May/June 2006
HEALTH BYTES

Inflammation linked to cancer death

Recent research has suggested a role of inflammation in stroke, heart disease and cancer. Now, a new study has found that people who have elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts—a marker of inflammation—have a greater risk of dying from cancer. In the study of 3,189 participants, researchers found that men and women whose WBC count was in the top 25 percent of the study group had a 73 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than those whose WBC counts were in the lowest 25 percent. In a separate analysis, having a WBC count in the top 25 percent more than doubled the risk of dying from lung cancer, compared to those whose WBC counts were in the lowest quarter. Some studies have suggested that some natural compounds can reduce inflammation; these include omega-3 fatty acids, gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), vitamin E, vitamin C, polyphenols, flavonoids, St. John's wort, silymarin (from milk thistle), ginger, rosemary and curcumin.

Archives of Internal Medicine, January 2006