Links between processed foods and cancer

Ultra-processed foods include packaged baked goods and snacks, fizzy drinks, sugary cereals, ready meals and reconstituted meat products often containing high levels of sugar, fat, and salt, but lacking in vitamins and fibre. A few studies have linked ultra-processed foods to higher risks of obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

A team of researchers based in France and Brazil, set out to evaluate potential associations between ultra-processed food intake and risk of overall cancer, as well as that of breast, prostate, and bowel (colorectal) cancers. Their findings are based on 104,980 healthy French adults (22% men; 78% women) with an average age of 43 years who completed at least two 24-hour online dietary questionnaires, designed to measure usual intake of 3,300 different food items.

Foods were grouped according to degree of processing and cases of cancer were identified from participants' declarations validated by medical records and national databases over an average of five years. Several well known risk factors for cancer, such as age, sex, educational level, family history of cancer, smoking status and physical activity levels, were taken into account.

The results show that a 10% increase in the proportion of ultra-processed foods in the diet was associated with increases of 12% in the risk of overall cancer and 11% in the risk of breast cancer. No significant association was found for prostate and colorectal cancers. Further testing found no significant association between less processed foods (such as canned vegetables, cheeses and freshly made unpackaged bread) and risk of cancer, while consumption of fresh or minimally processed foods (fruits, vegetables, pulses, rice, pasta, eggs, meat, fish and milk) was associated with lower risks of overall cancer and breast cancer.

This is an observational study, so no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, and the researchers point to some limitations. For example, they cannot rule out some misclassification of foods or guarantee detection of every new cancer case. Nevertheless, the study sample was large and they were able to adjust for a range of potentially influential factors.
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Calcium in arteries increases the risk of heart attack

High calcium buildup in the coronary arteries increases the risk of heart attack or stroke. Calcium in the coronary arteries may be a sign of coronary artery disease CAD.

Calcium accumulates in the arteries of the heart after plaque builds up and calcifies over time. People with calcium buildup in their blood vessels must take statins to reduce their risk of heart attack.

Coronary computed tomography CT scan of the chest and heart can reveal the levels of calcium accumulation in a patient. Age, sex, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels are other factors that can contribute to heart attack.

The use of coronary computed tomography CT is recommended before using statins, because it will provide comprehensive look and state of the heart and related arteries. The result will dictate the use of statins.
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Ketogenic diets can cure diabetes

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases of high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both.

Ketogenic diet involves eating five per cent carbohydrates, 20 per cent protein and 75 per cent fats per day. Foods high  in fat are nuts, cheese, fish, meat and avocado.

It was created in 1924 to reduce seizures in children with epilepsy, but has become a popular weight loss tool. Instead of using glucose from carbohydrate for fuel, the body is forced into ketosis, when the body metabolises fat as fuel.

Reducing carbohydrates in food reduce  blood sugar levels and insulin levels. It
can also lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels

Ketogenic diet can cause hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, mental fogginess,
fatigue and headaches, kidney stones and bone fractures.









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