Calcium Channel Blockers and Breast Cancer

More than 60 million Americans have high blood pressure (high BP), high BP is a major risk factor for a
heart attack or stroke.  This "disease", which is largely lifestyle in origin, is reaching epidemic proportions.

In past studies, calcium channel blockers have been shown to lower the risk of stroke, they have also been shown to produce an increased risk for heart attacks.


A new study indicates that women that use of calcium-channel blockers for 10 or more years had a  significantly higher risks, 2.5 times higher (250%), of both ductal breast cancer and lobular breast cancer. This connection did not vary much by the type of calcium-channel blocker used. In contrast, use of diuretics, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors were not associated with risk of breast cancer.  According to the National Cancer Institute more than 232,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States this year.

Cancer risks aside, calcium channel blockers still produce some mild side effects including constipation, allergic reactions, fluid retention, dizziness, headache, fatigue, and impotence (about 20% of users). More serious side effects include disturbances of heart rate or function, heart failure, and angina.

Examples of calcium-channel blockers include:

• amlodipine (Norvasc)
• diltiazem (Cardizem CD, Cartia, Dilacor Xr, Diltia Xt, Tiazac)
• felodipine (Plendil)
• lacidipine (Motens)
• lercanidipine (Zanidip)
• nicardipine (Cardene, Carden SR)
• nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL)
• nimodipine (Nimotop)
• nisoldipine (Sular)
• nitrendipine (Cardif, Nitrepin)
• verapamil (Calan, Covera-Hs, Isoptin, Verelan)

The Take Home Message

Although chemical intervention can effectively control blood pressure, the longer term risks associated with these drugs lead to other health concerns and complications.

So, what to do?  As I mentioned at the start of this article, high blood pressure is most often a result of lifestyle.  High blood pressure can respond nicely to conservative lifestyle changes.

These changes can include:

• Regular exercise/activity
• Weight management
• Nutritional supplementation:
• magnesium
• arginine
• and others
• Avoid NSAID's (over the counter pain relievers)
• Increase intake of antioxidant foods
• Reduce/stop smoking
• Relaxation practices
• Increasing intake of water (if there is no history of kidney disease)
• Chiropractic care to address postural problems that can compress the chest cavity

These are possible suggestions for natural control of your blood pressure.  Not all these possibilities are appropriate for everyone.  You should discuss these with a knowledgeable provider in natural therapies.  You should not stop your blood pressure medication without monitoring by your doctor.

For your better, long term, health,

Dr. Heller

Watermelon's Remarkable Health Benefits

 If you are like me, this is your favorite season of the year.  Not because of the heat and humidity that we enjoy in the Midwest, but because of the abundance of fresh produce available for consumption; especially melons.   Watermelon is one of my favorite treats during the summer heat and now I can feel even better about making a meal out of water melon.

It turns out that this food that appears to be little more than sweet juicy snack in a rind, is actually quite a nutritious food.

Our friends at greenmedinfo.com have written an article based on studies they have reviewed.

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Let Fruit Be Your Medicine: Watermelon's Remarkable Health Benefits

Written By: Sayer Ji, Founder

Watermelon is so much more than just a highly refreshing summertime treat. From the perspective of a growing body of clinical research, it is a truly medicinal food.
Only this month, research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found watermelon juice is an effective remedy for reducing the recovery heart rate and muscle soreness in athletes who were given 500 ml of watermelon juice (16.9 oz) containing 1.17 grams of the naturally occurring amino acid L-citrulline.[1]

Additional research indicates watermelon may possess the following health benefits:

• Boosting Your Antioxidant Levels: Watermelon is exceptionally rich in lycopene (hence its red color) and other carotenoids such as lutein and beta carotene.[2] A 2003 study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that regular watermelon juice consumption resulted in significant increases in blood plasma concentrations of lycopene and beta carotene.[3] Keep in mind that lycopene has been found to have over 40 potential health benefits, and beta carotene (especially in its natural, food-complexed form) equally plentiful health benefits, adding extra significance to this finding. Also, the watermelon-induced increase in plasma antioxidant levels may lend explanation to why an epidemiological study of the Chinese found greater watermelon intake to be associated with a lower risk of cancer.[4]
  
  
• Reducing Blood Pressure/Improving Arterial Health: A 2012 study published in the American Journal of Hypertension found that middle-aged obese subjects with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension who were given 6 weeks of treatment with a watermelon extract containing 6 grams of L-citrulline and L-arginine daily, experienced reduced ankle blood pressure and altered carotid wave reflection, an indication of improved arterial function.[5] The inability of the blood vessels to dilate and function properly is known as endothelial dysfunction, and is likely the most well-known initiating step in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. If watermelon can ameliorate or reverse this process, it would certainly provide a breakthrough alternative to many of the drugs used for primary prevention, such as the cholesterol-lowering statin drug class, whose side effects, numbering in the hundreds, include heart muscle dysfunction and damage.
  
  
• Increasing Plasma Arginine Concentrations: A 2007 study published in the journal Nutrition found that watermelon juice consumption increases plasma arginine concentrations in adults, proving that the L-citrulline from this plant origin was effectively converted into arginine. This is a highly significant finding because arginine has a great number of health benefits, especially for ameliorating the aforementioned cardiovascular problem known as endothelial dysfunction. There are at least 20 studies in the biomedical literature documenting its therapeutic role in improving endothelial dysfunction, but you can view over 150 potential health benefits of arginine on the GreenMedInfo database.
  
• Combatting Metabolic Syndrome: A promising preclinical study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2007 found that watermelon pomace, a rich source of L-citrulline, significantly improved metabolic syndrome in diabetic, overweight rats.[6] This study is of particular interest because it lends support to relatively new research showing that fruit consumption is not harmful for type 2 diabetics.[7] The new study results were described as follows: " These results provide the first evidence to our knowledge for a beneficial effect of watermelon pomace juice as a functional food for increasing arginine availability, reducing serum concentrations of cardiovascular risk factors, improving glycemic control, and ameliorating vascular dysfunction in obese animals with type-II diabetes."
  
  
• Watermelon Seeds, a Rich Source of Protein:  It behooves us to mention the fact that all parts of the watermelon have something to offer. The seeds, in fact, are an excellent source of protein. A 2011 study published in the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology found that "The good nutritional and functional properties of watermelon seed meal proteins suggest their potential use in food formulations."[8]  While seedless watermelon are far more convenient to eat, keep in mind that they can not reproduce without human intervention and so there are several good reasons to choose seedless varieties.

So, next time you are in the mood for watermelon, and are concerned about its notorious sugar content, 'weight-promoting effects,' and therefore possible diabetogenic and cardiotoxic properties – think again. Quality and moderation are the only things to make sure you are careful about when deciding to consume watermelon. Otherwise, enjoy it (remember Vitamin P(leasure))and know that it may just be as good for you as it tastes.

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So enjoy the summer, enjoy your watermelon, and as always, enjoy your best possible health; naturally.

Yours for better health,

Dr. Heller

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[1] Martha Patricia Tarazona-Díaz, Fernando Alacid, María Carrasco, Ignacio Martínez, Encarna Aguayo. Watermelon Juice: A Potential Functional Drink for Sore Muscle Relief in Athletes.J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Jul 17. Epub 2013 Jul 17. PMID: 23862566

[2] U G Chandrika, K S S P Fernando, K K D S Ranaweera. Carotenoid content and in vitro bioaccessibility of lycopene from guava (Psidium guajava) and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) by high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detection. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2009 Nov;60(7):558-66. PMID: 19817635

[3] Alison J Edwards, Bryan T Vinyard, Eugene R Wiley, Ellen D Brown, Julie K Collins, Penelope Perkins-Veazie, Robert A Baker, Beverly A Clevidence. Consumption of watermelon juice increases plasma concentrations of lycopene and beta-carotene in humans. J Nutr. 2003 Apr;133(4):1043-50. PMID: 12672916

[4] Cai-Xia Zhang, Suzanne C Ho, Yu-Ming Chen, Jian-Hua Fu, Shou-Zhen Cheng, Fang-Yu Lin.Greater vegetable and fruit intake is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer among Chinese women. Int J Cancer. 2009 Jul 1;125(1):181-8. PMID: 19358284

