Eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA -- the essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid abundant in oily fish -- may help protect stroke patients from suffering a second stroke, a Japanese study shows. In a study of people with high cholesterol who were taking a low dose of a cholesterol-lowering "statin," researchers found that adding EPA did not affect the risk of a first stroke but did lower recurrence rates in those with a history of stroke. The finding, published in the journal Stroke, stems from a large study of 18,645 patients with elevated cholesterol levels who were randomly assigned to a low dose of pravastatin or simvastatin daily alone or with 1800 milligrams of EPA daily for roughly 5 years.

A recently published study presents the finding of a team led by Professor Richard Mithen at the Institute of Food Research of how broccoli helps reduce prostate cancer risk. Earlier research has shown that weekly consumption of broccoli, a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables, is associated with a lower risk of developing prostate cancer as well as a reduction in the progression of localized disease. In the current study, 21 men with a diagnosis of high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (high grade PIN), a pre-invasive stage of localized prostate cancer, were divided to receive a diet containing 400 grams broccoli or 400 grams peas per week in addition to their normal diet.

Resveratrol, a nutrient found in red wine, keeps estrogen from causing breast cancer in test-tube studies. Prolonged exposure to estrogen is a major risk factor for breast cancer. Most research has focused on the interactions between estrogen and estrogen receptors on breast cancer cells.

By maintaining adequate vitamin D levels during pregnancy, mothers may be protecting their babies against early tooth decay in childhood, according a study reported Friday at the International Association for Dental Research meeting in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Robert Schroth from the University of Manitoba reported that mothers of children who developed cavities at an early age had significantly lower vitamin D levels during pregnancy than those whose children were cavity-free.

     Free radical damage is implicated in the formation of cataracts. Long-term intake of antioxidants may therefore protect us from developing cataracts. To test the theory 2464 individuals at least 49 years of age were followed for 10 years as part of the Blue Mountains Eye Study.