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Statins can significantly reduce the risk of a potentially fatal blood clot, research suggests.

In a study of 17,802 people, the drug Crestor (rosuvastatin), already used by millions of people to combat high cholesterol, cut the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) by 43 per cent.

Pulmonary embolism, a common form of VTE that occurs when part of a clot breaks off and lodges in the lungs, is the single most preventable cause of death in hospital patients.

Lead researcher Dr Paul Ridker, from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said: "In addition to reducing risks of heart attack and stroke, we now have hard evidence that aggressive statin therapy reduces life-threatening blood clots in the veins."

He added that in contrast to other drugs such as warfarin and heparin, there was no risk of excessive bleeding to the patient.

Full results of the study appear in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with heart conditions.

Rising obesity levels in North East Lincolnshire (NEL) are a ‘ticking timebomb’, a top doctor from the region has warned.

Dr Tony Hill, who was commissioned to produce a report into the health of those living in the area, states that adult obesity levels currently stand at 26.8 per cent, reports thisisgrimsby.co.uk.

Furthermore, only 18.5 per cent of those living in NEL take the recommended 30 minutes of exercise three times a week.

Dr Hill, said: "We have higher levels of obesity and lack of exercise than many parts of the country and it is in both young people and old."

Coun John Colebrook (Humberston and New Waltham, Con) added: "There are people out there who don’t know which vegetable is which let alone how to cook them."

A recent study conducted by medical experts at the University of Oxford claimed that being obese is just as big a health risk as smoking.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with obesity

A campaign to help fight obesity in Darlington is being stepped up by health officials, it has emerged.

Recent research conducted by Darlington Borough Council indicated that a substantial number of children aged just four and five were already overweight or obese, reports the Northern Echo.

A physical activity co-ordinator and a health advisor are now visiting schoolchildren regularly to stress the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

Miriam Davidson, director of public health for Darlington, said: "There are real concerns about childhood obesity and the impact that poor dietary habits and a lack of exercise could have for adult life."

She added that her organisation is committed to working with its partners to tackle the growing obesity problem.

Medical experts from the University of Oxford recently claimed that being obese is just as big a health risk as smoking.

The results suggested that severe obesity reduced life expectancy by around ten years.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with obesity.

Parents of under-fives are to be offered free gym membership for their kids in a new bid to curb childhood obesity.

The scheme is to be launched in Liverpool, which is currently home to some of the UK’s unhealthiest children.

According to recent figures, half of boys and 40 per cent of girls growing up there are overweight by the time they are 11 years old.

Parents will be encouraged to take their children along to the ‘kiddie gym’, which will be funded by the taxpayer.

Programme manager Liz Lamb said: "Obesity is a proven killer, and encouraging families, from the off, to play and get fit together can have huge consequences for the future well-being of our children."

Gyms for toddlers and young children are becoming increasingly common in Britain, with an estimated two million five-to-11-year-olds now members.

Medical experts in the UK recently claimed that being obese is just as big a health risk as smoking.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with obesity

A ‘fat controller’ found in the gut could prevent conditions such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes, new research has suggested.

Medical experts have identified an enzyme which regulates whether fat is stored in the body or burnt off as energy.

A recent study conducted at the University of California examined the behaviour of MGAT2 - an enzyme found in the intestines of mice and humans.

It discovered that mice not carrying MGAT2 could eat a high-fat diet and still remain slim and healthy.

The researchers said: "Our studies identify MGAT2 as a key determinant of energy metabolism in response to dietary fat and suggest that the inhibition of this enzyme may prove to be a useful strategy for treating obesity and other metabolic diseases associated with excessive fat intake."

It was recently claimed by scientists at the University of Minnesota that performing obesity surgery could help to resolve type II diabetes.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with obesity

The current economic downturn is having an effect on the country’s obesity fight, new research has suggested.

According to a recent report published by Which?, 28 million adults in the UK claim price has become more important than the healthiest option when shopping for food since the economic downturn began.

Three in five respondents claimed they would buy more fruit and vegetables if they were cheaper, while almost a quarter said that the economic situation had made healthier eating less of a priority.

Commenting on the issue, Sue Davies, chief policy adviser at Which? said: "People want to make healthier choices, but it’s not easy. As the credit crunch bites it’s important that government and industry aren’t distracted. They can’t be allowed to put the fight against obesity on hold."

Medical experts at the University of Minnesota recently claimed that performing obesity surgery could help to resolve type II diabetes.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with obesity

People carrying excessive weight around their waist are more vulnerable to lung problems, new research has suggested.

A report published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Medicine examined health information relating to over 120,000 people from the Paris Investigations Preventives et Cliniques Centre.

The findings indicated that a high weight circumference is implicated with decreased lung function.

Lead author Natalie Leone, from the French national institute for health and medical research, said in a statement: "After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, alcohol consumption, leisure time physical activity and cardiovascular history, metabolic syndrome remained independently associated with lung function impairment."

The team acknowledge that further study will be needed to establish the extent of the link, but also claim that there is an immediate clinical consideration.

It was recently reported that being overweight or obese can significantly increase the risk of both knee and hip joint replacement.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with obesity

Being overweight or obese can significantly increase the risk of both knee and hip joint replacement, new research has suggested.

According to a report recently published in the journal Arthritis Research & Therapy, excessive weight increases the risk of primary joint replacement in osteoarthritis (OA).

The research indicated there was a three to four-fold increased risk of primary joint replacement associated with weight, body mass index, fat mass and percentage fat.

Flavia Cicuttini from the Monash University in Australia said: "Adipose mass contributes to increased joint loading, which may increase the risk of OA progression and subsequent joint replacement for severe end-stage OA.

"Metabolic factors are also likely to be important since waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio are known risk factors for metabolic syndrome".

It was recently reported that an increasing number of people in the UK are undergoing private obesity surgery, as many patients are becoming frustrated with NHS’s inability to cope with demand.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with obesity

An increasing number of patients in the UK are undergoing private obesity surgery, according to new figures.

The National Obesity Surgery Centre has opened three new clinics and taken on more staff to cope with growing demand.

Many patients are becoming frustrated with NHS’s inability to cope with the growing number of people seeking such treatment.

According to the group, it has performed more of this kind of procedure than ever over the last 12 months.

Barrie Crabtree, director of the National Obesity Surgery Centre, commented: "In addition to the well-publicised increase in adult obesity levels - now standing at one in four UK adults - the risks associated with obesity are becoming more prevalent in the news."

She added that there appears to be a "greater awareness" that action needs to be taken to tackle the problem.

A recent US study claimed that obese women who are pregnant with their first child are at a higher risk of experiencing a complicated birth.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with obesity

Deaths due to cancer could double in the next 40 years, an expert warns.

Professor Sir John Marmott has published a report which claims rising obesity levels are set to push the number of people around the world dying from cancer up to more than ten million each year by 2020.

The study, which will be published later this week, tackles the issue of obesity in relation to the disease, those with cancer/” target=”_self”>cancer life insurance may be interested to hear.

Sir John commented obesity in the UK is growing at "an alarming rate", with around 13,000 cancer diagnoses each year thought to be related to this problem.

The professor stated: "It’s enormous, it’s catastrophic. The numbers are just frightening on a global scale. After cardiovascular disease, it’s the next highest cause of death in this country."

Elsewhere, a report by the British Journal of Cancer has claimed the biology of the disease is changing to alterations in peoples’ lifestyle and new screening techniques.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with cancer.