Cut sugar to add to your life span

Giving up sweets and avoiding vitamins could help you live longer, German researchers said in a recent study. They found that restricting glucose set off a process that extended the life span of some worms by up to 25 per cent. The key was boosting the level of “free radicals”— unstable molecules that can damage the body and which people often try to get rid of by consuming food or drinks rich in anti-oxidants such as vitamin E, they said in a study published in the journal Cell Metabolism. The body needs glucose, but taking in too much was unhealthy, said the study. Scientists have long known that restricting calorie intake in worms and monkeys increases longevity, and the study narrowed that idea further, to glucose.

Twins are not a rarity
People with twins in their extended families may wonder whether a crib for two is in their future, too. According to conventional wisdom, twins not only run in families, but they also—for some strange reason— skip at least one generation. It is a claim that is widely repeated, but only partly true. Scientists have known for some time that there is a gene that can predispose women to hyperovulation, or releasing two or more eggs in a single menstrual cycle. When both eggs are fertilised, the resulting siblings are fraternal twins. Because this gene can be passed on, the tendency to have fraternal twins can in fact run in families. Identical twins, on the other hand, result from one fertilised egg randomly splitting in two, creating two siblings with identical DNA. The notion that twins always skip a generation is also a myth.

Cholesterol test a must for all age groups
Is it ever too early to check cholesterol levels? Not acc- ording to a new study that suggests testing patients who are still in diapers. The idea is not that the children who show signs of high cholesterol would be treated for the problem right away. Because the disorder is often inherited. Writing online in the journal BMJ, British researchers say if children test positive for high cholesterol, doctors would know to screen the parents.

Drug treatment could begin right away for the adults, and years later for the children, when they have grown up. The study suggested that children could be screened at about 15 months of age, along with regular checkups. A blood sample could be taken when vaccinations are given.