The Learning Blog

Phase two of The International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), a European  study, reported in the June issue of Thorax that children who adhered to a Meditteranean diet high in fish, fruits, and vegetables had a lower risk of asthma in childhood.

However, these findings which are consistent with previous studies do not establish a causal relationship between children’s food choices and the risk of having asthma.

The researchers explained that because of the presence of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids in the Mediterranean diet especially in fish, these substances have anti-inflammatory properties that counter-balance the effects of pro-allergic activities of the T-helper cells. Also, the high intake of fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants, is found to lower the risk of asthma in adults.

References:

What Kids Eat is Tied to Asthma

Effect of Diet on Asthma and Allergic Sensitization in the International Study on Allergies and Asthma in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase Two. (Abstract)

Analyzing three studies, researchers from Herlev Hospital in Copenhagen,Denmark, found a causal relationship between a genetically-elevated lipoprotein(a) and the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack.

More »

This article is part of the Epocrates’ Continuing Medical Education article entitled “Strategies for Treating Atherogenic Lipid Abnormalities in High-risk patients” as presented by Dr. Anne C. Goldberg, Associated Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri.
More »