[5] Arturo Figueroa, Marcos A Sanchez-Gonzalez, Alexei Wong, Bahram H Arjmandi. Watermelon Extract Supplementation Reduces Ankle Blood Pressure and Carotid Augmentation Index in Obese Adults With Prehypertension or Hypertension. Am J Hypertens. 2012 Mar 8. Epub 2012 Mar 8. PMID: 22402472

[6] Guoyao Wu, Julie K Collins, Penelope Perkins-Veazie, Muhammad Siddiq, Kirk D Dolan, Katherine A Kelly, Cristine L Heaps, Cynthia J Meininger. Dietary supplementation with watermelon pomace juice enhances arginine availability and ameliorates the metabolic syndrome in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. J Nutr. 2007 Dec;137(12):2680-5. PMID: 18029483

[7] Christensen AS, Viggers L, Hasselström K, Gregersen S. Effect of fruit restriction on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes--a randomized trial. Nutr J. 2013 Mar 5;12:29.

[8] Ali Abas Wani, Dalbir Singh Sogi, Preeti Singh, Idrees Ahmed Wani, Uma S Shivhare.Characterisation and functional properties of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seed proteins. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2011 Feb;137(2):279-86. Epub 2010 Apr 18. PMID:20824684

Walking For Health

Another article from our friends at thePowerofpositivehabits.com discussing the health benefits of brisk walking. *************************************************************   Benefits of Brisk Walking By Dan Robey "Not running, not jogging, but walking is your most efficient exercise and the only one you can safely follow all the years of your life." – Executive Health Organization Walking as a daily exercise habit can truly be a life-changing positive habit and is one of the most powerful habits for reaching your goal of a healthy trim and fit body. Over the past 20 years, there have been dozens of studies that have proven the benefits of brisk walking. Thousands upon thousands of people have improved their health and lost weight by the diligent habit of walking. If you think that walking does not provide the same benefits as other more vigorous exercises, think again. A study published by the New England Journal Of Medicine showed that postmenopausal women who walked regularly lowered their risk for heart disease just as much as women who did more vigorous exercise, such as playing sports or running. This study suggests that walking is just as good for your heart as heavy exercise. I spoke with study author Dr. JoAnn E. Manson, Chief of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Womens Hospital, Professor of Medicine, at Harvard Medical School. She said, “The study provides compelling evidence that walking and vigorous exercise provide similar heart benefits, about a 30% to 40% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease with 30 minutes per day of either activity.” I also asked her about the benefits of making brisk walking a positive habit, and she responded, “they could surely walk away from heart disease and several other chronic diseases. We have also found that brisk walking for at least 3 hours a week can lower the risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes, and breast cancer. No pain, no gain, is an outdated notion; exercise doesn’t need to be strenuous or uncomfortable. It can be easy and enjoyable.” Even though the study consisted solely of women, it is likely that men would experience similar benefits from the positive habit of brisk walking. Here are additional benefits you will receive from your habit of brisk walking: * Walking burns calories and helps you lose weight and burn excess body fat. * Walking can help to improve your posture. * Walking requires no special equipment or gyms. * Walking can help lower blood pressure and help prevent circulatory and heart disorders. * Brisk, aerobic walking will give you the benefits of other exercises, such as jogging and cycling, but without the risk of injuries. * Walking at night can help promote better sleep. ***************************************************************   So get out and walk during the summer evenings.  Your body will thank you for it.   For your better health, Dr. Heller

Chiropractic: Health and Wellness

Enjoy this brief video with some very interesting information regarding the studies done which found Chiropractic care to beneficial in so many ways other than back and neck pain.

Wishing you great health,
Dr. Heller

Friends for Life = Friends for Health

It is pretty self-evident that spending time with those close to us, that we can share with, laugh with and just spend time with make us feel better about ourselves and our lives.  Evidence is now coming out that the benefits are not only emotional they are truly physical.

Most of us have heard that pets and deep friendships with others can extend life and improve quality of life.  A recent study appearing in the from Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research at Ohio State University presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology annual meeting in New Orleans has found why.

Researchers found people who were more lonely showed signs of elevated latent herpes virus reactivation and produced more inflammation-related proteins in response to acute stress than people who felt more socially connected. 

