Research: Health 

By Steve Blechman and Thomas Fahey, EdD

Alcohol Promotes Tumor Growth

Most of the news about alcohol and health has been good for the past few years. Scores of studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption has health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, dementia and osteoporosis. Others studies show that alcohol consumption increases the risk of some cancers, domestic violence, traffic accidents, absenteeism and sexual abuse. Researchers from the University of Mississippi Medical Center found that cancer cells exposed to alcohol grew eight times faster than normal. Alcohol promoted cancer cell growth by stimulating blood vessel development that helped them grow (a process called angiogenesis). Should people drink alcohol or not? People with a family history of alcohol abuse or cancer should avoid alcohol. One-half to one serving of alcohol per day appears to provide the maximum health benefit for people with normal abuse potential and a low risk of cancer. (Cancer, 103: 422 - 431, 2005)

Best Jimmy for Your Johnson

You can save money buying daisies rather than roses, California champagne rather than Dom Perignon, but never skimp on condoms. Consumer Reports tested the seven leading types of condoms in the U.S. and Durex Extra Sensitive Lubricated Latex came out on top. Other highly rated brands included Durex Performax Lubricated, Lifestyles Classic Collection Ultra Sensitive Lubricated and TheyFit Lubricated. Consumer researchers tested the condoms by filling them with air. Surprisingly, Planned Parenthood distributed the lowest- rated condom. There's an unsubstantiated rumor that the organization plans to change its name to Unplanned Parenthood. The magazine examined other birth control methods, as well. People who abstained from sex had a zero percent failure rate, while those who did nothing to prevent pregnancy had an 85 percent failure rate. (Consumer Reports, Jan., 2005)

Three Drinks a Day a Stroke Risk

The French paradox has baffled scientists for years. French people love good food. Their sauces, pastries and cheeses are very high in fat and should be killing them in great numbers. Yet, the French have one of the lowest heart disease and death rates in the world. Scientists speculate that wine drinking protects French coronary arteries. In the U.S., the average person drinks 1.5 gallons of wine per year. In France, that number is a staggering 22.5 gallons per year. Harvard research showed that drinking one or two glasses of red wine per day decreased the risk of stroke by 48 percent. The study of more than 38,000 men showed that men who consumed three or more drinks per day, particularly hard alcohol, increased their risk of stroke by 42 percent. Moderation is the key- modest alcohol consumption benefits health, but more than that doesn't. (Ann Int Med, 142: 11-19, 2005)

Beer Increases Gout Risk

Gout is a common cause of joint inflammation. It often comes on suddenly and is related to high uric acid levels in the blood. Uric acid forms crystals in the joints that cause inflammation and pain. It usually only affects one or two joints at a time- most commonly the big toe. Gout attacks become more frequently in people with chronically high uric acid levels and they can eventually cause permanent joint damage. Risk factors include family history, obesity, blood pressure medications, chronic kidney disease, diets high in red meat, shellfish and legumes (beans), and alcohol. Harvard scientists found that high intake (three or more drinks per day) of beer or hard liquor increased the risk of gout by 60 percent, while drinking wine did not. Beer drinking is a serious risk factor for gout. (Arthritis Care Res, 51: 1023-1029, 2004)

Treating Prostate Cancer May Weaken Bones

Osteoporosis is a bone-wasting disease that affects mainly women after menopause. The disease is also common in older men, particularly those who are inactive and have low testosterone levels. The disease can lead to painful, life-threatening fractures. In a study of nearly 51,000 cancer patients, researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, found that physicians treating men for prostate cancer may be causing osteoporosis in their patients. Prostate cancer is the second leading cancer-related cause of death in men (lung cancer is first). Treatment includes castration or giving drugs that suppress testosterone. The testosterone-lowering treatment may be causing more than 3,000 fractures a year in prostate cancer patients. To make matters worse, while the treatment slows tumor growth, it doesn't help men live longer. It does, however, double their risk of fracture. (N Eng J Med, 352:154-164, 2005)

IGF-1 Protects Blood Vessels

IGF-1 is a powerful muscle growth factor that coordinates with growth hormone to promote muscle hypertrophy and growth. High levels of IGF-1 may advance some cancers because the chemical promotes blood vessel growth, which allows the cancer cells to thrive. By the same mechanism, some scientists think it might also promote hardening of the arteries by increasing the size of the arterial smooth muscle (the middle layer of blood vessels). A literature review by Italian scientists found that IGF-1 protects the arteries by improving the health of the cells that release nitric oxide, which is very important for blood flow. Increased nitric oxide prevents hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure and abdominal fat deposition, and promotes carbohydrate metabolism and a healthy heart. The FDA will soon approve the synthetic version of the powerful anabolic hormone IGF-1 (rh IGF-1). The new drug will also be useful for controlling blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics, treating heart and blood vessel disease and preventing muscle wasting in diseases such as arthritis and cystic fibrosis. IGF-1 is a powerful anabolic drug that's of obvious interest to bodybuilders, power athletes and older adults. (Circulation, 110: 2260-2265, 2004)

