Post-Dobbs bans and restrictions on abortion are having a spillover effect in reducing the use of birth control and emergency contraception in those states most affected, a new study shows. Why the troubling trend? The study’s author believes the demise of Roe v. Wade in 2022 triggered the closure of many family planning clinics. “Because… read on > read on >
A full third of American adults take multivitamins, despite prior studies suggesting they do little to boost health. Now, a study involving almost 400,000 people finds zero benefit from multivitamin use in helping folks live longer. Among people “without a history of major chronic diseases, we did not find evidence to support improved longevity among… read on > read on >
Even though plant-based meat alternatives are ultra-processed, they still may be healthier for your heart than traditional meat is, a new review finds. Risk factors for heart disease, including total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and body weight, all improved when meats were replaced with a plant-based substitute, according to the analysis published Tuesday in the Canadian Journal of… read on > read on >
A tough-to-treat, drug-resistant fungal infection may be as close as your local garden center, new research shows. Investigators at the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens found high levels of multidrug-resistant fungi in compost, soil and flower bulbs sold at popular retailers. “Gardening is a nice, stress-relieving hobby. But I’m nervous for people who may… read on > read on >
A common plastics chemical might increase a person’s risk of diabetes, a new study warns. People fed small doses of Bisphonol A (BPA) developed significantly worse insulin sensitivity within a four-day period, researchers found. “We were surprised to see that reducing BPA exposure, such as using stainless steel or glass bottles and BPA-free cans, may… read on > read on >
Anxiety could be an early warning sign of Parkinson’s disease, a new study finds. People with anxiety have at least double the risk of developing Parkinson’s compared to those without the mood disorder, results show. Further, specific Parkinson’s symptoms serve as warning signs of the disorder in people with anxiety, researchers found. “By understanding that… read on > read on >
The stress hormone cortisol appears to play a role in tough-to-treat type 2 diabetes, a new study finds. About 1 in 4 people (24%) with tough-to-treat type 2 diabetes have elevated cortisol levels, researchers found. “These results are significant as they highlight a previously underrecognized factor contributing to the barriers when it comes to managing… read on > read on >
A person’s gut microbiome appears to increase their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, researchers claim. Specific strains of gut microbes are more commonly found in people with type 2 diabetes, and these strains seem to heighten the risk of developing the metabolic disorder, they say. “We believe that changes in the gut microbiome cause… read on > read on >
Low-birth-weight newborns have a higher risk of health complications if they become obese as children, a new study has found. Obese children who were low-birth-weight babies have a higher risk of insulin resistance, fatty liver and other health problems, researchers found. The study “supports the theory that individuals who were born low birth weight, or… read on > read on >
Mothers tend to speak less to infants when they’re on their smartphones, a new study finds. Moms talked 16% less to their babies when they were fiddling with their phone, researchers found. Shorter 1- to 2-minute intervals of phone use interfered with mom-baby interaction even more, decreasing a mother’s baby talk by 26%. “Our advice… read on > read on >
