Diet high in fat and calories can hasten the development of pancreatic cancer in humans.

Our results showed that in mice, a diet high in fat and calories led to obesity and metabolic disturbances such as insulin resistance that are seen in obese humans. It also greatly enhanced pancreatic inflammation and pancreatic cancer development, said Guido Eibl, M.D., an associate professor in the department of surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles and a researcher at UCLAs Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Human epidemiological studies have linked high fat intake and obesity to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, but the mechanism driving this association has not been understood.

To understand the link, Eibl and his colleagues first tested the hypothesis that diet is linked to cancer. They fed a corn oil-based diet that had a high content of fat and calories to mice with a genetic mutation that caused them to develop pancreatic precancer. The same gene, KRAS, is mutated in the majority of human pancreatic cancers.

The results showed that 90 percent of the mice fed the special diet became obese, and all of these mice developed insulin resistance and inflammation in the pancreas. Both of these conditions can stimulate the growth of precancerous cells and cancer. These mice also developed significantly more advanced precancerous lesions than did mice fed a normal diet.

This suggests that the high-fat, high-calorie diet accelerated pancreatic cancer development, said Eibl. A KRAS mutation in the pancreas might not be sufficient to cause an individual to develop pancreatic cancer. It likely needs something in addition a secondary hit. Our study showed that a high-fat, high-calorie diet could provide an environmental secondary hit and trigger cancer development.

The researchers are now defining the role that inflammation produced by obesity plays in development of the cancer, and if agents such as antidiabetic drugs or fish oil can halt this disease process.

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High-fat, High-calorie Diet Speeds Pancreatic Cancer Development

Desmond writes, What are your thoughts on the Atkins diet? I have heard people have great success but others say it leads to other medical complications?

It must be swimsuit time again! Probably the best time of the year for dieting, and healthier attitudes. It's important to understand how metabolism works, to understand how to lose weight, and become healthier. Unfortunately, many are not looking to be healthier, just skinnier....regardless of the health angle. So, my advice to you all is to think a little deeper, work a little harder, and put your health first, and your bikini/beach body second.

The biggest diet controversy has always been the type of food to eat that will help you lose weight. There have been hundreds of "fads" over the years, but many resurface, or refuse to go away. Any diet that severely restricts your food types and calories will make you lose weight, but will you be able to maintain that weight after stopping the restrictions? I look at diets as a "four letter word". It's not a term you are supposed to use! I would prefer "lifestyle changes" simply because there really is no end to the change. Therefore, any weight you lose will stay off since your goal is not to radically change your behavior for a short period of time (like most diets).

To answer Desmond's question, I did some research on the original Atkins diet, which was introduced in 1972, and revised in 2002. The premise is that a low carb, high protein diet will put the body in ketosis (weight loss by breaking down fat, also known as lipolysis. To do this you have to avoid carbohydrates, to allow the depletion of glucagon, and force the body to break down the fats used as storage in the body. The theory goes that you have to do this in stages to get the maximum benefit.

Stages of Atkins diet:

Induction is where most of the weight is lost, 5-10 pounds a week. During this phase, there are severe restrictions on carbohydrates, but no restriction on total calories taken in by protein or fat. There is a limitation of total fat, with only 20 percent of total calories expected from fat.

Ongoing weight loss, allows the inclusion of carbohydrates while still losing weight. This inclusion of carbs is limited and in stages or "rungs" of a ladder.

Rungs:

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Priority Health: Atkins diet

(PRWEB) June 22, 2012

With the help of Phare Enterprises Superior Labs has launched the highly popular Raspberry Ketone supplement through the Amazon marketplace. The benefits of raspberry ketone (RK) compounds have been known for years, thanks to a study from the NLM National Institutes of Health. However the recognition of the raspberry ketone supplement for use as a weight loss supplement skyrocketed when popular daytime TV health advisor Dr. Oz recommended it as the the number one miracle in a bottle for helping in the fight against obesity.

Raspberry Ketone compounds work by increasing both lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes according to the NLM study, which showed that in mice, RK compounds prevented elevations in body fat caused by a high-fat diet. There was also found to be increased levels of lipolysis in white adipocytes through the study. In lay terms, RK stimulates the hormone Adiponectin, which essentially tricks your body into thinking its thin, which improves fat metabolism rates in the body. On top of this, the NLM study also showed that RK compounds prevented fat accumulation in key areas in the body and a lower level of triglyceride, which are normally found alongside with high-fat diets.

While the recommendation of RK from Dr. Oz certainly gained the attention of the media and the public, other health care professionals are concerned that the miracle in a bottle will be used in place of a healthy diet and exercise regime. Health professionals want to remind consumers that as a supplement, raspberry ketone can help assist the body to lose weight, but it needs to go hand in hand with diet and lifestyle changes in order to really make a significant impact on body weight and health.

