EATING TOMATOES MAY STAVE OFF STROKE: RESEARCH

Eating tomatoes may stave off a stroke: research

A DIET rich in tomatoes may help reduce the risk of suffering a stroke, a study has found.

The research from Finland found that men with the highest levels of a chemical found in the fruit in their blood were at half the risk of suffering a stroke than men with the lowest levels.

The chemical, lycopene, which gives tomatoes their red colour, has already been linked with a lower risk of developing prostate cancer.

It fights damage to the cells and may prevent the blood from clotting as readily, which is a primary cause of stroke.

The study of 1,031 men from Finland between the ages of 46 and 65, involved testing their blood for lycopene and following them for 12 years.

In that time 67 men had a stroke, 25 of them with the lowest levels of lycopene and 11 with the highest.

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The results showed that when strokes caused by clots, rather than a bleed on the brain, the effect was stronger, as men with the highest levels of lycopene 59 per cent less likely to have a stroke.

The findings were published in the journal Neurology.

study author Jouni Karppi, PhD, of the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio, said: "This study adds to the evidence that a diet high in fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of stroke.

"The results support the recommendation that people get more than five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, which would likely lead to a major reduction in the number of strokes worldwide, according to previous research."

The study also looked at blood levels of the antioxidants alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol and retinol, but found no association between the blood levels and risk of stroke.

Dr Clare Walton, Research Communications Officer at the Stroke Association said: “We all know that eating plenty of fresh fruit and veg is good for our health.

"This study suggests that an antioxidant which is found in foods such as tomatoes, red peppers and water melons could help to lower our stroke risk.

"However, this research should not deter people from eating other types of fruit and vegetables as they all have health benefits and remain an important part of a staple diet.

"More research is needed to help us understand why the particular antioxidant found in vegetables such as tomatoes could help keep our stroke risk down.”

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Independent

SUCCESSFULLY LEARN ABOUT CHICKEN POX

CHICKEN POX is a very common infection and it is good to fully understand it. Read this post about chicken pox from medical professionals, learn and enjoy:

` Chickenpox is a common childhood infection caused by a virus known as the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV).  It causes a rash of red, itchy spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters. They then crust over to form scabs, which eventually drop off.

Someone with chicken pox is infectious for about 2 days before the rash appears and until the rash has crusted over. The infection is spread by coughing and sneezing and from the chicken pox spots.

People who have not previously had chickenpox may develop chickenpox rash after 10-21 days following contact with someone with the disease. It usually begins with cold like symptoms followed by a high temperature and a very itchy vesicular (fluid like blister) rash. Most people with chickenpox have only a few spots, but in others they can cover the entire body. The spots are most likely to appear on the face, ears and scalp, under the arms, on the chest and belly and on the arms and legs. Clusters of spots usually continue to appear over 3-5 days. After about 7 days the blister dry out and scab over. 

 Severity of infection varies and it is possible to acquire infection but show few if any symptoms. More severe infection leading to hospital admissions usually occurs in people with weakened immunity (e.g. with HIV infection, some cancers and Pregnant women- where it can affect both mother and baby).  Mild cases do not normally need specific treatment as it is a viral infection and self limiting. Paracetamol alleviates the fever while calamine lotion and cooling gels ease the itching. Chickenpox generally tends to be more severe in adults. 

 To prevent spreading the infection, keep children off nursery or school until all the spots have crusted over. In the workplace staff with chickenpox should stay away from work until their doctor certifies them fit to return to work. 

There is a chickenpox vaccine but it is not part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule. The vaccine is only offered to children and adults who are particularly vulnerable to chickenpox complications. 

                  Once someone has had chickenpox they are normally protected from subsequent attacks