High in protein and low in fat and cholesterol, this healthy recipe is one worth trying. It's easy too. I love easy.

Black Bean Chili

8 ounces lean ground turkey
1 small onion, chopped
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 cans black beans
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 cup water

OK, women of the world. Grab some paper and a pen and jot down this list of seven check-ups every woman needs. Don't just write them down, though. Make sure you take action on each and every one. They might just save your life.

1. Start with your weight, height, and BMI (body mass index). The scores you get on these simple tests are important because many conditions and diseases are associated with being overweight or underweight.

2. Check your blood pressure, and find out where you stand because hypertension is a disease with no symptoms. High blood pressure puts you at risk for cardiovascular disease -- but there are very effective treatments for this condition.

New evidence shows an association between low LDL cholestrol levels and cancer risk. This evidence comes out of a report published by a team led by Richard Karas, MD at Tufts University.

The study was originally designed to understand the side effects of statins, including damage to liver and muscle cells. The team did not expect to find the increased cancer risk associated with low LDL levels and additional studies have begun to investigate this increase in risk further. A key question is whether the increased cancer risk is a side effect of the statins or a result of the low LDL levels.

The researchers found one additional incident of cancer per 1,000 individuals with low LDL levels when compared to individuals with higher LDL levels.

A link between LDL lowering and liver or muscle side effects was not found, however liver toxicity increased as the dose of the statin increased. The researchers conclude that moderate-dose statin therapy using multiple medications, including statins, may be preferable to high-dose statin therapy.

Here's my problem with health-related advice and wisdom -- it's always changing. And I'm never sure if I'm buying into the right practice. Should I eat low-fat foods, for example, or should I stick with moderate amounts of regular food? Is red meat a good source of protein and other goodies or a direct path to breast cancer recurrence? Will sunscreen save my life or cause malignant lesions to develop on my fair skin?

How about drinking eight glass of water a day? Maybe yes. Maybe no, according to experts who say we get water from sources other than diet alone and while we do need to replace water lost through breathing, urination, and sweating each day, our lost fluids do not total 64 ounces. And it seems we can drink too much water. This can lead to an imbalance of sodium and a condition called hyponatremia.

Vitamin supplements? Eat a good amount of fruits, veggies, whole grains, low-fat dairy, protein, and the right amount of calories and you don't need a multivitamin. But most of us don't eat right. So we probably need one.

OK. Now breathe. Take it all in. Filter it. Use it. Abandon it. As for me -- I'm going with the tactic mentioned above several times -- moderation. Seems to me this approach is the key to both health and happiness.

A U.K. researcher confirms what many dog lovers already know -- dogs are good for your health.

Apparently, dog owners are generally healthier than non-pet-owners. They have lower blood pressure and cholesterol, suffer fewer minor ailments, and stray from serious medical problems too. Dogs can prevent their owners from getting sick, help them recover more quickly when they do fall ill, and they can even warn of cancer, heart attack, epileptic seizures, and hypoglycemia, says Dr. Deborah Wells from the Canine Behaviour Centre of Queens University in Northern Ireland.

Wells, whose study is published in the British Journal of Health Psychology, says dogs buffer us from stress -- a well-known cause of illness -- and promote general well-being. Owning a dog leads to increased physical activity and increases development of social interactions -- both of which minimize stress and contribute to human health.

While Wells found those who own both dogs and cats benefit from their pets, dog owners enjoy improved health for much longer than cat owners.

The potential link between a high cholesterol level and increased cancer risk is not a new one, nor is the idea that cholesterol-lowering statin drugs might offer a protective benefit for men when it comes to prostate cancer.

However, a new research study completed by Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health offers up additional information that suggests while cholesterol-lowering statin drugs will not prevent prostate cancer, drugs that lower cholesterol might reduce the risk of men developing advanced prostate cancer, according to a CBS newscast this evening that cited the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Dec. 20, 2006 issue; Vol. 98: pp. 1819-1825.

The analyzed data revealed that men diagnosed with prostate cancer were half as likely to develop advanced prostate cancer if they were taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, and the longer the drugs were taken, the better the protective benefit.

At this time, it is a preliminary conclusion. "It is premature to recommend the use of statins for the prevention of advanced prostate cancer," stated the researchers. They are calling for additional research to support their findings, and to clarify that there are not other reasons for the difference in advanced prostate cancer outcomes.

Children and teenagers -- mostly girls -- need zinc, a mineral important for maintaining healthy immune systems and healthy skin and for preventing colds and infections. Yet half of all teenage girls have zinc deficiencies.

Red meat is the most effective way of channeling zinc into the body. Perhaps these young girls are eating red meat less than two times per week -- a practice research shows can contribute to zinc deficiencies.

