Latest news with #chronicdiseases
Telegraph
15 hours ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Revealed: The number of steps you need to improve your life expectancy
Walking 7,000 steps a day is the sweet spot for preventing many chronic diseases that can lead to an early death, a major study has shown. While the goal of 10,000 daily steps has become firmly established in the public consciousness, an international team of researchers found even a modest amount of walking brings major benefits. British scientists said it finally 'debunked the myth' of 10,000 steps and should encourage people to try and hit the lower target. The major review of 57 studies involving 160,000 adults, which was published in The Lancet, concluded that for most conditions health benefits tended to level off beyond 7,000 steps. Hitting 7,000 steps a day was found to reduce all-cause-mortality by 47 per cent, cardiovascular disease by 25 per cent, cancer by six per cent, diabetes by 14 per cent, dementia by 38 per cent and depression by 22 per cent. Health benefits were also apparent from 4,000 steps when compared to 'inactive' people who walked just 2,000, the study led by the University of Sydney found. Every extra 1,000 steps brought better outcomes, researchers found. Commenting on the study, Steven Harridge, professor of human and applied physiology at King's College London, said: 'Humans are designed to be physically active – our evolutionary heritage as hunter gatherers. 'There has been debate about the amount of activity an individual should be doing with 10,000 steps as a generalised target, not well evidenced. 'This paper shows that 7,000 steps is sufficient for reducing the risk for most diseases covered, and 10, 000 steps does not confer much additional benefit.' According to World Health Organisation data, insufficient physical activity is the fourth most frequent cause of death in the world, with 3.2 million deaths a year related to physical inactivity. Many health organisations recommend hitting 10,000 steps a day, although there is little evidence for the target, which is believed to have arisen from a Japanese marketing campaign in the 1960s. In the run-up to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the company Yamasa sought to capitalise on the sudden interest in fitness, so designed the world's first wearable step-counter. They called it the Manpo-kei, or '10,000-step meter'. The company appears to have chosen the figure at random, as a fun goal, but it has stuck ever since. The new paper found that for heart disease, walking more than 7,000 steps was beneficial, but for most conditions there was little gain from putting in more effort. Experts said it was still unclear why walking brings such striking benefits but said it is likely to increase cardiorespiratory fitness, which is known to be positively associated with better health and all-cause mortality outcomes. Commenting on the research, Dr Daniel Bailey, an expert in sedentary behaviour and health at Brunel University of London, said the 7,000 steps target was more achievable for many people than 10,000 steps. 'Just adding more steps from your starting point can have important benefits for health,' he said. 'This study adds to existing evidence by showing that the more steps people do, the less their risk of developing different health conditions. 'The finding that doing 5,000-7,000 steps per day is beneficial, is an important addition to the literature which helps to debunk the myth that 10,000 steps per day should be the target for optimal health.' The Alzheimer's Society also welcomed the study saying it demonstrated that inactivity is a major risk factor for dementia. Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at the charity said: 'It adds to the evidence that what's good for the heart is good for the head.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
AstraZeneca Plans to Invest $50 Billion in U.S. by 2030
The biopharmaceutical company said the investment includes plans for a new manufacturing center focused on chronic diseases. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
AstraZeneca plans to invest $50 billion in America for medicines manufacturing and R&D
