Eating A Variety of Fruit and Vegetables Cuts Lung Cancer Risk

Eating five portions of fruit and vegetables per day is one of the means that experts most frequently recommend for preventing cancer. Now, the European EPIC study carried out by researchers from 10 countries has shown that, in the case of lung cancer, the important thing is not just the quantity but also the variety of fruit consumed, which can reduce the risk by up to 23%.

The study shows that eating “more than eight sub-groups” of vegetables cuts this risk by 23% compared with eating “less than four sub-groups”. In addition, this risk falls by a further 4% for each unit added to the diet from another sub-group.

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Automatic Stir-frying Robot

The machine shown below was developed and made in China.

Cholesterol on Eyelids Might Point to Heart Risk

A preliminary Danish study suggests that the deposits could point to an increased risk for heart attack, arterial disease and early death.

Half of patients with such deposits, a condition called xanthelasmata, actually have normal cholesterol levels. The research team therefore believes that buildup of cholesterol on the eyelid is perhaps a marker for cardiac risk, regardless of a patient’s cholesterol profile.

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An Innovative Vegetarian Dish

Stuffed Deep-Fried Tofu Pocket with Soba

The dish is similar to the Japanese Inari Sushi. Instead of using sushi rice, soba mixed with sushi vinegar is used. Other ingredients include vegetarian salmon, matsutake, wasabi and shredded nori.

Less Salt in Teenagers’ Diet May Reduce Hypertension in Adulthood

Eating smaller amounts of salt each day as a teenager could reduce high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke in adulthood, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2010.

By reducing the salt teenagers eat each day by 3 grams, researchers projected through modeling a 44 percent to 63 percent (380,000 to 550,000) decrease in the number of hypertensive teenagers and young adults. They estimated a 30 percent to 43 percent decrease (2.7 to 3.9 million) in the number of hypertensives at ages 35 to 50.

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Fructose-rich Beverages May Increase Risk of Gout in Women

Consumption of fructose-rich drinks, such as sugar-sweetened sodas and orange juice is associated with an increased risk of gout among women, according to a study published in JAMA.

The research suggests intake of sugar sweetened sodas increases the risk of gout bye up to 2.4 times. The study also finds that the risk of gout was significantly increased with increasing intake of fructose – the main ingredient thought to cause the increased risk in sodas.

Gout results from an excess of uric acid in the body. Overload of uric acid leads to the formation of urate crystals in bodily tissues, especially the joints – which can lead to recurring attacks of joint inflammation (arthritis).

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New Style Cantonese (Southern Chinese) Dishes

Below are oferings from a restaurant in Hong Kong.

Stir-fried Beef Cubes with Vegetables

Stir-fried Garoupa with Black Truffle Sauce

Tea Smoked Chicken

Deep-fried Noodle-wrapped Shrimp with Mango Sauce

By Focusing on Reducing Disease Risk, “Desktop Medicine” will Transform the Practice of Medicine

Gone are the days when a doctor’s only way of helping patients is by treating the disease after symptoms have started. Instead, a new approach to medicine, called “Desktop Medicine” is emerging, in which the emphasis shifts from diagnosing diseases and treating symptoms to identifying risk-factors for medical conditions such as hypertension and osteoporosis, and intervening before they develop. The commentary appears in the current issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

“Desktop medicine,” a model defined by Jason Karlawish, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, involves clinicians continuously gathering risk factor information – from a patient’s medical history, electronic medical records or recent office visit – and combining it with clinical studies about disease risk. Once the patient’s risk has been assessed, the physician can provide the appropriate intervention to prevent the onset of disease, rather than treat the disease once it is fully developed.

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My Recipe

Stir-fried Chicken with Mushroom and Celery

Ingredient:

6 oz Skinless and boneless chicken thigh
6 oz Celery
2 oz Canned sliced mushroom
1 tsp Minced garlic
1/2 Tbsp Shredded ginger

Chicken Marinade:

1/2 tsp Light soy sauce
1/2 tsp Cornstarch
1/2 Tbsp Water
Dash White ground pepper
1/2 Tbsp Oil

Sauce:

1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Sugar
1/4 tsp Chicken broth mix
1/2 tsp Light soy sauce
1/4 tsp Sesame oil
Dash White ground pepper
3 Tbsp Water
3/4 tsp Cornstarch

Method:

1. Cut chicken thigh into 3/4 inch dices. Marinate for half an hour.
2. Cut celery into 1-1/2 inches thick strips.
3. Mix sauce ingredients and set aside.
4. Add 1-1/2 Tbsp of oil to wok. When hot, add celery. Stir fry for about 2 minute until slightly soft but still crunchy. Remove.
5. Add 1-1/2 Tbsp oil to wok. Saute garlic, ginger and mushrooms. Stir fry for one minute. Add chicken. Stir fry until no longer pink. Add 1/2 tsp Chinese cooking wine. Stir-fry for another half minute.
6. Return celery to wok. Stir fry until heated through. Add sauce gradually. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens and coats both chicken and vegetables. Remove to serving plate. Serve hot.

Chocolate Boosts Heart Health in Older Women

Older women who eat chocolate once a week may reduce their risk for developing heart disease and cardiovascular-related problems later in life, according to a new study appearing in the November issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Data revealed 27.3 percent ASVD events in the group that rarely consumed chocolate, compared with 20.7 percent in the group that consumed chocolate weekly, and 20.8 percent in the group that consumed chocolate daily.

Results showed that hospitalization or death was less common in participants in the study who consumed chocolate frequently. Compared to non-chocolate eaters, women who consumed more frequently were at significantly lower risk for hospitalizations for or death of ischemic heart disease or heart failure.

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