Vitamin E linked to lung cancer

Taking high doses of vitamin E supplements can increase the risk of lung cancer, research suggests.

The US study of 77,000 people found taking 400 milligrams per day long-term increased cancer risk by 28% - with smokers at particular risk.

It follows warnings about similar risks of excessive beta-carotene use.

Writing in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, an expert said people should get their vitamins from fruit and veg.[...]

Dr Tim Byers, from the University of Colorado, said a healthy, balanced diet meant people took in a whole range of beneficial nutrients and minerals, which might help to reduce cancer risk. The researchers followed people aged between 50 and 76 for four years and looked at their average daily use of vitamin C and folic acid, and vitamin E supplements. Over the course of the study, 521 people developed lung cancer. Smoking, family history and age all had unsurprisingly strong links to cancer risk. And while neither vitamin C or folic acid use had any effect on lung cancer risk, vitamin E use did. The researchers extrapolated their findings, and concluded that over a decade, there was an additional 7% increase in risk for every 100 milligrams taken per day. The vitamin E trend was most prominent among smokers, but was not confined to them. Vitamin E is known to be an antioxidant - protecting cells from molecules called free radicals. But the US researchers speculate that, in high doses, it may also act as a pro-oxidant - causing oxidation and therefore damage to cells. 'Toxic effects' Dr Christopher Slatore of the University of Washington in Seattle, who led the study, said: "In contrast to the often assumed benefits or at least lack of harm, supplemental vitamin E was associated with a small increased risk of lung cancer. "Future studies may focus on other components of fruits and vegetables that may explain the decreased risk of cancer that has been associated with fruit and vegetables. "Meanwhile, our results should prompt clinicians to counsel patients that these supplements are unlikely to reduce the risk of lung cancer and may be detrimental." But Henry Scowcroft, senior science information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: "The jury's still very much out on whether vitamin and mineral supplements can affect cancer risk. "Some studies suggest a benefit, but many others show no effect and some, like this one, suggest they may even increase risk." He added: "Research repeatedly shows that a healthy, balanced diet can reduce your risk of some cancers while giving you all the vitamins you need. "Quitting smoking remains the most effective way to avoid many cancers. There's no diet, or vitamin supplement, that could ever counter the toxic effects of cigarette smoke." In 2002 a Finnish study of 29,000 male smokers found taking beta-carotene - which is converted into vitamin A in the body - was linked to an 18% increased risk of developing lung cancer.

Alli: The First FDA approved OTC diet pills in USA

GlaxoSmithKline the manufacturer of Orlistat recently released a fat-blocking pill called alli (pronounced as al-eye) to the US market. Alli is a lower dosage form of Orlistat or better known with its brand name as Xenical. It is the first FDA approved diet pills in the USA. USA is one of the countries that has an increasing overweight population. Before, diet pills are needed to be purchased with a prescription, but GlaxoSmithKline seen the weight problem of most americans and the arising complications it may bring like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, etc. So they gave the public the power to keep fit and healthy by producing OTC diet drug. Alli is indicated for person over 18 years old. Proper diet and exercise can contribute a lot in getting the desired weight and figure we want, so it is not necessary to depend everything on taking the pill alone. In the Philippines, the BFAD approved lower dosed Xenical is the counterpart of alli. We had it since last year and it sells like hotcake until now, while USA just had alli available recently. We cannot deny that most of us (including myself) considered losing weight as a major task to do with less positive result. There are a lot of ways to lose weight and proven to be working. We know ourselves better than others so choose a diet plan or weight-loss programs that suits you and try working hard to stick to it. Taking diet pill is a great help to lose weight, but having the determination to make it happen is more than the good effect that a diet pills can give us.

"One Airway, One Disease"

Information campaign made in Europe that rhinitis is intimately linked with asthma is done by Global Allergy and Asthma European Network to all Health care professionals and patients. They found out that prevalence of allergic rhinitis is increasing to up to 20% in school children and 30% in teenagers. Patients should never ignore this and should give importance to adequately diagnose and treat allergic rhinitis to improve quality of life and decrease the risk of developing asthma or asthma exacerbation.

"One airway, one disease" is the concept. Rhinitis and asthma were treated differently, but it was proven that there is a significant improvement if they treat nose and bronchi disease together. Although the link between this two is causal but physicians recognizes rhinitis in asthmatic patient and asthma in patient with rhinitis .

How does it links?

It's the "united airways prospectives" Rhinitis affects the nose, asthma affects the lungs. Rhinitis is a risk factor of asthma and worsening of the allergic rhinitis symptoms can be associated with asthma exacerbation. Several view points are taken to study physiopathological links. From early life events to the translation of allergic sensitisation into allergic diseases and finally the physiological developments as allergic diseases become persistent or aggravated.

So, do not ignore your rhinitis by just taking any antihistamines, diphenhydramine , or hydrocortisone for temporary relief. Go to your doctor for proper care management.