eat in store or take away as individual portions either in La Maison du Chocolat’s hand made crispy cones or with a spoon in a small cup. Larger pots are also available to take home, ideal for catering or dinner parties.

Summer tarts

La Maison du Chocolat’s creativity does not stop with chocolate and ice cream. Its unrivalled inspiration and energy for flavour is translated into its fine tarts and pastries which are hand made in store daily.

The ‘Sable’ tart is an excellent dark chocolate cherry ganache with real pieces of cherry available in individual slices for a personal treat or a larger tart suitable for four people to share.

The ‘Dacquoise’ tart is a vibrant dark chocolate ganache with a creamy apricot decoration, available as a whole tart suitable for four people.

Other summer products

La Maison du Chocolat has created a beautiful summer macaron with fruit and chocolate based on the Andalousie chocolate made with a dark chocolate and lemon ganache, ideal for a secret treat at work or as a kind gift for a colleague or loved one.

The Sevillane and summer range is available from now at the incredible La Maison du Chocolat Piccadilly store and Harrods concession. The ice creams and sorbets will be available at the Piccadilly store from June. The Sevillane and summer Bouchees are also available for next day delivery in the UK via the La Maison du Chocolat website – www.lamaisonduchocolat.co.uk

La Maison du Chocolat
45-46 Piccadilly
London
W1J 0DS
Tel: 020 7287 8500

Sevillane – 10 chocs, 50grams, £10.00
Sevillane – 40 chocs, 210grams, £38.00
Ice creams and sorbets individual scoop – £2.00
Ice creams and sorbets 2 scoops – £4.00
Summer tarts individual portion – £3.20
Summer tarts for 4 people – £18.00
Summer tarts for 6 people – £24.00
Andalousie Macaron – £2.60
Ice creams and sorbets – 500ml tub, £6.00
Ice creams and sorbets – 750ml tub, £9.00

Celebrities who enjoy chocolates from La Maison du Chocolat include; Madonna, Julien MacDonald, Peaches Geldoff, Tamara Beckwith, Holly and Sam Branson, Lily Cole, Jamie Dornan, Sophie Ellis-Bexter and David Tennant.

La Maison du Chocolat’s ‘Savoir-Faire’

La Maison du Chocolate’s finest chocolate is freshly made in Paris and infused with natural flavours; no artificial ingredients are used.

La Maison du Chocolat spend time creating their excellent ganache; experimenting with new flavours and techniques to perfect their creations. To create the ganache, La Maison du Chocolat take natural flavours; for example when creating the mint chocolate, the chefs at the atelier in Paris take fresh sprigs of mint and infuse them in hot crème for a matter of moments to delicately transfer the natural taste of mint into the rich liquid. The mint is then sieved from the crème and blocks of broken La Maison du Chocolat chocolate are added slowly to the crème to melt the beautiful mixture together. The ganache is nearly ready! All that is left is to gently cool the mixture on marble tables to make sure the chocolate is the correct depth and texture to ensure all La Maison du Chocolat is perfectly presented and tastes delicious. Different chocolate is used for the individual blends and recipes and uniquely tailored by the expert chefs.

Italy – anti-ageing specialists

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Italian Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (Aimaa)
Address: Via Monte Zebio, 28 00195 Rome – Italy; Phone and Fax 0039-06-3202449
Email: info@aimaa.it
webiste – underconstruction www.aimaa.it

Founding Members:

Carlo Alberto Bartoletti, MD
Gastroenterology, Cardiology, gerontology and geriatric specialist
President of the Italian Society of Aesthetic Medicine (SIME)
Professor of Aesthetic Medicine and Cosmetology, Plastic Surgery Post-graduate School, University of Pavia
Head of the International Aesthetic Medicine School, Fatebenefratelli International Foundation, Rome
Email: cabartoletti@libero.it
Address: Studio Associato Bartoletti, Via Monte Zebio, 28 – 00195 Rome, Italy

Emanuele Bartoletti, MD

Plastic and reconstructive surgery specialist
Professor at the International Aesthetic Medicine School, Fatebenfratelli International Foundation, Rome
Email: ebartoletti@libero.it
Address: Studio Associato Bartoletti, Via Monte Zebio, 28 – 00195 Rome, Italy

Gianfranco Palmieri, MD

Cardiology specialist
Head of Cardiology Unit – Ospedale S. Giovanni, Rome, Italy
Email: gianpal45@alice.it
Address: Via Asmara 25 – 00199 Roma, Italy

