Morning News Fix
July 16, 2007 by Sara Ost
Filed under Cancer, Healthcare, Medicine, Morning News Fix, Politics, Science
Detroit Does Not Deserve Fresh Food?
I’m grumpy this morning (coffee maker broken), but that trivial injustice is nothing compared to this news. Did you know Detroit has a severe grocery store shortage that makes it nearly impossible for people to get fresh meats, fruits and vegetables in their diets? The city is primarily fed by corner markets that offer “food” of the chips ‘n soda sort. This has been a longtime problem, but the recent closure of the last two major grocery stores is hitting families hard.
Massachusetts Always Has to Be First
Gay marriage. Banning trans fat. When it comes to health – whether social or individual – Massachusetts has progressive dialed in. The state will be the first to provide health care to all its citizens. Me gusta. (That’s Californian for “wicked cool”.) Note: This article is from The Lancet. You have to register to read it, but it’s free and takes about two seconds to do.
Reason 334,234,545,872 Why Science Is Incredible
A patch that helps damaged hearts regrow healthy cells is in the works. This may help cardiac patients recover from heart damage as well as reduce the need for heart transplants. (Note: if you’re into heart health, be sure you check out fellow b5 health writer Kendra’s insights at A Hearty Life.)
Grapefruit Now Hiring Better PR
A questionnaire-based study suggests that grapefruit consumption may increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer by 30%. Questionnaire-based studies are hardly the gold standard of science, and the researchers say (all together now) that “more research needs to be done”. However, the study was large – 50,000 women – and reinforces the general importance of the role of diet in etiology. Here’s the deal: grapefruit may inhibit a molecule called cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). This molecule metabolizes estrogen levels. Note: the study involved post-menopausal women.
Hey! Detroit is also the fattest city in America… I think we’re on to something!
You rock! Love the news run, and I agree. Fat and not fresh… something needs to be done!
It seems that so much of what we eat is not even food. I mean, technically it’s food. Or it was at some point.