Hi everyone

We’ve been hearing a bit lately about a persons waist measurement being a good general health indicator.  The focus of much of the television advertising we’ve seen has been on reducing heart disease, but the incidence of cancer has also been mentioned as having a strong link to girth size.  As it turns out there has been some research in this area relevant to the incidence of pancreatic cancer in women.  And the correlation is quite startling!  In an article in the UK newspaper the Telegraph it was reported earlier this year that obese women who have excess belly fat are 70 per cent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer.  The article referred to a study published in the British Journal of Cancer which found a link between waist-to-hip ratios and pancreatic cancer incidence in post-menopausal women.

Dr Juhua Luo, of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, who led the research said, “We found that the risk of developing pancreatic cancer was significantly raised in obese postmenopausal women who carry most of their excess weight around the stomach.  Of the American women surveyed in the study, 251 developed pancreatic cancer and when other risk factos such as smoking and age were factored out, the disease was far more prvalent in the obese than in those with small waist to hip ratios.

As readers of our book ‘Beating Pancreatitis - How to Get Healthy and Enjoy Life Again’ would know, obesity can be a factor in the development of pancreatitis and having pancreatitis increases one’s chances of developing pancreatic cancer.  The relationship seems quite clear doesn’t it - to reduce the risk of developing pancreatitis keep your waist measurement within the recommended levels.  This factor, we believe also has importance in the management of pancreatitis.  We realize that many with pancreatitis have trouble in maintaining healthy weight and their waist measurements are low as a result of having the condition.  As always, it seems to relate to the severity of the condition. Many with pancreatitis who remain overweight should think very carefully about how they are managing their health.  As Dr Luo said, ” We know that carrying a high proportion of abdominal fat is associated with increased levels of insulin, so we think this may cause the link between obesity and pancreatic cancer”.

The message we think is clear - if you have a fat stomach and you have pancreatitis you are putting too much strain on your pancreas and therefore you are raising the risk of not only a greater number of pancreatitis flares but also your chances of developing pancreatic cancer.

To check on your waist-to-hip ratio take your waist measurement level with the belly button, then divide it by the hip circumference at the widest point.  For men, the ratio should ideally not be over 0.9 and for women it should not go beyond 0.85.

We’d welcome the feelings of others on this matter. Please post any information or thoughts you might have on this matter.

In the meantime if you are interested you might wish to visit our site at http:www.pancreatitis-diet.com

Bye for now

Jenny & Bill

Hi again everyone!

Just read a very interesting article in relation to food additives.  It was written by Bill Statham, the author of the international best seller, “The Chemical Maze - Your Guide to Food Additives and Cosmetic Ingredients”.  In this article which focusses on additives to food for the purpose of altering the color of food (and thereby, apparently making it more alluring to the consumer), Bill refers to a study completed earlier this year in the UK.

This study by the UK Food Standards Authority (FSA) called on food manufacturers to voluntarily remove six synthetic colors from processed foods and beverages.  These colors include:

102 - Tartrazine

104 - Quinoline yellow

110 - Sunset yellow

122 - Azorubine or Carmoise

124 - Ponceau 4R

129 - Allura red AC

We haven’t seen anything in the research that states categorically that food color additives can cause pancreatitis but we’re certain that for some people these could be a trigger to a flare up.  The Australian and New Zealand Food Standards authority certainly found some very interesting reactions for some people.  These include: rashes and swelling of the skin, irritable bowel symptoms, behavioural changes in children and headaches.

If anyone has any personal experiences in relation to food color additives and pancreatitis we’d certainly like to hear from you.

By the way, some sites that might be worth referring to if you are interested include:

http:www.feingold.org/Research/lancet.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/apr/10/foodanddrink

http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/newsroom/factsheets/factsheets2008/effectsofartificialc3893.cfm

You may need to cut and paste these addresses into your web-browser

Regards

Jenny & Bill

Hi everyone

Firstly, our apologies for not posting for awhile.  We’ve had some technical problems!  Should be sorted out now.

Some people would remember an item we posted advising of the wonderful spirit of pancreatic sufferer Randy Pausch.  Randy, a Professor at Carnegie-Mellon University had become quite famous for his ‘Last Lecture’.  This featured in a series of You Tube video clips.  We watched the whole lot in one sitting - it was very moving and inspirational.  You can see the first of these at http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

Unfortunately, Randy has now passed on, but not before passing on his wonderful wisdom on the important things in life.  Our deepest sympathies go out to Randy’s wife, kids and larger family.  He will undoubtedly be sorely missed.

Closer to home we have also been touched by the recent passing of friend Anne Kassulke, who was also claimed by pancreatic cancer.  Anne will be greatly missed by husband Trevor and family.  You have our most sincere and heartfelt sympathies Trev.

Once again, our apologies on being ’silent’ for awhile.  More news to come soon.  Hope everyone is keeping well.  Please don’t hesitate to sign up and make comments on this blog.

Best wishes and best of health to you all.

Jenny and Bil