Iron is vital for good health. Menstruating women need it. The elderly need it. Pregnant women need it. And children need it too. But many lack healthy levels of iron.

Red meat contains a lot of iron. And while iron also comes from vegetable sources, meat contains more iron than most foods and is best utilized by the body in this form.

Red meat also contains B vitamins, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, selenium -- and protein, critical for muscle and organ health. Protein from red meat is complete, meaning it contains all the amino acids the body cannot make on its own. Protein helps the body repair and renew.

There is definitely a good side to eating red meat. There is also a bad side.

Red meat has been linked to incidences of bowel cancer, breast cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, high cholesterol, clogged arteries, and food poisoning.

Experts say the controversy surrounding red meat comes down to the type of meat we are eating -- and how we are eating it.

There are three official red meats -- pork, lamb, and beef. Pork is the leanest, lamb is the fattiest, and beef is the most nutritious. Red meat is typically high in saturated fats and bad cholesterol. But lean beef is fairly healthy -- if it's not treated with hormones and is truly free from excess fat. The more white you see, the more fat you get.

So here is the trick for all meat-eaters out there -- choose lean meats, seek nutritious cuts of meat, avoid hormone-treated products, steer clear of processed meats (these include more additives and fats than simple cuts of pork, lamb, and beef), read labels carefully, make meat just one component of a balanced diet, and brace yourself for more research and study and discussion that will undoubtedly conclude that meat is good for us. And bad for us too.

It can be hard to remember when it's time for check-ups and exams and screenings. Many come just once each year and with the swift passage of time, it's easy to forget our medical to-do lists. But missing an appointment -- or even delaying one -- can lead to missed and delayed diagnoses. So remembering these easy-to-forget chores is key. And perhaps reminders are the key to remembering.

The American Cancer Society offers a free mammogram reminder in the form of e-mail message sent each year to remind women to schedule their mammograms. It takes just a moment to register with an e-mail address and a preferred month and day of the year for this e-mail to arrive. To register for your yearly reminder, click here.

The College of American Pathologists offers a free reminder service for the following appointments -- blood donation, cholesterol screening, colon cancer screening, diabetes test, pap test, and mammogram. Click here to choose one or more of these options that also require just just an e-mail address and preferred month and date for delivery.

So forget that string around your finger -- reach for your computer keyboard right now. It takes just a few keystrokes to ensure prompt testing for the health issues that if detected early, can save our lives.

Prescription drugs purchased online from Canadian pharmacies were intercepted before they reached the US, and after preliminary laboratory tests were found to be counterfeit. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers who may have obtained prescription drugs from Mediplan Prescription Plus Pharmacy or Mediplan Global Health in Manitoba, Canada not to take the medication as it may not be safe.

The drugs in question are Lipitor, Diovan, Actonel, Nexium, Hyzaar, Ezetrol or Zetia, Crestor, Celebrex, Arimidex, and Propecia. Most of the drugs are prescribed for cholesterol disorders and high blood pressure; Actonel for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women; Nexium for gastroesophageal reflux disease; Celebrex for arthritis-related pain; Propecia for male-pattern baldness and Arimidex is a breast cancer chemoprevention medication.

Interestingly, the FDA conducted an investigation last year and discovered that nearly half of the imported drugs they confiscated from four selected countries were shipped to fill orders that consumers believed they were placing with Canadian pharmacies. The drugs did not come from Canada. According to the FDA, 85 percent actually came from 27 other countries around the globe. Buyer beware.

At Reuters Health, Metabolic syndrome predicts breast cancer relapse features news about the results of a study that evaluated 110 breast cancer survivors and found 8 of the 16 women who were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome developed breast cancer recurrences. A total of 32 women out of the 110 women suffered recurrence. This has led researchers to estimate that breast cancer survivors with metabolic syndrome were three times more likely to have a recurrence of breast cancer as women without the syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a combination that can include high cholesterol, obesity, high blood sugar and high blood pressure. Traditionally thought to be warning signs or symptoms of diabetes and heart disease, researchers believe that the syndrome can also be something to watch for in breast cancer survivors.

All of the characteristics of metabolic syndrome can often be controlled with a proper diet, active lifestyle and medication. Before this study came out, there have been anecdotal conversations in the breast cancer community in regards to following a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle recommended for people with diabetes and heart disease. For more information about dietary and lifestyle recommendations for diabetes and heart disease, visit the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.

A 1/3 cup serving of cooked garbanzo beans contains around 80 calories, no cholesterol, lots of complex carbohydrates, and little fat. In addition, beans are a good source of B vitamins, potassium, and fiber, which promotes digestive health and relieves constipation. Eating beans may help prevent colon cancer, and reduce blood cholesterol which is a leading cause of heart disease.

