Good morning, and welcome to The Epoch Times Health Brief for Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. I’m Bill Thomas, we have some engaging stories to share with you right now, and here’s what’s going on.
A new study reveals the surprising link between your cholesterol levels and the fight against cancer; a health care expert shares the overlooked warning signs that point to the deadly “king of cancers”; and a number of rapidly growing intestinal issues are connected to the rising use of a very popular drug.
Also, investigators look into the effectiveness of warning labels found on a number of consumer products, and we’re all familiar with the old adage that laughter is the best medicine; it turns out that statement might actually be backed up by science.
Cholesterol Could Boost Your Body’s Cancer-Fighting Abilities
A recent study reveals that cholesterol may boost the immune system’s ability to fight and target tumors by playing a crucial role in the function of what are called dendritic cells, which help the body recognize and battle cancer.Essentially, these cells act as the body’s scouts, patrolling for threats and telling the immune system when it’s time to take action. To do this effectively, they have to communicate with other immune cells—and this communication process is fueled by cholesterol, which helps form small structures on the surface of dendritic cells which are a vital part of this entire operation.
The researchers say that simply put, cholesterol creates these communication hubs, thus ensuring that dendritic cells grow properly and can support a stronger immune response to cancer, particularly lung cancer.
Additionally, they identified a certain protein called AXL, which they say is a key regulator of cholesterol metabolism inside these cells. They say that AXL acts like a brake, slowing down the process that helps dendritic cells grow and communicate effectively with the immune system.
They found that blocking the AXL protein could improve treatments by boosting the immune system’s natural cancer-fighting abilities.
By the way, while the study focuses on cholesterol’s role within these specific dendritic cells, maintaining balanced cholesterol levels is important for an individual’s overall immune function and can be influenced by both dietary and lifestyle choices. The study suggests that eating the right type of foods and exercising regularly are key components to better health.
Pancreatic Cancer: The Warning Signs
The National Cancer Institute says that last year, nearly 65,000 cases of pancreatic cancer were diagnosed in the U.S. They also projected more than 50,000 deaths due to pancreatic cancer, making it responsible for just under 10 percent of all cancer-related deaths in 2024.One medical expert tells The Epoch Times that abdominal pain linked to pancreatic cancer has a number of distinct characteristics. She says that it occurs in an area similar to the stomach but deeper, and it is often accompanied by an aching sensation in the back.
So you know, your pancreas is located behind the stomach, and when it’s inflamed or affected by cancer, it can press on your lower back muscles, causing pain that radiates backward and possibly up into your chest and shoulders.
Additionally, the medical expert says that pressing on the affected area tends to make the pain worse, and that this discomfort increases when a person stands upright, leading them to often bend forward. She says that lying on your side with your knees bent and the body curled can help alleviate this pain.
By the way, some other common symptoms of pancreatic cancer also include loss of appetite, rapid weight loss, jaundice, and diabetes.
The medical expert we spoke with says that regulating blood sugar is essential for preventing pancreatic cancer. To help lower the risk of this type of cancer, she recommends limiting the intake of carbohydrates and fats; avoiding high-temperature cooking methods, such as stir-frying and deep-frying; and staying away from pickled and processed foods, as well as products loaded with an abundance of sugar.
Cannabis Behind Rising Cases of Nausea and Vomiting
The condition is known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), and it’s characterized by nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. It’s also occasionally accompanied by an urge to take long hot baths or showers.The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) describes CHS as a subtype of something called “cyclical vomiting syndrome,” a debilitating and potentially dangerous condition that can last anywhere from an hour to as long as 10 days.
It can cause a number of potentially severe complications, including extreme dehydration, heart rhythm abnormalities, kidney failure, seizures, and—in rare cases—a collapsed lung or even death.
Right now, CHS is not well understood—even among health care workers—yet cases are on the rise. However, it’s also difficult to diagnose, because it shares characteristics with a number of other similar conditions. The AGA says that CHS can’t be diagnosed with a single test, and that a number of other disorders must be ruled out first.
By the way, it’s hard to know precisely who is at the greatest risk for CHS because cannabis-related disorders are all lumped into one diagnostic code in medical charts. However, emergency department surveys indicate that CHS may affect nearly 3 million Americans annually, with those numbers rising as more states legalize cannabis.
