5 Health Resolutions For Women To Keep In 2015

Dr. Enrique Jacome

For many women, the path to good health is not an easy one, with plenty of roadblocks along the way. Procrastination, family obligations, work demands, and lack of time and energy are a few culprits that can stop the best of health resolutions in their tracks. 

To help women in their quest for better living, here are five resolutions to improve physical and mental well-being. If you've made attempts at sounder mind and body before, don't get discouraged. This is just another wonderful chance for you to make it happen:

New Year's Resolution No. 1: Eat, but Don't Pig Out
When women resolve to lose weight, they are often black and white about it, says Bonnie Taub-Dix, spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. She says women tend to want to cut out major food groups, telling themselves they cannot have any candy, dessert, or carbohydrates.

"It's a setup for failure, because by the time mid-January comes around, those resolutions are already in line for the next new year," says Taub-Dix. "It would be a much wiser decision to say, for example, 'I'm going to cut back on desserts.' Maybe pick a Saturday to have dessert." Instead of deprivation, practice moderation during the holidays.

The reduction approach is much more realistic than the all-or-nothing technique, which labels foods as "good" or "bad." When people see certain edibles as "bad," they can end up obsessing about it. Or they may see dieting as punishment for a year of unhealthy eating. Concentrate on getting adequate servings of whole grains, calcium, fiber, fruits and vegetables. This can be as easy as having a high-fiber cereal with milk and a banana.

Slashing entire food groups from the diet often backfires, because food is good and is one of the pleasures in life, says Taub-Dix. "There's no reason why we shouldn't enjoy food just because we're over the weight that we should be." "Don't wait until the new year to have better eating habits, says Taub-Dix. "It should be a whole year's resolution, not a New Year's resolution."

New Year's Resolution No. 2: Jump Outside the Box

Many women who resolve to become more physically active think of going to the gym. They tend to hit the aerobic machines or join group exercise classes. They may get discouraged easily because they don't achieve desired weight loss or muscle tone in a certain time frame. They may quit because of lack of time, energy, or money. Or, they may tire of the gym atmosphere.

There are dozens of reasons why the best of workout intentions fall by the wayside come February. Yet they don't have to end up that way if you're willing to step outside of a certain mode of thinking -- that exercise has to be done a certain way, at a certain place, at a certain time, and for a certain amount of time.

"Sometimes people have this 'all or none' mentality and they're so gung-ho and so excited when they set the resolution that they judge themselves too harshly if they don't perfectly adhere to what they've established," says Cedric Bryant, PhD, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise.

He says many people make resolutions that are either unrealistic or too vague. A woman, for instance, may resolve to lose 10 pounds in two weeks. If she doesn't see desired results, she becomes discouraged and gives up.

It's better to set fitness goals that are realistic, achievable, and well defined. For example, a woman may strive to lose one to two pounds per week by exercising three to four times per week and holding off on seconds at the dinner table.

While the trend is changing, too many women don't do valuable resistance training, says Bryant. According to the Mayo Clinic, enhanced muscle mass can not only help better manage weight, it can also improve endurance, maintain the flexibility of joints, and reverse age-related declines in strength, bone density, and muscle mass.

Even very busy women can do resistance training and aerobic exercise, as they do not necessarily require a visit to a fitness center. "If you can't get to the gym, what can you do today to be more active?" asks Saralyn Mark, MD, senior medical adviser for the Office on Women's Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "Can it be walking a little bit further in the parking lot, and using the stairs, or raking your leaves?"

"There's a lot you can do with just what is around you," says Mark. "The best part is that you don't have to get into a fancy gym outfit. You can be comfortable and you can do it while you're watching the news."

New Year's Resolution No. 3: Guard Against the Bone Thief 

"A lot of women feel that when they're not babies anymore, they don't have to worry about their bones, but it's quite the contrary," says Taub-Dix. "Watching calcium in your diet even as a young child or teen is very important, because that is the setup for what your bones may look like later on in life."

Osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease, is major public health threat for 44 million Americans, 80% of whom are women, according to the National Institute of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases. One out of every two women over 50 years old will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her lifetime.

To help prevent osteoporosis, Taub-Dix suggests getting at least three servings of dairy a day. Healthy sources of dairy include skim milk, low-fat cheeses, and yogurt. There are also nondairy options for calcium, such as canned salmon with bones, dark green vegetables, dried beans, and calcium-fortified juices and cereals. Calcium supplements can also help women meet their recommended daily intake.

