World’s First Medicinal Chocolate
A US-based company claims to have developed the world’s first medicinal chocolate. The key ingredient in chocolate, cacao, contains antioxidants and minerals, and can also play a role in lowering blood pressure and maintaining good cholesterol. However, the effects of this ingredient is usually offset by the fact that most chocolate bars contain at least 70 per cent fat and sugar. The new prototype bar, being developed by Kuka Xoco, contains only 35 per cent fat and sugar so that the cacao will be more effective, the Metro reported. “Using microgrammes of coco plant extract, we can de-bitter unsweetened cacao,” said Gregory Aharonian, spokesperson of Kuka Xoco. “This eliminates the need for sugar, sweeteners and much of the fat in chocolate, unleashing the medical benefits of cacao,” said Aharonian. The current prototype cuts the fat content by half, but the company eventually plans to develop chocolate containing just ten per cent fat and sugar.
Asthma steroid could stunt growth
Young children given asthma medication before the age of two may not grow to their full height in later life, a preliminary report suggests. The study of 12,000 Finnish infants found that, on average, those who used inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) long-term showed signs of stunted growth. Previous research has suggested a link with growth suppression. Experts said the study was a reminder that steroids should be used with caution in pre-school children. However, Asthma UK said ICS played a crucial role in controlling asthma symptoms and reducing trips to hospital for young infants. The findings were presented at the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology conference.
‘keytruda’ to treat lung cancer
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ‘Keytruda’ drug to treat the most common form of lung cancer, signalling a shift in the treatment of cancer. In the largest study published to date using immunotherapy to treat lung cancer, the drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab) was tested on approximately 500 patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Because so many of the patients in the study showed significant long-lasting responses, in October 2014 the FDA granted the drug ‘breakthrough therapy’ status for use in lung cancer, allowing it to be fast-tracked for approval. “The approval of this drug and a test to identify patients most likely to benefit has the potential to transform the way that lung cancer is treated,” said Dr Edward Garon, the study’s principal investigator.