Health News: Autism Risk and ART,Saccharin as Potential Treatment, Obesity and Increased Risk of Cancer

1.  Increased Incidence of Autism in Children Born by Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

A study published in the American Journal of Public Health on March 19 found the incidence for autism is twice as high for ART as compared to non-ART births.  A popular form of ART is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).  Dr. Christine Fountain and colleagues from Fordham University in NYC studied data from 5,926,251 births in California between 1997 and 2007 which included 48,865 ART births.  This association decreased when the authors adjusted for adverse pregnancy and birth complications, showing how there might be a link between ART and adverse pregnancy outcomes including multiple births which, in turn, potentially increases the risk for autism.

2.  Saccharin as a Potential Cancer Treatment? 

A study presented at the 249th National Meeting &Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) reported a potential delay in cancer progression using Saccharin based drugs.  Saccharin is the main ingredient found in artificial sweeteners such as Sweet ‘N Low.  The researchers reported that Saccharin binds and deactivates the protein carbonic anhydrase IX found in some aggressive cancers. 

Be aware that we are not encouraging you to use artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, as we believe further studies are needed before making conclusion on the benefits of saccharin. 

More research is underway for these effects on breast and liver cancer.

For more information, visit ACS.org.3. Obesity May Greatly Increase Cancer Risk in Women.

HealthDay News recently reported a British study linking a 40% higher risk for cancers in obese women.  This study from UK found a 25% risk of developing weight related cancer including cancers of the uterus, kidney, bowels, gallbladder, pancreas, esophagus, and post menopausal breast cancers.  

The researchers believe fat cells produce more hormones, leading to this high risk of cancers.  Dr. Julie Sharp, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, urged people to consider lifestyle changes such as healthy weight and nutrition, stop smoking and reducing alcohol consumption to reduce the cancer risk.