Adequate intakes of calcium for women:

• From age 11 to 24, between 1,200 and 1,500 milligrams daily
• From age 25 to 50, 1,000 milligrams daily
• For postmenopausal women 1,000-1,500 milligrams daily if on menopausal hormone therapy
• For pregnant and breastfeeding women, 1,200-1,500 milligrams daily

Women also should be aware that without vitamin D, calcium absorption is reduced.  This vitamin is found in some foods sources including fatty fish, fish liver oil, and diary products that are fortified with vitamin D. An adequate intake of vitamin D for adults ranges from 200-600 international units a day.

Weight-bearing exercises, which use gravity to put pressure on the bones, can also help strengthen bones. Examples include walking, running, aerobics, and dancing. Resistance-training exercises are also valuable as they help enhance muscle mass and bone strength.

Be aware that certain foods and medications may help weaken bones. There is some evidence that soda drinking can contribute to bone loss, primarily because many soda drinkers tend not to drink milk. Research also shows nicotine can slow down bone cell production and cause faster bone loss.

"It's important that you talk with your doctor about how much calcium you get in your diet, whether you smoke cigarettes, your family history, whether you've been on Depo-Provera, or you've had a history of other diseases that have required you to be on steroids or thyroid medications," says Mark.

The FDA recently issued a strong warning about potential bone density loss with use of the contraceptive Depo-Provera. Use of steroids and an overactive thyroid have also been associated with weak and thinning bones.

New Year's Resolution No. 4: Take Health Exams and Get an "A" for Good Health

An osteoporosis screening test is ideal for all women aged 65 or older, or for younger women with one or more risk factor. It is also important to get tested if this problem runs in your family.

There are other important health exams for women, and the optimal benefits usually correspond with certain age groups. Mammograms, for example, screen for breast cancer, a disease with a risk that increases after age 40. Consequently, the Task Force recommends that mammograms be performed every one or two years beginning at 40.

Pap smears, which screen for cervical cancer, are recommended to start within three years of onset of sexual activity or at 21 years old, whichever comes first, and to continue screening at least every three years. Also, discuss with your doctor the new HPV vaccine, which helps reduce your risk of cervical cancer.

Starting at 50, testing for colorectal cancer is also important. The disease more often strikes older men and women.

Other important areas of screening for women include blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, depression, and sexually transmitted diseases.

There are risks to every exam, including the possibility of an inaccurate report. Overall, though, experts say they play an invaluable role in good health. "Screenings can't prevent anything, but they can make treatment more effective," says Cindy Pearson, executive director of the National Women's Health Network.

New Year's Resolution No. 5: Move Center Stage

Women are well-known caretakers and jugglers of several tasks at once. With responsibilities concerning home, work, and children, there just aren't enough hours to do all that needs done. The result: many women feel frazzled, frustrated, and forlorn.

The mere thought of taking time to take care of themselves sends ripples of guilt through many women. Where does one find the time for self-care?

Make the time, says Mark. Research shows stress can wreak havoc on health. It's not unusual for the stressed to have stomachaches, diarrhea, increased appetite, and weight gain. Constant stress can also compromise the immune system, making people more vulnerable to colds and other infections. The pressure can also aggravate illnesses, produce anxiety and depression, disrupt valuable sleep, decrease sex drive, and raise blood pressure.

The list of negative consequences goes on and on. But women do not have to be victims, or they can try to change unpleasant situations.

Peter A. Wish, PhD, a psychologist in Sarasota, Fla., suggests identifying stresses, prioritizing them according to importance, and then tackling them one at a time. He recommends starting with an easy objective, and then moving on to another minigoal. "It starts with something that you can be successful at, and nothing succeeds like success," he says. "It reinforces you to keep going."

If a woman is not able to accomplish everything on her list, Wish says not to fret. "The probability is that [women] won't be able to accomplish everything, and therefore, they shouldn't be too hard on themselves."

With the to-do list never ending, there's no better time than today to find time to do something for yourself, even if it's just for 10 minutes. The ideas vary with individual tastes, but some women have found doing simple things, such as walking, exercising, talking to a friend, soaking in the tub, or meditation to be highly enjoyable and relaxing.

So this new year, think of what's important to you, make your resolutions, and vow to make this the beginning of If a woman is not able to accomplish everything on her list, Wish says not to fret. "The probability is that [women] won't be able to accomplish everything, and therefore, they shouldn't be too hard on themselves."

With the to-do list never ending, there's no better time than today to find time to do something for yourself, even if it's just for 10 minutes. The ideas vary with individual tastes, but some women have found doing simple things, such as walking, exercising, talking to a friend, soaking in the tub, or meditation to be highly enjoyable and relaxing.

