Humans are closely tuned to their surroundings - especially when it comes to making babies. Just as bears and elk wait for the right season to sire offspring, our bodies reach the peak of fertility only when conditions seem right for raising babies. If there's any sign of illness, malnourishment, or an unhealthy environment, our bodies may decide to put parenthood on hold.
Showing posts with label Healthy Weight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Healthy Weight. Show all posts
Friday, 19 October 2012
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Heavy men more likely to have sperm issues: study
A man sits on a bench in central London, September 23, 2009. REUTERS
REUTERS - Heavy men are more likely than their peers with more normal weights to have low sperm counts or no sperm production at all, a key way to measure fertility, according to an international study.
But the review of past studies, which covered a combined total of 10,000 men and appeared in the Archives of Internal Medicine, can't prove that overweight or obese men will have more trouble fathering a child.
"In general you expect that men with lower sperm counts will have a greater frequency of difficulty conceiving than men with higher sperm counts, but it's not completely straightforward," said Jorge Chavarro at the Harvard School of Public Health, part of the collaborative group that put out the study.
How well sperm move, their shape and the quality of DNA they carry matter too, Chavarro said -- but previous studies have suggested some of those measures of sperm quality may be affected by obesity as well.
For the new analysis, French researchers combined data from 14 studies that compared sperm count in samples from normal weight, overweight and obese men, as well as data from their own infertility center.
About one-quarter of the combined 10,000 men had a low sperm count. In another analysis, just over 250 of almost 7,000 men had no sperm in their ejaculate at all.
Overweight men were 11 percent more likely to have a low sperm count and 39 percent more likely to have no sperm than their normal-weight peers, according to calculations by Sebastien Czernichow and colleagues at the Ambrose Pare Hospital, Boulogne-Billancourt.
Obese men, on the other hand, were 42 percent more likely to have a low sperm count than their normal-weight peers and 81 percent more likely to have sperm-free ejaculate.
The researchers proposed a number of different theories for the findings including that male hormones may be converted into estrogen in fat tissue, affecting sperm-making, or that more fat in the hips and stomach could make the scrotum too hot.
The results don't prove that overweight and obese men will have more fertility troubles, although you wouldn't expect men who have no sperm at all to be fertile, Chavorro said.
It's possible that obesity itself isn't to blame. It could be that in some men an underlying health condition causes them to gain weight and affects their sperm, said Stephen Winters, professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes at the University of Louisville.
Because of that, researchers can't say for sure whether heavy men could boost their sperm production by losing weight.
Czernichow told Reuters Health in an email that losing weight improves fertility in women, but that there's not much data in men - though small case reports have suggested weight-loss surgery may actually have a negative effect on sperm.
A study late last year found that being overweight was tied to a lower sperm concentration and lower motility.
The current report is not conclusive and the risks are "not huge," said Winters, who wasn't involved in the study. But he added that fertility trouble is one of the health risks of obesity.
"This appears to be yet another health outcome for which maintaining a healthy weight appears to be important," Chavarro told Reuters Health.
"It's not only about your cardiovascular disease risk, it's not only about diabetes and some forms of cancer. Obesity also seems to affect outcomes that may be manifested in younger men." SOURCE: http://bit.ly/yEePM4
But the review of past studies, which covered a combined total of 10,000 men and appeared in the Archives of Internal Medicine, can't prove that overweight or obese men will have more trouble fathering a child.
"In general you expect that men with lower sperm counts will have a greater frequency of difficulty conceiving than men with higher sperm counts, but it's not completely straightforward," said Jorge Chavarro at the Harvard School of Public Health, part of the collaborative group that put out the study.
How well sperm move, their shape and the quality of DNA they carry matter too, Chavarro said -- but previous studies have suggested some of those measures of sperm quality may be affected by obesity as well.
For the new analysis, French researchers combined data from 14 studies that compared sperm count in samples from normal weight, overweight and obese men, as well as data from their own infertility center.
About one-quarter of the combined 10,000 men had a low sperm count. In another analysis, just over 250 of almost 7,000 men had no sperm in their ejaculate at all.
Overweight men were 11 percent more likely to have a low sperm count and 39 percent more likely to have no sperm than their normal-weight peers, according to calculations by Sebastien Czernichow and colleagues at the Ambrose Pare Hospital, Boulogne-Billancourt.
