Frozen burgers, pizza pockets and toaster strudel. Energy drinks and sugary sodas. Fruit leather and potato chips. Cookies and cereal bars. Fish sticks and chicken strips. These sorts of quick-pick manufactured foods are considered “ultraprocessed,” and dietitians believe they could be at the root of America’s obesity epidemic. A new study has found that two-thirds…  read on >  read on >

A diet rich in fresh veggies, fruit and fiber has meaningful benefits for people with diabetes, a new research review confirms. Doctors have long recommended this kind of “low-glycemic” eating regimen to help patients manage their diabetes and keep blood sugar levels steady. The new review of findings from 29 different trials lends support for…  read on >  read on >

Parents of kids with asthma and allergies should prepare a plan to keep them safe as schools reopen, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) says. Along with guarding against COVID-19, it’s important to protect against cold, flu and other viruses that pose a risk to children with asthma. That includes wearing masks,…  read on >  read on >

The two HIV prevention drugs available in the United States are equally safe and effective, and the biggest difference between them is price, a new study contends. However, a sizable minority of patients have switched from the older and cheaper “preexposure prophylaxis” (PrEP) formulation to the newer and much pricier one. In many cases that…  read on >  read on >

Taking vitamin D supplements won’t improve painful symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), British researchers report. IBS is a chronic digestive disorder that can cause stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. Symptoms come and go for some people, but the condition can severely affect quality of life for many. Previous research has suggested a link…  read on >  read on >

Growing numbers of Americans aren’t getting enough iron in their diets most likely due to changes in farming practices and a shift away from red meat, researchers report. The upshot: Rates of iron-deficiency anemia are on the rise. “Iron deficiency remains a major public health issue even in a developed country such as the United…  read on >  read on >

For people at any age, eating a healthy, plant-based diet is tied to a lower risk of heart attack and heart disease, two new studies show. Both studies were published Aug. 4 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, and support the heart association’s dietary guidelines. “A nutritionally rich, plant-centered diet is beneficial for…  read on >  read on >

Reports of amputated and crushed fingers have prompted the recall of thousands of portable generators made by Generac. The recall involves more than 321,000 gas-powered Generac and DR 6500 watt and 8000 watt portable generators in the United States, and more than 4,500 of the generators in Canada. An unlocked handle can trap users’ fingers…  read on >  read on >

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 4, 2021 (HealthDay News) – If you’re like many people, your waistline has expanded during the pandemic. “The world shut down,” said Heather Tressler, a registered dietitian at the Penn State Celiac Clinic at Penn State Health’s Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. “Maybe you didn’t change what you ate, but you became less…  read on >  read on >