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Analysis Shows Tamoxifen Has Reduced Breast Cancer Rates By 1/3

Dr. Enrique Jacome

A new analysis published in The Lancet Oncology finds that, for the last 20 years, the preventive effects of the breast cancer drug tamoxifen have remained constant, having reduced breast cancer rates by almost a third.

"Tamoxifen is a well-established and effective treatment for certain breast cancers, but we now have evidence of its very long-term preventive benefits," says lead author Prof. Jack Cuzick, head of the Centre for Cancer Prevention at Queen Mary University of London, UK. 

"The preventive effect of tamoxifen is highly significant with a reduction in breast cancer rates of around a third," he adds. 

The new analysis expanded upon the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study (IBIS-I), which weighed the long-term risks and benefits of taking tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer in women considered to be at high risk. The IBIS-I participants were 7,154 pre- and post-menopausal women aged between 35 and 70 - most of them had a family history of breast cancer.
In IBIS-I, the women were randomized to receive either 20 mg of tamoxifen or a placebo every day for 5 years. The health of all participants was monitored after treatment was completed, with an average follow-up time of 16 years (the maximum follow-up was at 22 years).

In the extended analysis, which was presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, it is revealed that 251 women in the tamoxifen group and 350 women in the placebo group developed breast cancer. This works out as a reduced rate of breast cancer in the tamoxifen group of 29%.

The estimated risk of developing breast cancer after 20 years of follow-up was found to be 8% among the tamoxifen group, compared with 12% in the placebo group.

Women taking tamoxifen 'at increased risk for endometrial cancer'

The women who took tamoxifen were at increased risk of endometrial cancer. This cancer - which is a known side effect of tamoxifen - was 3.8 times more common in the tamoxifen group during treatment, though the researchers found no increased risk in the follow-up period. Five women in the tamoxifen group died from endometrial cancer.
The researchers did not find a significant reduction in deaths specific to breast cancer following treatment with tamoxifen. Deaths from other causes were similar across both groups.

The extended IBIS-I analysis follows the first results of the IBIS-II trial, which were released last year. That trial reported that taking the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole for a period of 5 years reduced the risk of breast cancer among post-menopausal, high-risk women by 53%, compared with women who took a placebo.

Prof. Cuzick says of the team's findings:

"We hope these results will stimulate more women, particularly younger women, to consider treatment options for breast cancer prevention if they have a family history of the disease or other major risk factors."

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with an estimated 1.6 million cases per year worldwide. However, Prof. Cuzick says there has been a clear and continuing reduction in breast cancer rates, although there has not yet been a reduction in breast cancer deaths.

"We will need to continue monitoring these women for a further decade to get a clearer picture of the impact of tamoxifen on death rates," he says. "Some of the side effects of tamoxifen are also cause for concern and need continued monitoring - specifically the increased occurrence of endometrial cancer."

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Researchers Identify Factors That May Boost Success Of Artificial Insemination

Dr. Enrique Jacome

During in vitro fertilization, uterine contractions can reduce a woman's chance of becoming pregnant. A new study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, however, finds the opposite is true during artificial insemination.

Lead researcher Manuel Fernández and his team, from the Valencia Infertility Institute in Spain, found that the more uterine contractions women have per minute during artificial insemination, the more likely it is that the procedure will be successful.

Artificial insemination, also referred to as intrauterine insemination (IUI), involves directly inserting sperm into a woman's uterus during ovulation. The aim of this procedure is to boost the chance of fertilization by increasing the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes.

IUI is a much cheaper and simpler form of fertility treatment than in vitro fertilization (IVF), which is why it is the most widely used procedure. But the research team note that the success rate of IUI is lower than more complex fertility treatment and, as such, the procedure has lagged in terms of development in recent years.

In their study, Fernández and his team set out to find factors that may improve the success of IUI.

Success of IUI influenced by uterine contractions, follicular rupture

The researchers analyzed data of 610 women who underwent IUI with either a partner's sperm or a donor's sperm between 2005 and 2010.

Results of the analysis revealed that the number of uterine contractions a woman has each minute during artificial insemination is positively linked to the number of live births. "When the number of contractions is high, the rates of pregnancy and live births are also notably elevated," explains Fernández.

The team also found that the timing of insemination appeared to be an important influence on its success, with significant improvement seen when the procedure was conducted the same day as follicular rupture - the release of oocytes, or eggs.

