Many cancer patients take dietary supplements in hopes of keeping their disease at bay, but British researchers say there’s little evidence it will pay off. In fact, they add, supplements may not only be ineffective, but harmful as well. “We found 1 in 5 people who had been treated for cancer mistakenly thought that taking… read on > read on >
All Food:
Heat Waves Far More Frequent Now Than in 1980s
Large, simultaneous heat waves have become much more common in northern regions worldwide due to climate change and could have disastrous consequences, researchers warn. The investigators also found that these concurrent heat waves are becoming larger and hotter. “More than one heat wave occurring at the same time often has worse societal impacts than a… read on > read on >
Animal Study Suggests Link Between Obesity and Gum Disease
It is likely a connection few have considered, but new research in mice suggests that obesity may up your risk of gum disease. Specifically, chronic inflammation caused by obesity may trigger the development of cells called osteoclasts that break down bone tissue — including alveolar bone that holds teeth in place. “Although there is a… read on > read on >
Don’t Let Heartburn Ruin Your Holiday Feast
Like Mr. Grinch, heartburn can crush your holiday, but there are easy ways to prevent it. “Heartburn is caused by acidic stomach content moving into the esophagus, or gullet, which is much less resistant to acid,” said Dr. James East, a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London. “This results in irritation and damage to… read on > read on >
Biden Administration to Tackle Lead in Drinking Water
In an effort to further lower lead levels in drinking water, the Biden administration on Thursday announced $2.9 billion in infrastructure bill funds for lead pipe removal and tighter lead limits. The new, tougher limits to be imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are expected to be finalized by 2024 and would require the… read on > read on >
FDA Allows Abortion Pill to Stay Available by Mail
Access to abortion pills by mail was made permanent by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday. Patients will be able to have a telemedicine appointment with a provider who can prescribe the pills and send them to the patient by mail, the FDA said in new guidance issued Thursday. Abortion pills are approved… read on > read on >
Are Opioid Painkillers Needed Weeks After Heart Surgery? Maybe Not
Recovery from heart surgery can bring some pain. But a new study suggests patients don’t need potentially addictive prescription opioids to control that post-op discomfort. “This study shows that discharge without opioid pain medicine after cardiac surgery is extremely well tolerated by some patients. In other words, we should not be reflexively prescribing pain medicine… read on > read on >
Weed May Mess With Your Medicines, Causing Harm
Many people turn to marijuana or cannabidiol to ease their achy joints and help them sleep, but a new study suggests that could wreak havoc with any other medications they’re taking. Why? Because the body uses the same set of enzymes to process them all, scientists report. The chemicals in marijuana — THC, cannabidiol (CBD),… read on > read on >
Junk Food Ads Reaching Kids Through Livestream Gaming Platforms
Children and teens who use livestreaming gaming platforms may be bombarded with influencer-endorsed ads for energy drinks, junk food and alcohol, new research shows. “This type of marketing can normalize high-fat, high-sugar and high-sodium foods at a time in young viewers’ lives when they’re developing eating habits that are going to follow them into adulthood,”… read on > read on >
Drug Combo May Fight a Tough Form of Breast Cancer
An experimental drug, added to chemotherapy, may benefit women with an aggressive form of breast cancer, suggests an early study offering much-needed good news. The study involved women with “triple-negative” breast cancer, which accounts for about 15% to 20% of breast cancers among U.S. women. It is so called because the cancers lack receptors for… read on > read on >