Scientists Uncover Gene Variation Linked to Melanoma

UK Health Radio News: New gene mutations associated with the development of melanoma have been identified by scientists who conducted what is believed to be the largest DNA-sequencing study of the deadly disease to date.

Melanoma accounts for the vast majority of skin cancer deaths.

The main cause of melanoma, which causes around 48,000 deaths around the globe each year, is excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

The Yale Cancer Center team used DNA-sequencing technologies to analyze 147 melanomas originating on both sun-exposed and sun-shielded sites on patients' bodies. They found a large number of UV-induced mutations in sun-exposed melanomas, but most of these are "passenger" mutations that don't have a functional role in melanoma.

"We devised a mathematical model to sort out the relevant DNA alterations from over 25,000 total mutations," lead study author Michael Krauthammer, an associate professor of pathology, said in a Yale news release.

The researchers pinpointed a mutation in the RAC1 gene that speeds growth and movement in normal skin pigment cells, which are where melanoma begins. The mutation likely occurs at an early stage of melanoma development and promotes cancer cell growth and spread to other sites in the body, they said.

The RAC1 mutation was found in about 9 percent of melanomas from sun-exposed skin. It is the third-most frequent mutation after previously identified BRAF and NRAS mutations. Because the RAC1 mutation is so common, it would be worthwhile to develop treatments that target it, the researchers added.

They also identified mutations that disable proteins that suppress tumours.

The study was published online July 29 in the journal Nature Genetics.

UK Health Radio News - health radio broadcasting across the UK, Europe and beyond - is sponsored by www.1-stop-shop.com

Olympic sensation “Olive Leaf” heading for gold

UK Health Radio News:


The London Olympics 2012 is not being called the green Olympics for nothing!

Laidback Aussie gold medal hot shot James Magnussen believes breaking the 100m freestyle world record twice in four days is a possibility in London, now that an Olive Leaf Extract has rid him of his pre-meet sickness curse.


This is going to be exciting and different, going in healthy," said "The Missile", who gulped a small bottle of the Olive Leaf and probiotic mix "that the Body Science people specially developed for me" before jumping into the water yesterday.


The company Body Science (BSC) Australia is a sponsor of some of the Australian athletes, and the Olive Leaf probiotic liquid produced by Rochway for Body Science is making headlines!


Read the full story:  theTelegraph


Olive Leaf Extract is available in 500 ml liquid and 30 capsule bottles.

Can Papaya help us avoid ageing diseases?

The world’s population is getting older thanks to modern medical care and the advances of technology, we are also taking charge of our own health care and are teaching ourselves about exercise, health and nutrition. But the chances are, that if you do live to reach your seventies you may get one of the more than sixty fives chronic degenerative diseases that are causing today’s older generation a lot of pain and anxiety.

Chronic generative diseases is a group term for a whole range of conditions that are slow developing diseases characterised by the gradual deterioration of the organs, cells and nerves that are affected. They can affect different parts of the body and according to the World Health Organisation they are the leading cause of death in the world today.

Much of the research done today is around trying to prevent these diseases from occurring. A few of these diseases will be immediately recognisable to you – Alzheimers (a disease involving slow memory loss) and diminished thinking capacity is one of those that belong in the chronic degenerative disease category.
Another common one is Osteoporosis, this is possibly less frightening but very wide spread and would be associated with the high number of hip replacement surgeries now performed routinely in western medical centres.

Medical researchers have been trying to find a common cause between the rising number of age related diseases. Many doctors would suggest that a western diet does not offer sufficient nutrition. The western lifestyle also revolves around stress and fast food and the intake of healthy nutritious food has not been a focus until recent years.

People are beginning to look at where their food is grown and how their food is prepared and a younger generation is beginning to think that quality food is better than quantity. The explosion of health supplements and vitamin tablets may seek to address a diet that has been badly managed for too many years.

Recent studies show that the high vegetable, low fat content in the Asian diet offers their elderly population a greater chance of avoiding degenerative diseases. The fresh vegetables and fruit they eat in high quantities also contributes to the fact they have fewer free radicals in their bodies which can cause cancer.

There have been recent studies that have revealed that the humble fruit known as the paw-paw or papaya which is eaten as a breakfast fruit or a desert may be much more than a delicious snack. The rich yellow fleshy fruit have two special enzymes - papain and chymopapain - which helps with digestion and mainly breaks down the protein into amino acids.

Research shows that as we age our bodies produce less digestive enzymes in our stomach and pancreas, which leads to the ineffective digestion of proteins. Due to this we end up with excess amount of undigested protein, and the growth of bad bacteria in the gastro-intestinal tract.

Papaya is one of the yellow fruits that contains many antioxidants, dietary fiber, folate, vitamin A, C and E. It also contains small amount of calcium, iron, riboflavin, thiamine and niacine and carotenoids and bioflavonoids, two classes of phytochemicals that scientists are studying extensively for their health-promoting potential.

While studying this popular breakfast melon, the scientists have found its vitamin -rich properties may help prevent other chronic degenerative conditions like cataract formation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diverticulosis, and possibly, hypertension.
Research has shown that it has natural anti-inflammatory properties, and the ripe fruit is good at preventing constipation. It is loaded with vitamins and beats the orange hands down in fighting colds and flu. In the intestine it works very well to soothe irritable bowel and can break down pus and mucus at infection sites. Some people claim they have used the seeds as a treatment for expelling intestinal worms and others says the fruit helps to treat nausea.
Perhaps we need to look more closely at nature’s pharmacy for the answers to the medical challenges that will face the next generation. Prevention is always better than cure!

For more information, visit the 1 Stop Health Shop website:

Total Education Show to be aired on UK Health Radio

Total Education Show - also known as "The Total Education Hour" - is an educational talk show that focuses on the listeners' needs.

Catch weekly discussions focusing on current education news at a local and national scale here on UK Health Radio  to find out more about featured guests from the education community, including teachers, parents, principals, therapists, professors and service providers.

John  Hicks, Station Director of the health radio network for the UK and Europe, welcomed the news that this well-respected show is to be rostered on the station, saying: " Parents, students and educators alike have benefited from the decades of experience that the hosts of the Total Education Show bring to the table each week and you can, too."

The healthy superfoods you should be eating?

Here is some recommended reading from UK Health Radio News.

Yahoo! nutritionist Rachael Anne Hill identifies four nutrient-packed, super-healthy foods she suggests we should all be eating but which are often ignored.

Quinoa: commonly referred to as a grain, quinoa is actually a seed.  It can be cooked and eaten in much the same way as rice and contains all the essential amino acids so is an excellent source of complete protein for vegans and vegetarians.

Cold pressed rapeseed oil: has balanced levels of omega 3, 6 and 9 which together make up the essential fatty acids vital for lowering cholesterol, reducing inflammation that can cause heart disease and premature ageing, boosting the immune system and nourishing skin, hair, bones and joints.

Crab: despite its low calorie content, it is a great source of protein so it's a really filling and satisfying food.  Crab is also a good source of omega 3s which help to lower triglycerides and blood pressure along with reducing the risk of heart disease.

Radishes: these hot tasting little vegetables owe their pungent flavour to super nutrients called glucosinolates that are also found in broccoli and cabbage.

For more information and to read Rachael’s article in full, visit: http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/blogs/rachael-anne-hill/healthy-superfoods-eating-162234489.html