Aurora magazine

The secret to losing weight and quitting smoking could be written in our DNA. Or rather, in anomalies revealed by genetic tests. According to a Finnish study, discovering that you are genetically predisposed to a certain disease helps you live better. In fact, it pushes you to lose weight, exercise and take on a healthier lifestyle.

The Finnish study involved 7,328 people. The researchers compared their DNA with about 49,000 genetic markers associated with genetic diseases. In particular, they focused on cardiovascular diseases, in which lifestyle has a strong impact.

All colors that showed a genetic predisposition to certain diseases, were advised. The doctors gave them advice to follow to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.
40% of the study participants were smokers. Over the course of 18 months, almost half of them quit smoking. Furthermore, 13% of all participants lost weight and continued to lose it. All this thanks to having discovered a relatively lower risk factor than those already known.

Genetic predisposition does not mean necessarily having to get sick. It is a factor that contributes to the appearance of certain diseases, but which acts together with other elements that are easier to identify. And to be ignored. Smoking, moving around a little, eating badly, being overweight increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Many of the participants were already aware of it, but they needed a further stimulus to change.

Source: independent.co.uk

Cytomegalovirus or Cmv is a worldwide virus that belongs to the same family as Herpes. It is a very common virus, which once contracted remains latent throughout life. The weakening of the immune system can cause its reactivation.

Most often, the cytomegalovirus is asymptomatic and all in all harmless. The infection is instead dangerous for immunocompromised individuals, in which it causes complications in eyes and liver. In addition, congenital cytomegalovirus infections permanently damage the fetus. These occur if the mother contracted the infection during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Congenital cytomegalovirus can be caused by primary or secondary transmission. In the first case, the mother contracts the virus for the first time during pregnancy. In the second, the first latent virus awakens during pregnancy and infects the fetus. Both types of transmission do not appear to be related to the gestation period. According to some studies, however, there would be more dangers in the first three months.
For the primary form of cytomegalovirus transmission, the risk of congenital cytomegalovirus is between 30% and 40%. For the secondary form, between 0.5% and 2%.

Congenital cytomegalovirus is asymptomatic in 85% to 90% of cases. 10% of asymptomatic infected children show late symptoms, often related to hearing problems. The remaining 10-15% of newborns are symptomatic and show permanent or temporary symptoms of varying severity. Permanent symptoms include deafness, blindness, mental retardation, motion deficit. In some cases, they occur after years of birth, although they are uncommon.

To date there is no vaccine against cytomegalovirus, so we must act on prevention. Transmission occurs mainly through the exchange of body fluids. For this reason, the first way to prevent infection is to wash your hands before eating, after going to the bathroom and after changing a diaper.

Source: epicentro.iss.it

In this historical period, Australia is experiencing a dark period regarding the relationship with weight. More and more Australians are overweight or obese, with serious consequences on public health. According to recent studies, weighing too much would have negative implications for fertility too.

The regulation of the menstrual cycle is linked to a delicate hormonal balance. Both the excess weight and the deficit can affect it. Specifically, overweight and obese women have high levels of the hormone leptin. This can undermine hormonal balance and reduce fertility. Furthermore, excess fat mass is linked to increased insulin resistance. To regulate blood sugar levels, the body must therefore produce more insulin and lower levels of sex hormones.

One study examined the probabilities of conceiving within a year in normal and obese women. In normal-weight women, the odds are 81.4%. In those obese, however, they are 66.4%. A very marked difference, linked to the factors mentioned above. In severe cases, obesity affects the hormonal balance so much that it blocks the release of the oocytes. The phenomenon is 3 times more likely in women with a body mass index above 27, therefore overweight.
However, many overweight women continue to ovulate, but this does not mean that their fertility is intact. According to the data, each unit above the BMI 29 (obesity threshold) lowers the odds of conceiving by about 4%. A woman with BMI 35 (severe obesity), therefore, has 43% less chance to conceive than a normal-weight woman.

Obesity and overweight also have serious consequences on male fertility. Excess weight is in fact linked to hormonal problems and a greater risk of erectile dysfunction. According to studies, 10 kg too much is needed to reduce male fertility by 10%. In addition, too much fat mass reduces the quality and quantity of sperm.

The data are discomforting, but they also offer a solution. These problems are not permanent. Losing weight increases your chances of conceiving. In obese women, a loss of 5-10 kg is enough to increase the chances of a pregnancy. Losing 7% of body weight and doing at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week improves health and makes you more fertile.

Source: independent.co.uk

Prenatal and neonatal exposure to smoking negatively affects hearing. The risk of hearing impairment doubles if exposure occurs both before and after delivery. This is what emerges from a Japanese research led by Dr. Koji Kawakami of the University of Kyoto. The study was published in the journal Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology.

The researchers examined data from 50,734 newborns. 3.8% of them had been exposed to smoking during intrauterine life. 3.9% had suffered passive smoking in the first months of life. 0.9% had been exposed both prenatally and neonatal. In 12.5% ​​of cases, however, the future mother had quit smoking as soon as she found out she was pregnant.

The analyzes showed a link between hearing problems and smoking during pregnancy. At the age of three, children exposed to smoking in their mother's womb were 68% more likely to have hearing problems. The percentage dropped to 30% more in the case of children exposed to passive smoking only in neonatal age. In the case of ex-smokers mothers, the probability was 26% higher than average. On the other hand, children exposed to smoking in both phases were 2.4 times more likely to experience hearing problems within 3 years.

The results of the study show the importance of quitting smoking before planning a pregnancy, as well as during and after. Many expectant mothers stop smoking when they discover they are pregnant. Although this is an important step, it may not be enough.

Source: ansa.it