MARCH 17, 2008

Soft Drinks Weaken Women's Bones
Teeth aren't the only "whites" in your body that suffer from heavy soda consumption. According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women who down significant quantities of soft drinks are much more likely to suffer weakened bones as a result. The study, conducted by Tufts University researchers, was based on data from more than 2,500 adults. Among female participants, those who drank the largest amounts of cola were more likely to suffer bone fractures and low bone mineral density. Phosphoric acid, an ingredient in carbonated soft drinks, is known to impair calcium absorption. (LifeScript)

For people with heart disease, getting blood pressure numbers low could actually reverse the condition. Cleveland Clinic researchers conducted a study in which they measured arterial plaque in 274 adults with heart disease. After 2 years, arteries in those with high blood pressure (140/90 or greater) had become even more clogged. The blood vessels of people whose readings were in the hypertension warning zone (120/80 to 139/89) held steady. But subjects whose pressure clocked in at 119/79 or below decreased the amount of gunk in their arteries. Driving down blood pressure can be as easy as taking regular walks, limiting alcohol and sodium, and eating lots of fruits and veggies. Also, talk to your doctor to find out if blood pressure-lowering medication should be part of your regimen. (Prevention)

Take your vitamins every morning. Study by study, evidence is mounting that a standard multivitamin fills enough of the gaps in your diet to make a real difference. For example, a recent study at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute in Seattle showed that people who took a multivitamin supplement and 200 I.U. of vitamin E for 10 years were half as likely to get colon cancer. (Men's Health)

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