Other factors that appear to affect the success of IUI - independent of live births - include whether a woman is inseminated with sperm from a partner or donor, maternal age and the number of follicles.

Taking all these factors into account, the team says IUI could offer a 15-20% success rate per cycle with a partner's sperm and a 25% success rate per cycle with a donor's sperm.

Commenting on their findings, Fernández says:"If we manage to improve artificial insemination success rates using this and other studies, we would be contributing to an important advance, given that this is currently the most accessible and widely used treatment."

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Research Shows Detox Element In Diet Linked To Women's Fertility

Dr. Enrique Jacome

University of Adelaide research has for the first time shown how much of a critical role the natural antioxidant selenium plays at the earliest stages of a woman's fertility.

The discovery has been made in joint research involving the University's School of Chemistry and Physics and the Robinson Research Institute.

For her PhD in Chemistry at the University of Adelaide, Melanie Ceko investigated the role and location of selenium in the ovary, and a specific protein that includes selenium. The results of her study show how important selenium is to the development of healthy ovarian follicles, which are responsible for the production of eggs in women.

"Selenium is an essential trace element found in protein-rich foods like red meat, seafood and nuts. It is important for many biological functions, such as immune response, thyroid hormone production, and acts as an antioxidant, helping to detoxify damaging chemicals in the body," Ms Ceko says.

"We've known for some time that selenium is important to men's fertility, but until now no-one has researched how this element could be involved in healthy reproduction in women."

Thanks to the use of facilities at the Australian Synchrotron in Victoria, the research team, led by Associate Professor Hugh Harris and Professor Ray Rodgers, was able to pinpoint exactly where selenium is located in the ovary. They then turned their attention to the selenoprotein known as GPX1.

"Our findings are important, because they show that selenium and selenoproteins are at elevated levels in large, healthy ovarian follicles. We suspect they play a critical role as an antioxidant during the late stages of follicle development, helping to lead to a healthy environment for the egg," Ms Ceko says.

"We found that gene expression of GPX1 was significantly higher - in some cases double - in egg cells that yielded a pregnancy."

Selenium deficiency is not usually a problem in Western diets, although people who avoid certain food groups or eat food mainly grown on selenium-deficient soils are at risk.

"Infertility is a significant problem in our society, with one in six couples in Australia being infertile. Further research is needed to better understand how selenium levels could be optimized, helping to improve women's chances of conceiving. Too much selenium can also be toxic, so it isn't just a case of taking multiple supplements," Ms Ceko says.

This research, published in the international journal Metallomics, has been supported by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

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Study Shows Women More Likely Than Men To Dismiss Chest Pain And Delay Seeking Medical Help For Heart Symptoms

Dr. Enrique Jacome

When heart symptoms strike, men and women go through similar stages of pain but women are more likely to delay seeking care and can put their health at risk, according to a study presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress.

"The main danger is that when someone comes to the hospital with a more severe or advanced stage of heart disease, there are simply fewer treatment options available," says Dr. Catherine Kreatsoulas, lead author of the study and a Fulbright Scholar and Heart and Stroke Foundation Research Fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Dr. Kreatsoulas, an epidemiologist, says we don't know enough about how people perceive their heart symptoms and at what stage they are prompted to seek medical care. Her study included patients with suspected coronary artery disease, just prior to undergoing their first coronary angiogram test.

The study was conducted in two parts. In the first part, researchers interviewed cardiac patients about their experience of angina and their decision to seek medical care. A new group of patients was enrolled into the second phase of the study, which quantified by gender the reasons why patients sought care.

Angina is the pain that occurs when your heart doesn't get as much blood and oxygen as it needs because of a blockage of one or more of the heart's arteries. This pain is often described as a pressure, tightness or burning feeling. It is a warning signal that you are at increased risk of a heart attack, cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death.

The researchers developed the term "symptomatic tipping point" to capture the transitional period someone goes through between experiencing cardiac symptoms and getting medical attention. They identified six transitional stages, common to both men and women. Men, she notes, responded to these symptoms faster.

The six stages, in chronological order, include:

• a period of uncertainty (patient attributes their symptoms to another health condition), 
• denial or dismissal of symptom, 
• seeking assistance/second opinion of someone such as a friend or family member, 
• recognition of severity of symptoms with feelings of defeat, 
• seeking medical attention, then
• acceptance.

Women stayed in the denial period longer than men. While men would consult with a friend or loved one more readily about the symptoms, "women would wait for others to tell them they looked horrible," says Dr. Kreatsoulas. "Women displayed more of an optimistic bias, feeling that the symptoms would pass and get better on their own."

