A weekly round-up of news affecting your health.
WATER THE SECRET WEAPON TO WEIGHT LOSS?
The key to successful dieting has nothing to do with carbs, fat or protein but may have everything to do with water, new research suggests.
A US study published in the Annals of Family Medicine journal has found people who are obese and have a higher body mass index (BMI) are more likely to be inadequately hydrated and vice versa.
The link between hydration and weight is not clear but the authors say their study of nearly 10,000 adults found roughly a third were inadequately hydrated.
Lead author Tammy Chang says hydration may be overlooked in adult weight management strategies and that it deserves more attention when thinking about addressing obesity.
"Staying hydrated is good for you no matter what, and our study suggests it may also be linked to maintaining a healthy weight."
Chang says eating healthy foods high in water content, such as fruits and vegetables, can improve a person's hydration.
GENETIC LINK FOUND BETWEEN RED HAIR AND SKIN CANCER
For the first time, researchers have proved genes associated with red hair, pale skin and freckles are linked to a higher number of genetic mutations in skin cancers.
A study, published in Nature Communications, shows even a single copy of a red hair-associated MC1R gene variant increased the number of mutations in melanoma - the most serious form of skin cancer.
Lead researcher Dr David Adams says its been known for a while that a person with red hair has an increased likelihood of developing skin cancer, "but this is the first time that the gene has been proven to be associated with skin cancers with more mutations".
MAGNESIUM MAY LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
Taking daily magnesium may modestly lower blood pressure, according to research published in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension.
The mineral is found in whole grains, beans, nuts and green leafy vegetables.
Researchers have long debated whether magnesium plays a role in regulating blood pressure with inconsistent and controversial evidence from studies in humans.
However, meta-analysis collected data from 34 clinical trials, involving more than 2000 participants, found a small but significant association between magnesium intake and reduced blood pressure.
It was found people receiving a median dose of 368mg of magnesium a day for an average of three months had overall reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Taking 300mg per day for just one month was enough to elevate blood magnesium levels and reduce blood pressure,
"With its relative safety and low cost, magnesium supplements could be considered as an option for lowering blood pressure in high-risk persons or hypertension patients," said lead author Yiqing Song.
TOO MUCH TV CAN LEAD TO POOR BONE HEALTH
Watching endless hours of TV during childhood and adolescence have been linked to lower peak bone mass, according to a recent study.
In the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research study, more than 1000 parents recorded how many hours of TV their kids watched at age 5, 8, 10, 14, 17 and 20.
Those who consistently watched more than 14 hours per week had lower bone mineral content than those who watched less television - even after adjusting for height, body mass, physical activity, calcium intake, vitamin D levels, alcohol, and smoking.
The authors say increasing a child's daily physical activity may have long-term skeletal benefits and help protect against osteoporosis.
