Some people severely ill with COVID-19 may struggle to regain lost weight for months afterward, a new study shows. While COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory illness, it’s become clear that the infection can wreak havoc on the body in many ways. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms — like nausea, diarrhea and even bleeding in the digestive tract… read on > read on >
All Food:
No Evidence Muscle Relaxants Can Ease Low Back Pain
Although tens of millions of Americans turn to muscle relaxants for lower back pain relief, a new Australian review finds little evidence that such drugs actually work. That’s the conclusion of a deep-dive into 31 prior investigations, which collectively enlisted more than 6,500 lower back pain patients. Enrolled patients had been treating lower back pain… read on > read on >
Even Before Pandemic, One-Third of U.S. Adults Went Without Dental Care
Millions of American adults haven’t seen a dentist in at least a year, a new U.S. government health survey reveals. In 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic made dental visits difficult, a third of adults under 65 hadn’t had a dental exam or cleaning in the past 12 months, according to the report from the U.S.… read on > read on >
Is Your Kid a Fast or Slow Eater? Personality Might Tell
Could your children’s eating habits be a reflection of their personalities? A new study finds a link between the two, but researchers say it’s not clear exactly how they influence each other. They found that slow eaters are less likely to be extroverted and impulsive, and that youngsters who are highly responsive to external food… read on > read on >
New Prescribing Instructions Tighten Use of Controversial Alzheimer’s Drug
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday issued new prescribing rules for the controversial Alzheimer’s medication Aduhelm that will likely limit its use. When first approved a month ago, the FDA said Biogen’s monthly IV drug was for all Alzheimer’s patients. The agency now says the drug is appropriate for patients with early or… read on > read on >
Missing Teeth, Higher Odds for Dementia?
Brushing and flossing is good not only for your teeth: It might also benefit your brain, a new study suggests. The findings showed that tooth loss is tied to an increased risk of dementia, though getting dentures may help reduce that risk. For the study, New York University researchers analyzed 14 studies that included more… read on > read on >
Is Medicare Overspending? Costco Prices Much Less for Generic Drugs
Can Costco beat Medicare Part D when it comes to prescription drug prices? Apparently so, claims a new study that found that roughly half of generic medications were cheaper when purchased from the discount retailer than from the government program. The researchers compared the prices paid by Medicare Part D plans (including patient out-of-pocket payments)… read on > read on >
Plant-Based Diet Best for Your Heart
Want to be good to your ticker? Load up on veggies — especially beans, Italian researchers recommend. They’ve published a comprehensive review of research on eating habits and heart disease that provides consistent evidence that eating less salt and animal proteins and more plant-based foods is associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Those… read on > read on >
Listeria Outbreak Linked to Precooked Chicken: CDC
One death has been reported in a listeria outbreak that appears to be linked to precooked chicken served in health care facilities, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Three people in Texas and Delaware became sick after they ate foods at a long-term care home or hospital, and interviews and lab tests… read on > read on >
Can You Eat Your Way to Fewer Migraines?
Eating lots of fatty fish and cutting out polyunsaturated fats may reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines, a new study suggests. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish like tuna, salmon, bluefish and mackerel may help manage migraine, especially in tandem with eliminating omega-6 fatty acids from vegetable oils, the researchers found. “It’s moderate evidence that… read on > read on >