It seems that loneliness boosts inflammation.  Inflammation is linked to coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease and most other chronic disorders.  Inflammation can lead to

tissue damage throughout the body accelerating aging and predisposing you to other disease processes.  Currently these chronic conditions are typically addressed with anti-inflammatory drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s).  Listening to the news and the disclaimers on advertising we should understand that this approach is not without significant risks.

It is clear from previous research that poor-quality relationships are linked to a number of health problems, including premature mortality and all sorts of other very serious health conditions. And people who are lonely clearly feel like they are in poor-quality relationships," stated the lead author.

So as you are taking steps in the New Year to keep yourself healthy, make sure you include time with friends, family and other companions in your daily or at least weekly schedule to improve your well-being.  

Yours for Better Health,

Dr. Heller 

Photo Source

What a Pain in the Neck!

Many people suffer from chronic neck pain. Some suffer from chronic lower back pain...and some, unfortunately, suffer from both! And...unfortunately, untreated neck pain can potentially cause far more damage than untreated back pain.

Neck pain can be experienced in two ways – as actual pain, like that caused by a disc problem, or as "pins and needles," numbness or weakness, making walking difficult, creating balance issues or neck stiffness. It may originate as a result of a whiplash injury due to an automobile accident, the aging process, stresses of everyday living, job-related repetitive movements, spinal tumor, compression of vertebrae, discs or nerves, or obesity.

<< Read more >>

Better "Junk Food" Snacks

I don't know that I would say that their suggestions are "good for you", but these are definitely better choices if looking for a junk food fix.  As with any foods, moderation is the key.  Enjoy!

Dr. Heller

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5 Junk Foods That Are Good for You

All junk foods have the reputation for being — well, junk — but some are actually good for you. Are there really junk foods you can eat without feeling guilty? Yes. Some foods that have been put under the "junk" label or "no-no's" for the health conscious deserve a second look. Keep reading as Newsmax Health searches out foods that you can enjoy tonight ... without guilt. 

• Beef jerky. Although beef jerky has gotten it's "bad" food label due to preservatives, it's actually loaded with protein. As an added bonus, it won't raise insulin levels, making it an ideal snack. And while it's true that some beef jerky is loaded with both preservatives and salt, you can find all-natural versions that have no preservatives and less salt. You can even find brands made with grass-fed beef (instead of grain), which will give you a bonus of heart-healthy omega-3 fats.

• Chocolate. Numerous studies have shown that dark chocolate (which contains at least 60 percent cocoa) is rich in antioxidants called flavonoids. German researchers found that eating only one square of dark chocolate a week lowered the risk of heart attack and stroke by 39 percent, and another study found that people who ate the equivalent of a small chocolate bar each week reduced their risk of dying following a stroke by 46 percent. Among other health benefits, chocolate has also been found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, fight wrinkles, and boost mood. 

• Popcorn. Popcorn, which is actually a whole-grain product, is packed with antioxidants called polyphenols. A study at the University of Scranton found that popcorn — based on the average American diet — has more antioxidants than most people eat in a day. Just avoid popcorn loaded with butter and other oils and choose air-popped corn, which has only 30 calories a cup. "Popcorn may be the perfect snack food," said Joe Vinson, a chemist at the University of Scranton. “It’s the only snack that is 100 percent whole grain.” 

• Beer. An Italian analysis of 16 studies found that people who drank about a pint of beer daily reduced their risk of heart disease by 31 percent. Also, beer is high in silicone, which helps prevent bone loss and may even help rebuild bones in younger men and women. Researchers at Tufts University found that beer drinkers had a higher bone density than those who didn't drink. Warning: Don't tuck into a six-pack. Both studies found that people who overindulged increased their risk of both heart disease and bone loss. 

• Chips. Baked chips, whether potato or corn, don't have any added oil and are often made from whole grains, which are great for heart health. They also often contain added spices, which zap up the taste and are also great for your health. Baked potato chips are good sources of potassium and vitamin C, and corn chips contain phosphorus, manganese, vitamin B6, and vitamin E.

Newsmaxhealth.com  Monday, August 27, 2012 4:25 PM

Your Blood Type Can Affect Your Heart Health.

