Common toothpaste ingredient linked to colon cancer

Using triclosan, an antibacterial and antifungal agent found in hand soaps and toothpastes among other consumer products, can potentially cause colon inflammation and cancer, finds a study on mice. The study, reported in Science Translational Medicine, suggests that short-time treatment with low-dose triclosan caused low-grade colonic inflammation, and exaggerated disease development of colitis and colitis-associated colon cancer in mice. These results, for the first time, suggest that triclosan could have adverse effects on gut health, said an expert. Previous research has suggested that triclosan can have toxic effects at high doses, but the health effects of lower concentrations that a person might be exposed to remain unclear. The study results showed triclosan exposure increased the severity of colon inflammation in mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease - an effect that persisted even when low doses of the chemical were administered. Triclosan treatment also increased tumour size and reduced survival in a separate group of rodents with colon cancer. 

High-protein diet ups risk of heart failure?  

A high-protein diet could increase the risk of heart failure in middle-aged men, says a research. However, proteins from fish and eggs were not associated with heart failure risk said this study. Despite the popularity of high-protein diets, there is little research about how diets high in protein might increase the risk of heart failure in men. "As many people seem to take the health benefits of high-protein diets for granted, it is important to make clear the possible risks and benefits of these diets," said study's author. Earlier studies have linked diets high in protein, especially from animal sources, with increased risks of type 2 diabetes and even death." Researchers studied 2,441 men, age 42 to 60, at the study's start and followed them for an average 22 years. When researchers compared men who ate the most protein to those who ate the least, they found their risk of heart failure was - 33 per cent higher for all sources of protein, 43 per cent higher for animal protein, 49 per cent higher for dairy protein and 17 per cent higher for plant protein. The study has been published in the journal Circulation: Heart Failure.

Heart patients should be active, not just thin  

Patients with coronary heart disease should aim for a fitter self for a longer life, says a study. Researchers have found that heart disease patients can gain weight without jeopardising their health, but sitting in their recliner incurs significant health risks. Weight loss seems to be associated with increased mortality for the participants in the study who were normal weight at baseline. The researchers studied 3,307 individuals (1,038 women) with coronary heart disease. During the 30-year period, the study revealed that people who are physically active live longer than those who are not. Sustained physical activity over time was associated with substantially lower mortality risk. The recommended activity level is at least 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity or 60 minutes per week of vigorous physical activity. Even being somewhat active is better than being inactive, but patients have to maintain the activity level. Physical activity is perishable - if you snooze you lose its benefits, said a researcher.  The study appears in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 

— Agencies