By now, most folks know obesity is a leading risk factor for severe COVID-19, but a new study suggests that losing a significant amount of weight can reduce that risk. “The research findings show that patients with obesity who achieved substantial and sustained weight loss with bariatric [weight-loss] surgery prior to a COVID-19 infection reduced… read on > read on >
Younger adolescents may soon be eligible for COVID-19 booster vaccines, possibly by early next week. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is planning on Monday to broaden booster eligibility to include 12- to 15-year-olds, sources told the New York Times. This would be for the Pfizer-BioNTech shot, currently the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for this… read on > read on >
Folks who are determined to shed some pounds in the New Year face a bewildering array of fad diets and quickie weight-loss schemes. Those weighing eating patterns and diet plans such as intermittent fasting, the Keto diet, the Whole 30 Program and the Mediterranean diet would do well to keep two primary facts in mind,… read on > read on >
Red-meat lovers may raise their risk of heart disease through a chain of events that plays out in the gut, a new study suggests. Many studies over the years have tied diets heavy in red and processed meats to a heightened risk of heart disease and stroke. That type of evidence does not, however, prove… read on > read on >
New antiviral pills for COVID-19 recently authorized for emergency use in high-risk people by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should give doctors an easier means of keeping people out of the hospital. But the initial hype is giving way to reality, as doctors and public health officials grapple with the challenges of getting the… read on > read on >
Early research suggests that some rapid COVID-19 tests may be less able to detect the Omicron variant, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday. To come to that conclusion, the agency used samples from patients confirmed to be infected with the Omicron variant to see how well the rapid antigen tests work. In a… read on > read on >
Kid-friendly flavored e-cigarettes are still widely available online and in stores, despite a federal judge’s ruling that should have pulled the products off store shelves by early September, a new report shows. The judge’s ruling follows on U.S. Food and Drug Administration action that is nearly two years old. Citing risks to vulnerable children, the… read on > read on >
Ketamine, once most famous as a “club” drug, can rapidly improve hard-to-treat depression and curb suicidal thoughts, a new review confirms. In recent years, ketamine has emerged as something of a wonder drug for some people who do not get better with standard antidepressants. For those patients, who may have tried multiple conventional medications, ketamine… read on > read on >
People undergoing immune-boosting therapy for advanced melanoma may respond better if they eat a high-fiber diet, a new study hints. Researchers said much more study is needed, but their initial findings — in both melanoma patients and lab mice — suggest that fiber-rich foods may help via their effects on gut bacteria. In contrast, there… read on > read on >
Give yourself and your loved ones the gifts of health and safety this holiday season, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests. The agency outlines 12 ways to do that, beginning with a reminder that washing your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds helps prevent the spread… read on > read on >