Giuseppe Riondino, MD

Cardiology, internal medicine, gerontology and geriatric specialist
President of the Italian Geriatric Oncology Society (SIGERO)
Fully established University Lecturer of endocrinology, La Sapienza University in Rome
Emeritus Consultant of endocrinology: INRCA – IRCCS
Professor at the International Aesthetic Medicine School, Fatebenefratelli International Foundation, Rome
Email: griondino@hotmail.com
Address: Via Anton Giulio Barrili, 29, 00152 Roma, Italy

Francesco Romanelli, MD

Endocrinology Specialist
Professor of Endocrinology at Endocrinology and Andrology Unit – Dipartimento di Fisiopatologia Medica – Policlinico Umberto I – University of Rome “La Sapienza”
Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome – Italy
Email: francesco.romanelli@uniroma1.it
Professor at the International Aesthetic Medicine School, Fatebenefratelli International Foundation, Rome, Italy

Ferdinando Terranova, MD
Professor at the International Aesthetic Medicine School, Fatebenefratelli International Foundation, Rome
Email: feterranova@tiscali.it
Address: via Murri 26, 05100 Terni, Italy

Maria Veraldi, MD
Nutrition and food sciences specialist
Professor at the International Aesthetic Medicine School, Fatebenfratelli International Foundation, Rome
Email: alberto.moccia1@tin.it
Address: Via Germanico, 66 , 00192 Roma, Italy

The members of the first executive council of Aimaa are:
President
Giuseppe Riondino, MD
Vice-president
Francesco Romanelli, MD
Secretary General
Carlo Alberto Bartoletti, MD
Members
Emanuele Bartoletti, MD
Gianfranco Palmieri, MD
Ferdinando Terranova, MD
Maria Veraldi, MD

Pine nut extract can prevent heart failure, says new research

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London: A powerful antioxidant extracted from the bark of the French maritime pine tree can help prevent damage to the heart caused by high blood pressure. The study to be published in an upcoming edition of the journal of Cardiovascular Toxicology demonstrates that Pycnogenol® can counteract the “wearing out” of the heart due from cardiac remodeling which is a key step in the progression of heart failure.

In hypertension, the over-worked heart gradually wears out, resulting in the weakening of the heart muscle and increasing of heart chamber volume.
This process (known as cardiac remodeling) may eventually cause heart failure when the heart insufficiently supplies the body with oxygenated blood. The study showed that Pycnogenol® prevents the heart from getting worn out during hypertension. Cardiac chamber walls showed a significantly higher rate of collagen connective tissues than control groups.

Lead researcher of the study Dr. Ronald Watson, professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Arizona said “the effectiveness of Pycnogenol® supplementation is a great option for many people who want an alternative to prescription medications such as beta blockers or ACE inhibitors. This new study shows Pycnogenol® administers a therapeutic effect to limit the degenerative process in patients predisposed to congestive heart failure.”

The study was conducted at the University of Arizona, Tucson. Elderly female mice (18 months old) were randomly divided into four groups: control mice, mice receiving Pycnogenol® only, mice receiving L-NAME only (a substance which causes arterial constriction) and mice receiving both Pycnogenol® and L-NAME. Pycnogenol® and L-NAME were administered in tap water and the study was approved by the Animal Review Committee at the University of Arizona.

One group of hypertensive mice received Pycnogenol® in drinking water for four weeks and another group of hypertensive mice was left untreated. After five weeks, the hearts of the latter control group had significantly increased in size as a result of hypertension. In the Pycnogenol® treated group, hypertension and heart function parameters resembled those found in healthy control mice with healthy blood pressure.

“This study provides evidence that oral administration of Pycnogenol® reversed cardiovascular remodeling induced by L-NAME by blocking nitric oxide production, which leads to hypertension and finally cardiomyopathy,”
said Watson.

After a detailed investigation of the heart tissue, Watson found Pycnogenol® supplementation to significantly enhance the connective collagen matrix of cardiac tissue. Whereas the chronic hypertension in mice led to a significant loss of connective collagen fibers, Pycnogenol® significantly increased the collagen presence, resulting in stronger cardiac chambers.

Previous studies have shown Pycnogenol® supplementation to be associated with improved cardiovascular health, such as cholesterol reduction, blood pressure control and prevention of thrombosis.

According to the UK’s Department of Health 275,000 people have a heart attack annually and over 110,000 people in England die every year from heart disease. Data from the London Heart Failure Study also shows around 40% of people die from heart failure within a year of initial diagnosis.