As a supplement to help fight obesity and weight problems, RK has become popular very quickly. It is also inexpensive to produce, making it more accessible for budget-conscious dieters and can be found online and at most health supplement stores.

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Red Raspberry Ketone Supplement Shown In NLM Study To Inhibit Diet Induced Weight Gain

PLEASANTON, Calif., June 21, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZELTIQ(R) Aesthetics, Inc. (ZLTQ), a medical technology company focused on developing and commercializing products utilizing its proprietary controlled-cooling technology platform branded CoolSculpting(R), today announced that Robert Tyson has been promoted from Regional Sales Director for the East Region to Vice President of North America Sales.

Mr. Tyson brings over 20 years of healthcare commercial experience to ZELTIQ, mostly in the aesthetic space. He joined ZELTIQ in September 2008 as Director of Sales for the East Region. In this capacity, he won Top Region in 2010 and worked in a boundary-less way to establish the newly-formed Northeast and Southeast Regions. Prior to ZELTIQ, Mr. Tyson held various positions with increasing responsibility with Ulthera, Reliant Technologies, Thermage and Edwards Life Sciences.

"Bobby is a proven, long-time key contributor to ZELTIQ's success," said Mike Genau, President of the North America Franchise (NAF). "We look forward to his leadership in this new role as we continue to advance our commercial activities and deliver on the promise of growing our CoolSculpting business across North America."

About CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting(R) is a non-surgical, clinically proven procedure designed to selectively reduce fat bulges in problem areas using a patented cooling technology. Physicians report a 95 percent patient satisfaction rate1. It is a procedure cleared by the FDA that gently cools unwanted fat cells in the body to induce a natural, controlled elimination of fat cells. It is designed to reduce fat bulges in treated areas of the body without harming surrounding tissue. CoolSculpting is available through an elite network of CoolSculpting Centers worldwide. Dermatologists, plastic surgeons and leading aesthetic specialists that offer CoolSculpting can be found at http://www.coolsculpting.com.

About ZELTIQ

ZELTIQ(R) Aesthetics, Inc. (ZLTQ) is a medical technology company focused on developing and commercializing products utilizing its proprietary controlled-cooling technology platform. ZELTIQ's first commercial product, the CoolSculpting(R) System, is designed to selectively reduce stubborn fat bulges that may not respond to diet or exercise. CoolSculpting is based on the scientific principle that fat cells are more sensitive to cold than the overlying skin and surrounding tissues. CoolSculpting utilizes patented technology of precisely controlled cooling to reduce the temperature of fat cells in the treated area, which is intended to cause fat cell elimination through a natural biological process known as apoptosis. ZELTIQ developed CoolSculpting to safely, noticeably, and measurably reduce the fat layer within a treated fat bulge without requiring the patient to diet or exercise.

1 As reported by physicians; data on file.

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ZELTIQ(R) Aesthetics Promotes Robert Tyson to Vice President of North America Sales

ST. LOUIS, June 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ZeaVision, LLC introduced EyePromise Zeaxanthin + Lutein Macular Pigment Formula to its portfolio of science-based, doctor recommended EyePromise eye vitamins.

EyePromise Zeaxanthin + Lutein Macular Pigment Formula features all-natural ingredients including 10 mg of dietary Zeaxanthin (the highest amount available in any eye vitamin brand) and 10 mg of Lutein. More than 25 million doses of EyePromise have been safely consumed, and the new formula provides an additional high-quality eye vitamin option to support macular health.

Chris Barber, ZeaVision President, explains, "Macular pigment plays an important role in protecting our photo receptors. Dense macular pigment (dietary Zeaxanthin and Lutein) protect like 'internal sunglasses' and block harmful blue light that can damage our eyes."

Several clinical studies demonstrate that dietary Zeaxanthin improves visual function such as ability to see objects against a similar background, read printed material in low light conditions, minimize glare at night, and lessen discomfort on bright sunny days.

Dr. Stuart Richer's recent Zeaxanthin and Visual Function (ZVF) Trial demonstrated several visual function improvements in early AMD patients. Patients that consumed 8 mgs of dietary Zeaxanthin for 12 months experienced improved driving skills, could read 8.5 more letters on an eye chart, blind spots were eliminated in their visual field, and improved ability to discern fine detail.

EyePromise Zeaxanthin + Lutein increases macular pigment density through premium ingredients in an all-natural product made in the USA.

