Selenium and Vitamin E do not help prevent prostate cancer.

A large randomized trial has demonstrated that men taking vitamin E supplements experienced a small but statically significant increase in their risk of prostate cancer. Participants were part of the SELECT (Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial) and were 50 years and older. The authors noted that this study demonstrated that these supplements do not prevent cancer.

PositiveTip: All should be skeptical of health claims for unregulated, over-the-counter products in the absence of strong clinical evidence of benefit.

Study finds vitamin and mineral supplementation may be counterproductive.

Although a healthy diet provides sufficient vitamins and minerals, many individuals take vitamin and mineral supplements hoping to further improve their health and prevent disease. A large, 19 year observational study of postmenopausal women has found that taking common vitamin supplements may actually shorten life instead. After controlling for confounders, absolute risk increased from 2.4% for multivitamins to 18% for copper.

PositiveTip: Supplements do not add to the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, and may have unwanted consequences.

Diverticular disease lower in vegetarians with high fiber diets.

A British study of vegetarians and non-vegetarians found that vegetarians have a 31% lower risk of developing diverticular disease and in those consuming greater than 25.5 grams of  dietary fiber had 41% less risk compared with those consuming less than 14 grams.  Death rates from diverticular disease was 4.4% in meat eaters versus 3% in the vegetarians.

PositiveTip: A plant-based diet lowers the risk of diverticular disease along with many others.

Just one serving of red meat daily increases type II diabetes risk by almost 20%.

In the largest study of its kind (204,157 participants followed for 20+ years), Harvard University researchers have found that using whole grains, nuts or low-fat dairy such as yogurt to replace one daily serving of red meat can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 16-35%. Eating only 4 ounces of red meat per day raised the risk by 19%. Using processed meats like hot dog or sausage increased the risk by 51%.

PositiveTip: Sugary sweets and sodas are not the only thing that increases the risk of diabetes--limit your red meat consumption to lower your risk.

The more health issues you have the greater the risk of dementia.

After following over 7200 participants for 10 years, investigators with the Canadian Study of Health and Aging examined 19 different health problems such as hearing difficulties, vision problems, arthritis, denture fit, skin issues, stomach health and more.  Findings showed that each problem reported increased dementia risk by 3.2%.  Individuasl with 8 and 12 health problems had a 30% and 40% risk, respectively.

PositiveTip:  Treasure every aspect of your health and choose to preserve it for as long as possible.

Walnuts & fatty fish influence different serum lipids in normal to mildly hyperlipidemic people.

Eating one and a half ounces of walnuts a day for a week lowered both total and LDL cholesterol by 5.4% and 9.3%, respectively. For every 1% drop in LDL cholesterol there is a 2% drop in coronary heart disease risk, so this translates to an 18.6% reduced risk of heart disease. 

In contrast, two 4-ounce servings a week of salmon raised HDL cholesterol about 4% and decreased triglycerides by 11%. However, for people with mild to moderately high cholesterol levels, salmon actually raised both the total and LDL cholesterol.

PositiveTip: Replacing servings of meat with 1.5 oz. of walnuts daily in cereal or added to salad can reduce your risk of heart disease.

Good news! Critical risk factors for stillbirths in high-income countries are modifiable.

Research has revealed that the major risk factors for stillbirths in high-income countries are largely modifiable. Australian investigators found the following factors most critical:

• Maternal weight (BMI >25, risk more than doubled when >30)
• Smoking (>10 cigarettes per day during pregnancy)
• Maternal age (>40 years)

These risk factors for stillbirth are controllable by maternal choices, which is really good news.

PositiveTip: Considering pregnancy? Wise health choices can greatly reduce the risk of stillbirth.

10% of cancers in men, and 3% in women are attributable to alcohol.

European investigators have determined the burden of cancer attributable to alcohol consumption in a 10 year study of 365,000 men and women living in eight Western European countries. In males, 10% of the total cancer incidence was attributable to current and former alcohol consumption, and in females it was 3%. Higher consumption (more than 2 drinks per day in men, and more than 1 drink per day in women) was associated with higher cancer incidence.

PositiveTip: To minimize your risk of cancer, leave even small amounts of alcohol alone!

Those who ate more berries had lower risk of Parkinson's disease.

A prepublication release of dietary data (Gao X. et al AAN 2011) from more than 130,000 adults has revealed that those who ate the most anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid found in berries, had a 22% reduced risk of Parkinson's disease compared to those who consumed the least.

PositiveTip: Berries are one of nature's delicious delights. Eat some today for your good health!