Gut microbes could lead to depression in obesity

Turns out, gut microbes may contribute to depression and anxiety in obesity. Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center studied mice that become obese when put on a high-fat diet. The Joslin scientists found that mice on a high-fat diet showed significantly more signs of anxiety, depression and obsessive behaviour than animals on standard diets. “As endocrinologists, we often hear people say that they feel differently when they’ve eaten different foods,” said C. Ronald Kahn, M.D., co-Head of the Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism at Joslin. His lab has long studied…

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Childhood obesity, dairy is safe for kids and doesn’t lead to ill health

For the longest time, it was widely believed that cow’s milk or any form of dairy promotes childhood obesity. However, according to this study, milk and dairy products are in fact safe for consumption. A team of researchers from the European Association for the Study of Obesity came to the conclusion after a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence over the last 27 years. “An important finding was the consistency of findings across different types of milk and dairy products and age groups,” explained Anestis Dougkas, who led the research.…

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Obesity can cause cancer. Aspirin pills can protect you from it

Aspirin, a medication used to treat pain, fever or inflammation, could significantly reduce the effects of obesity on cancer, suggests a study on mice. Obesity is a known risk factor for certain types of cancer, including colon, pancreatic and breast cancer. Previous research, too, showed that aspirin could reduce risk of cancer in the digestive tract, though it also caused side effects like gastrointestinal bleeding. The new study, from Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan, showed that obesity could enhance cancer development by slowing down the key cancer defence mechanism. “Epithelial”…

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Obesity can cause cancer. Aspirin pills can protect you from it

Aspirin, a medication used to treat pain, fever or inflammation, could significantly reduce the effects of obesity on cancer, suggests a study on mice. Obesity is a known risk factor for certain types of cancer, including colon, pancreatic and breast cancer. Previous research, too, showed that aspirin could reduce risk of cancer in the digestive tract, though it also caused side effects like gastrointestinal bleeding. The new study, from Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan, showed that obesity could enhance cancer development by slowing down the key cancer defence mechanism. “Epithelial” cells lining the surfaces…

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Maharashtra Bans Junk Food in School Canteens to Curb Obesity

The Maharashtra state government has imposed a ban on the sale of ‘High in Fat, Salt and Sugar’ (HFSS) food at school canteens across the state. With the rise of obesity cases among children, a measure such as this is crucial to curb the health issue and encourage kids to eat nutritious meals. The Government Resolution (GR) listed 12 categories of foods that cannot be sold in the school premises and it included items like potato chips, noodles, carbonated soft drinks, pizza, burger, cakes, biscuits, buns, pastries, etc. The GR…

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Top Health Stories at 3pm, Feb 7: Weight Gain and Cancer, Green Tea, Obesity in Couples and Back Pain Drugs

Prevent gaining weight to avoid diabetes With a fall in the rate of obesity, the likelihood of getting susceptible to diabetes will also fall considerably. Experts at the University of Cambridge in England recently found that those who gained weight but managed to maintain it were at a lesser risk of developing diabetes as compared to those who kept gaining. Read more Green tea may help people suffering from bone-marrow disorders A compound found in green tea, called epigallocatechine-3-gallate (EGCG), may benefit people suffering from bone marrow disorders like multiple…

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