Roundup: Tanning Beds Triple Risk of Deadliest Skin Cancer; and More News

New Study: Tanning Beds Triple Melanoma Risk, Affect Broader Range of Skin Cells

New research highlights the alarming connection between tanning bed use and melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. The study found that people who use tanning beds are nearly three times more likely to develop melanoma compared to non-users.

Even more concerning, tanning bed users often develop multiple melanomas, particularly on body areas that don’t usually get much sun exposure, like the torso, according to the new study from researchers at Northwestern Medicine (Evanston, Illinois) and the University of California, San Francisco.. This suggests that tanning bed radiation affects a broader range of skin cells than natural sunlight.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that claims around 11,000 lives annually in the U.S. Its primary cause? Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which damages skin cells called melanocytes, leading to cancer. While UV radiation naturally comes from sunlight, tanning beds deliver artificial UV rays—often at much higher intensities.

“Even in normal skin from indoor tanning patients, areas where there are no moles, we found DNA changes that are precursor mutations that predispose to melanoma,” said study first author Pedram Gerami, M.D., professor of skin cancer research at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, in a news release. “That has never been shown before.”

Why Are Tanning Beds So Dangerous?

Tanning beds emit a mix of UVA and UVB rays, but they typically have a higher proportion of UVA. While UVA rays are less likely to cause sunburn, they penetrate deeper into the skin, causing long-term damage. The study revealed that tanning bed users had a higher number of harmful mutations in their skin cells, increasing their risk of melanoma.

The tanning industry often markets indoor tanning as “safer” than natural sunlight, but this is misleading. Tanning beds expose users to UV radiation levels 10 to 15 times higher than the sun, making them far from safe.

Who’s Most at Risk?

Young women are the primary users of tanning beds, and they’re also the group seeing a spike in melanoma cases. The study analyzed over 32,000 patients and found that 87.7 percent of tanning bed users were women. Many of these individuals also reported a history of sunburns, which further increases melanoma risk.

The Bottom Line: Avoid Tanning Beds

The evidence is clear: tanning beds significantly increase your risk of melanoma. Organizations like the American Academy of Dermatology and the World Health Organization classify tanning beds as carcinogenic, putting them in the same category as asbestos and cigarette smoke.

Researchers Reveal Genetic Clues Behind Risk Factor for Vision Loss in Older Adults

Researchers have uncovered important genetic insights into a specific type of deposit in the eye linked to a higher risk of vision loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This new study, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), suggests that AMD is not a single disease and that different subtypes may require unique treatment approaches.

AMD is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in older adults. It is often characterized by the appearance of small, fatty deposits called drusen in the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye. While some drusen are a normal part of aging, an increase in their number can signal a higher risk for AMD.

This research focused on a specific type of deposit known as reticular pseudodrusen (RPD). Unlike typical drusen, which form underneath a supportive cell layer in the retina, RPD appear above this layer in distinct, ribbon-like patterns. The presence of RPD is associated with a greater chance of progressing to the late stage of AMD, where retinal cells begin to die off, causing significant vision loss.

To understand the genetic basis of RPD, an international team of scientists analyzed DNA from three groups: people with AMD and RPD, people with AMD but without RPD, and a control group with no signs of the disease.

The findings showed a clear genetic distinction between the two groups with AMD. Variations on chromosome 1, which contains a gene linked to the immune system, were common in people with AMD. However, these variations were not more frequent in those with RPD. This is significant because some newer AMD drugs that target this immune pathway have shown only modest effects.

In contrast, genetic variations on chromosome 10 were much more common in the group with both AMD and RPD. The specific area on chromosome 10 involved contains genes that appear to affect the structure of the retina. Eye scans revealed that individuals with these chromosome 10 variants tended to have a thinner retina.

"This study reinforces that AMD is not one disease,” said Dr. Emily Chew, M.D., a co-author of the study who leads the Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications at NIH’s National Eye Institute, in a news release. “Our findings highlight that different treatment approaches will be needed for different AMD subtypes.”

The results indicate that the deposits found in some AMD patients are driven by genetic risk factors on chromosome 10, separate from other known AMD-related genes.

This discovery helps explain why some treatments are not universally effective and underscores the need for personalized medicine. By understanding the different genetic pathways that contribute to various forms of AMD, scientists hope to develop more targeted and effective therapies to prevent vision loss for the millions affected by this condition.

New Study Explains Benefits and Risks of Plant-Based Diets for Kids

As more families adopt plant-based lifestyles for ethical or environmental reasons, parents often wonder: Is it safe for my growing child? A comprehensive new analysis sheds light on how vegetarian and vegan diets impact children’s health compared to traditional omnivorous (meat-eating) diets.

The researchers reviewed 59 studies involving over 48,000 children and adolescents from around the world. Here is a breakdown of what they found regarding nutrition, growth, and overall health.

Nutritional Pros and Cons

The study revealed a clear trade-off in nutritional quality. Children on plant-based diets generally consumed more fiber, folate, vitamin C, and magnesium than their meat-eating peers. These nutrients are vital for immune health and digestion.

However, the analysis also highlighted significant gaps. Vegetarian and vegan children often had lower intakes of essential nutrients like protein, calcium, vitamin B12, and vitamin D.

• Vitamin B12: This nutrient is critical for nerve function and is naturally found in animal products. The study found vegan children, in particular, were at higher risk of deficiency without supplements.

• Iron: While plant-based kids often ate plenty of iron-rich foods, their blood markers (like ferritin) showed lower iron stores. This is because the type of iron found in plants is harder for the body to absorb than the iron found in meat.

Growth and Development

When it came to physical growth, the study noted that children on plant-based diets tended to be leaner. They had lower body mass index (BMI) scores and less body fat compared to omnivores.

While most children fell within normal growth ranges, vegetarian and vegan children were slightly shorter on average. The study also found that vegetarians had lower bone mineral content, which is a measure of bone strength. This underscores the importance of ensuring kids get enough calcium and vitamin D to build strong bones during these critical growth years.

Cardiovascular Health Benefits

One major positive finding was related to heart health. Children on vegetarian and vegan diets had better cholesterol profiles, including lower levels of LDL cholesterol (often called "bad" cholesterol). This suggests that plant-based eating could potentially lower the risk of heart disease later in life.

Practical Takeaways:

The researchers concluded that vegetarian and vegan diets can be healthy for children, but they require careful planning.

• Supplementation is Key: If your child is vegan, a Vitamin B12 supplement is likely necessary.
• Watch the Bones: Ensure adequate intake of calcium-fortified plant milks and consider Vitamin D supplements.
• Boost Iron Absorption: Serve iron-rich plant foods (like lentils or spinach) with foods high in Vitamin C (like oranges or bell peppers) to help the body absorb more iron.
• Consult a Professional: Regular check-ups with a pediatrician or a registered dietitian can help monitor growth and nutrient levels to prevent deficiencies.