Investment will support AstraZeneca's ambition to reach $80 billion revenue by 2030, with 50% generated in the US Cornerstone of investment is a proposed new multi-billion dollar drug substance manufacturing center focused on chronic diseases in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Company's largest single investment in a facility to date WILMINGTON, Del., July 21, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AstraZeneca today announces $50 billion of investment in the United States by 2030, building on America's global leadership in medicines manufacturing and R&D. This investment is expected to create tens of thousands of new, highly skilled direct and indirect jobs across the country powering growth and delivering next generation medicines for patients in America and worldwide. The cornerstone of this landmark investment is a new multi-billion dollar US manufacturing facility that will produce drug substances for the Company's innovative weight management and metabolic portfolio, including oral GLP-1, baxdrostat, oral PCSK9 and combination small molecule products. The new state-of-the-art center will produce small molecules, peptides and oligonucleotides. This multi-billion dollar capital investment is in addition to the $3.5 billion announced in November 2024. The drug substance facility, planned to be in the Commonwealth of Virginia, would be AstraZeneca's largest single manufacturing investment in the world. The facility will leverage AI, automation, and data analytics to optimize production. The $50 billion investment across our R&D and manufacturing footprint in the US over the next five years also includes: Expansion of our R&D facility in Gaithersburg, Maryland State-of-the-art R&D center in Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts Next-generation manufacturing facilities for cell therapy in Rockville, Maryland and Tarzana, California Continuous manufacturing expansion in Mount Vernon, Indiana Specialty manufacturing expansion in Coppell, Texas New sites to supply clinical trials Our growing research and development investment in novel medicines Collectively, these investments will help deliver AstraZeneca's ambition of reaching $80 billion in Total Revenue by 2030, of which we expect 50% would be generated in the US. Howard Lutnick, US Secretary of Commerce, said: "For decades Americans have been reliant on foreign supply of key pharmaceutical products. President Trump and our nation's new tariff policies are focused on ending this structural weakness. We are proud that AstraZeneca has made the decision to bring substantial pharmaceutical production to our shores. This historic investment is bringing tens of thousands of jobs to the US and will ensure medicine sold in our country is produced right here." Governor Glenn Youngkin, Commonwealth of Virginia, said: "I want to thank AstraZeneca for choosing Virginia as the cornerstone for this transformational investment in the United States. This project will set the standard for the latest technological advancements in pharmaceutical manufacturing, creating hundreds of highly skilled jobs and helping further strengthen the nation's domestic supply chain. Advanced manufacturing is at the heart of Virginia's dynamic economy, so I am thrilled that AstraZeneca, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, plans to make their largest global manufacturing investment here in the Commonwealth." Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca, said: "Today's announcement underpins our belief in America's innovation in biopharmaceuticals and our commitment to the millions of patients who need our medicines in America and globally. It will also support our ambition to reach $80 billion in revenue by 2030. I look forward to partnering with Governor Youngkin and his team to work on our largest single manufacturing investment ever. It reflects the Commonwealth of Virginia's desire to create highly skilled jobs in science and technology, and will strengthen the country's domestic supply chain for medicines." Notes AstraZeneca in the US The US is AstraZeneca's largest market and home to 19 R&D, manufacturing and commercial sites. We employ more than 18,000 people and support 92,000 jobs overall across the United States. In 2024 we contributed $5 billion directly to the economy and created approximately $20 billion worth of overall value for the American economy. Today the US represents 42% of our Total Revenue with an ambition to reach 50% by 2030. This underscores the critical role the US plays in our ability to deliver on our ambition to launch 20 new medicines by the end of the decade. AstraZeneca AstraZeneca (Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca's innovative medicines are sold in more than 125 countries and used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit and follow the Company on social media @AstraZeneca. View source version on Contacts Media Inquiries Fiona Cookson +1 212 814 3923Rachel Ross +1 202 427 1621 US Media Mailbox: usmediateam@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Even a single slice of sausage a day can increase the risk of chronic diseases.