This finding was substantiated in the second part of the study where women were one and half times more likely than men to wait for symptoms to become more severe and more frequent before seeking medical attention.

Other priorities could be taking over, she suggests, such as women's focus on caregiving roles or even risk aversion. Dr. Kreatsoulas points to research showing that when women are ill, "they are often more concerned with how long they may be out of commission and not necessarily as concerned about the best treatment options."

She says that both men and women often attribute symptoms to other possibilities, such as heartburn or a pulled muscle. "But when women feel even a small improvement in symptoms, they seem to dismiss them for a longer period of time," says Dr. Kreatsoulas.

That may be due partly to a perception that coronary artery disease is a "man's disease," even though it's a leading cause of mortality for women. If women aren't thinking about heart attack, then it's easier to disregard the symptoms.

"Angina is a warning signal that you are at increased risk of a heart attack, cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death," says Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson Dr. Beth Abramson author of Heart Health for Canadians. "If you experience this kind of chest pain, see your doctor immediately to determine the cause and get treatment if necessary."

As for those angina symptoms, Dr. Abramson says there's another misconception - that women and men experience different signs of heart problems. "That's largely a myth and ignoring symptoms could put your life at risk," she says. "Heart disease is a leading cause of death and can strike anyone. Making healthy choices is an important part of prevention, but understanding the symptoms and acting on them without delay can also save lives."

Angina usually lasts a few minutes, but if the pain lasts longer, it may mean that you have a sudden, total blockage of a coronary artery or that you may be having a heart attack and you need to get medical help immediately. "In this case, don't delay. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency response number immediately," Dr. Abramson says.

She recommends that men and women alike do a free risk assessment at heartandstroke.ca/riskassessment and get tips on lowering their risk. "Being smoke-free, physically active, following a healthy diet and controlling blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels are key in preventing premature heart disease."

Research creates survivors

Grace Dierssen's heart attack was the turning point - the catalyst for a complete lifestyle overhaul. Her high-powered job in software development and e-commerce didn't leave much room for cultivating personal health.

She ignored the discomfort, exhaustion and breathing difficulties, wondering if her symptoms were all in her mind, as she headed off to work. Hours later, she couldn't stand the pain and went to a walk-in clinic, which immediately called an ambulance.

"As women, we tend to put everyone else's needs ahead of ours," says Grace, acknowledging that many women juggle career, raising children and possibly care for their own parents as well. "I was conscious of that in my own recovery. I've learned to stick up for myself, and put my health first."

Three years after her heart attack, Grace has made a full recovery, and encourages other women to give their health the full attention it deserves before it's too late.

The Canadian Cardiovascular Congress is co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

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The Risks And Benefits Of Bed-Sharing With Your Baby

Dr. Enrique Jacome

A question to all you parents out there: would you share your bed with your infant? This question is likely to encourage a diverse range of answers, as it is certainly a controversial topic. Some studies say bed-sharing with baby is beneficial, while others have linked the practice to serious health risks. So, what are new parents to do?

Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission strongly recommend against bed-sharing with an infant - defined as sleeping on the same surface as an infant, such as a chair, sofa or bed.

But according to a 2013 study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the percentage of infants who share a bed with a parent, another caregiver or a child more than doubled between 1993 and 2010, from 6.5% to 13.5%.

Some of you may be surprised by this increase, given the well-documented health risks that have been linked to infant bed-sharing.

Earlier this year, Medical News Today reported on a study from the AAP citing bed-sharing as the primary cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - the leading cause of death among infants aged 1-12 months.

The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that among 8,207 infant deaths from 24 US states occurring between 2004-2012, 69% of infants were bed-sharing at the time of death.

"Bed-sharing may increase the risk of overheating, rebreathing or airway obstruction, head covering and exposure to tobacco smoke. All of these are risk factors for SIDS," Dr. Michael Goodstein, clinical associate professor of pediatrics at Pennsylvania State University and a member of the AAP Task Force for SIDS, told MNT, adding:

"Furthermore, bed-sharing in an adult bed not designed for infant safety exposes the infant to additional risks for accidental injury and death, such as suffocation, asphyxia, entrapment, falls and strangulation.

Infants - particularly those in the first 3 months of life and those born prematurely and/or with low birth weight - are at highest risk, possibly because immature motor skills and muscle strength make it difficult to escape potential threats."

More recently, another study from the AAP found that even sleeping with an infant on a sofa significantly increases the risk of SIDS. Of 9,073 sleep-related infant deaths, researchers found that 12.9% occurred on sofas. The majority of these infants were sharing the sofa with another individual when they died.