Low macular pigment has also been identified as a risk factor for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Macular pigment can be obtained from the diet, however most Americans consume less than 25 percent of the recommended 5-9 daily servings of fruits and vegetables, so supplementation is often necessary. Zeaxanthin, in particular, is difficult to obtain in the average daily diet. One must consume approximately 20 ears of corn to obtain 10 milligrams of dietary Zeaxanthin, the amount found in one EyePromise Zeaxanthin + Lutein veggie gel.

Photo: http://www.ereleases.com/pic/Zeaxanthin+Lutein.jpg

About ZeaVision

ZeaVision is passionate about preserving healthy vision and fighting vision loss. The company develops nutraceutical and technology products for EyeCare Professionals and patients. ZeaVision scientists have conducted more than 20 years of research and development in nutrition and eye health, and hold patents on Zeaxanthin, a natural antioxidant and photo-protectant. For more information on the EyePromise brand of all natural nutraceuticals, visit http://www.eyepromise.com. The company also offers a state-of-the-art measurement device as part of its Eye-Q Intelligent AMD Risk Management Program. The QuantifEye instrument measures macular pigment optical density and allows EyeCare Professionals to measure, manage, monitor, and maintain healthy macular pigment levels to address an important AMD risk factor. For more information, please visit http://www.zeavision.com or call 866-833-2800.

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Eye Vitamin Leader Introduces New Product

The Diet has approved the government's nominees to fill two vacant seats on the Bank of Japan Policy Board.

Nomura Securities Co.'s Takahide Kiuchi and Takehiro Sato of Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities Co. were approved at a Lower House plenary session Thursday, after the Upper House gave the green light a day earlier.

The markets see Kiuchi and Sato, both chief economists at their financial institutions, as a positive step toward monetary easing even though some on the Policy Board are reluctant to pursue excessive monetary loosening.

The government had initially nominated Ryutaro Kono of BNP Paribas Securities (Japan) Ltd., but the proposal was voted down by the opposition-controlled Upper House due to questions about his negative stance on monetary easing. The government had apparently wanted to appoint candidates more acceptable to politicians.

The Policy Board comprises BOJ Gov. Masaaki Shirakawa, Deputy Govs. Hirohide Yamaguchi and Kiyohiko Nishimura, and six others. Members decide on monetary policy issues by majority vote.

The central bank has been searching for replacements since Seiji Nakamura and Hidetoshi Kamezaki's five-year terms ended April 4, creating the first vacancies since March 2010.

Kyodo

KAGOSHIMA Bank of Japan Policy Board member Koji Ishida on Thursday called for closer monitoring of the eurozone's fiscal woes and the weak U.S. economic recovery.

"At the moment, the largest concern is overseas economies, centering on the eurozone's debt problem," Ishida said during a speech in the city of Kagoshima.

He warned that "it may take some time to see a fundamental resolution" in Europe, but added its debt crisis is unlikely to drastically deteriorate due to the efforts of countries such as Germany.

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Diet approves nominees for BOJ Policy Board

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan police commander has ordered tens of thousands of pot-bellied officers to diet or quit frontline duties, officials said Monday in what one newspaper dubbed the battle of the bulge. Habibur Rehman, police chief in Pakistans most populous province Punjab, has ordered 175,000 personnel not to allow their waistlines to exceed 38 inches (96 cm), spokeswoman Nabila Ghazanfar told AFP. Im on a diet and if I can do it, why cant you? she quoted Rehman as telling officials last month in the province. At least 50 percent of Punjab police are overweight, Ghazanfar said. Local daily The News said the number overweight officers in the city of Rawalpindi, the headquarters of the army that has been hit by numerous Taleban attacks, stood at more than 77 percent, adding that policemen appear to be losing the battle of the bulge. Police said officers had been given until June 30 to shape up and those deemed too fat from July 1 would not be given jobs in the field. Police officials are joining gyms, jogging and doing other exercise, including a lot of running to become thin and slim, Ghazanfar said. Overweight officers are ineffective and cannot chase bandits, robbers and other criminals properly, she added, blaming the problem on under-staffing. We have a shortage of personnel, what can you expect when one official is doing the job of six people? They dont get time for physical fitness, she told AFP. Another official who did not wish to be named said 100 stations were initially singled out for the exercise order, but Rehman later decided to send warning letters to the entire Punjab police force. He said the chief believed people only had pot bellies if they commit a sin or if they are sick. It is my guess that the department will assess progress and if necessary the deadline may be extended, a senior official said, requesting anonymity. The Pakistani diet is rich in meat, oil and ghee. The country is ranked 165 of 194 on the Forbes list of fattest countries, with 22.2 percent of the population considered overweight despite immense poverty faced by millions in the country. Local reports have put the figure at 25 percent.

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’Diet or quit’ Pakistan tells pot-bellied police