5 March, 2015

Three-five cups of coffee daily good for heart

People consuming three to five cups of coffee a day have the lowest risk of clogged arteries and heart attacks, says new research.

An international team of researchers led by the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Seoul, South Korea, set out to examine the association between coffee consumption and the presence of coronary artery calcium (CAC) which is an early indicator of coronary atherosclerosis (when arteries become clogged).

It can cause the arteries to harden and narrow, leading to blood clots which can trigger a heart attack or a stroke.

They studied a group of 25,138 men and women - average age 41 - who had no signs of heart disease.

The researchers estimated the CAC score ratios associated with different levels of coffee consumption compared with no coffee consumption.

They categorised coffee consumption as none, less than one cup a day, one to three cups a day, three to five per day and at least five or more per day.

The calcium ratios were 0.77 for people who had less than one cup per day, 0.66 for those having one to three cups every day, 0.59 for those consuming three to five cups per day, and 0.81 for people having at least five cups or more every day compared with non-coffee drinkers.

The researchers found the prevalence of detectable CAC was 13.4 percent among the whole group of people and the average consumption of coffee was 1.8 cups per day.

Possible explanations for the findings, said the researchers, were that chronic coffee consumption had a possible link to reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, a strong risk factor for atherosclerosis.

"Coffee consumption might be inversely associated with CVD (cardiovascular disease) risk. Further research is warranted to confirm our findings and establish the biological basis of coffee's potential preventive effects on coronary artery disease," the authors concluded.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

05.03.2015

Deaths due to birth defects can be prevented: WHO

A large number of deaths due to birth defects in children can be prevented through cost-effective measures within the existing health systems, the WHO said on Tuesday.

"Birth defects are common, costly and critical health challenges globally and particularly in the South-East Asia region which reported 49,000 newborn deaths due to birth defects in 2013," Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director for WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, said in a statement.

"But a large number of these deaths can be prevented with cost effective measures through the existing health care systems," she said.

The first World Birth Defects Day is being observed on March 3 this year to put the spotlight on this under-recognised problem.

"On this occasion, WHO urges countries to take measures to prevent as well as minimise the sufferings of children born with birth defects, with timely and appropriate care," the statement said.

The most common birth defects are heart defects, neural tube defects and Down's syndrome, with 94 percent of the severe ones occurring in middle and low resource settings.

Infants who survive with birth defects suffer long-term disability which impairs them, their families and societies due to the social and economic consequences.

"We also need to build awareness among the people, the programme managers and health workers to seek and provide early care for their children born with birth defects. Timely and appropriate care can cure or minimise the effects of birth defects in children," Khetrapal Singh said.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

05.03.2015

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