Aside from the study statistics, some reports have shown that the risks of infant death as a result of bed-sharing are very real.

In 2012, UK newspaper The Daily Mail reported on the deaths of 3-week-old twin babies in Idaho, who died after their mother accidentally suffocated them while they were sleeping in her bed. A few months later, the newspaper reported on another incident, in which a mother accidentally suffocated her baby while rolling over him in her sleep.

Most recently, a report from WQAD.com revealed that a man and woman had been charged for the death of their 4-month-old baby, after sleeping beside the baby while under the influence and rolling on top of him.

According to the AAP, bed-sharing is particularly risky if a parent is very tired, has been smoking, using alcohol or has taken drugs.

Such reports prompt the question: if bed-sharing can put an infant's life at risk, why are more parents taking up the practice?

Bed-sharing and breastfeeding

The primary reason many mothers choose to bed-share with their infant is to promote prolonged breastfeeding. 

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine support bed-sharing when it comes to breastfeeding. And last year, a study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggested that mothers who regularly bed-share with their infants are more likely to breastfeed for longer. Numerous other studies have reached the same conclusion.

But it is not just the studies that hail bed-sharing for promoting breastfeeding. Pediatrician Dr. William Sears is possibly the most famous advocate for bed-sharing, after openly supporting the practice in The Baby Book in 1993.

"Put yourself behind the eyes of your baby," Dr. Sears told The Huffington Post in 2011. "Ask, 'If I were baby Johnny or baby Suzy, where would I rather sleep?' In a dark lonely room behind bars, or nestled next to my favorite person in the world, inches away from my favorite cuisine?"

For many mothers, breastfeeding can be a struggle. They have to pull themselves out of bed on numerous occasions throughout the night and try to stay awake while their infant feeds; doing this night after night can be exhausting, causing many mothers to give up breastfeeding altogether.

This is why many parents see bed-sharing as a viable option; the baby can feed while the mother can get more sleep.

Citing the benefits of bed-sharing for breastfeeding in a blog for The Huffington Post, Diana West, of La Leche League International - a nonprofit organization that promotes breastfeeding - says:

"Bed-sharing works so well because breastfeeding mothers and babies are hardwired to be together during vulnerable sleep periods. When they bed-share, the baby's happier and doesn't have to cry to get the mother's attention, and she doesn't have to get out of bed - she just latches the baby on and maybe even falls back to sleep."

"She automatically lies on her side facing the baby with her lower arm up and knee bent," West adds. "This creates a protected 'cove' that keeps her from rolling toward the baby and prevents anyone else from rolling into that space. The baby stays oriented toward her breasts in that safe cove, away from pillows. Their sleep-wake cycles synchronize so that they both have low-stress, low-level arousals through the night."

"This instinctive and mutually beneficial behavior probably explains why research has shown that the new mothers who get the most sleep are the ones who breastfeed exclusively and bed-share," she says.

Dr. Goodstein told us, however, that there have been no studies assessing whether room-sharing with an infant rather than bed-sharing also promotes breastfeeding.

What are the other potential benefits and risks of bed-sharing?

Contrary to the majority of research on bed-sharing, some health care professionals claim bed-sharing with an infant actually reduces the risk of SIDS - if it is done safely.

Dr. Sears is one of these, noting that in countries where bed-sharing is common practice - such as Asia, Africa and parts of Europe - SIDS rates are at their lowest. "While there could be many other factors contributing to the lower incidence of SIDS in these cultures, all the population studies I've seen have come to the same conclusion: safe co-sleeping lowers the SIDS risk," Dr. Sears says on his website.

Dr. Goodstein, however, believes there is not enough evidence to support this claim.

Studies have suggested that bed-sharing with an infant also increases bonding between parent and baby. Talking to Fox News last year, pediatrician Dr. Susan Markel says:

"Babies have an inborn need to be touched and held. They enjoy having physical closeness day and night, and this kind of connection is essential to meet a baby's needs for warmth, comfort and security."

But some health care professionals believe the risk of SIDS outweighs the potential benefits of bed-sharing. What is more, bed-sharing may present other downfalls.

"Many [parents] believe that if you allow children to sleep in your bed from birth, it can be hard to persuade them to move out later," Sarah Crown, editor of the UK's biggest community network for parents, Mumsnet, told MNT.