Hummus is relatively cheap to make with either dried or canned chickpeas. I prefer to cook my own beans. In a stockpot, bring 5 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup dried garbanzo beans and return to a boil. Remove from the heat; cover tightly and set aside at room temperature 2-3 hours. Drain and rinse the beans. Return the soaked, rinsed beans to the stockpot. Cover the beans with 3 times their volume of water. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat and simmer gently, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender. Approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hour. Make sure beans do not boil dry and add a little water as needed. When the beans are tender, drain and immerse them in cold water until cool, then drain well again.

Vicki's Hummus
2 cups cooked garbanzo beans rinsed and drained
3 cloves garlic chopped
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 Tablespoons freshly chopped parsley 
1/2 cup tahini
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 pinch cumin powder

Serve with slices of cucumbers, wedges of tomatoes, slices of pita bread, or tortilla chips.

 

 

Most people think of cholesterol as being associated with high blood pressure but research now shows that it may be a relation to cholesterol and cancer. Especially prostate and breast cancers. Lowering your cholesterol could reduce your risk for cancer.

Research at Children's Hospital Boston showed that cholesterol accumulates on the outer membrane of tumor cells.  It didn't cause new cancer tumors to form but the growth rate of the existing tumors increased more rapidly. The researchers also present evidence that cholesterol-lowering ''statin'' drugs, now widely used in cardiovascular disease, may inhibit cancer growth.

Children's Hospital Boston is home to the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries have benefited both children and adults for 136 years. More than 500 scientists, including eight members of the National Academy of Sciences, nine members of the Institute of Medicine and 10 members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise the Children's Hospital of Boston research community.

Many studies show that a regular diet of soy can reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. Regular consumption of soy protein-containing foods and beverages may reduce the risk of breast cancer in women up to 22 percent. Soy also helps reduce cholesterol which is great for the heart. Studies also show that adolescent soy intake may be related to a lower risk of developing breast cancer later in life. So here is a fun recipe that even the children will love.

Vicki's Tofu & Veggie Tacos
3 Tbsp. olive oil
2 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4" slices (about 2 cups)
1 cup sliced white button mushrooms
2 carrots, coarsely shredded
1 small chopped sweet onion
1/4 cup chopped sweet green pepper
1 tbsp. minced garlic
6-oz. can of tomato paste
3/4 cup water
1 tbsp. chili powder (or to taste)
1 tbsp. hot pepper sauce (I prefer Valentina hot Mexican sauce))
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
1 pkg. Extra Firm Tofu, cut into 1/2" cubes (let sit in strainer for 15 minutes so that water will drain out)
3 plum tomatoes, cut into 1/2" cubes
12 taco shells
1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro
Shredded romaine lettuce for topping 

Heat olive oil in large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the onion, sweet green pepper, and garlic and saute for about 2 minutes stirring frequently. Add zucchini, mushrooms, and carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender but not browned, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine tomato paste, water, chili powder, hot pepper sauce, cumin and pepper in a small bowl and add the mixture to the skillet. Gently stir in the tofu cubes and plum tomatoes and reduce heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.

Heat Taco shells in oven following package heating instructions.
Spoon about 1/2 cup of mixture into each of the taco shells and top with fresh chopped cilantro and shredded Romaine lettuce. You can add a small amount of shredded cheese to each taco for the children and the child at heart.

According to a recent American Cancer Society survey, less than ten percent of Americans know that being overweight -- and obesity -- is a risk factor for cancer. Of those polled, 83 percent could tell you that being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease, and 57 percent could tell you that obesity puts you at greater risk for diabetes, but only eight percent believed that being overweight and obesity increases your risk for developing cancer.

Nearly 20 percent knew their body mass index score, almost 40 percent knew their cholesterol number, 63 percent knew their blood type and interestingly, 65 percent knew the number of judges on Fox's American Idol. What does this say? That the television show, American Idol does a better job of getting people's attention. There's a lesson in here somewhere for the organizations trying to raise awareness about cancer and cancer prevention. 

Two new studies are suggesting that drugs known for other uses may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
 
One study found a breast-cancer drug may help prevent abnormal prostate growths from turning into cancer, and another found that cholesterol-lowering drugs may protect against prostate cancer.

Toremifene is a hormone, and the cholesterol-lowering drugs are statins, such as Lipitor, Pravachol and Zocor, which are taken by millions to reduce the risk of heart attack. Statins are also being recommended for breast cancer patients as well.

The findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., which continues through Tuesday.