"gastric cancer" news and stories

I might be in big trouble.

Because I am a salt-a-holic.

According to a study done by US researchers, the more salt a person consumes, the more active two specific genes become. These genes are associated with the potency of Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium that causes stomach ulcers. Stomach ulcers are bad, but not as bad as what it can ultimately lead to -- gastric cancer.

Bummer. It doesn't mean cut salt out, but like with everything else, don't overdo it.

Source

That's right. South Korean astronauts may be taking a specially designed type of kimchi with them when they travel on a Russian spacecraft in 2008. The news comes from a recent Los Angeles Times article about kimchi's presence in the academic and scientific communities in Korea. The kimchi that the Korean astronauts will take is intended to help their digestion. Some of you may recall news about kimchi's possible ability to stave off avian flu, and the Times lists several other health claims associated with the fermented national treasure. Mice fed kimchi were apparently less stressed and had fewer wrinkles. Still, other research suggests that eating too much kimchi may be linked to increased risk of gastric cancer. According to the Times, South Koreans consume 77 pounds of kimchi annually and rates of gastric cancer are 10 times higher there than in the U.S.

[Photo: Kim Kyung-hoon / Reuters]