Mammograms, Dental X-rays & Thyroid Cancers

Dr. Oz had a show on the fastest growing cancer in women, thyroid cancer. He said that the increase could be related to the use of dental x-rays and mammograms. He demonstrated that the apron the dentist puts on you for your dental x-rays has a little flap that can be lifted up and wrapped around your neck. Many dentists don't bother to use it. Also, there is something called a "thyroid guard" for use during mammograms. By coincidence, I had my yearly mammogram yesterday. I asked about the guard and sure enough, the technician had one in a drawer. I asked why it wasn't routinely used. Answer: "I don't know. You have to ask for it." Well, if I hadn't seen the show, how would I have known to ask?

Take note to request for the neck flap that is known as the "thyroid guard" when you need to do x-rays of your chest and mouth.

The open secrets of longevity

Okinawa island has more people living there who are over 100 years old per 100,000 persons than anywhere else in the world, and suffer the lowest death rates from cancer, heart disease and stroke. Their longevity is attributed to their "harahachi bu" philosphy (eat until you are 80% full) and their active lifestyle. Much of this elderly community still tend to farms, fields and gardens manually.

Italian researchers at the Catholic University of Sacred Heart in Rome are closer to understanding how a strict diet can contribute to longevity. The found that when calories are cut, the body produces a molecule called Creb 1 (known to regulate memory learning), which in turn activates another set of molecules linked to longevity called the Sirtuins.

Extraction from the article "Fountain of Youth", written by Jacqueline Toyad