A 2011 study from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston published in the American Heart Association journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology found that people who have blood types A, B, or AB have a slightly higher risk of heart disease compared to those with type O, the most common kind.  The new study involved about 90,000 men and women in two observational health studies that cover more than 20 years.

The increased risk for type A was 8 percent; type B, 11 percent; and type AB, 20 percent.

Those who know they are at higher risk may be more motivated to make changes to lower their chances of heart disease, said Dr. Lu Qi, senior author of the study.  "We cannot change blood type but we can change lifestyle," said Qi, who led a study released last year that showed blood type may affect stroke risk.

No matter what blood type, Harvard's Qi said everyone should pay attention to risk factors they can change, including smoking, weight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and a sedentary lifestyle.

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Diet and exercise are extremely helpful in maintaining cardiovascular health.  Both can help maintain a healthy weight.  A diet high in antioxidants can also lend an extra protective level with its inflammatory fighting capabilities. There are many things you can do to promote longevity.

Another often overlooked or even unconsidered factor in heart health is posture. 

Probably the most common postural problem we find in American society is the Forward Head Posture.  This is simply where the head is carried forward on the shoulders as determined by a "plumb line" that runs through the ear to the shoulder.  Not only is it the most common but probably also the most detrimental.

Forward head posture results in loss of vital capacity of the lungs. Lung capacity is depleted by as much as 30%.  This shortness of breath can then lead to heart and blood vascular disease.

Even without pain, spinal postural problems can cause health issues down the road.  Just as we get preventative checkups at the dentist and eye doctor it is wise to have periodic spinal postural checkups with your doctor of chiropractic.

Are Those Magic Beans?

If you are a coffee lover like myself, you may now have reason to treat yourself to another cup or three.   

A  recent Medscape Medical News slideshow reviews the potential medical and psychiatric benefits of coffee consumption.    These mental and medical benefits include reducing your risk of brain neuron degeneration and depression and cancer and cardiovascular disease.  I have recapped that slide show here:

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that coffee consumption lowered all-cause mortality by over 10% at 13-year follow-up.^[1]

To say that caffeine, a substance known to increase blood pressure can benefit the cardiovascular system  may seem counterintuitive.  When caffeine is consumed as coffee, lengthy elevations of blood pressure are small and cardiovascular risks may be offset by other protective properties. Coffee beans contain antioxidant compounds that reduce formation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. A reduced concentration of inflammatory indicators in the blood has also been seen with coffee consumption.^[2-7]  Several studies have indicated that moderate coffee intake was associated with a lower risk for coronary heart disease as far out as 10 years,^[3] and new data suggest that an average of 2 cups a day protects against heart failure.^[8]   This really should not surprise us since other studies have found the cardiovascular protective effects of antioxidant containing juices of fruits.

The vascular benefits of coffee are not lost on the brain. According to a 2011 review of studies, consuming between 1 and 6 cups a day reportedly cut stroke risk by 17%.^[9]   Coffee's impact on stroke risk in those with vascular disease is still in question, a review presented at the European Meeting on Hypertension 2012 found that 1 to 3 cups a day may protect against strokes caused by blockages in the general population.^[11]

Despite its association with increased blood pressure, coffee appears to benefit other aspects of what is known as “metabolic syndrome.”  This is a dangerous cluster of elevated blood pressure, high blood sugars, abnormal blood lipid levels, and increased body fat. Numerous studies have linked regular coffee drinking with improved glucose metabolism, insulin secretion, and a significantly reduced risk for type 2 diabetes.^[12-14]   Early data from an ongoing study also suggest that coffee consumption can promote weight loss. In this study, overweight patients treated with raw,  unroasted coffee beans in supplement form lost an average of 17 pounds over 22 weeks.  The authors suspect that this effect may be due in part to coffee containing a plant compound with antioxidant properties thought to reduce blood sugar absorption.^[15]

With so many food products thought to increase cancer risk – soda, grilled meat, any thing pickled – at least we can rest easy when it comes to coffee (according to recent data, anyway). Evidence suggests that moderate to heavy coffee consumption can reduce the risk for numerous cancers, including endometrial (> 4 cups/day),^[16] prostate (6 cups/day),^[17] head and neck (4 cups/day),^[18,19] basal cell carcinoma (> 3 cups/day),^[20] and estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer (> 5 cups/day).^[21]   These benefits are thought to be in no small part due to coffee's antioxidant and antimutagenic properties.^[16,18]