Watson presented the new research this month at the SupplySide East Educational Conference and Trade Show in Secaucus, NJ. Previous clinical research shows Pycnogenol® to battle coronary heart disease and stroke, high blood cholesterol and hypertension. Research shows Pycnogenol® to diminish the major cardiovascular risk factors simultaneously while offering a safe, natural approach.

About Pycnogenol®

Pycnogenol® is a natural plant extract originating from the bark of the maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France and is found to contain a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids, which offer extensive natural health benefits. The extract has been widely studied for the past 35 years and has more than 220 published studies and review articles ensuring safety and efficacy as an ingredient.

Today, Pycnogenol® is available in more than 600 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products worldwide.

For more information, visit www.pycnogenol.com

Dirty contact lenses put wearers at risk of blindness

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London: Almost three quarters of contact lens wearers are risking blindness because of their dirty habits, according to a new study out today. The new figures show one in five people lick their contact lenses before putting them in their eyes and two out of five apply their lenses with dirty hands.

Shockingly over 15% of wearers will pick an unwashed contact lens off the floor and pop it in their eye and 70% of people keep their lenses in for far too long every day. But careless contact lens wearers rarely realise their bad habits increase the risk of their contracting eye diseases, including conjunctivitis and acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare but very painful and potentially blinding infection of the cornea, the transparent covering at the front of the eye.

Men are the lazy ones when it comes to caring for their eyes, with more than half sleeping in their lenses and 44% not bothering to wash their hands before putting their lenses in. But surprisingly women have the dirtiest habits. Nearly a quarter of women lick their lenses before popping them in their eyes and 16% will use a dirty lens they have dropped on the floor, according to research by the UK’s College of Optometrists. And you have heard of sharing make-up, some women even share their contact lenses with their best friends.

Experts warn even habits that seem harmless such as washing lenses in tap water or with a different cleansing solution can damage the wearers’ eyes. Tap water contains bacteria that can blind you and using the wrong solution not only harms the lens but can also produce allergic reactions or even burn the eye.

Optometrists advise contact lens wearers never to wear other people’s lenses, a lens that is chipped or damaged or put the wrong lens in the wrong eye. The experts add people should always clean their lenses either after wearing them or before putting them in their eyes and to make sure their hands are clean before handling them.
And a final warning, don’t wear your lenses too long or sleep in them and visit an optometrist at least every two years.

Kevin Lewis, President of the College of Optometrists said: “Good eye care is crucial for everyone but even more important for those of us who wear contact lenses. Poor hygiene can lead to infections which range from a simply uncomfortable but temporary problem to a very nasty health issue that may lead to blindness in a matter of days.”

“Our eyes are precious and we need to appreciate that treating them carelessly and with bad hygiene habits is likely to cause problems in the future.”

For more information visit www.college-optometrists.org

Reader Offer: 10 pairs of Fostergrant reading glasses to be won

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Spending hours gazing at a computer screen or trying to decipher tiny handwriting? You might wish you could just pop out and buy a pair of ready-to-wear reading glasses, if only they weren’t all so expensive, and worse, so boring and unstylish!

But help is now at hand for those of us who find reading glasses vital to our daily lives. After all, even the young and fashionable need to be able to see.

Fostergrant has created a new range of exclusively designed reading glasses, which come in a variety of styles for different looks and occasions, all reflecting the latest fashions in eyewear. From full rim to half-rim or even rimless, the choice is yours. There is even a range of lens strengths to choose from, including a new lower strength of +1.00 dioptres for younger wearers.

So there is no excuse now for not being able to read the small print on any of those legal documents you might be asked to sign.

And to make sure you always have 20/20 vision just answer this question and win 10 pairs of Fostergrant reading glasses.

Email us the answer to this question: What is the new lower strength Fostergrant has introduced for younger wearers?

+1.00 dioptres
+2.00 dioptres
+3.00 dioptres

Email your answer with your name and address to: readeroffer@elixirnews.com before 31 May 2007.

Prize: A pair of reading glasses worth around £14.99 each. No cash equivalent is available. The Editor’s decision is final.

For more information visit www.fostergrant.co.uk

Poland

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Statmedica is a gateway to medical tourism in Poland. For more information to go www.StatMedica.com.

The site provides the best guidance in the market along with practical tips and latest updates on new services and trends. The site is also very useful for local residents interested in the private health sector.

Foreigners seeking healthcare services in Poland usually opt for cosmetic and corrective surgeries, general dental or orthodontic treatment, as well as orthopedic surgeries. Numerable services are also available in cardiology, ophthalmology, neurology and many other medical fields. Polish doctors are highly qualified and enjoy an excellent reputation and Polish private clinics meet the highest standards while providing their services at a much lower cost.