Obese men, on the other hand, were 42 percent more likely to have a low sperm count than their normal-weight peers and 81 percent more likely to have sperm-free ejaculate.
The researchers proposed a number of different theories for the findings including that male hormones may be converted into estrogen in fat tissue, affecting sperm-making, or that more fat in the hips and stomach could make the scrotum too hot.
The results don't prove that overweight and obese men will have more fertility troubles, although you wouldn't expect men who have no sperm at all to be fertile, Chavorro said.
It's possible that obesity itself isn't to blame. It could be that in some men an underlying health condition causes them to gain weight and affects their sperm, said Stephen Winters, professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes at the University of Louisville.
Because of that, researchers can't say for sure whether heavy men could boost their sperm production by losing weight.
Czernichow told Reuters Health in an email that losing weight improves fertility in women, but that there's not much data in men - though small case reports have suggested weight-loss surgery may actually have a negative effect on sperm.
A study late last year found that being overweight was tied to a lower sperm concentration and lower motility.
The current report is not conclusive and the risks are "not huge," said Winters, who wasn't involved in the study. But he added that fertility trouble is one of the health risks of obesity.
"This appears to be yet another health outcome for which maintaining a healthy weight appears to be important," Chavarro told Reuters Health.
"It's not only about your cardiovascular disease risk, it's not only about diabetes and some forms of cancer. Obesity also seems to affect outcomes that may be manifested in younger men." SOURCE: http://bit.ly/yEePM4
(Reporting from New York by Genevra Pittman at Reuters Health; editing by Elaine Lies and Bob Tourtellotte)
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
BREAST CANCER: ARE 20-SOMETHINGS AT RISK?
Posted by Ashley Rose Howard
It’s any woman’s worst nightmare. You’re in the shower washing your body with soap and singing along to your favorite new tune when you come across a noticeable lump in your right breast. Panic sets in. Is it a bruise? A cyst? You’re still in your 20s–the picture of youth and health. So should you really be concerned? According to theYoung Survival Coalition: Young Women Facing Breast Cancer Together, women ages 15 to 34 die more frequently from breast cancer than any other cancer. In dedication of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to make sure all of you are properly informed about your breast and self-examinations.
First thing to remember: Don’t Stress! If you’ve discovered a lump, you may develop anxiety over the possibility of getting diagnosed with breast cancer. But at the same time, you’re putting an enormous amount of worry and stress on your body, which can weaken the immune system and cause other health issues. The statistics prove that developing breast cancer in your 20s is possible, but very unlikely. “The odds of a 20-something being diagnosed with breast cancer are about as likely as the diagnosis of a 74-year-old man,” says Dr. Colette Ho, a New York City Internal Medicine Practitioner tells us. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take proper precautions in your 20s, especially if you have a lineage of breast cancer in your family.
Doctor’s #1 recommendation: Self-Exam. Yes, that’s right. Fondling your own breasts is the most important preventative measure a woman in her 20s can practice. A self-exam should be preformed in the comfort of your own home–preferably one week after your menstrual period begins–by following these four steps:
Step 1: Lay down so your breast tissue spreads evenly over your chest wall and is as thin as possible. You may also opt for the shower, as the slippery texture of water may increase your chances of detecting a change.
Step 2: Use the pads of the three middle fingers of your left hand–not your fingertips–to check your breast for lumps by moving your fingers slowly in small coin-sized circles. Use different levels of pressure to feel all of your breast tissue.
Step 3: Check your entire breast using a lengthwise strip pattern. Feel all of the tissue from the collarbone to the bra line and from the armpit to the breastbone. Start in the armpit and work down to the bottom of the bra line.
Step 4: When in doubt about a particular lump, check your other breast. If you find the same kind of lump in the same area on the other breast, both breasts are probably normal. Pay attention to any lump that feels much harder than the rest of your breast or painful to the touch. If you find anything that concerns you, schedule a visit with your doctor.
Other than the self-exam, the best way for 20-somethings to reduce the risk of breast cancer is to maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, reduce stress and drink alcohol in moderation (basically, everything opposite from your college years!).
