U.S. heart group recommends limits on added sugar intake

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BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- People are recommended to limit their added sugar consumption by the American Heart Association in a statement as quoted by news agencies Tuesday.

The organization said on Monday most women should take in no more than 100 calories of added sugar per day, or six teaspoons, while for most men the recommendation is just 150 calories or nine teaspoons.

The recommendation is far below the 22 teaspoons or 355 calories of average sugar consumption by the Americans per day, according to data gathered during a national nutrition survey between 2001 and 2004.

Added sugars offer no nutritional value other than calories to the diet, and too much sugar intake not only makes people fat, but also increases their risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, according to the statement.

The recommendation only applies to the added sugars, which are added to foods during manufacturing or by consumers, including sugar in soft drinks, candy, desserts and sweetened dairy products such as ice cream and yogurt. Sugar that occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, dairy products and other foods is not included.

The organization particularly aimed at the soft drinks, which the organization said is the No. 1 source of added sugars in the U.S. diet. It said many studies have shown a correlation between higher intake of sweetened beverages and obesity.

For example, one 12-ounce (0.35 liter) can of regular soda contains roughly 130 calories, which already exceeds a woman's daily sugar budget.

The organization also suggested that if people want to eat more sweet treats, they need to increase their sugar budget by becoming more physically active.

(Agnecies)

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Experts from American countries discuss vaccination strategies against A/H1N1 flu

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SAN JOSE, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A group of 150 immunization specialists from American countries met on Monday in Costa Rica to discuss vaccination strategies against the A/H1N1 flu, said the Pan American Health Organization (PHO).

Members of the PHO Advisor Technical Group (GTA), which meet biennially on disease immunization, eradication and elimination, attended the meeting.

The meeting, which will last for three days, is expected to focus on how to protect the most vulnerable groups against the A/H1N1 pandemic.

"The meeting will discuss the A/H1N1 flu vaccination recommendations, whether it should be kept a seasonal vaccination in case of a pandemic and who will be first to be vaccinated," the PHO said in a statement.

Experts from Argentina, Canada and the United States joined the delegates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund in the meeting.

READ MORE - Experts from American countries discuss vaccination strategies against A/H1N1 flu

Nicaragua confirms second A/H1N1 flu death

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MANAGUA, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Nicaragua confirmed its second A/H1N1 influenza death on Monday, the Health Ministry announced.

A 44-year-old female patient from Costa Rica died in a hospital in Managua, Health Minister Guillermo Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said the patient, who was probably infected with the disease when she arrived in the country, was hospitalized for 12 hours before death.

Nicaragua confirmed its first A/H1N1 flu death on Aug. 12 as a 30-year-old patient from Cruz del Rio Grande in the Caribbean region died of the virus.

So far, Nicaragua has reported 775 infections since the first case in the country was confirmed in June.

READ MORE - Nicaragua confirms second A/H1N1 flu death

U.S. heart group recommends limits on added sugar intake

Your Ad Here

BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- People are recommended to limit their added sugar consumption by the American Heart Association in a statement as quoted by news agencies Tuesday.

The organization said on Monday most women should take in no more than 100 calories of added sugar per day, or six teaspoons, while for most men the recommendation is just 150 calories or nine teaspoons.

The recommendation is far below the 22 teaspoons or 355 calories of average sugar consumption by the Americans per day, according to data gathered during a national nutrition survey between 2001 and 2004.

Added sugars offer no nutritional value other than calories to the diet, and too much sugar intake not only makes people fat, but also increases their risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, according to the statement.

The recommendation only applies to the added sugars, which are added to foods during manufacturing or by consumers, including sugar in soft drinks, candy, desserts and sweetened dairy products such as ice cream and yogurt. Sugar that occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, dairy products and other foods is not included.

The organization particularly aimed at the soft drinks, which the organization said is the No. 1 source of added sugars in the U.S. diet. It said many studies have shown a correlation between higher intake of sweetened beverages and obesity.

For example, one 12-ounce (0.35 liter) can of regular soda contains roughly 130 calories, which already exceeds a woman's daily sugar budget.

The organization also suggested that if people want to eat more sweet treats, they need to increase their sugar budget by becoming more physically active.

(Agnecies)

READ MORE - U.S. heart group recommends limits on added sugar intake

'Better' test for asbestos cancer

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Asbestos exposure is linked to most cases of mesothelioma

Scientists claim they have developed a more sensitive test for the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma.

The cancer develops long after exposure to asbestos but patients usually have a limited life expectancy.

The test developed by a team at Oxford University looks at levels of a protein closely linked to the cancer in fluid around the lungs.

A UK lung expert welcomed the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine study.

A simple test which can exclude the diagnosis without resort to more invasive methods would be welcomed Dr Paul Beckett, British Thoracic Society

Mesothelioma is an invariably fatal tumour found in the surface of the lung. While relatively rare, it is very difficult to treat because of its location and because it does not seem to respond well to chemotherapy.

The disease has been found in people with no history of exposure to asbestos, but inhaling the dust released by the mineral when it is broken up is known to be a key risk factor.

It has particularly affected tradesmen such as joiners, plumbers and electricians.

Because it can take many decades for the disease to develop, experts expect the number of cases in the UK to peak at around 2,200 by 2013.

Laws preventing occupational exposure to asbestos are in place in the developed world. There are no such restrictions in developing countries, however.

High levels

The researchers focused on ways of distinguishing mesothelioma as a cause of pleural effusion, the build-up of fluid in the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs.

There are many causes of this symptom, many of which are benign or linked to other types of cancer but over 90% of people with mesothelioma have the symptom.

At the moment, doctors carry out pleural fluid cytology - a lab test which looks for cancerous cells.

However the Oxford team say this is not a very sensitive test.

Team members used pleural fluid samples from over 200 patients who had been referred to a specialist respiratory clinic.

They then looked at levels of the protein meothelin - which is released in high quantities in the pleural fluid of most patients with mesothelioma.

It was found that levels of the protein were almost six times higher in patients with the cancer than in those with secondary lung cancers, and 10 times greater than those with benign conditions.

Rapid diagnosis

Dr Helen Davies, who worked on the research, said: "This study suggests a way for clinicians to more readily identify cases of mesothelioma from the start."

She added: "Because mesothelioma has a median survival time of 12 months, minimising the number of invasive procedures and tests patients require is crucial to reduce morbidity and the time they need to spend in hospital.

"An earlier diagnosis also allows speedier interventions to relieve symptoms as well as initiation of other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy if appropriate.

"Claims for worker's compensation may also be instigated once the diagnosis is confirmed."

Dr Paul Beckett of the British Thoracic Society said: "A simple test which can exclude the diagnosis without resort to more invasive methods would be welcomed, allowing a more streamlined diagnostic pathway both for those with and without the disease.

"Such a pathway would be expected to lead to more rapid diagnosis and therefore treatment and perhaps improve the outlook for this disease, as well as avoiding unnecessary tests in those who don't have mesothelioma."

READ MORE - 'Better' test for asbestos cancer