Many of us find that morning cup of coffee to be effective for  alertness , but new research also links coffee with longer lasting effects on cognitive well-being.   One study showed that patients with mild thought and memory impairment and blood levels of caffeine of > 1200 ng/mL – which is about 3 to 5 cups of coffee a day – avoided progression to dementia over the following 2 to 4 years. ^[22]    Other data showed that 3 cups of coffee a day may help prevent the neurologic  damage caused by Parkinson’s Disease.   

A 2011 study suggests that coffee consumption might also benefit our mental health^[26]: Women who drank 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day had a 15% decreased risk for depression compared with those who drank less than 1 cup per week. For those who drank 4 cups or more per day, a 20% decreased risk was seen.  The effect of coffee on mood in the short term may be due to altered serotonin and dopamine activity, and on the antioxidant activity in the long term.^[26-29]

Evidence suggests that coffee consumption slows the  progression of liver disease.  Patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and hepatitis C reduced the risk of developing primary liver cancer.^[30-33]

Other research suggests that coffee consumption may help dry-eye syndrome by increasing tear production,^[35] that it may reduce the risk for gout,^[36] and potentially fight infections.^[37] Coffee and hot tea consumption were found to be protective against one of the medical community's most concerning bugs, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ^[37], typically pronounced Mursa.   It is unclear whether the beverages have antimicrobial activity through out the body, but study participants who reported any consumption of either were approximately half as likely to have MRSA in their nasal passages.

Now, with all the validated benefits of coffee we may have a tendency to see it as a health panacea, but coffee is not a totally innocuous beverage.  Coffee consumption certainly has negative medical and psychiatric effects to consider. Besides the previously mentioned increase in blood pressure, coffee can cause or worsen anxiety, insomnia, and tremor and has the potential to  increase glaucoma risk^[38] for those so predisposed.  Also, due to the potential severity of its symptoms, “caffeine withdrawal syndrome” is under consideration for inclusion in the forthcoming DSM-5^[39] , a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) that includes all currently recognized mental health disorders.

As always be aware of the total affects of what you put into your body.  Enjoy and good health to you.

For your better health,

Dr. Heller

References

1.        Freedman ND, Park Y, Abnet CC, et al. Association of coffee drinking with total and cause-specific mortality. N Engl J Med. 2012;366:1891-1904. Abstract

2.        Larsson SC, Orsini N. Coffee consumption and risk of stroke: a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. Am J Epidemiol. 2011;174:993-1001. Abstract

3.        Wu JN, Ho SC, Zhou C, et al. Coffee consumption and risk of coronary heart diseases: a meta-analysis of 21 prospective cohort studies. Int J Cardiol. 2009;137:216-225. Abstract

4.        Natella F, Nardini M, Belelli F, et al. Coffee drinking induces incorporation of phenolic acids into LDL and increases the resistance of LDL to ex vivo oxidation in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;86:604-609. Abstract

5.        Gómez-Ruiz JA, Leake DS, Ames JM. In vitro antioxidant activity of coffee compounds and their metabolites. J Agric Food Chem. 2007;55:6962-6969. Abstract

6.        Nardini M, D'Aquino M, Tomassi G, et al. Inhibition of human low-density lipoprotein oxidation by caffeic acid and other hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. Free Radic Biol Med. 1995;19:541-552. Abstract

7.        Montagnana M, Favaloro EJ, Lippi G. Coffee intake and cardiovascular disease: virtue does not take center stage. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2012;38:164-177. Abstract

8.        Mostofsky E, Rice MS, Levitan EB, Mittleman MA. Habitual coffee consumption and risk of heart failure: a dose–response meta-analysis. Circ Heart Fail. 2012;DOI:10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.112.967299. http://circheartfailure.ahajournals.org

9.        Larsson SC, Orsini N. Coffee consumption and risk of stroke: a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. Am J Epidemiol. 2011;174:993-1001. Abstract

10.     Larsson SC, Virtamo J, Wolk A. Coffee consumption and risk of stroke in women. Stroke. 2011;42:908-912. Abstract

11.     D'Elia L, Cairella G, Garbagnati F, et al. Moderate coffee consumption is associated with lower risk of stroke: meta-analysis of prospective studies. J Hypertension. 2012;30 (e-Supplement A):e107.

