People with high blood pressure that doesn’t respond to treatment may have more success by following the DASH diet and joining a supervised diet and exercise program, a new study suggests. DASH is short for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension — a regimen rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and limited salt. Duke University…  read on >  read on >

The death of eight babies has prompted the Boppy Company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to recall more than 3 million baby loungers, they announced Thursday. A year ago, the CPSC issued a safety warning about similar pillow-like baby products, CBS News reported. When babies are placed on their back, side, or…  read on >  read on >

Eating well and exercising regularly can be a challenge for anyone. But for those with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities, that challenge is exponentially greater. Many young men and women with autism and intellectual disabilities face a significantly higher risk for obesity, and all the health complications that follow. Yet, a small, new pilot…  read on >  read on >

There’s good news for health-conscious sausage and bacon lovers. A new study suggests the Japanese knotweed plant could be used to make healthier cured meats. According to researchers, this fast-growing plant that invades gardens and buildings contains a chemical that could take the place of the preservative nitrite, which has been linked to cancer, in…  read on >  read on >

Obese boys who lose weight may avoid fertility problems in adulthood, a preliminary study suggests. Even short-term weight loss might partially reverse weight-related alterations in reproductive function, the researchers said. Childhood obesity can have serious effects on adulthood health, including a risk of cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Obesity has also been linked…  read on >  read on >

If your children are picky eaters, bribing or pressuring them will probably backfire. But there are other steps you can take to help them get over their fussiness, researchers report. Australian scientists reviewed 80 studies to find out more about fussy eaters. They found that pressuring a child to eat, offering rewards for eating and…  read on >  read on >

Insulin resistance can make you more than twice as likely to develop major depression, even if you haven’t developed full-blown diabetes, a new study reports. Initially healthy people who later developed prediabetes were 2.6 times more likely to come down with major depression during a nine-year follow-up period, according to the findings. “The insulin-resistant folks…  read on >  read on >

Metformin, a commonly prescribed diabetes drug, may help stave off preterm birth among women who develop pregnancy-related high blood pressure. Preeclampsia is marked by a sudden spike in blood pressure, protein in urine, or other problems during pregnancy. Preterm preeclampsia occurs between 26 and 32 weeks of pregnancy and often leads to early delivery, putting…  read on >  read on >