In addition, some parents believe bed-sharing with an infant will make them more dependent on others as they get older. "I think it teaches kids that they almost need that constant contact and interaction in order to feel that safety, security and confidence in themselves," Jennifer Zinzi - a mother of two who strongly opposes bed-sharing - told Fox News.

A 2011 study published in the journal Pediatrics, however, found that bed-sharing at age 1-3 years poses no negative long-term effects for a child's behavior and cognition at the age of 5 years.

'No golden rule' for bed-sharing

Despite the ongoing debate surrounding bed-sharing, it seems child health organizations and health care professionals are in agreement about one thing: the decision to bed-share with infants is solely down to the parents.

"There is no golden rule," Crown told us. "It's about what suits you and your family more than anything. But Mumsnet users find that talking to those who've been there and done that, and sharing wisdom and support on the often vexed question of sleeping in the early days, is invaluable."

Dr. Goodstein added:

"I think that at the end of the day, parents want to be the best they can be and provide the best for their babies. As providers and child advocates, we want to assist parents by providing the best information to allow infants to not just be healthy, but to thrive and reach their full potential.

We need to work together. We need to do everything we can to promote breastfeeding. We also need to promote infant sleep safety."

AAP recommendations for safe infant sleeping environments

As mentioned previously, the AAP do not support bed-sharing. Instead, they recommend room-sharing, meaning parents should sleep in the same room as their infants but not on the same surface.

In their latest policy statement, the AAP recommend that babies should be placed on their back to sleep - known as the supine position - in a safety-approved crib, bassinet or portable crib/play yard. These should have a firm mattress covered by a fitted sheet.

The policy statement also recommends that no soft objects, such as pillows, pillow-like toys, quilts, comforters and sheepskins should be within the infant's sleeping environment, as these could increase the risk of SIDS, suffocation, entrapment and strangulation.

Furthermore, babies should sleep in a smoke-free environment, and their environment should not be too warm as this may increase the risk of SIDS.

The AAP say parents should consider using a pacifier at bedtime, as this has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS, but should avoid the use of commercial devices marketed to reduce SIDS risk due to the lack of supporting evidence that they work.

"Helping parents to understand why they should follow these recommendations could lead to better compliance in the home," said Dr. Goodstein.

Safer bed-sharing

Parents may choose to bed-share with their child, or there may be those occasions where it happens unexpectedly.

The Baby Friendly Initiative from UNICEF - a global children's charity - provides recommendations for safer bed-sharing.

They note that it is not safe to bed-share in the early months of a baby's life, or if they are preterm or of a small birth weight.

An infant should be kept away from pillows to avoid the risk of suffocation, UNICEF recommend, and parents should ensure the infant is unable to fall out of the bed or become trapped between the mattress and wall.

Parents should also ensure bedclothes do not cover the baby's face, and infants should not be left alone on the bed in case they move into a dangerous position.

Furthermore, parents should not share a bed with their child if they are a smoker or have taken drugs or consumed alcohol.

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New Report Highlights Potential Links Between Weight, Physical Activity And Breast Cancer Survival

Dr. Enrique Jacome

The AICR has released the Continuous Update Project (CUP) Report on Breast Cancer Survivors in the US. This report is their most in-depth review of worldwide research conducted into breast cancer survivors and the lifestyle factors affecting their survival.

This is the first time that their research has identified potential links between diet, weight, physical activity and longer survival for women diagnosed with breast cancer.

In 2007, AICR/WCRF published a report on the lifestyle-cancer link. Today, 7 years later, their advice has not changed: eating a plant-based diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular physical activity remain the best strategies for all cancer survivors.

The report found some evidence suggesting that women who eat more foods containing fiber and soy may have a lower risk of dying following a diagnosis of breast cancer, and women eating a diet high in fat and saturated fat may have increased risk of dying following a diagnosis of breast cancer. However, these findings are not strong enough to merit specific recommendations for breast cancer survivors.

This research is important because there are over 3.1 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. Every year, more than 232,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Increasing numbers of women are surviving as methods of diagnosis and treatment improve.

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New Study Reaffirms Eating Breakfast Reduces Cravings, Overeating In Late-Teen Girls

Dr. Enrique Jacome

A small study finds when late-teen girls eat breakfast, it raises levels of a chemical in the brain's reward center that may help them stop craving sweet foods and overeating during the rest of the day. 

Writing in the Nutrition Journal, a team from the University of Missouri in Columbia, notes that since over a third of American teenagers are overweight or obese and most of them will remain so in adulthood, focusing on young adults is an important way to prevent the perpetuation of the obesity epidemic.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report many teenagers don't eat breakfast and this likely increases the chance they will overeat and put on weight, they add.

