Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.health From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: health Mon, Mar 16 1992 Date: Mon, 16 Mar 92 05:48:19 EST Message-ID: 03-16 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update March 16, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network VEGETABLES MAY PREVENT CANCER: Sulforaphane, a chemical found in many vegetables, may prevent some types of cancer, new research indicates. The findings, which appear in this weekend's Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that sulforaphane creates a "protective state" by boosting cancer-fighting enzymes, says Dr. Paul Talalay, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. ANOTHER REASON TO EAT BROCCOLI: A cell's ability to resist carcinogens may be enhanced by a chemical found in broccoli and other vegetables, a new study shows. Especially high levels of the chemical, sulforphane, are found in the Saga variety of broccoli. Other vegetables containing sulforaphane are brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cress, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, radish, rutabagas and turnips. CAVITY-FIGHTING GUM DEVELOPED: Chewing mineral-rich gum may help some patients prevent cavities, suggests research reported to the American Association for Dental Research Saturday in Boston. In a study, six adults with medical problems causing dry mouth were given a test gum laced with calcium and phosphate. After 16 minutes, all had increased saliva and tooth mineralization, a key part of tooth preservation. (For more, see special Teeth package below.) CAPSULE MAY TREAT ORAL FUNGUS: A capsule with a tiny hole may prove a more effective treatment for an oral fungus, say dental researchers at UC San Francisco. Saliva, passing through a membrane, causes an internal layer to expand, pushing out medication. The capsule, known as Mucosal Oral Therapeutic System, lasted longer and worked better than conventional methods of treating oral candidiasis. EXPERT ADVISES WORRIED PARENTS: Raising healthy kids today isn't easy. By the time they're through elementary school, kids have seen eight-thousand murders on TV. Parents shouldn't give up hope. "Experts Advise Parents" (Delta, $14.95) author Eileen Schiff says they should watch TV with their kids. And talk with them to make sure whatever they're hearing, kids know where their parents stand. SALES OF DAIRY PRODUCT HALTED: California Health Director Molly Joel Coye, M.D., M.P.H., Friday ordered the removal from sale of Stueve's Natural raw certified cow's milk (whole and non-fat) coded March 17A, March 18A, March 19A, March 20A and March 21A in 1:2 gallon containers. The order came at the request of the state Department of Food and Agriculture after tests indicated listeria monocytogenes bacteria in samples. WESTERN INFLUENCE HURTING GUAM: Westernization has given Guam the highest mortality rates from heart disease and cancer in Micronesia and Polynesia, a health official says. Westernization has replaced the traditional Chamorro diet of root crops, fish and coconuts with processed foods, and people are exercising less. LIVER RECIPIENT STABLE: Washington, D.C.,'s first liver transplant recipient in three years, William Surgeon III, age 13, was listed in stable but critical condition at Howard University Hospital. Surgeon, who is expected to return to school in approximately three months, is improving, according to a hospital spokeswoman. DOMESTIC ABUSE RISES IN IDAHO: The number of Idaho women seeking protection from domestic violence rose in 1991, according to a court report. Last year, 4,427 petitions seeking protection from abusive spouses were filed, a 30% increase from 1990 and five times more than in 1988, when a state domestic violence law took effect. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON TEETH: MOST HAVE ADEQUATE SALIVA: Although many people complain of dry mouth, most have adequate amounts of saliva. But patients with Sjogren's syndrome (an autoimmune disorder) or reactions to radiation treatments or anti-depression drugs may actually have below-normal levels, says researcher Dr. Roald Shern. Saliva production can be increased with tart or acidic items, such as lemon drops, says Dr. L.C. Chow. TREATMENT MAY DO AWAY WITH SURGERY: Deep dental cleaning and antibiotics can reduce the need for surgery to treat periodontitis, a disease that can destroy both tooth and bone, according to research from the University of Detroit and University of Michigan. Cleaning, scaling and antibiotics, may make surgery unnecessary, says Michigan's Dr. W.J. Loesche. Surgery attacks gum pockets where bacteria collect. Health Editor: Christopher Goldthwaite. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM