Litre of beer 'is good for you'

Researchers have shown that all types of alcohol can help to reduce the risk of heart disease - if you drink it little and often.

The best strategy is to drink up to a litre of beer a day.

Many studies have shown a link between alcohol consumption and reduced levels of coronary heart disease.

However, it is unclear whether the protective effect is confined to specific drinks such as red wine, or relates to the ethanol in all alcoholic drinks.

Dr Martin Bobak and colleagues from the International Centre for Health and Society, University College, London, examined whether beer could protect against heart disease by going to the Czech Republic - a country where beer is almost universally the drink of choice.

Source BBC News

Common herb 'fights' cancer

A common herb may be an effective weapon in the fight against cancer, say researchers.
Borage, also known as the starflower, has been used in medicine for more than 700 years.
It contains a substance known as gamma linolenic acid (GLA).

Work being carried out in the Netherlands shows that a diet rich in GLA reduces the risk of prostate tumours.

Lab tests in America and South Africa show GLA can kill brain and prostate cancer cells.
And in Wales, researchers have discovered that the chemical can inhibit the spread of maligant tumours by restricting growth of the blood vessels that supply them with vital nutrients.
Now research published in the Journal of Cancer indicates that GLA can also boost the impact of the breast cancer drug Tamoxifen.

Source BBC News

Olive oil 'wards off skin cancer'

Scientists have uncovered a new weapon in the fight against skin cancer - olive oil.

Japanese researchers have found that applying high quality olive oil to the skin after sunbathing reduces the risk of developing tumours.

The theory was tested on genetically modified hairless mice.

The researchers found that high-grade, virgin olive oil smeared on the skin delayed the appearance of tumours and reduced their size.

However, Dr Kate Law from The Cancer Research Campaign said, "to suggest you can go out in the sun and frazzle, and then undo some of the damage using olive oil does not seem terribly scientific to me".

Source BBC News