The AGA says that quitting the use of cannabis entirely is the only proven strategy for successfully treating CHS. They also note that withdrawal is often accompanied by a number of symptoms similar to the condition itself and that if done without proper support, it often results in relapse.
State Warning Label Laws Push Companies to Remove Toxic Chemicals Nationwide
A new study says that a California law that requires companies to put warning labels on any of their products that contain harmful chemicals has had an effect on consumer goods across the entire country. The study indicates that similar laws that promote transparency about harmful chemicals can lead to safer products.The researchers conducted interviews with 32 businesses across various sectors, including home improvement, clothing, personal care, cleaning, and health care.
Their analysis showed that around 80 percent of those surveyed agreed that California’s Proposition 65 has led to product changes in their companies, as well as helping them identify which chemicals to avoid in the manufacturing process. Surprisingly, more than 60 percent of those manufacturers indicated that the law motivated them to change their products even outside of California.
In case you’re not aware, Prop 65 was passed nearly 40 years ago, and it requires businesses to alert consumers regarding nearly 900 potentially harmful chemicals in their products that could cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive problems.
The study’s authors say that until recently, there has been little research regarding the effectiveness of that measure. They point out that some critics argue that the law creates too many warnings while having little impact on individual behaviors, while others claim the law is less effective than outright chemical restrictions or bans would be.
One researcher says that by increasing awareness of chemicals in the supply chain, Prop 65 has caused businesses to “shift away” from using those toxic substances altogether. She calls it a “positive step for public health” and says the companies consistently told researchers they would rather eliminate the use of harmful chemicals in their products as opposed to posting a warning.
The Link Between Laughing and Living
Laughter is a physiological and psychological process that involves our brains, bodies, and emotions working in unison. A significant amount of research suggests that it also triggers a series of physical changes within our bodies that can have a number of long-term health benefits and may also play a role in helping us live longer.A study from about five years ago followed more than 17,000 Japanese adults who were 40 years old and above. Their findings revealed that those people who laughed less than once a month had a 95 percent higher risk of death than those individuals who laughed at least once a week.
One cardiologist tells The Epoch Times that laughter can help improve an individual’s circulation by dilating the inner lining of the blood vessels, thereby allowing more crucial blood and nutrients to reach the body’s tissues and vital organs. He says it can also reduce strain on the heart, lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Other research indicates that when we laugh, our brains release opioids in areas linked to pleasure and emotions, making us feel happy and relaxed. It also helps strengthen social connections by encouraging positive interactions and emotional bonding.
Meanwhile, humor therapy has been shown to reduce pain in people of all ages, and a study from last year shows that something called laughter yoga helped reduce depression and anxiety in older adults. Studies have also shown that laughter decreases levels of certain stress hormones that are linked to a number of significant illnesses.
So, go ahead, laugh out loud, giggle, watch a comedy, or engage in any activity that brings you joy and makes you smile. The change can be “heartwarming” and could actually benefit your health.
And now, it looks like our time is just about up for today, so we’re going to call it a wrap for this week’s edition of The Epoch Times Health Brief.
Just a reminder—you can reach out to us anytime via email with your thoughts, comments, and suggestions, and you’ll find us at [email protected]. You can also leave comments for us on The Epoch Times app, which you can download for free on either Google Play or the App Store.
And don’t forget the Health Brief Motto: We’re portable and affordable, our blood pressure is in check, and we’re always on-demand.
And now, as we do each and every week on this program, we share with you a very notable quote, and this one comes to us from D.D. Palmer, who said:
“Chiropractic embraces the science of life, the knowledge of how organisms act in health and disease, and also the art of adjusting the neuroskeleton.”
Palmer is known as “The Founder” of the chiropractic profession, and he performed the first chiropractic adjustment on Sept. 18, 1895, in Davenport, Iowa.
And finally, whether it’s texting, calling, navigating, or something else, using your cellphone while driving can be dangerous. In fact, our partners with AAA say that texting and driving can have the same consequences as drinking and driving: deaths and injuries. Please stay safe—put the phone away while you’re driving.
For all of us here at The Epoch Times Health Brief, I’m Bill Thomas.
The Epoch Times Health Brief program was written today by David Ross.
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For now, let’s all continue to watch out for one another and have an absolutely superb day today. Bye for now.