So, how do you protect the ta-tas with age? The same advice goes for 30-somethings–self-exams, eat right and get your body moving. As for 40-somethings, diet and exercise becomes more mandatory rather than recommended. Dr. Ho says most cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women between the ages of 40 and 75. Lockey Maisonneuve, Founder of MovingOn, an organization offering exercise classes for breast cancer survivors,can’t stress enough about the importance of balancing a healthy diet and exercise to prevent breast cancer going into your 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond.
Lockey was one of the unfortunate women who discovered her worst nightmare of breast cancer soon after her 40th birthday. As a survivor, she suggests women begin getting annual mammograms starting at age 40, and most importantly, “Don’t put it off!” As for 20-somethings, Lockey recommends to Life2PointOh getting educated on your genetic history of breast cancer. “So many young women have no idea that their mothers, grandmothers or even great-grandmothers were once diagnosed with breast cancer.”
As you start recognizing the extensive amount of pink ribbons waving around for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take a moment to appreciate your healthy 20-something breasts. Practice your self-exams, investigate your family history and don’t wait to get checked if you feel a non-organic lump!
Want more helpful advice? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook!http://life2pointoh.com/2011/10/breast-cancer-awareness/
Sunday, 4 March 2012
15 Ways to Fight Breast Cancer
Reviewed by QualityHealth's Medical Advisory Board
An estimated one in eight women will be afflicted with breast cancer in her lifetime. Although there is no guaranteed protection against the disease, there are things you can do lower your risk. Follow these tips to prevent breast cancer and to support finding a cure:
Maintain a healthy weight.
There is a strong link between obesity and breast cancer, particularly if extra weight is added after menopause.
Schedule an annual mammogram.
This is vital after age 40, as mammograms may help detect early signs of breast cancer, sometimes up to several years before a lump can be felt.Eat foods high in fiber.
Try to consume 20 to 30 grams of fiber daily. Among its many health benefits, fiber may help reduce the amount of circulating estrogen in the body. Foods high in fiber include whole grains and beans.Avoid long-term hormone therapy.
The link between postmenopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer has been a subject of debate for years, and research results have been mixed. For women approaching menopause and having frequent symptoms, experts believe it's probably safe to take hormones for as long as four to five years any longer increases breast cancer risk, without conferring any clear benefits.Enjoy soy.
Isoflavones in soy foods are weak estrogen-like compounds that block the action of estrogen, which may contribute to breast cancer. Use soy flour in recipes, add tofu to soups or main dishes, eat green soybeans, or drink soy milk.Limit alcohol consumption.
Drinking alcoholic beverages is linked to breast cancer, and the type of alcohol doesn't seem to matter. Consume less than one alcoholic beverage per day, or better yet, avoid it entirely.Stay physically active.
Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise on most days. Try to include weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging, or dancing, which have the added benefit of keeping bones strong.Eat good fats.
Certain types of fats seem to increase estrogen levels, which, in turn, raise breast cancer risk. Opt for monounsaturated oils like olive and canola and omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon, sardines, and herring. Avoid trans fats, found in stick margarine, packaged baked goods, and snack foods, and the polyunsaturated fats featured in corn, sunflower, and safflower oils.Consider aspirin therapy.
Taking an aspirin just once a week may help protect against breast cancer, but be sure to consult a doctor before starting an aspirin regimen. When used for long periods of time, aspirin can cause stomach irritation, bleeding, and ulcers.Avoid additives.
When possible, buy hormone-free organic meats, poultry, and dairy foods. Be sure to wash fresh produce and remove peels to get rid of pesticide residue.Try vitamin E.
In a small study at State University of New York at Buffalo, participants with a family history of breast cancer had an 80 percent lower risk for developing breast cancer if their diets contained 10 or more IU per day of vitamin E.Eat more fruits and vegetables.
In particular, get enough cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, which can boost cancer-fighting enzymes.Perform monthly breast self-exams.
Women can detect lumps or changes in their breasts by performing exams every month. The best time to do a self-exam is a week after the start of your period, when breasts are less likely to be tender or swollen.Breastfeed if possible.
Some studies have shown that breastfeeding may decrease the risk of breast cancer later in life.Participate in the fight against breast cancer.
There are numerous ways to get involved in raising awareness and money for breast cancer research, so do your research and get started today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)