Bad news for sausage fans: According to a new study, even small amounts of processed meat can increase the risk of chronic diseases. A ham sandwich here, a snack salami there–what sounds harmless can lead to diabetes, coronary heart disease, or colon cancer. FITBOOK nutrition expert presents the study results to you. Processed meat products have long been suspected of promoting chronic diseases. However, the strength of the connection–and whether even small amounts are harmful–remained unclear until now. A research team led by Demewoz Haile from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington aimed to find out exactly that. The goal was to systematically quantify the impact of common food groups on the development of chronic diseases. Given that chronic diseases like diabetes, coronary heart disease (CHD), and colon cancer cause a significant disease burden worldwide, precise insights into diet-related risk factors are of great importance for public health.1 How the Researchers Proceeded The study was conducted as a so-called 'Burden of Proof' analysis–an advanced method based on systematic reviews (meta-analyses) and statistical modeling. The unique aspect: With this special method, the researchers were able to calculate dose-response relationships–that is, how much the risk increases with different consumption levels. They deliberately calculated conservatively to avoid overestimating effects. They used only existing data from large observational studies. What is the 'Burden of Proof' Method?The 'Burden of Proof' studies are a series of particularly elaborate meta-analyses developed by the IHME. They compile data from numerous observational studies and assess how strong and reliable the connection is between a risk factor (e.g., processed meat) and a disease (e.g., type 2 diabetes). The result is presented with a star system–from weak (one star) to strong evidence (five stars). The aim is to reduce scientific uncertainties and enable reliable statements for dietary recommendations. For the present study, data from a variety of prospective cohort studies and case-control studies were included, such as: 15 studies with over 1.1 million participants on the link between processed meat and type 2 diabetes 11 studies with over 1.17 million participants on processed meat and CHD 18 studies with over 2.67 million participants on processed meat and colon cancer Also interesting: The less meat in the diet, the lower … Even One Sausage a Day Is Too Much The analysis showed that even the smallest daily amounts of processed meat are associated with a measurable increase in disease risk–in all areas studied. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increased by an average of 11 percent with a daily intake of 0.6 to 57 grams. Assuming a person eats 50 grams per day (equivalent to two to three slices of cold cuts or a Vienna sausage), the risk increased by a whopping 30 percent. The results for colon cancer were similarly unfavorable. Here, a daily intake of 0.78 to 55 grams resulted in an average risk increase of seven percent. Those who eat 50 grams of processed meat daily have a 26 percent higher risk of colon cancer. For CHD, a daily 50-gram portion led to a 15 percent increase in risk. The study authors noted: The risk increased continuously with the amount–but particularly strongly at low, everyday amounts. Sugary Drinks and Trans Fats Also Showed a Negative Effect The authors also considered two other common food groups that showed a negative effect on the development of chronic diseases: sugary drinks and trans fats. The analysis included 19 studies on sugar-sweetened beverages and diabetes (563,444 participants), eight studies on CHD (961,176 participants), and 6 studies with 226,509 people on trans fats and CHD. The result: Consuming sugar-sweetened beverages (e.g., soft drinks) increased the risk of diabetes by 20 percent and CHD by seven percent when 250 grams were consumed daily. If trans fats (e.g., in croissants, fries, ready meals) made up one percent of daily energy intake, the risk of chronic diseases increased by 11 percent. Significance of the Results Even the smallest amounts of sausage, soft drinks, and trans fats can increase the risk of three of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. Particularly critical: The steepest increase in risk occurred at low daily intake levels–areas that many people regularly consume. For everyday life, this means: Even those who 'moderately' indulge in processed meat or soft drinks may potentially expose themselves to an increased risk of disease. This result is also reflected in the 2024 updated recommendations of the German Nutrition Society. Instead of 600 grams, only 300 grams of meat and sausage can be consumed per week–if one wants to eat these foods at all. The DGE emphasizes: 'Even with a consumption of no or less than 300 grams of meat per week, the nutritional goals can be achieved.'2 For research, the study underscores the need to precisely capture dose-response relationships–not least to be able to provide realistic and effective dietary recommendations. Context and Possible Limitations The study uses an advanced methodology with systematic literature search and precise dose-response modeling. The 'Burden of Proof' method is among the most demanding approaches in nutritional epidemiology today. Also noteworthy is the transparency of the work: The data, methods, and codes are publicly accessible, and conflicts of interest have been disclosed and excluded. The work was peer-reviewed and published in 'Nature Medicine,' a renowned journal. However, there are limitations: The results are based on observational studies–studies that cannot prove cause-and-effect relationships but only show associations. These were each internally rated with only two stars, 'indicating weak associations or conflicting evidence and underscoring both the need for further research and–given the high burden of these chronic diseases–the advisability of continuing to limit the consumption of these foods,' the study authors conclude. Less Is More Small amounts of processed meat seem harmless, but they are not. The current study shows that small amounts of sausage and the like are enough to significantly increase the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, CHD, and colon cancer. Particularly insidious: The greatest risk increase occurs with small, everyday portions. So, if you want to do something good for your health in the long term, you might want to opt for the plant-based alternative at your next snack. Less is clearly more in this case–and sometimes even life-extending. The post Even a single slice of sausage a day can increase the risk of chronic diseases. appeared first on FITBOOK.