Tanning Builds Bone and Increases Vitamin D

Dermatologists have been telling people for years to stay out of the sun and avoid tanning beds to avoid wrinkled skin and skin cancer. While the bronzed tan look is still popular, many people cover up or use protective sun lotions to protect their skin. Avoiding the sun's rays completely is not a good idea. The body gets vitamin D largely from a reaction that requires sunlight. The vitamin is essential for building strong bones, preserving muscle strength and preventing multiple sclerosis, diabetes and cancer. It also helps regulate cell growth, immunity and energy metabolism. Boston University scientists found that people who were exposed to more ultraviolet light had higher vitamin D levels and denser bones. The study showed that 41.5 percent of non-tanners were deficient in vitamin D compared to only eight percent of patrons of tanning salons. Dermatologists countered that people with vitamin D deficiencies can take supplements and should avoid excessive sun exposure. (Am J Clin Nutr, 80: 1645-1649, 2004)

Inflammation Good Predictor of Heart Attack Risk

For years, low cholesterol has been the mantra for preventing heart disease. In a study of nearly 4,000 patients, researchers from the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston found that inflammation, as measured by C-reactive protein (CRP), may be a better of predictor of who will get a heart attack. High levels of CRP show that the body is fighting an injury or infection. The injury may be to the blood vessels. Injury and inflammation of the blood vessels promotes heart disease, in addition to high blood fats, such as total cholesterol and LDL (the bad cholesterol). High blood pressure can also cause blood vessel inflammation. Reducing inflammation using cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins resulted in fewer heart attacks and deaths and prevented the advance of heart disease. Most people know that it's good to have low cholesterol. Soon people will be talking about their C-reactive protein levels, too. (N Eng J Med, 352: 20-28, 2005)

Diuretics and Heart Disease

Many bodybuilders take diuretics when cutting up for a contest. Others, who take anabolic steroids, take diuretics to avoid swelling. Diuretics can cause loss of potassium and disturb the electrical rhythm of the heart. Nerve signals and muscle contractions depend on movements of chemicals called electrolytes that include sodium, potassium and chloride. Cells regulate the electrical potential of their membranes by maintaining greater levels of sodium and chloride on the outside and potassium on the inside. Researchers from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York found that diuretics contributed to premature death from cardiac arrest in middle-age and older women. The American diet (particularly popular low-carbohydrate diets) is high in salt (sodium and chloride) and low in potassium. This can cause calcium and bone loss, muscle cramping, high blood pressure and heart rhythm disturbances. Increase potassium intake by eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Potassium-rich foods include leafy green vegetables such as spinach, romaine and cabbage; vine-grown foods like tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, winter squash and pumpkin; root vegetables like carrots, radishes, and onions; and fruits like bananas, strawberries, apricots and oranges. Milk, yogurt, potatoes, dried peas and beans also have healthy doses of potassium. (JAMA, 292:2849-2859, 2004)

Estrogens Important for Bone Health in Men

Many bodybuilders take anabolic steroids, some of which are converted to estrogens in a process called aromatization. According to a literature review by scientists from Italy and the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, these "extra" estrogens play an important role in promoting bone health. Estrogens control the rate of bone remodeling, which means the hormone is important for insuring good quality bone. Falling testosterone levels have an indirect effect on increasing fracture risk and depressing bone health in older men. Men get most of there estrogen by making it (aromatizing it) from testosterone. Low testosterone also means low estrogens, which increases the risk of osteoporosis (thinning bones) in older men. High-dose anabolic steroids have profound effects on estrogen metabolism. To date, no studies have examined changes in bone density in long-term users of anabolic steroids. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab,  89: 5898-5907, 2004)

Alcohol Increases AIDS Risk from Oral Sex

Most reports suggest it's more difficult to get an HIV infection from oral sex than from anal or vaginal sex. UCLA Dental Institute scientists found that alcohol and oral sex can be a deadly combination. Many studies showed that drinking alcohol is a risk factor for HIV infection because it promotes risky behavior.  This study, however, showed that alcohol makes the cells in the mouth more prone to infection. Mouth cells exposed to alcohol for 10 minutes increased HIV infection rates by 300 to 600 percent. The researchers used four percent alcohol- the same amount found in beer. They studied the effects of alcohol on HIV infection in a cell culture (test tube), so it may not apply in the real world. To be safe: If you like to drink alcohol, be careful where you put your mouth! (J Acq Immune Defic Synd, 37:1445-1453, 2004)

A Drink a Day Keeps Your Mind Sharp

Most people don't link alcohol consumption to clear thinking, but that's exactly what Harvard Medical School scientist found. They studied brain function in more than 12,000 women ages 70 to 81 enrolled in the Nurses Health Study for two years. Women who consumed one drink a day scored seven to 33 percent better on mental tests than non-drinkers. Moderate drinkers were also much less susceptible to extreme, sudden changes in mental capacity. Higher levels of alcohol consumption did not increase the risk of mental decline, but it did not offer the same protection as moderate consumption. The type of alcohol had no effect on the results. This is yet another study showing positive health effects from moderate alcohol consumption. (N Eng J Med, 352:245-253, 2005)