Heather Leidy, an assistant professor of nutrition and exercise physiology, and colleagues, explain that the number of US teens struggling with obesity - which raises the risk they will have life-long health problems - has quadrupled in the last 30 years.

In their study of a small group of young women, they found eating breakfast increases levels of the brain's reward chemical dopamine which is involved in controlling impulses. As these levels increase, they appear to reduce food cravings and overeating.

They suggest understanding how dopamine changes in the brain affect food cravings could helps us develop better ways to prevent and treat obesity.

Prof. Leidy says they found, "people experience a dramatic decline in cravings for sweet foods when they eat breakfast."

"However," she adds, "breakfasts that are high in protein also reduced cravings for savory - or high-fat - foods. On the other hand, if breakfast is skipped, these cravings continue to rise throughout the day."

For their randomized, crossover study, the team recruited 20 overweight girls aged between 18 and 20 who normally skipped breakfast. Each participant underwent three types of 7-day eating patterns.

In one pattern, the participants ate a 350-calorie breakfast with normal amounts of protein, in another pattern they ate a 350-calorie breakfast with high protein, and in the third pattern, they skipped breakfast. After completing a 7- day pattern, they then had a 7-day "washing out period" before embarking on the next 7-day pattern.

In each of the 7-day patterns, on the morning of the seventh day, the girls underwent assessments, which included filling in food craving questionnaires. Fluctuation in dopamine was also assessed by checking dopamine metabolite homovanillic acid levels in regular blood samples taken through the morning.

Eating breakfast followed by reduced cravings

The results showed both breakfast meals were followed by reduced cravings for sweet and savory foods and higher levels of dopamine metabolite.

Also, compared to a normal-protein breakfast, the high-protein breakfast tended to be followed by greater reductions in cravings for savory food and sustained levels in dopamine metabolite up until lunch.

Prof. Leidy explains that when we eat, our brain releases dopamine, which stimulates feelings of reward. This response is an important part of eating because it helps to regulate food intake. However:

"Dopamine levels are blunted in individuals who are overweight or obese, which means that it takes much more stimulation - or food - to elicit feelings of reward; we saw similar responses within breakfast-skippers.

To counteract the tendencies to overeat and to prevent weight gain that occurs as a result of overeating, we tried to identify dietary behaviors that provide these feelings of reward while reducing cravings for high-fat foods. Eating breakfast, particularly a breakfast high in protein, seems to do that."

Although the study only included young women, the team believes the findings also apply to all adults.

More and more Americans skipping breakfast

More and more Americans are skipping breakfast, Prof. Leidy continues, and this is linked to food cravings, overeating and obesity:

"It used to be that nearly 100% of American adults, kids and teens were eating breakfast," she adds, "but over the last 50 years, we have seen a decrease in eating frequency and an increase in obesity."

In January 2014, Medical News Today also learned how metabolic syndrome and poor breakfast habits in childhood may be linked. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that are associated with heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Researchers in Sweden found metabolic syndrome in adults was related to the type of breakfast those same adults had eaten as children.

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Molecule Discovered That May Protect Women's Eggs

Dr. Enrique Jacome

A new study led by Professor Kui Liu at the University of Gothenburg has identified the key molecule 'Greatwall kinase' which protects women's eggs against problems that can arise during the maturation process.

In order to be able to have a child, a woman needs eggs that can grow and mature. One of these eggs is then fertilised by a sperm, forming an embryo. During the maturation process, the egg needs to go through a number of stages of reductional division, called meiosis. If problems occur during any of these stages, the woman can become infertile. Around 10-15% of all women experience fertility problems.

Human studies are the next stage

Using genetically modified mouse models, Professor Liu's team has now discovered that the molecule Greatwall kinase is of great importance in order for the eggs of the female mouse to be able to complete the first phase and move on to the second meiotic division during the maturation of the egg. When Greatwall kinase is removed from the egg, not all the stages can be completed. Instead, the egg enters an interphase with an abnormal DNA structure and problematic cell cycles. These problems make the females infertile.

Professor Liu believes it is highly likely that Greatwall kinase is important in the human egg maturation process. His group aims to carry out studies on human eggs as the next stage. The Greatwall kinase molecule is important in the regulation of the cell cycle.

"If we discover that there are women whose eggs do not mature due to levels of Greatwall kinase being too low, we can inject the molecule into the egg," says Professor Liu. "Hopefully, the maturation process will thereby be corrected, and eventually the woman may be able to have children."

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