The Sun
17-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The common conditions that ‘significantly increase your risk of dementia' – and the most dangerous ages to be diagnosed
WHY do some people develop dementia, while others don't? It's a question that's baffled scientists for decades. 2 Some blame booze or obesity, others say it's in your DNA. While there's still no single answer, experts agree it's often triggered by a mix of factors - and one new study reveals that when you get ill could matter just as much as what you get. Getting heart conditions such as heart disease and atrial fibrillation, as well as diabetes, before age 55 could raise your risk of dementia later in life, researchers found. And developing strokes, anxiety or depression between 55 and 70 may double the danger. Experts at the University of Oxford said up to 80 per cent of people with dementia also have two or more other long-term illnesses. But there is still 'a lack of understanding' about how the timing and type of these illnesses affect dementia risk. They identified "critical time windows" in which certain illnesses pose the greatest risk to patients. For the study, published in Brain Communications, experts analysed data from 282,712 people in the UK Biobank and looked at patterns for 46 chronic health problems. Heart issues like atrial fibrillation and diabetes before 55 were most strongly linked to dementia. But from 55 to 70, conditions such as stroke and mental health disorders posed the biggest danger. Five simple tests that could indicate dementia 'Although we knew that multimorbidity increased the risk of dementia, it was unclear which combinations of health conditions had the most impact and in what sequence," Sana Suri, associate professor and senior fellow at Oxford Brain Sciences, said. 'This study has identified how specific illnesses tend to co-exist with each other, and also the critical time windows in which they could pose the greatest risk.' The findings suggest people who get heart disease or diabetes in middle age, followed by mental health issues or stroke later on, are at greatest risk. Sana said these other illnesses should be taken into account when working out someone's likelihood of developing dementia. 'This study identified associations between multimorbidity and dementia risk but we need to understand more about why this happens," she said 'We also need to try to replicate the study in more diverse groups of people to ensure the results are representative of the population." She added: 'Future studies could examine whether efforts to manage or prevent cardiovascular problems in early-to-midlife, followed by mental health and neurological disorders when people are in their fifties and sixties, might reduce the risk of dementia.' 2 A separate study, published earlier this week, suggested two common infections may also play a role in the development of dementia. Researchers from Pennsylvania found both chlamydia pneumoniae and SARS-CoV-2 increase the levels of substances in the brain called cytokines. These trigger inflammation, which can "harm brain cells and may help speed up the buildup of harmful proteins linked to Alzheimer's", the most common form of dementia. Chlamydia pneumoniae is a "very common" type of bacteria that causes lung infections, including pneumonia. It is not the same as the STI chlamydia, though both are highly infectious. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes Covid-19. There are things you can do to reduce your own risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's. No single behaviour is guaranteed to prevent dementia - but there's lots of evidence to suggest that making tweaks to your lifestyle choices could affect your risk. Dementia risk is lowest in people who have healthy behaviours in mid-life - from the age of 40 to 65 - according to the Alzheimer's Society. Here are a few easy changes you can make: Exercise regularly to boost your heart health and circulation and help maintain a healthy weight. Drink less alcohol - try to have no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, about one pint of beer or a small glass of wine each day. If you regularly drink much more than this, you are increasing your risk of damage to your brain and other organs, and so increasing your risk of dementia. Don't smoke - it does a lot of harm to the circulation of blood around the body, particularly the blood vessels in the brain, as well as the heart and lungs. Engaging in social activities to help to build up your brain's ability to relieve stress and improve your mood - depression and social isolation have both been linked to dementia. Manage health conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, which can increase the risk of getting dementia. Protect your eyesight and hearing - vision loss increases a person's risk of developing dementia. The same goes for hearing loss, which can also be an early symptom of dementia. Wear a helmet - as traumatic brain injuries can start a process in the brain where the substances that cause Alzheimer's disease build up around the injured area.