12.     Huxley R, Lee CM, Barzi F, et al. Coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and tea consumption in relation to incident type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169:2053-2063. Abstract

13.     Sartorelli DS, Fagherazzi G, Balkau B, et al. Differential effects of coffee on the risk of type 2 diabetes according to meal consumption in a French cohort of women: the E3N/EPIC cohort study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91:1002-112. Abstract

14.     Floegel A, Pischon T, Bermann MM, et al. Coffee consumption and risk of chronic disease in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)–Germany study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;95:901-908. Abstract

15.     Vinson JA, Burnham B, Nagendran MV, et al. Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a green coffee bean extract in overweight subjects. Program and abstracts of the 243rd American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition; March 25-29, 2012; San Diego, California. Abstract 92.

16.     Je Y, Hankison SE, Tworoger SS, et al. A prospective cohort study of coffee consumption and risk of endometrial cancer over a 26-year follow-up. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2011;20:1-9.

17.     Wilson KM, Kasperzyk JL, Rider JR, et al. Coffee consumption and prostate cancer risk and progression in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2011;8;103:876-884.

18.     Turati F, Galeone C, La Vecchia C, et al. Coffee and cancers of the upper digestive and respiratory tracts: meta-analyses of observational studies. Ann Oncol. 2011;22:536-544. Abstract

19.     Galeone C, Tavani A, Pelucchi C, et al. Coffee and tea intake and risk of head and neck cancer: pooled analysis in the international head and neck cancer epidemiology consortium. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2010;19:1723-1736. Abstract

20.     Song F, Qureshi AA, Han J. Increased caffeine intake is associated with reduced risk of Basal cell carcinoma of the skin. Cancer Res. 2012;72:3282-3289. Abstract

21.     Li J, Seibold P, Chang-Claude J, et al. Coffee consumption modifies risk of estrogen-receptor negative breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res. 2011;13:R49.

22.     Cao C, Loewenstein DA, Lin X, et al. High blood caffeine levels in MCI linked to lack of progression to dementia. J Alzheimer Dis. 2012;30:559-572.

23.     Hamza TH, Chen H, Hill-Burns EM, et al. Genome-wide gene-environment study identifies glutamate receptor gene GRIN2A as a Parkinson's disease modifier gene via interaction with coffee. PLoS Genet. 2011;7: e1002237.

24.     Ross W, Duda J, Abbott R, et al. Association of coffee caffeine consumption with brain Lewy pathology in the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study. Program and abstracts of the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology; April 21-28, 2012; New Orleans, Louisiana. Abstract #S42.005.

25.     Duru C. Caffeine is a modifier of age at onset in Huntington's disease. Program and abstracts of the 15th International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders; June 5-9, 2011; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Abstract 180.

26.     Lucas M, Mirzaei F, Pan A, et al. Coffee, caffeine, and risk of depression among women. Arch Intern Med. 2011;171:1571-1578. Abstract

27.     Pasco JA, Nicholson GC, Williams LJ, et al. Association of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein with de novo major depression. Br J Psychiatry. 2010;197:372-377. Abstract

28.     Ng F, Berk M, Dean O, Bush AI. Oxidative stress in psychiatric disorders: evidence base and therapeutic implications. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2008;11:851-876. Abstract

29.     O'Connor A. Coffee drinking linked to less depression in women. New York Times. February 13, 2012. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/26/coffee-drinking-linked-to-less-depression-in-women/ Accessed January 11, 2012.

30.     Molloy JW, Calcagno CJ, Williams CD, Jones FJ, Torres DM, Harrison SA. Association of coffee and caffeine consumption with fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and degree of hepatic fibrosis. Hepatology. 2012;55:429-436. Abstract

31.     Gallus S, Tavani A, Negri E, La Vecchia C. Does coffee protect against liver cirrhosis? Ann Epidemiol. 2002;12:202-205.

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